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The end result of an effective Correctional Officer Resume

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Correctional Officer Resume

If you're a Correctional Officer, you know what your job entails. You have the job of supervising people who got arrested and are being contained at a jail, prison, or other correctional facility. That can range from maintaining records and writing reports, to inmate escort, restraint and counseling. You are responsible for enforcing the rules of the particular institution that employs you, and this can make the job very dangerous at times. Being constantly alert and ready for confrontation is an essential part of being a corrections officer, and work can be extremely stressful.

OK - seems straightforward enough. But the question is, how do you translate that information onto a resume in such a way as to motivate a hiring official into picking up the phone? If you're not sure, that's OK. Most people aren't used to thinking about their jobs in a promotional sense. The good news is that it's something you can learn. But it will take time, and energy.

If you're in short supply of either, there's an alternative: hand the project off to a professional resume writer who has an appropriate background and the necessary skills to craft a corrections resume that will get results.

Former recruiter David Alan Carter recommends the following resume services for Correctional Officers... each with a Better Business Bureau score of "A" or better.

Recommended Resume Services for a Correctional Officer Resume

Considering a Career Move into Corrections?

If you're considering a move into corrections from either a closely related field or from a totally unrelated profession, you'll be looking for a transitional resume -- and a talented resume writer to handle the assignment. Transitional resumes are some of the most difficult resume projects as they require a writer knowledgeable in at least two professions -- and the ability to identify transferable skills from one to the other.

Before you hand off that resume assignment, make sure you know enough about the job of a Correctional Officer to... a) really want it, and b) be able to step up to the plate. Here's a quick overview (more information at Wikipedia - Prison Officer):

What You'll Do: The job of a correctional officer usually involves: maintaining records and writing reports, patrolling the facility and facility grounds to keep an eye on prisoner activity and location, making sure all inmates do their chores, restraining inmates who refuse to cooperate, escorting prisoners from one location to another, preventing inmate-on-inmate crimes, preventing inmate escape, offering advice and counseling for prisoners, performing searches for illegal drugs or makeshift weapons, doing routine quality inspections on facilities, engaging in routine re-enactments and training for a number of different scenarios, doing physical training, and enforcing all the rules of the correctional facility.

You will probably be employed by the local, state, or federal government and work eight-hour shifts for five days every week. Overtime work as well as nights, weekends, and holidays are not uncommon.

Education and Training: Correctional officers are required to have at least a high school diploma or GED for employment, although most possess associate's or bachelor's degrees. Most will undergo a training academy to learn the necessary skills to perform the job competently. Topics of interest might include: general duties of COs, general rules and regulations of correctional facilities, self-defense techniques, weapons handling, how to perform searches, security procedures and more.

If hired, you must complete more on-the-job training to get acquainted with the particular correctional facility you are assigned to. Applicants with military or law enforcement experience or a degree in psychology or counseling may have an edge when it comes to landing a position. Those with counseling or supervising experience may also have an advantage.

The Future: The Correctional Officer profession is expected to grow at about 5% through 2020. That's slower than the average for all occupations, and will likely result in competition for available positions. 

The Pay: Annual salaries for Correctional Officers in the U.S. range from $26,000 to $67,200, with the average median annual wage hitting $38,900 in 2011 as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.



Still interested in pursuing a position in corrections? Great. The next step is to prepare for a consultative telephone interview with your resume writer. Treat the coming job search like the business it is, and you'll do fine.

Best of luck,
David Alan Carter, OccupationalResumes.com

P.S. More information at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Correctional Officers and ONetOnline.org - Summary Report for Correctional Officers

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