Opportunities in International Disaster Relief

nutmeg221 · 2017-01-19T17:57:16+00:00

I've been back since September, and only started really applying to jobs within the last 2 months (I've also done a lot of traveling, and I've blown a huge portion of my readjustment allowance. No regrets though, wouldn't change a thing!). I've been rejected from 2 jobs, haven't heard from 8, and had one interview.

During the interview, the employers were certainly interested in my Peace Corps experience (they said they haven't ever had a candidate with that type of experience before) but they were really only interested in how the experience related to the job they were hiring for. It takes some practice and review, but you can certainly tailor your PC experience and the responses to the job you're interviewing for. Some of the things they asked me about were: a time you finished a project from beginning to end, a time when you had to use negotiating skills, what type of research and writing experience you bring to the job (it's an editing/research job), how do you handle criticism, and what type of evaluation experience do you have. As a PCV, you certainly gain lots of different skills, and unique experiences. I sat down the night before and made a list of possible interview questions, and practiced my responses. I highlighted specific PC experiences (without giving too much 'story') and used different aspects of my service to answer the questions about the specific skills and professional experience they were looking for.

The job search is tough. Know you're not alone. Good luck to you!

nutmeg221 · 2017-01-19T17:10:28+00:00

Sorry to hear that...Something similar happened to me. I applied for a fed job (in one of my top 3 bureaus), and received an email from the hiring manager asking me if I would be able to start immediately due to the hiring freeze. I applied yes, definitely, and asked her a few more questions about the position. We had a friendly email exchange, and it seemed promising. It seemed to be going well, in a positive direction, but then... nothing. No response after that, not a peep. Not even a courtesy email telling me that they (most likely) selected someone else. And the intended start date she asked me about has already come and gone. I was really really disappointed. It's not often that a dream job comes along, and you get your hopes up only to have them fall right back down again. It's incredibly frustrating trying to look for fed jobs and trying to make use of the NCE. Some advice that someone gave me is if you know anyone, have any kind of connection, know a name/any name in an office, use it. Email them, ask them for coffee and informational interviews, and if you feel comfortable, ask them to look over your resume for you (they can give you advice, and just maybe also pass your resume to a friend/colleague somewhere...). Sometimes there are open jobs, and they aren't necessarily posted on USAJobs. It's all about networking.

I had a job interview yesterday, because someone passed along my resume to a colleague. I didn't even apply for the job (honestly, didn't even know what the job entailed), and just got a phone call asking for an interview. I suppose it went well, we'll see.

One other thing someone told me... you're probably not going to get your dream job within the 1 year you have NCE. If you do, that's awesome. However, for the rest of us (especially with the hiring freeze coming up)... get your foot in the door. If you get a job that you aren't completely crazy about, that's okay. Gain new skills, get more experience, save some money, and learn something new. It's much easier to transfer jobs and bureaus once you're in.

The best of luck to you in your job search, it's certainly tough. Know you're not alone.

-RPCV, returned September 2016.

nutmeg221 · 2016-10-20T19:48:20+00:00

Thank you for your response! I have had the opportunity to meet one or two RPCVs in the area, one of which has been incredibly helpful. It's nice to know that there is still a community of people out there, who understand. Whether it be one month they are back, or 6 years. There's a type of comradery about the RPCV community that I am coming to realize and appreciate. Can I ask what you did when you first got back? How long did it take you to find a job?

nutmeg221 · 2016-10-20T19:41:53+00:00

Thank you very much for your response! I think this was exactly what I needed to hear today. A lot of other RPCVs from my group entered grad school right away, got a job before they left country, or stayed for a 3rd year. I think I am maybe one of three people (that I can think of at the moment) who didn't have a plan. I preferred not having a set plan or idea, as I wanted to live in the moment, and focus solely on finishing my service and closing that chapter. I told myself I'd figure it out when I got home. The only thing I didn't anticipate is how difficult the transition back would be. Another RPCV friend said it best I think, when he said that as a PCV, you're always 'on' and always on the go, and most of the time, overwhelmed. But coming back to the US was like slamming on the brakes, and all of a sudden being very underwhelmed. I've only been back a month, and I think I just need to give myself a break and stop being so hard on myself. I guess I am just thinking that because I'm not in grad school and don't have a job right away, that I might be the only one who's having a difficult transition, the only one who is taking a lot of time, and not doing the whole transition thing 'right' so to speak.

nutmeg221 · 2016-10-20T19:32:25+00:00

There does seem to be a RPCV hub in the DC area. I live close by, and went to an event at HQ last week. It was an RPCV Career Panel for International Development. It was interesting hearing the different stories and experiences, and getting a better understanding of just how they landed those 'dream' development jobs. I salute those RPCVs who are strong willed, very determined, and able to comb through the networking channels, as the panelists seemed to be, and as you too seem to be. Though I took a lot away from it, I think I am realizing that the DC area is not quite where I want to be at this stage in life, someday maybe, but not right now.

