On that note, I have a strong word of advice to those who are waiting to talk with the placement office. I thought a long time about how much of this would be appropriate to post, but I want to share this with other nominees so that they can avoid the situation that I have put myself in.
If you hear disappointing news, like the program you were originally nominated to is now full, do your best to maintain a fully positive, patient attitude in your communication with them. I think I did a good enough job when I heard on the phone that my program was closed... but after emailing a bit with my new PO I think I made a mistake. I was encouraged by my new PO's first email that had concretely said late March - June 2011 compared to previous answers like "well you can count the weeks from the required 6-8 weeks notice before departure," so I thought he might be open to more concrete questions. From his response, it seems that I came across completely wrong.
Okay, thanks for letting me know. I appreciate you telling me what you can.
I get a lot of questions from friends and family about why my placement is taking so long compared to others. Even the Peace Corps website says that the process from application to invitation usually takes six to twelve months, and it's now been over a year since I submitted my application. For the programs between Jan-March, did those volunteers have this long of a process too? I am still very committed to serving but am really disappointed that I am likely not leaving any time soon, since I have put my life on hold and am in a job and living situation that I was okay with only because of the prospect of leaving around February or March.
I know I'm not alone in my frustrations and I am trying to be as patient as possible but I don't know how to answer these hard questions from family and friends. Can you help explain why my application is taking so long compared to others?
Thank you,
I'll keep the details of his response private but basically I think I came across as angry at the placement office; that wasn't what I intended to convey at all. I was crushed by the delayed-departure news when writing the email (RED FLAG! LESSON LEARNED!) and was just hoping that he would provide me with some more concrete info about how placements are made. He did not like the phrases "disappointed" and "putting my life on hold." Putting myself in his shoes, my email could have been read in a completely different tone than I intended. I can imagine that he is stressed enough without me pestering him, and I probably came across as whining and critical. I really really hope that I was not a unique case of a nominee acting out of line and that maybe he's just sick of getting lots of emails like this, so that he might forgive me or at least overlook this incident while considering my placement.
For a POSITIVE example of the complete opposite situation, check out this blog: http://kyinthailand.wordpress.com/
In particular, I mean that the PC Staff praised her for her attitude through a situation they acknowledged as crazy (having a medical hold put on her three weeks before scheduled departure), and said that that was the exact attitude they look for in a PCV.
I'm supposed to hear from my PO again in early January. Until then, I've learned my lesson!
Moral of the Story: Do not write emails in the heat of emotion. Do not, do not, do not.
Moral of the Story: Do not write emails in the heat of emotion. Do not, do not, do not.
I've read quite a few blogs that have given similar feedback from their placement office experiences. Even if they didn't contact the office in an emotional state, they still didn't seem to get great feedback. My strategy is to email them an updated resume to include my newly gained volunteer experience without really asking any questions. That way they can remember that I'm still here, alive and well, patiently waiting for some type of contact. Hopefully that will yield some positive feedback. We shall see.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! In general it's never a good idea to make a decision/says something when not in a good/calm emotional state. It is something I needed to see to reduce my need to make contact ( 2 weeks after submitting my updated resume). I want to email/call today but trying to hold out for the new year. Best Wishes!
ReplyDeleteYep, good advice by all and for all situations, especially regarding the PC application process. It will likely be true for all PC experiences.
ReplyDeleteI had been perusing PC Journals for information regarding the 'Wait' and receiving invitations. I had read some success stories of those who wrote emails and placed calls to recruiters, medical review nurses and even some placement officers and noted that most applicants had received courteous and informative responses. Encouraged by what I had read, I wrote to my recruiter, as well as my medical review nurse. Each responded positively and helpfully. I corresponded with some RPCVs and some active PCVs and was encouraged by all to do similarly. Feeling confident with what I had read as well as with my own experiences, I wrote to the PC Placement Office when the calendar passed the six week point prior to the region for which I had been nominated. I was firmly back in reality when I received a prompt and abrupt response advising me that patience is a quality that PC looks for in the applicants.
I am currently waiting patiently, albeit with RAS & IAA (refer to my previous posts), for contact from the PC Placement Office as I watch the calendar click past the supposed staging dates for each of the several countries in which I had been hoping to serve.