From working in retail to being a teacher, every job you've ever held outside the field serves a useful purpose in a law enforcement career. The acquisition of technical skills, the knowledge and understanding of standard business practices, awareness of the methods employed by industry in the manufacturing of goods, and the ability to work with other people are just some of the important things you can learn in other fields that will help you in your law enforcement career. As an applicant, you don't have to have a long resume of past employment, but you should not be embarrassed if you do. Any work experience will be directly applicable in some way.

Often the specific nature of past employment plays an important role in the assignment of a law enforcement official. Someone who was once an auto mechanic may find it easier dealing with motor carrier inspections than an officer who was formerly a clerk in a department store. Some of the best arson investigators are people who once worked in construction, where they developed an in-depth understanding of construction methods and the characteristics of building materials. It is ideal for agents who become a public information officer (PIO) to have some experience with public speaking, in order to give the agency a professional persona. But in the end it matters little what your specific experience might be, as long as you bring some kind of experience with you when you apply.