| How to Become a Customs Inspector Posted: 08 Aug 2017 05:00 PM PDT Customs inspectors play a very important role in national security. Whether they're assessing who or what is leaving or entering a country, they're enforcing laws that ensure safety. This job keeps you on the edge of your seat and puts you in a position to make a difference. If this sounds compelling to you, there are several things you'll need to do to start on a career path. Make sure you meet the basic requirements, go through the application process, and make some impressive additions to your resume in order to become a customs inspector.[1] EditMeeting the Basic Qualifications - Be a citizen and resident of the United States. Before you can be eligible to work as a customs inspector in the United States, you have to be a U.S. citizen who has lived in the U.S. for a least the past three years.[2]
- Wait until you're at least 21 years old. Unfortunately, you can't work as a customs inspector until you've reached the age of 21. If you really want to become a customs inspector but you're only 18 or 19 years old, beef up your resume with relevant degrees, internships, or volunteer work and familiarize yourself with the application process in order to speed through it once you've reached the required age.[3]
- Get a degree in criminal justice. While there are sometimes exceptions for those with a lot of relevant job experience, you'll need to acquire a bachelor's degree from an accredited college to make sure that you meet all educational requirements.[4] Any bachelor's degree is acceptable, but getting one in criminal justice, law, or another related field will best prepare you.
EditApplying for a Position - Fill out and submit an application online. Since becoming a customs inspector is heavily related to national security, you'll need to apply through the government. To get more information and apply for positions in the United States, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/.[5]
- To have a complete application, you'll also need to submit necessary documents, such as transcripts and your resume.[6]
- Take an entrance exam. You'll be required to take an initial entrance exam, which tests whether or not you have the mental ability to become a customs inspector. The exam typically takes 4-6 hours and involves assessing your work style, arithmetic reasoning skills, logic based reasoning skills, and writing skills.[7]
- Get a background check done. You'll have to pass a thorough background check before becoming a customs inspector. Three elements typically go into making a final decision: preliminary vetting checks, a polygraph examination, and an investigation.[8] The purpose of this is to make sure that you are who you claim to be and don't have a history of felonies.
- Take and pass a medical exam. Customs inspectors are required to be medically and physically healthy enough to handle daily duties safely and efficiently without causing harm to themselves. You must meet the basic heath standards in order to move forward in the application process.[9]
- You must also meet specific vision and hearing requirements.
- Take and pass two fitness tests. Also as part of your application process, you'll be required to pass two different physical fitness tests. These tests include running, sit-ups, and push ups. To pass these tests, you'll have to:
- Complete at least 25 sit-ups in one minute.
- Complete at least 17 push-ups in one minute.
- Run 1.5 miles (2.41 km) in 17 minutes and 15 seconds or less.[10]
- Do well in an interview. Others who work in the field will interview you to determine whether or not you're competent enough to be successful as a customs inspector. In this interview, the interviewer will ask you questions in order to get a sense of your judgment skills, emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, cooperativeness, and sensitivity.[11]
- For example, you may be given a specific dangerous scenario and then asked to explain how you'd handle the situation.
- You'll most likely also be asked typical interview questions about your strengths and weaknesses, your salary expectations, how you've prepared for the position, and more.
- Take and pass a drug test. As a customs inspector, you'll frequently be exposed to illegal substances. At some point during the application process, you'll have to take a random drug test. If you fail, you'll be disqualified.[12]
- Complete a specialized training program. Once you've passed all necessary tests and interviews, the final requirement is completing a training program in preparation for the job. These usually take place at state police academies and are typically 1-2 year programs.
- Training will entail both classroom instruction and hands-on exercises.
- If you're assigned to Florida, Puerto Rico or the southwestern U.S., you may be required to complete an extra six weeks of training to learn the Spanish language (unless you pass a fluency exam).[13]
EditIncreasing Your Chances of Employment - Get a college master's degree in a relevant field. While you only really need to have any bachelor's degree, studying criminal justice, law, or security management will increase your chances of employment. Get a master's degree in one of these fields to really stand out on your resume.
- Social science and language degrees such as French or psychology are also viewed as beneficial and useful in the customs inspection field.
- Study a foreign language. While it isn't always required, you'll really increase your value if you have decent knowledge of a foreign language. Those who work as customs inspectors interact with foreigners on a regular basis, so knowing another language is a major asset in the workplace.
- Definitely consider studying Spanish if you want to work in border patrol.
- Stay consistently active. Physical fitness is a necessity for becoming a customs inspector as well as working as one. Stick with a workout routine that incorporates both strength training and cardio.[14]
- Work up to jogging 2 miles at least three times a week.
- Focus on strengthening your abdominal, chest, arm, leg, and back muscles by doing exercises such as: crunches, planks, bench presses, squats, bicep curls, and rowing.
