Correctional Officer Resume Samples and Tips

The workplace of a correctional officer, as in any law enforcement profession, is a dangerous one. While the demands may vary depending on whether you’re working as a bailiff, in juvenile detention, at a reformatory, or a full-blown state or federal prison, working in the penal industry is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. Candidates need to show they’re ready for the task with a high quality resume.

Tips for Correctional Officer Resumes

Maintaining a Log

For corrections officers, it’s important to establish a routine, knowing that rounds, inspections, contraband checks, headcounts, and the follow-up reporting on prisoner behavior can mean the difference between life and death. Officer candidates should show a rounded understanding of the job’s demands via an error-free resume. Specific action verbs like “maintained,” “monitored,” “oversaw,” and “patrolled” can be an additional means of linking your knowledge with particular activities.

Non-Violent Methods

While there can be instances where a dispute becomes an outright altercation, physical force should always be a last resort. Thus, if you’re able, it’s important to be able to talk about the communication skills necessary to work with others on the job and ensure safety by talking prisoners down from dangerous situations. Being able to speak specifically about deterrent methods such as sanctions, separating groups, and additional searches is just as valuable as the more dramatic efforts.

Changing the System

Prisons are always looking for ways in which they can improve operations either by cutting costs or improving staff safety. If you’ve worked in corrections already, your resume should address any increases in workplace efficiency and oversight that you’ve helped to contribute to. If you’re straight out of an academy, talk about what you learned within the program as a means of demonstrating that you paid close attention in classes and are now ready for a career. Your placement in the academy can also be an excellent selling point.

Correctional Officer Resume Samples

The roles and responsibilities of the corrections officer are some of the most important of any occupation, and your resume should treat that role with the proper respect. Consider the following sample:

 

One single error on your own resume could cause challenges for your job prospects, as employers are looking for those that have a high attention to detail.

Additional Correctional Officer Resume Tips

• Changing of the Guard – If you’re looking to move up the ranks either to federal prisons or overseeing lower-level operations, a bachelor’s in criminal justice, management, psychology, or communication is a plus, as is military or law enforcement training. However, if you have skills in computer usage, dependency or mental health counseling, vocational work, etc., these may also be advantageous for the employer to know.
• Highlight Your Understanding – In the skills section or professional summary, it is a good idea to also highlight your understanding of the role and responsibilities of the of the correctional officer. Examples include everything from knowledge of inmate rights to advanced training in self-defense to inspections and more. These all show an understanding of the challenges of the job.

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You want the right resume to be able to show these employers that you’re going to be an asset, not a liability, and someone that is more skilled and experienced than others. Create your professional correctional officer resume today at Online Resume Builders.

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