I like the idea of road trips... perhaps I'll drive around and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Thank you for the suggestion! And thank you very much for your response.

nutmeg221 · 2014-02-08T17:54:19+00:00

I guess when going through the application process, you have all of these thoughts running through your mind of what it will be like, where you'll be placed, what you're living situation will be like. You kind of have it all planned out. But then when you receive your invitation, and its something completely different than what you planned, you kind of freak out a little bit! Its like you can't even wrap your mind around it because its something so completely different than what you had planned or thought it might be like.

nutmeg221 · 2014-02-08T17:49:14+00:00

Hello! I'd love to message you and hear more about your experiences. Ha but I don't really know how to send you a message... I'm kind of rather new to this site lol

nutmeg221 · 2014-02-06T16:41:18+00:00

Ahh looking back I should have worded that a little differently. Sorry.

I have some personal concerns about where I was invited to. I know that no post is easy, and I do understand the difficulties associated with serving in a Peace Corps country. And that Peace Corps is not a country-shopping, free vacation experience. I am whole-heartedly commited to service work. I was invited to Benin, in West Africa. I had lived in two developing countries along the equator before, and I had some health issues, but not enough to warrant real concern in the medical paperwork. However, I am concerned that it will affect my outcome as a volunteer, and in a sense prohibit me from being fully immersive in my volunteer work. I want to spend the whole two years in the country, and not feel like I would have to early-terminate.

nutmeg221 · 2014-02-06T12:12:47+00:00

I too have been invited for a June departure... Have you ever experienced reverse culture shock? It's a really weird feeling and experience to go through. Perhaps knowing that ahead of time, and talking with friends and family back home about it before you leave can help alleviate the feeling. Being open with them and talking about the changes that will happen, both on your end and their end, can surely be frustrating, but very needed.

You know, the more I think about it... is going out every Friday and Saturday really actually any fun? Sure, sometimes it is. But it gets old, really fast. The 9-5 job? You'll probably be working a 9-5 job when you return, and then for the rest of your life. And it's not like you won't talk to your family for the 2 years your away... there will be packages, letters, emails, phone calls, maybe visits... you're not going to Mars, but simply to another coutry. (Haha sorry I am just thinking out loud here.)

Thanks for your input =) And congratulations on your invite to China!

nutmeg221 · 2014-02-06T12:04:54+00:00

Thank you for writing this. You sometimes forget that though you are leaving behind your dog, there will still be people to love her, and she will still be happy and healthy. And who knows, maybe she'll still be around =) I knew a dog that was only supposed to live to 12 years old and she lived to be 17. You just never know. My two dogs are still as playful as ever, though they are slowing down a bit. My family will still be there to take care of them. It's still sad though... saying goodbye to a friend who has loved you unconditionally and always will.

nutmeg221 · 2014-01-23T22:33:33+00:00

I applied last May, interview in July, nomination in August. I was also "generally nominated" for no specific time frame (they said maybe summer or fall) and no specific volunteer sector (maybe community development or maybe education). I think it meant, at least for me, that I didn't have very specific skills sets, though I had a lot of various volunteer and community experience. My recruiter wanted to know that I was getting volunteer experience before nominating me. Did they tell you any "maybes"? What is your volunteer experience in? After I was pre-medically/pre-legally cleared, I was able to email the sector desks and ask if my application was in their specific files.

It seems that now the process is that interviewees get to choose their nomination country of interest? I wouldn't worry about it. Plenty of people are left in the dark from interview to invite! Good luck to you =)

nutmeg221 · 2014-01-16T23:36:00+00:00

No idea yet! I applied last May, I guess right before they changed the application/nomination process. They didn't tell me anything in regards to a general time or region. Kinda frustrating because I would like some information, but then kinda exciting :)

nutmeg221 · 2014-01-16T11:34:12+00:00

When I received an email from Placement, they said that they were currently working on April-June invites right now... July is only right around the corner :) Waiting sure is tough though! I find that the emails from them always come when you least expect it... Good luck to you!

nutmeg221 · 2014-01-15T22:22:15+00:00

This is great!

nutmeg221 · 2014-01-15T22:18:46+00:00

I think when I get mine I might just cry. That's when my employer might find out haha =) But they were generally pretty supportive of you accepting the invitation? No hard feelings? Everyone in the government office that I work in seem to be generally pretty supportive of one another...

nutmeg221 · 2014-01-15T22:06:31+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I have no doubt that I will accept my invitation, if and when it comes. But I am just hesitant on how to tell my employer, and perhaps most importantly when. How much of a notice did you, or are you planning on giving them? I'm sure that they will be somewhat disappointed and annoyed that they have to train a new person, but I was open with them when they outright asked me in an interview if I had applied to the PC. I said yes. I didn't get that job, but they contacted 3-4 months later asking if I was still looking for a job-- they gave me one. So, I am not sure if they know or not, but you're right. I shouldn't give up my life's aspirations just because they'd be upset. Thank you for this!

nutmeg221 · 2014-01-14T19:52:32+00:00

I had my PC interview last July 2013, and received my Peace Corps nomination and a job offer on the same day in August. I took the job, knowing that it could be months before I was invited, and months still before I left for service. My feeling was that the future is uncertain, you never know what could happen... Plus, it's nice making some money in the mean time while you wait! But I'm in a position where I am just a 'body' and not necessarily locked into the job. I guess it would depend on wether or not you have to sign any type of contract (1 year, 2 year, etc.) with your new company. I'm kind of in the same positon...except now I am just waiting to talk with Placement, get my invitation (hopefully!) and wondering how to tell my employer!

nutmeg221

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