- Maintain a clean record. Since you'll have to do a background check during your application process, any indiscretions are going to come to light, whether you've gotten a parking ticket or done something much more serious. Stay out of trouble and keep your record as clean as possible. You don't want to lose your opportunities because of one mistake you made a long time ago.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Pike Press Posted: 08 Aug 2017 09:00 AM PDT The pike press is a popular muscle building exercise. It is a great way to work your upper body muscles, especially your shoulder and arm muscles. To do a pike press, start by warming up your wrists, arms, and shoulder muscles. Then, do a pike press to get a feel for the exercise. You can add variations to the pike press to make it more challenging. EditWarming Up Your Wrists, Arms, and Shoulders - Warm up with ten minutes of cardio. Start by warming up your entire body with some quick cardio. Go for a ten-minute run on a treadmill or outside in your neighborhood. Do ten minutes of jumping rope or jogging in place. Hop on the elliptical or the row machine for ten minutes.
- Warming up your body before doing exercises like the pike press will ensure you are not working your muscles when they are cold and tight. This will reduce your chances of injury.
- Stretch your wrists. Bend your hand back with your palm facing away from you. Use your other hand to gently press your hand backward to stretch your wrist. Then, do this on the other hand.[1]
- You can also position yourself on all fours on a mat and flip your hands around so your fingers are facing your knees. This will stretch out your wrist muscles.
- Stretch your arm muscles. Bend your arm at the elbow and place it behind your head. Use your other hand to gently press your elbow down to stretch your arm. Repeat on the other side.[2]
- You can also lace your fingers together over your head and stretch to the right side. Then, return to center and stretch towards the left side.
- Do shoulder stretches. Stand with your legs hip width apart and interlace your fingers behind your back. Pull your fingers behind you towards the floor and raise your chin and chest to the ceiling. You can also bend at the waist and let your fingers fall forward to stretch your shoulder muscles.[3]
- Another exercise you can try is holding either side of an open doorway and taking one step forward into the doorway with both feet. This will stretch your shoulder muscles.
EditDoing a Pike Press - Stand with your feet a shoulder width apart. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground and your legs are straight. Spread your legs wider than your hips. Squeeze your abdominal muscles to tighten your core.[4]
- Having a tight core will ensure your upper body is supported when you do the pike press.
- Put your hands flat on the floor. Spread your arms wider than your shoulders. Make sure you have equal weight in both hands. Do not lean back on your hands so the weight is on your wrists, as this can lead to injury.[5]
- Turn your hands so they face each other slightly, with your fingers facing one another.
- Lean your weight into your hands. Tip your weight forward at your hips and put most of your weight into your hands. Your feet may come off the floor and you may be on the balls of your feet, which is fine.[6]
- Keep your spine straight. Do not round your lower back or spine.
- You should feel tension in your shoulders and arms. This means your muscles are working.
- Lower your head to the floor. Slowly lower your head to the floor. Keep your weight in your hands. Keep your spine straight as you lower down to the floor. Inhale as you lower your head to the floor.[7]
- Only lower your head so it lightly touches the floor. You should feel your shoulder, arm, and wrist muscles working.
- You can place a towel on the floor so your head has some cushioning when it touches the floor.
- Push yourself back to the starting position. Exhale as you put weight into your hands and push yourself back to the starting position, with equal weight in your arms and legs. Move slowly and with control. Do not try to use momentum to help you push back up, as this will not work your muscles.[8]
- Repeat the same motions to do a set of pike presses. Try doing two sets of five or two sets of ten.
- Pace yourself between sets and take a ten-second rest break so you do not overexert yourself.
EditAdding Variations - Practice a handstand. Position your arms and legs as you would in a pike press, with your hands flat on the ground. Keep your core tight. Then, slowly raise one leg off the ground, followed by the other leg.[9]
- Try to align your hips with your shoulders when your legs are above you. Maintain equal weight in your hands and use your upper body muscles to support yourself.
- You can try doing a handstand against a wall for the first few attempts. Face away from the wall when you do the handstand. Use the wall as a support for your legs when you are upside down.
- Once you feel comfortable, try doing a handstand without the wall.
- Do a supported handstand press. A handstand press is when you lower your head towards the ground while you are in a handstand. Once you get into a handstand against a wall, bend your elbows and lower your head towards the ground. Inhale as you lower your head. Make sure your head lightly touches the ground. Then, exhale as you return to a handstand.[10]
- Use the wall as support as you do the handstand press. Take your time, as this is a challenging exercise.
- You can also ask someone to spot you and act as a support. They will stand to one side of you and lightly hold your legs in place.
- Try doing a regular handstand press. A regular handstand press is when you do the exercise with no wall or support. You will need to get into a pike press starting position and then transition into a handstand position. Keep your core tight and activate your arm and shoulder muscles as you lower your head towards the ground.[11]
- Only lower your head as low as you can manage. Then, with control, press yourself back up into a handstand.
