Beyond the Thin Blue Line - Career Strategies for Law Enforcement Officers: Course Outline

Introduction:

In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, law enforcement officers often find themselves contemplating their career trajectories within or beyond the law enforcement profession. "Beyond the Thin Blue Line: Career Strategies for Law Enforcement Officers" is a comprehensive two-hour lecture designed to equip law enforcement professionals with the necessary skills and strategies to transition effectively into new career opportunities, whether within or outside the law enforcement sector.

Colin Whittington, a former deputy sheriff, 2019 Deputy Sheriff of the Year for the entire State of Virginia, Founder and CEO of Recruiting Heroes LLC, and author of Beyond the Thin Blue Line, shares his expertise developed throughout a career in law enforcement and the recruiting industry. Colin will draw from his own successes and failures during his transition to the private sector as well as hundreds of conversations with local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who have transitioned to the civilian workforce. ?

Participants will learn the current best practices for resume writing, optimizing their LinkedIn profiles, the power of networking, and career opportunities in the civilian sector. Law enforcement leaders will also learn of the importance and benefit of providing this information to their officers early in their career. ??

Course Objectives:

1. Identifying areas of interest and translatable skills: Participants will learn how to review their time in law enforcement and identify areas of interest, allowing them to discover potential industries in the private sector they may wish to explore. They will also learn how to identify transferable skills and translate them into terms civilian employers can understand.

2. Resume Writing Mastery: Participants will learn the art of crafting compelling resumes that highlight their skills, achievements, and experiences in a manner that resonates with prospective employers. ?Officers will learn how to refine their resumes to stand out in competitive job markets and promotional processes.

3. LinkedIn Profile Optimization & Networking: A strong online presence is paramount for career advancement in today's digital age. Colin will delve into the intricacies of LinkedIn profile optimization, teaching participants how to leverage the platform to showcase their professional brand, expand their networks, and attract lucrative opportunities.

4. Strategic Networking: Networking is a powerful tool for career growth, yet many law enforcement professionals may be unfamiliar with effective networking strategies. This segment provides actionable tips for building and nurturing online and offline professional relationships to unlock new avenues for career advancement.

Target Audience:

- Law enforcement officers approaching retirement who need assistance to ensure a smooth transition to the civilian workforce.

- Law enforcement officers who still have years to go in their career but are interested in building their network and are interested in learning the steps to take throughout their law enforcement career to prepare for a future transition to the private sector.

- Candidates aspiring to advance within their agencies and requiring resume writing assistance for promotional processes.

- Law enforcement executives who wish to provide their officers with the ability and tools they need to succeed in their careers, both within and outside of their agencies.

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Class Format:

Duration: 4 hours

Delivery: PowerPoint Presentation, lecture, and group discussions.

Materials: At the end of the lecture, all participants will be given a link to download Colin’s professional resume template and LinkedIn optimization guide free of charge. All participants will also be eligible to receive 50% off of any Recruiting Heroes service, should they be interested. These include professional resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, or career coaching.

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Key Benefits:

- Gain insights into resume writing best practices tailored to law enforcement backgrounds.

- Enhance LinkedIn profiles to attract attention from recruiters and industry professionals.

- Develop effective networking strategies to expand professional connections and access new opportunities.

- Explore diverse career paths and leverage transferable skills for success in the private sector.

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Instructor:

Colin Whittington is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Recruiting Heroes LLC, an employment agency dedicated to finding amazing careers for America’s law enforcement officers and military veterans following their years of service. Colin served as a Deputy Sheriff for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia for over seven years. He served in various positions throughout the agency, including Patrol, Community Policing, as the agency’s Public Information Officer, and, finally, as the Sergeant of the Employment Services Section, where he oversaw the recruiting and background investigation process. Colin was named the 2019 Deputy Sheriff of the Year for the State of Virginia by the Virginia Sheriff’s Association.

Colin left the law enforcement profession in 2022 and immediately noticed the lack of resources available to law enforcement officers wishing to pursue careers beyond the badge. This inspired him to open his own recruiting/employment firm, Recruiting Heroes LLC.

Colin and his team at Recruiting Heroes work with candidates and companies around America. Recruiting Heroes provides numerous services for candidates, including resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, career coaching, and reverse recruiting (working with candidates to identify job opportunities and get them hired). Recruiting Heroes also works directly with companies and organizations around the nation who share Colin’s passion for hiring America’s Heroes. Recruiting Heroes has worked with notable names, including L3Harris, T-Mobile, Wegmans, Allied Universal, American Corporate Partners, and many other distinguished companies.

This year, Colin published his debut book, Beyond the Thin Blue Line, which hit Best-Seller status in its first week. In this book, Colin takes you on a deeply personal journey through the highs and lows of life in law enforcement and the transition to the private sector. Colin shares his experiences and insights to help law enforcement officers navigate the transition to civilian life with confidence and purpose. From crafting resumes to networking strategies to interviewing techniques, this book offers practical advice and inspiring stories to guide you through every step of the process. This self-help book is a “must read” for any law enforcement officer considering life after law enforcement.

Colin’s desire to serve did not end when he left the law enforcement profession. He is now passionate about serving those who have chosen a life of service. Our Veterans and First Responders.

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Class Schedule:

Duration: 4 hours

Introduction: (15 minutes)

- Brief introduction of the instructor and his experience in law enforcement and career transition.

- Importance of career planning and development in law enforcement.

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Identifying Areas of Interests, Transferable Skills, & Resume Writing (1 hour 45 minutes)

- How to identify areas of interest, how to highlight skills gained during a law enforcement career, and how to articulate these skills in terms that civilian employers will understand.

- Understanding the components of an effective resume.

- Tailoring resumes for different job opportunities.

- Crafting compelling career summaries and achievement statements.

- Understanding transferable skills and their relevance in different industries.

- Identifying potential career paths outside of law enforcement.

- Q&A session: Clarification of resume writing concepts and addressing common concerns.

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Breaks every 45-60 minutes (5- 10 minutes)

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LinkedIn Profile Optimization & Networking (1 hour 45 minutes)

- Overview of the importance of LinkedIn in professional branding and networking.

- Optimizing LinkedIn profiles for maximum visibility and impact.

- Leveraging LinkedIn features such as endorsements, recommendations, and groups.

- Interactive session: Participants are encouraged to update their LinkedIn profiles with real-time feedback from the instructor.

- Group discussion: Sharing strategies for engaging with connections and building a strong professional network.

- Importance of networking in career advancement and transition.

- Building and nurturing professional relationships both online and offline.

- Strategies for effective networking on LinkedIn

- Real-life exercise: Instructor will show participants how to locate and connect with leaders in various industries and have volunteering participants send actual connection requests and messages to decision makers.

- Tips for maintaining and leveraging professional connections over time.

Conclusion and Q&A Session: (15 minutes)

- Recap of key learnings from the course.

- Addressing any remaining questions or concerns from participants.

- Closing remarks and encouragement for participants to take proactive steps towards their career goals.

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Contact us at [email protected] to schedule me to visit your agency!