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CHICAGO PROMOTIONAL EXAM:
How To Get Started With Your Preparation
Preparing for promotion is an important career
decision. This is particularly true today as the competition for
supervisory and command positions in law enforcement agencies is
fierce. The challenge for those who are serious about promotion is
that they must be more prepared today than ever before. The road
to promotion is one of hard work and personal commitment. The key
to success will be determined by how well you prepare.
When a promotional exam is announced, just starting
your preparation is one of the hardest things to do. I firmly
believe the early bird does get the worm. Here are five things
you can do to begin your preparation.
1. DEVELOP A PLAN
Start
thinking about exactly what you’re going to do. Make the
commitment. When am I going to study? Where am I going to study?
Who am I going to study with? Etc.
Speak
with successful supervisors and managers in the workplace. Ask
them about their study techniques.
Before
you begin studying, make an appointment to have your eyes checked,
especially if eye fatigue is occurring more frequently than
normal.
2. GATHER UP ALL THE MATERIALS
Keep your GOs, SOs, and ILC statutes updated. Buy
the disk which contains all the promotional exam reading
materials. Then, print them out. Once you obtain all the
materials, put them away. Then, just take out a few orders at a
time to study. This way you won’t feel overwhelmed.
3.
ESTABLISH THE PROPER MINDSET
If you’re taking a test to become a boss, you have
to start thinking like one. This is especially true while you’re
working. When you hear calls on the radio for a supervisor, think
about what you would do with respect to proper supervisorial
principles. Critical incidents, complaints, performance issues,
how would you handle it?
4. BE POSITIVE!
How much time do we spend complaining everyday at
work? A lot right? Well, when its exam time, avoid the whiners and
complainers. It’s a time waster that distracts you from
studying. Stay with the positive people who are focused on
studying.
5. BEGIN YOUR STUDY
If you
sign up for a study group, it should be in addition to your
individual study.
Think of
the total study time in small increments. Study at least two to
three hours per day, five days a week. Choose a quiet place and
select a time when your energy level is highest.
Log your
study time and chart your readings on a calendar. Set goals and
deadlines and follow them. Make adjustments as
needed. Periodically reward yourself and your family for your hard
work. Don’t take on major responsibilities or projects while
you’re studying for the exam.
For more
information on preparation for the sergeants exam, make sure to
get on our mailing list. Its up to you
to get your plan into motion. If you don’t put the time and
effort in, somebody else will. Best of luck in the promotional
exam process.
Dr. Jeff Bernstein is a retired police sergeant who has a
doctorate in psychology. Since 1985, he has conducted
promotional exam preparation for thousands of police officers
throughout the country. He is the co-author of the best
selling book, "Supervision of Police Personnel." He may be
reached at 1-800-272-5353 or email him at
info@bernsteintestprep.com
