A police hiring consortium affords opportunities for the applicant as well as the department. They're more popular in certain states, so if you have these in your area or location of interest, utilize them to the fullest.
The real secret for success is to make it as easy as possible for the people handling your application. The more they have to work on your application, the more you'll get noticed (not in a good way). If you can't follow simple directions, play by the rules, and complete simple tasks, the process will weed you out.
It's competitive out there, and I know you want the job. So learn the kinks in the process. Don't fall for them. Instead, work your plan as an intelligent job applicant.
You may complete the academy, but won't be certified until a law enforcement agency employs you. In some states, this completes the certification process. In others, you'll have to attend additional law enforcement training for completion. Because you haven't been a cop, you may not have received specialized training that requires full law enforcement clearances.
Don't lose heart. Finding a way to stand out and rise to the top is the real goal.
Once you find some questions, practice them in front of someone and make sure to do it aloud. Sitting in your room whispering them will not cut it.
Because the market is so competitive, you must try harder and give your best at all times. Treat every application as the most important document you've ever filled out. Slight mistakes, omissions, or sloppiness can result in elimination.
In this country, we call it a credit history or credit score. I tend to refer to it as your credit reputation, because that is what prospective employers are reading into your credit history.
If you have lived a tawdry past, then you should know that some astute investigator will find out during your background investigation. If you think that you have any disqualifiers in your past, do yourself a favor and do some research.
I fielded a call the other day from a young lad who was preparing to end his tour of service with the military. He wanted to enter law enforcement nearly instantaneously. Hold on; it is not that simple.