Have Not Heard Back From Peace Corps After Interview

Before I actually sat down to apply for the Peace Corps, I had been keeping a watch on potentially interesting positions for some time. I was about 5 months away from graduating college the first time I remember accessing the Peace Corps website to peruse openings; however, this meant I was looking in January, right around the time many people are departing for service. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I was scrolling through slim pickings…and, if you knock out the positions that I didn't qualify for, and the places I really had no interest serving, my desire to apply quickly dwindled.

Let me preface the last sentence by saying that although I couldn't be happier with my Peace Corps placement in Vanuatu, there are some places where I simply have no interest in living for over 2 years. Visiting, yes. But living, probably not. That may sound selfish, but if I'm going to leave my loved ones for that long, then I need to be absolutely sure that where I'm placed meets not only my work qualifications, but also my personal and spiritual aspirations. To put it simply:  if I'm going to succeed in the Peace Corps, I need to love where I'm living. This includes the people, the location, environment, temperature, and of course, the ability to stay as close to vegan as possible. And, as someone with an extreme aversion to the cold, I was looking for somewhere warm.

I was also looking for a placement that would allow me to pursue hobbies that I'm unable to access where I live currently, specifically, scuba diving. I LOVE scuba diving! But diving in the Pacific Northwest is not ideal for someone who gets cold so easily, so access to diving-friendly waters was a plus. I know. I know. It sounds like I'm speaking of the Peace Corps as if I'm picking out a vacation home. But I know I'm not alone. Maybe some volunteers would be happy placed anywhere, but I know myself and therefore have a pretty good idea of what it will take for me to excel on site, so I chose to be selective.

After my year in AmeriCorps, I decided to check back in on program openings. I finally found many potential programs I would be qualified for and had interest in, but a few stood out. As such, I opted for Peace Corps' new and improved application process:

"Peace Corps applicants can now choose the programs and countries they want to apply to – selecting the path that best fits their personal and professional goals. Applicants can apply to between one and three specific programs at a time, or they can choose to apply for service wherever they are needed most. The Peace Corps website now lists all open programs by country, work area and departure date, so applicants can browse service opportunities.

I have extreme respect for those applicants who allow the Peace Corps to place them anywhere, but that wasn't the best option for me. That's why I chose the new application route allowing me to select up to three specific program placements. While this allows applicants more say in their application, it also makes your acceptance less likely: you're applying only to three specific programs, vs all available programs.

To my delight, I was invited to serve as a Health Education and Water Sanitation Volunteer in Vanuatu! I accepted immediately, and thus began the next phase of my Peace Corps journey. Considering that the Peace Corps inundates its incoming volunteers with too many to-do tasks to keep track of, checklists are our life line. No joke. Have you sent in your passport? Completed all your online modules? Been legally cleared? Been medically cleared after 10+ blood draws, dental exams, eye exams, pap smears? Have you checked with your doc about that ankle sprain you sustained Junior year of High School? I'm not kidding…they cover all their bases here.

Yes, it's overwhelming. But I learned through the process that if you're willing to stick it out and do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done (month after month after month), then you've likely completed one of the most difficult parts of your Peace Corps journey! Ok, maybe not the most difficult, but probably the most tedious…. I'll get back to you on that difficulty scale after two years in country…!

Because the entire Peace Corps application process is typically long, time-consuming, and drawn out over many months, I found that looking through other Peace Corps timelines helped give me a better idea of what to expect and prepare for. Some months I didn't hear from the Peace Corps at all, so having knowledge of the typical timeline helped me relax a little and keep moving forward.

What follows is my "Peace Corps Timeline," including major tasks I completed from initial application, to final departure, and everything in-between! Please note that everyone has a different application experience, and yours will look different! Also note that this covers all major milestones. Smaller tasks may/may not be included depending on whether or not I deleted the email!

7/1/16 – Initial Application Steps

1. Completed application
2. Received candidate reference number
3. Registered for the Peace Corps Medical Applicant Portal (MAP)
4. Completed Health History Form (HHF)
5. Selected Peace Corps service preferences
   1. This is where I chose to apply to 3 specific programs
6. Completed the Soft Skills Questionnaire

7/6/16 – Placed Under Consideration

1. Received word that my application has been reviewed by a Placement Specialist. I've been placed under consideration for Vanuatu departing April 2017.
2. My Volunteer Placement and Assessment Specialist sends me the "FAQ on Dietary Restrictions" form since my application notes that I'm vegan.
   1. She tells me to look over the form and that we'll discuss the information in more depth if I receive an interview.

8/16/16 – Skype interview with my Placement Specialist

9/9/16 – Received Invitation!

1. Received an official invitation from my Placement Specialist that I've been invited to serve in Vanuatu, departing April 2017
2. Notified by the Office of Medical Services that my medical tasks will appear in my Medical Applicant Portal (MAP) as early as 200 days prior to my departure date.
   1. They'll send a second email when these are available to begin processing
3. Notified by Peace Corps Staging about pre-departure process
   1. They've made me an account in the New Volunteer Portal, where I'll find tasks to complete

9/14/16 – Legal Clearance Instructions and LearningSpace

1. Emailed the steps required to pass legal clearance.
2. Notified that an account has been created for me at LearningSpace, the online learning site with modules to complete.

9/30/16 – Medical Tasks Open

1. Medical and dental tasks are now available and are due 60 days from today.

10/19/16 – Peace Corps has begun my background investigation

1. Notified that they've received my fingerprint cards, Background Investigation Questionnaire form, and SAC Form
2. Placement Legal Eligibility Team will initiate background investigation in the coming days

11/10/16 – MAP "Deadline Approaching"

1. Received a friendly reminder that the deadline for medical and dental tasks is approaching.

12/2/16 – Received Medical and Dental Clearance!

12/5/16 – Received Legal Clearance!

12/12/16 – Peace Corps/Vanuatu Friendly Reminders from Country Desk Officer

1. Friendly reminders to submit no-fee passport, obtain legal and medical clearances, update Aspiration Statement, resume, and contact info, and complete tasks in LearningSpace

12/23/16 – Updated resume and Aspiration Statement received

2/9/17 – Health Volunteer Conference Call

1. Not mandatory, but a place to ask questions.

2/14/17 – New Volunteer Portal activities "Deadline Approaching"

1. I've already completed these activities, so I can ignore this reminder

3/8/17 – Site Announcements

1. Received site placements, noting that they "may change at any time between now and Staging, throughout training, or throughout service due to unforeseen circumstances."

3/15/17 – Staging Info Received

1. Received flight itinerary, travel info, registrations times, hotel info, schedule, etc

3/16/17 – Pre-Departure Conference Call and Travel Arrangements

1. Joined call with current volunteers and staff in Vanuatu. Time to ask questions and get to know in-country staff
2. Called Sato Travel to make flight arrangements to Los Angeles Airport for Staging
   1. Staging email (3/15/17) provided instructions. Volunteers do not pay for travel to Staging
3. Arranged shuttle transport from LA Airport to Hotel
   1. Peace Corps does not coordinate this for you

4/14/17 – Leave for Staging

1. Flying out from Seattle to Los Angeles

4/15/17 – Leave for Vanuatu

1. Leave Staging and begin flight to Vanuatu

4/17/17 – Arrive in Vanuatu!

Peace, love, and happy travels!

Taylor

Have Not Heard Back From Peace Corps After Interview

Source: https://peacecorpsinparadise.wordpress.com/2017/03/27/my-peace-corps-timeline-from-application-to-departure/

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