Police Hiring: This Powerful Persuasion Technique

Would you like to become more persuasive?  Would you like to be seen as more persuasive or authoritative while you are trying to get secure your first police job?  I hope that your answers are yes and yes. There is a simple, yet under-utilized technique that always puts science and persuasion on your side.  The best part of this technique is you can get it done before you even meet with your first police recruiter, sit for an oral board, or fill out your first application.  All it requires is some simple preparation.

The technique I am talking about comes down to one subject, your appearance.  More to the point, be seen wearing the proper attire.  This isn’t another simpleton what-to-wear article.  I am going to give you the why and the science.  You will see how powerful what you wear is when starting your police career.  It plays into any and all police hiring process, both consciously and subconsciously.

Scores of police candidates don’t seem to understand or worse, don’t care.  For centuries, clothing has mattered.  Consider what American author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau said in the 1800s, “It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes.”  What Thoreau was talking about was the importance of clothing.  Even if you and the pre-employment professionals you deal with throughout your police hiring process don’t think it matters, all of you would be wrong.

“Authority” is one of the laws of persuasion, which is well known in social psychology.  In 1955, a study conducted by M. Lefkowitz, R.R. Blake, and J.S. Mouton looked at status factors in pedestrian violations at traffic signals.  People were 3 ½ times more likely to follow a person in a well-tailored suit versus a person in casual clothing.  What does jaywalking have to do with your police oral board interview, contact with a police recruiter, or anything law enforcement at all?  The Lefkowitz, et. al., study has been confirmed numerous times since it was first conducted.  Suits are closely associated with a person of high status and authority.  You not only want to look sharp for your interview, you want to be perceived as more credible not only consciously, but subconsciously.

When preparing for your police career you can check clothing off of your list before you even walk in the door.  That is probably the best part of this portion of your preparation. Clothing will be one less thing to worry about.  Now you will have more time to prepare for every other portion of the police hiring process.

Now ask yourself this, are you wearing a suit or business casual when you go to your police interview?  There are still applicants meeting with police recruiters and sitting for their interview wearing business casual.  Don’t let this be you  Wearing the proper suit to you police interview will put the power of science and persuasion on your side.