Resume guide · Job Zone 3

Customs and Border Protection Officersresume guide.

Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect A strong Customs and Border Protection Officers resume shows active listening, critical thinking and speaking, and names the tools you have worked with, such as Microsoft Office software, IBM WebSphere MQ and Microsoft Outlook.

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01Also called

O*NET
Canine Enforcement Officer (K-9 Enforcement Officer)Customs InspectorCustoms OfficerImport SpecialistSpecial AgentUS Customs and Border Protection Officer (US CBPO)Agriculture SpecialistAir Import SpecialistBorder Patrol AgentCustoms and Border Patrol Agent

02Skills employers expect

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Importance is how much the skill matters to the job; level is how much of it the job demands. Both are worth naming on the resume, in this order.

SkillImportanceLevel
Active ListeningVery highAdvanced
Critical ThinkingVery highIntermediate
SpeakingVery highAdvanced
Reading ComprehensionHighIntermediate
Social PerceptivenessHighIntermediate
Judgment and Decision MakingHighIntermediate
MonitoringHighIntermediate
WritingHighIntermediate
Active LearningHighIntermediate
CoordinationHighIntermediate

03Knowledge areas

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  • Law and Government
  • Public Safety and Security
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Psychology
  • Administrative
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Geography
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Education and Training

04Common responsibilities

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Ordered by importance. Each one is a bullet waiting for a result and a number.

  1. Examine immigration applications, visas, and passports and interview persons to determine eligibility for admission, residence, and travel in the U.S.
  2. Detain persons found to be in violation of customs or immigration laws and arrange for legal action, such as deportation.
  3. Inspect cargo, baggage, and personal articles entering or leaving U.S. for compliance with revenue laws and U.S. customs regulations.
  4. Locate and seize contraband, undeclared merchandise, and vehicles, aircraft, or boats that contain such merchandise.
  5. Interpret and explain laws and regulations to travelers, prospective immigrants, shippers, and manufacturers.
  6. Institute civil and criminal prosecutions and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of those in violation of immigration or customs laws.
  7. Testify regarding decisions at immigration appeals or in federal court.
  8. Record and report job-related activities, findings, transactions, violations, discrepancies, and decisions.
  9. Determine duty and taxes to be paid on goods.
  10. Collect samples of merchandise for examination, appraisal, or testing.

05Software and tools

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12 tools across 8 categories. The six largest categories are below; Hot marks a hot technology, In demand a tool employers ask for most often.

Data base user interface and query software4
  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
  • Law enforcement information databases
  • Treasury Enforcement Communications System TECS
  • Automated Manifest System AMS
Office suite software2
Cloud-based management software1
  • IBM WebSphere MQHotIn demand
Electronic mail software1
Enterprise resource planning ERP software1
Mobile location based services software1
  • Global positioning system GPS software
Spreadsheet software1
Word processing software1

06Education and preparation

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Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
39% of surveyed workers. Others report Bachelor's Degree (27%) and Some College Courses (14%).
Preparation level
Job Zone 3 · Medium preparation
Usually vocational training, an associate degree or a few years of related experience.

07Putting it on your resume

ResumeXRays guidance
BEE · How to show it

Lead with the credential and the record. Job Zone 3 roles usually ask for training, a license or a few years of related experience. Put those on the first screen, then show what you did with them.

List the software you have actually used. Employers scan for Microsoft Office software, IBM WebSphere MQ and Microsoft Outlook. Put the ones you know in a skills line, spelled the way the vendor spells them.

Show critical thinking and speaking, not just active listening. Critical thinking and speaking rank close to active listening for this occupation. One bullet per role that shows a decision, a tradeoff or a result covers them.

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