My first few posts were about getting out and getting the job I wanted. I am a firm believer that if you want something, you have to go out and get it no matter how hard it might seem, or if anyone else thinks you can do it or not. If you want it them make it happen. Since the first posts I’m currently in the pre-employment stages for TSA, TSI-K9, and Border Patrol. At the end of last semester there was a very rare position that opened up. A position that would give me what I wanted again. It would give me the military structure, the comradery, and most importantly K9. I would be apart of this “bigger picture” once again. The position was a DOD K9 Handler. They worked along side K9 and military police. They worked for the federal government, and it was very VERY rare that a position like this opened up. As soon as was informed about it, I immediately tweaked my resume for the particular position and had about 5 people look at it including 2 people from the base in San Diego where the position was located. The Deputy Chief of Police (DCOP) for San Diego even reviewed it and gave me a few pointers. The hardest part is getting your resume through USAJobs. A system takes out key wording and phrases. If you can get through USAJobs your already on your way. After my resume was submitted I informed 5 very well respected personnel in the K9 world that I submitted for the position and that they may receive a call on my behalf.
Out of thousands of applicants, my resume along with 17 others made their way through USAJobs and into the hands of 4 individuals that run the Security Department in San Diego. I was home for winter break when I got the call. It was DCOP saying himself, Security Officer, Assistant Security Officer, and the Kennel Master wanted to interview me. Only 4 were selected out of the 17 for an interview. I just could not believe I was picked! That night I contacted my old Kennel Master from when I was in the Navy and I found out he was in charge of all of the kennels in the Northwestern region. Even though I have not talked to him in 2 years, I still reached out to him hoping to seek some advice for my interview the next day. He shared some tips with me and wished me luck and he was routing for me.
During the phone interview I was nervous as hell! The night before I thought of some questions I thought they would ask and came up with my answers or a particular event that I experienced. I even had notecards sitting on my computer during the interview reminding me to talk slower (I talk fast when I’m nervous) and another saying “everyone puts their pants on the same way”. Something my dad always told me when talking to a higher ranking or important person so I wouldn’t be so nervous.
For the most part they asked everything I thought they would. There was a couple questions that threw me, but I remained calm and just told them what I knew. After the call I sent a Thank you email and then I waited.
Three weeks had pasted and I still didn’t hear anything, so I sent a follow up email. Then on Thursday I got a call from a handler that helped review my resume that I needed to keep an eye out for a job offer! I almost started crying I was so happy! The next day I received the official offer and well.... this story is to be continued.
Out of thousands of applicants, my resume along with 17 others made their way through USAJobs and into the hands of 4 individuals that run the Security Department in San Diego. I was home for winter break when I got the call. It was DCOP saying himself, Security Officer, Assistant Security Officer, and the Kennel Master wanted to interview me. Only 4 were selected out of the 17 for an interview. I just could not believe I was picked! That night I contacted my old Kennel Master from when I was in the Navy and I found out he was in charge of all of the kennels in the Northwestern region. Even though I have not talked to him in 2 years, I still reached out to him hoping to seek some advice for my interview the next day. He shared some tips with me and wished me luck and he was routing for me.
During the phone interview I was nervous as hell! The night before I thought of some questions I thought they would ask and came up with my answers or a particular event that I experienced. I even had notecards sitting on my computer during the interview reminding me to talk slower (I talk fast when I’m nervous) and another saying “everyone puts their pants on the same way”. Something my dad always told me when talking to a higher ranking or important person so I wouldn’t be so nervous.
For the most part they asked everything I thought they would. There was a couple questions that threw me, but I remained calm and just told them what I knew. After the call I sent a Thank you email and then I waited.
Three weeks had pasted and I still didn’t hear anything, so I sent a follow up email. Then on Thursday I got a call from a handler that helped review my resume that I needed to keep an eye out for a job offer! I almost started crying I was so happy! The next day I received the official offer and well.... this story is to be continued.