- This is a difficult exercise and may take some practice to master. You may need to do a few rounds of pike press to warm up your muscles before attempting a handstand press.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Use Amazon Prime Posted: 08 Aug 2017 01:00 AM PDT Using Amazon Prime is easy, and membership allows you to access plenty of excellent benefits. First, sign up for Prime by activating a 30-day free trial or purchasing a membership plan. Have eligible products shipped within two days for free, and stream or download TV and movies from Prime Video. In addition to these popular benefits, you can explore a variety of lesser known features, such as Prime Pantry, Prime Music, and unlimited photo storage. EditSigning Up - Visit Amazon's homepage and click Try Prime. Go to Amazon.com and click the Try Prime link at the top left corner of the page. You can also click the Try Prime link located at the right side of the top banner, just to left of the shopping cart.[1]
- When you click either of these links, a dialog window will open with another link that will direct you to the sign up page.
- Try a 30-day free trial. Once you're on the sign up page, find the gold box in the center of the screen marked "Start your 30-day Prime free trial." You'll then be prompted to sign into your Amazon account or, if you aren't a member, to create a free account.[2]
- Enter your name, email address, and password to create an account.
- Once you've created or signed into your account, you'll be prompted to enter payment information. You won't be charged for the free trial, but you'll automatically be billed $99 (US) for an annual subscription when the trial expires. To avoid getting billed, cancel your free trial before it expires.
- Save 25% by purchasing an annual plan. After your free trial expires, you'll have multiple paid subscription options. For most users, the least expensive is the annual plan, which costs $99, or $8.25 per month (US). You can also pay by the month but, at $10.99 per month, it's more expensive than the annual option.[3]
- Select See More Plans on the Prime sign up page to compare plans.
- Take advantage of Prime Student if you're in school. If you're a student and have a valid .edu email address, you can sign up for Prime Student. Click See More Plans on the Prime sign up page, then find the "Are you a student?" link at the bottom of the compare plans dialog box. Clicking that link will bring you to the Prime Student sign up page.[4]
- Prime Student offers users a six-month free trial, plus 50% off Prime membership once the trial expires.
- Get a discounted plan if you receive government assistance. If you're a US resident and receive government assistance, you can use your EBT card to purchase a $5.99 per month Prime plan. After clicking See More Plans on the Prime sign up page, find the "Do you have a valid EBT card?" link at the bottom of the compare plans dialog box. The link will direct you to the EBT discount plan information page, where you can click on the Get Started box to set up your plan.[5]
- You'll have to enter your EBT number and upload an image of your card.
EditUsing Primary Features - Look for the Prime logo to score free two-day shipping. Prime's best known feature is free two-day shipping. If a product's description features the Prime logo (an orange check mark with Prime in blue), it's eligible for Prime shipping.[6]
- If a Prime-guaranteed product arrives late, you can get a free month membership extension. Visit the Contact Us page, select "An order I placed," click on your order, then select Problem with an order, Shipping or delivery issues and, finally, Shipment is late.[7]
- See if same day delivery is available in your area. In select cities, you can have an eligible product shipped to you by 9 pm local time if you order by 12 pm. If it's available, free same day delivery will appear as a shipping option. You can also enter your zip code onto the same-day and one-day shipping information page to see if these options are available in your area.[8]
- Stream and download content on Prime Video. Streaming video is another well known Prime feature. Prime video is compatible with most mobile devices and streaming sticks and boxes (such as Roku). In addition to streaming content, you can also download many TV shows and movies for offline viewing.[9]
- You can download the Prime Video app for free from the Apple App Store. To install Prime Video on your Android mobile device, visit https://www.Amazon.com/GetAndroidVideo from your phone or tablet. Follow the prompts to download and launch Amazon Underground, sign in with your Amazon account, then tap the Install Prime Video button.[10]
EditExploring Lesser Known Benefits - See your full list of benefits on the About Prime help page. There are tons of lesser known benefits included with your Prime membership. To explore the full list, visit the About Amazon Prime page, which is listed under help topics on the Help and Customer Service main page.[11]
- Each benefit listed also includes a link that provides more information about that specific feature.
- Stream your favorite music ad-free through Prime. Your membership allows you to access Prime Music, which includes a catalog of over two million songs. You can download the app for free on the Apple and Google Play stores.[12]
- Prime Music also allows you to download songs for offline listening.
- Order groceries and household items through Prime Pantry. Through Prime Pantry, you can have non-perishable groceries and household items shipped to your home with no additional delivery charge. To qualify for free delivery, you'll need to purchase at least five items that are marked eligible for free delivery. Check product descriptions to see if an item qualifies.[13]
- If you don't purchase five qualifying items, you'll pay a flat $5.99 delivery charge.
- Store unlimited photos on Amazon Drive. You can download the Amazon Drive mobile and desktop apps for free from the Apple or Google Play stores. Prime members can store unlimited photos from a phone, tablet, or desktop computer.[14]
- Prime members also get five gigabytes of cloud storage for documents and videos.
- Score free e-books and magazines. Prime members can borrow one e-book for free per month with no due date. In addition, Prime members can download (for keeps, not to borrow) one of six new, unreleased books per month specially curated by Amazon editors.[15]
- Your Prime subscription also allows you to stream audiobooks and borrow magazines, comics, and travel guides.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment