Saturday, October 31, 2009
Online Application Status
Just received an email today informing me that everything I've submitted has been accepted. My recruiter said that I'd receive a phone call this coming week about my nomination, which apparently i going to happen :)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Peace Corps Process Timeline
So here we are. The journey begins. I've decided to keep notes on my application process for the Peace Corps, because it's a major help for those looking to do the same. Reading other applicants blogs helped me maintain my patience and hope. The process takes anywhere from 6 - 12 months, roughly, for placement. This is because your recruiter will try and find an assignment that best fits your skills and certain programs matriculate at certain times of the year. The paper work and medical clearance also takes a lot of time. If this is something that you really want to do, and have a passion for, patience is the key.
In comparison, my process thus far seems to have moved along quite quickly compared to other applicants experience. Mine follows as such:
Friday, October 2, 2009
Arrive at the conclusion that I wanted to serve and begin the application process.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Finish my application and medical review. I sent requests, via email, to my recommendation sources and they finish them on this day. I probably sent those request midway between today and the 2nd. I waited till I had all of my recommendations in before I submitted my application. This helps streamline the process. They don't tell you this, but they prefer recommendations very shortly after submitting the application. So, I decided it was best that I get everything in together to avoid the scramble. You should too.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
I received a packet to submit my finger prints and a National Survey for the FBI to check me out. I was all good....naturally :)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Submit my packet, via post, for next day guarantee. $17, but totally worth it. Things just get done quicker.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Receive a phone call from recruiter to interview, via phone, on the 28th of October. Going fast so far!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Have the phone interview with the recruiter. I was supper nervous. I rambled a lot and, at times, lost focus. lol. I can't say it was my best interview, but I'm fairly articulate and had my moments of redemption. All recruiters are former volunteers, themselves.
They mainly want to know about your work and volunteer experience and your experience with other cultures. They want to know how you will adapt and assimilate into new and changing surroundings. My work experience fell outside of what is typically accepted as a candidate. I work for a non-prophet organization, have classroom teaching experience for a year and a half, have a Bachelors Degree in Art History, have studied many languages (French, German, and Latin), and have strong leadership skills. However, I have had little (almost non at all) volunteer experience. This is becoming more paramount for applicants to have at least 3-6 months of volunteer work. For other questions that they ask, click here to view more.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Today..... Received a call yesterday from my recruiter that I wasn't able to get to due to work. So she ended up getting a hold of me again today. She told me that she thought that I'd make a good nominee for the Peace Corps. I do, however, have to continue growing in experience before I'm formally invited to serve. This is typical for almost everyone who applies. You are expected to have a decent amount (about 3-6 months, 10 hours per month, roughly) volunteer work.
Also, languages help your chances at receiving an invitation. I was advised to revisit my French skills and take the CLEP French exam. It's about $70 :( I guess it's no biggie if you fail (probably doesn't look too great), but it can help your chances of getting into a variety of other programs. I was advised to have my test scores in my November 19th! That's only 3 weeks to revise! Plus, I'm going on vacation to L.A. for that first week! *sigh*
Anywho, I was assured that I wouldn't have any problems getting an invitation. My experience was a decent fit, apparently. She recommends that I volunteer teaching English as a second language in my community. There are not a lot of foreigners in my city, ahah. She's looking to place me in a High School English teaching assignment. I prefer working with at risk youth, because that's more of what I do now, but apparently it would take me longer to receive an assignment. I'm fine with doing whatever.
I will receive my formal nomination sometime next week. It's been assured :)
In comparison, my process thus far seems to have moved along quite quickly compared to other applicants experience. Mine follows as such:
Friday, October 2, 2009
Arrive at the conclusion that I wanted to serve and begin the application process.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Finish my application and medical review. I sent requests, via email, to my recommendation sources and they finish them on this day. I probably sent those request midway between today and the 2nd. I waited till I had all of my recommendations in before I submitted my application. This helps streamline the process. They don't tell you this, but they prefer recommendations very shortly after submitting the application. So, I decided it was best that I get everything in together to avoid the scramble. You should too.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
I received a packet to submit my finger prints and a National Survey for the FBI to check me out. I was all good....naturally :)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Submit my packet, via post, for next day guarantee. $17, but totally worth it. Things just get done quicker.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Receive a phone call from recruiter to interview, via phone, on the 28th of October. Going fast so far!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Have the phone interview with the recruiter. I was supper nervous. I rambled a lot and, at times, lost focus. lol. I can't say it was my best interview, but I'm fairly articulate and had my moments of redemption. All recruiters are former volunteers, themselves.
They mainly want to know about your work and volunteer experience and your experience with other cultures. They want to know how you will adapt and assimilate into new and changing surroundings. My work experience fell outside of what is typically accepted as a candidate. I work for a non-prophet organization, have classroom teaching experience for a year and a half, have a Bachelors Degree in Art History, have studied many languages (French, German, and Latin), and have strong leadership skills. However, I have had little (almost non at all) volunteer experience. This is becoming more paramount for applicants to have at least 3-6 months of volunteer work. For other questions that they ask, click here to view more.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Today..... Received a call yesterday from my recruiter that I wasn't able to get to due to work. So she ended up getting a hold of me again today. She told me that she thought that I'd make a good nominee for the Peace Corps. I do, however, have to continue growing in experience before I'm formally invited to serve. This is typical for almost everyone who applies. You are expected to have a decent amount (about 3-6 months, 10 hours per month, roughly) volunteer work.
Also, languages help your chances at receiving an invitation. I was advised to revisit my French skills and take the CLEP French exam. It's about $70 :( I guess it's no biggie if you fail (probably doesn't look too great), but it can help your chances of getting into a variety of other programs. I was advised to have my test scores in my November 19th! That's only 3 weeks to revise! Plus, I'm going on vacation to L.A. for that first week! *sigh*
Anywho, I was assured that I wouldn't have any problems getting an invitation. My experience was a decent fit, apparently. She recommends that I volunteer teaching English as a second language in my community. There are not a lot of foreigners in my city, ahah. She's looking to place me in a High School English teaching assignment. I prefer working with at risk youth, because that's more of what I do now, but apparently it would take me longer to receive an assignment. I'm fine with doing whatever.
I will receive my formal nomination sometime next week. It's been assured :)
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