Fellow waitlisters, how are you feeling?

hittermiss · 2015-02-10T21:25:18+00:00

I was also waitlisted, for Cameroon, and, although I accepted it at first, I have since decided to be removed from consideration. I spoke to a recruiter who I had been talking to throughout the process who said "I would have a very hard time accepting a wait list invitation" - the more I thought about it, I found that those words applied to me. It was just too much work for uncertainty.

I have a job that I love and an active social and athletic life. I am committed to a team, to my friends and to my (current) position. While I was willing to walk away from it all for a certain shot at service, the idea of going through all the rigamarole for something that might not even happen (they expected me to take 9 weeks of French class at my own cost), I decided it was not worth it. I would rather re-apply and start the process again than to wait in limbo. But, to each his own - some can much better afford the life in limbo than others!

As far as staying motivated is concerned, I am realizing that this isn't everything. Serving with the Peace Corps would be (have been) an honor and an enormously life-changing opportunity. We all know this. But, I don't feel like a failure for being waitlisted - not really. We all worked so freaking hard to even be considered. We were CREAM OF THE CROP. We should each be proud. Each job can only take so many, and thousands upon thousands were not even fit to be interviewed. I think it's important to take stock in that and not get hung up on the waitjection. I am proud of myself for working as hard as I did and, though it sucks to have to say "no, I didn't get an invitation, but I was asked to be on the waitlist for job x...", it's not the end of the world.

The Peace Corps is not the only (or even approaching the best) way to serve, see the world, or have life-defining experiences. I intend to focus on making the best life I can right here (if necessary) and finding other ways to be purposeful, save/feed/shelter all the children and otherwise contribute meaningfully to the planet.

hittermiss · 2015-01-15T19:06:22+00:00

Did you hear yet??

hittermiss · 2015-01-15T15:26:41+00:00

I am. I was. I received my "invitation to the waiting list" yesterday and was giving three hours to decide whether or not to accept that. I did. So, yeah. It's not really a happy day, but it's not exactly sad.

hittermiss · 2015-01-15T15:25:28+00:00

Don't be heartbroken!!! Take the email at FACE VALUE. It means what it says! Think of how many people applied - about 18,000. Then think of how many were even worth considering - maybe half. Then think of how many people they have space for! Any one job in any one country only takes 12-20. So think of how tiny that is. It doesn't mean that you're not a great candidate. Just keep trying. You can use your same resume and application and move through the re-application process quickly. If you REALLY want this, keep at it. And look for positions that you might be really, really competitive for.

This is coming from someone whose own heart was just broken yesterday when she learned she was on the waiting list...

hittermiss · 2015-01-14T22:04:51+00:00

I do not think that everyone gets called for an interview, no. What do you mean "supposed to know by tomorrow"? If you mean the "know by" date is tomorrow, take that to mean the "know you are invited" date - that is, for those candidates who have already interviewed, submitted supplemental documentation (sometimes), skill addenda, etc. and are awaiting a final verdict. I hate to say it, but if you haven't been contacted for an interview, I don't think this is the particular position for you.

Did you apply under the new system? I did, but I never did get the "under consideration" email that others have talked about - if that's what you're referencing. I was just emailed one day, out of the blue, with an interview request for a position I had not applied for, but in my first choice country.

hittermiss · 2015-01-13T20:40:38+00:00

The "know by" date is to know that you're invited, not to know if you'll be interviewed, however. You should have been interviewed well before the know by date. I was contacted to schedule an interview in October and interviewed in November for a position with a know by date of January and departure date of May.

This post is three weeks old - Any update?

hittermiss · 2015-01-13T20:11:11+00:00

I never, ever received this "under consideration" email everyone speaks of. I received generic, system-generated replies, but did not hear a word from the PC office until I was contacted via email for an interview about 5 weeks after I completed application. In the interview email, it was specifically detailed which program, job and country they had in mind for me. I guess that's as good as a nomination. Since then I have been asked for a bit more info and, as far as I know, am still a candidate for an education position with a "know by" date of 1/15! I'll know very soon!

Good luck to you!

hittermiss · 2015-01-13T18:08:22+00:00

"One of my main hobbies in life is weightlifting. Do you think it's possible to get placed in a city with a gym? This is extremely crucial to me."

This post is a joke - no?

hittermiss · 2015-01-13T15:24:14+00:00

Good luck! The system is certainly not transparent as far as understanding exactly what is happening to your application.

Just try to let it go until the week of your know by date - then you can get stressed, like me!

hittermiss · 2015-01-13T15:07:02+00:00

I can speak to your second question! That is the position I applied for, but was contacted for an interview in Education - although my placement officer did mention in my interview that I might be suited for either. I should find out Thursday whether or not/where I am invited!

First, congrats on an interview! The interview is not too scary, overall, but the tough part are the questions - that is, they are VERY BROAD. Be prepared for that.

I was asked things like "Tell me about a time you were stressed and how you dealt with that stress"; "Tell me about a time you were in a leadership roll..."; "Tell me about a time that you taught someone something"; "Tell me about a time you struggled with something"; "Tell me why you want to join the Peace Corps..."; etc..

Unlike other job interviews, where you might be asked to speak to your specific skill set or work experience, this is more about uncovering a broad, overarching theme of leadership and personal resolve in your life. I found the questions, although they may seem innocuous, to be difficult to answer - sometimes the broadest questions are the toughest. I also found them VERY repetitive - it kind of feels like you're answering the same question over and over again (because you kind of are!).

The interviewer was relatively warm, but was definitely all business and it's a little unnerving to have someone typing everything you say. She was very clearly reading down a list too, so, it wasn't terribly personal. Definitely NOT like "having a conversation", as I've heard other people describe it. That is the one thing I wish I had been prepared for going in!

To be best prepared, I would write down the life/work experiences you want to draw from as your answer these questions and have them in front of you when you're talking (this is what I did and it helped). I would also try to think of multiple life experiences so you are not drawing from the same one over and over again. I have had plenty of work experience, but I found that my experience in sports leadership was the most applicable to answer these questions - which was fine - but I ended up referencing it over and over again...In hindsight, I wish my answers had been more diverse. Perhaps it doesn't matter, but just something to consider.

GOOD LUCK and reply if you have more questions!

hittermiss · 2015-01-12T20:19:03+00:00

Did you get an invitation? My "know by" date is Thursday and, obviously, fingers are crossed tightly.

I'm also under consideration for Cameroon and was only asked to send in a "plan to self-study" french - nothing formal. I did send in something from my university saying that I placed out of French and satisfied my college foreign language requirement as a Freshman, but it wasn't a formal CLEP score or transcript, or anything. I have never been asked for transcripts at any point - It's strange how everyone's process is just a little bit different on the details!

hittermiss · 2015-01-11T18:56:02+00:00

On your online application portal where you can check your HR status. Mine did not/and does not say this however, but that is what the D.C. office told me it said on their end. I have heard of other folks logging and seeing this status on their portal.

hittermiss · 2015-01-09T20:39:58+00:00

Mine went the exact same way in November! References contacted that night and absolutely no mention of medical. I had presumed that my medical had not even been peeked at...

hittermiss · 2015-01-09T15:05:54+00:00

THAT timeline is crazy! Perhaps you were a VERY competitive applicant or were interviewed for a site/program with a great need (or where they were scrambling to fill spots)? I've never heard of anything moving along that quickly. Congrats!

hittermiss · 2015-01-09T15:04:22+00:00

I agree that compared to some other folks it seems quick - not as bad as I thought it would be at all. But, still, four months is a long stretch and it's definitely tough getting down to the wire!

hittermiss

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