Even though you can't be appointed (as a police officer, Special Constable or Police Community Support Officer) with Staffordshire Police until you are 18, there are still some things you can do in the meantime to make you stand out from the crowd.

Things to think about while you're still at school or college

It's unlikely that you'll be able to show that you have relevant work experience when you apply but there are other things you can do while you're still at school or college that can give you a head start when you're looking for your first job.

We are looking for special people to join the policing family - whether it's as an officer or member of police staff. Because you need a good level of general fitness to be an officer or Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), it's a good idea to keep fit. Do regular exercise and try to keep to a healthy weight.

Team sports are a great idea. Not only do they help boost your fitness levels, they also show you can work well with other people - a really important quality for officers and staff alike.

Volunteering in the community

We are looking for people who are good communicators, who can show initiative and get on well with others. One way to demonstrate this is through voluntary and community work. This is a great way of gaining life experience and will impress employers, wherever you go on to work.

Volunteering for community clear-up schemes and litter-picks will show that you're prepared to do something to improve where you live. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has a community service section so enrolling on this type of scheme would give you the chance to show what you've done to help people who live near you.

Although we don't ask for minimum qualifications to work as an officer or PCSO, we do look for good standards of maths and written and spoken English. Working hard on these subjects will be very useful, not only in your application to Staffordshire Police, but in the world of work generally.

A way to gain experience for the role of a police officer is to become a Special Constable. 'Specials', as they're known, are volunteers who often have other jobs and give up a few hours a week to work alongside regular officers. They have the same powers as full-time officers so it's a good way of finding out what the job really entails before you commit yourself to a career in the police. You need to be 18 years old to apply to be a Special Constable.

Compiling your 'CV'

A curriculum vitae (CV) sets out your work history, your qualifications and your interests. It's your opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer. You can use the content from your CV on our official application forms when you apply for a job with us.

This is where your voluntary activities will give you an advantage over other people. Employers will be impressed by young people who've been prepared to get involved with things whether that's voluntary work, sports or hobbies.

A good application with specific evidence of what you have done can make the difference between getting a job and not even being granted an interview.

Work Experience

Due to changes taking place within organisational structures, we will not be in a position to offer work experience placements within Force during the 2011/2012 school year.  We will make a decision by the end of April 2012 with regards to whether we can offer any placements for the 2012/2013 school year.

Work experience is an unpaid opportunity for young people to experience working life while they are still at school. It will give you the chance to:

• work alongside adults as part of a team
• develop and practise a range of new skills
• become more confident in your abilities
• relate your school curriculum and qualifications to the workplace
• make more informed decisions about your future
• develop your communication skills

We are generally able to offer a limited number of placements in police stations across Staffordshire. Placements will normally be offered in administrative roles such as human resources, finance and business services.

Given the nature of the work carried out within the police service, we have to be very careful about placements for young people. To ensure your safety, we cannot allow you to work in situations where you could be at risk - for example with an officer on the beat. Many areas of our work also deal with private and confidential information which you would not be allowed to access.

We aim to encourage students to reach their full potential and gain experience of a 'real-life' work environment. Using the skills you learn both at school, and through work experience, will help you to find a job later on.