AIBU or is my mum living in cloud cuckoo land???

[ThoseArentSpiritFingers]

Just got off the phone, she wants me to apply to the police force. I old them they are not hiring anyone just now due to cut backs, cue argument.....

Just graduated, looking for work, an police force was something I considered. However when I checked the local areas website careers section, there was a message saying that due to cut backs/uncertainty of funding etc they were not hiring anyone new, and would fill places with previous applicants of the last 2 years, already in their system.

My mun thinks that this is the first 'test' of trying to get a job and that I should email and ask, or better still turn up at the police station with a CV.....

When I told her that everything for applying for jobs was done centrally online and that it was closed so I could therefore not apply she accused me of not thinking outside the box.

She then said that it was all about being in the right place at the right time and that 'what if someone was off sick for a few days then I could fill in if I turned up at the right time' when I tried to explain about training etc and that I couldn't just walk of the street to fill in for someone for a couple of days, she old me that my negative attitude was depressing.

Is it just me or is she very naive about how jobs work and abou the current economical situation we are in just now!?!?

[milkshakejake]

yes, she is naive. you can't just work in a police station for a few days ad hoc - at least i hope not anyway! On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to send your CV in with a covering letter saying that you understand they are not recruiting at the moment, but could they keep your details on file for the future?

[FakePlasticTrees]

She doesn't get that public sector work isn't like private sector. Those ideas might work in a private sector firm where the person who you turn up and give your CV too might be someone you'd work for and the application process would be a CV & covering letter, in the public sector it's never a CV and covering letter, it's always a form to be completed, no accepting other applications etc. Police recruitment is centrally run.

If there is a number on the website for HR/recruitment, I would contact them, as they might accept an application, but only if you do it via their main forms and through the correct channels.

[iklboo]

Does your mum think female police officers just do the typing like they did in Life on Mars (like FIL does) and that's why you 'could fill in for a few days?

[babeinthewood]

Sounds like it?! Im not being rude, but does your mum currently work?

agree with Milkshake Jake, I would send your CV in anyway, worst case senario they never call you, on the other hand you may get a nice surprise one day. Certainly wouldnt say you're not thinking outside the box....you're looking for work, thats more than alot of people are doing!

Good Luck with your job hunting :)

[ThoseArentSpiritFingers]

The thing is she works as a teacher so should understand how public sector works!!

[cjbartlett]

Could you volunteer as a special first ?

[activate]

She is trying to encourage you to do something to make yourself stand out

If you really want something you should find a way to make yourself stand out

Personally if i wanted to be police then I would also ignore the central sign - I would locate the HR office and go in person - I would ask to speak to someone while fully appreciating the current halt on recruitment and then find out things because this is what I really want to do - I would ask about how to improve my CV (here is my CV please take it)

I think your mum is right tbh and she's trying to give you confidence

and it is confidence, and being in the right place at the right time that makes a difference

[madeupme]

I think the only real way into the police these days is through being a PCSO or a special first. Both routes worth thinking about as a recent graduate. Being a special looks great on the cv whatever job you are applying for (unless of the decidedly dodgy variety)

[Tigerstripes]

As someone who's DH applied to the police force twice, I cam tell you that there is NO WAY they accept a CV (10 page form including five essay style questions at last look!) so don't waste your time. Send your CVs into places that might consider them. And it's your mum who's BU!

[ZillionChocolate]

I think she's firmly in cloud cuckoo land. One of my friends got through the police recruitment process and then they decided they weren't recruiting. No amount of CV waving is going to help that.

Good luck.

[Andrewofgg]

Cloud Cuckoo Land is nicer than the real world, though. My MIL lives there so I know more about it than I want to hear.

[ImperialBlether]

Sorry, I'm laughing my head off at your mum, OP. The idea of going into your local police station with a cv and them saying, "Hey, our Sergeant is off with belly ache - can you fill in for him? He's with the drugs squad - you'd be OK with that, wouldn't you?"

[PebblesAndWine]

I really wouldn't bother with a cv?! The recruitment process is incredibly tough. And they really are not recruiting and won't be any time soon...

So YANBU!

[Verahaspurpletwuntypants]

They can't and won't accept a CV. Have you tried seeing if they are taking on in different areas?

[LineRunner]

Tiger's right. Send your CV to places that accept CVs. The police most certainly do not and if HR received one from you they would think you don't understand the website!

To apply for the police you have to have an official application form; and if they are not giving them out, then they are not giving them out.

Having said that, you don't have to restrict yourself to applying to your local constabulary. Have you looked at other counties' web sites and the Met?

Ambulance trusts are recruiting, btw, if you wish to consider a career as a paramedic instead in a frontline emergency service.

Your mum is beyond cloud cuckoo land.

iklboo

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I like your mum's go-get attitude. So what if the police aren't recruiting or are hamstrung by some red-tape application system?

[inkyfingers]

So pleased - she sounds just like mine!! She means well. Lots of people make the mistake about private/public sector. Mine hoped that getting my face around at schools meant they'd just take me on as a teacher on permanent contract - well, they might, but only after they'd advertised and got the rest of the world in to interview first.

[Brainhurtsandconfused]

I think that your mum sounds like a lot of people who are not actively job searching in this current climate and don't realise just how hard it is to get your foot in the door and apply for a job if the company are not recruiting.

Most recruitment is done via online application these days and even my local supermarket won't accept cvs but refer you to keep checking for vacancies online.

[spritzercat]

Riding, bless your mum, but in the case of applying for the police, I think she might be quite wrong.

The police have a very formal process for recruitment and a CV would be ignored. Sometimes there is admin temp work available through agencies but with the cuts taking place these aren't as readily available as they used to be. Also, in all cases a detailed police clearance check will need to be completed and passed before you're allowed though the staff entrance of a police station.

Although your mum is trying to be encouraging, the police have a specific recruitment process, a very thorough one at that and so no, in this case thinking outside of the box is not advised!

I wouldn't let it put you off applying in the future though and good luck with your job hunting.

[ImperialBlether]

Activate, taking the cv into head office wouldn't get her anywhere and might actually put her at a disadvantage. It would make her appear stupid, not resourceful.

[debivamp]

I agree with a previous post regarding becoming a special. with regard to your mum - please tell me she is not a careers teacher!!!!
Bye the way, my DH works in the high court in London and they are currently looking for High Court Judges clerks.

[activate]

yes Imagine I suppose for the police you are quite right

but I do still think that a little bit of something, a get-up and go, is sorely missing in many of the young people leaving schools and universities nowadays IME

[EduStudent]

Activate I actually think a lot of that comes from young people leaving school/university being used to official channels when applying to jobs etc. Trying to get a Saturday job at 16, I went round every shop in town with a CV. At least half told me I would have to apply through their website. For a four hour job at the weekend.

There are many careers now where 'a get-up and go' won't actually help you get the job. I agree that there are many careers where this isn't the case, but actually I would imagine there have always been people who were lazy and people who weren't.

[itisnearlysummer]

Agree that taking a CV in to the police when they have clearly stated that they are not recruiting is going to make you look like you don't understand the police recruitment process/their website and would put them off imo.

[lilmissminx]

You could always ask if they were willing to give you some work experience, if it is what you want to do. You won't earn anything for it, but it is a foot in the door and would look good on your cv. They may have something you can do. Or, look into Community policing as a starting block.