Opportunity of a lifetime!

[PuppyDogEyes]

I am currently up for an excellent career opportunity in Washington DC with the federal government (!!!!!, , etc.) and it's been a very long, long, long road from application to this point.

 

If you've ever applied with the federal government, then you'll know that they more or less take forever. I originally had put in for this job last August!

 

Yesterday I was asked to come to Washington for a pre-employment drug screening. They've checked my references, my credit, my criminal background, all of that, and I've apparently passed it all.

 

My question is this: once a company gets to the drug-testing phase, is it pretty much "in the bag" at this point? Or do I have cause to be expecting more? I'm confident that I'll pass the drug-screening as well (I haven't done any type of drug for over 15 years, so I think I'm all good on that level!).

 

I know my impatience is showing, but I've been put through the ringer for the last two months and I'm kind of frustrated. I just want to start working!

 

In all of my experience, the pre-employment drug screening was the last step, but the federal government might be another thing altogether.

[norajane]

Does this position require a security clearance? If so, you may also have to pass a lie detector test. The key is to tell the truth, even if you think you're telling them something they don't want to hear. They'd rather you tell them something like, "yes, I used to smoke pot" or "yes, I shoplifted something in high school" rather than lying because the lie makes you a worse risk.

 

Also, you are likely to have to interview with additional people, especially the ones who are in the dept/office you'd be working.

 

They may also require a physical exam.

 

So, you aren't done yet, but you're getting close..

 

Good luck!

[jerbear]

My question is this: once a company gets to the drug-testing phase, is it pretty much "in the bag" at this point? Or do I have cause to be expecting more? I'm confident that I'll pass the drug-screening as well (I haven't done any type of drug for over 15 years, so I think I'm all good on that level!).

 

Uh... no... it depends on the level and agency.

[PuppyDogEyes]

I'm not too sure if the job requires a security clearance or not - it might. This position's with the DoJ and I'm going to be working in a sensitive area, so it's very possible. I had to fill out the Public Trust questionnaire, they checked my criminal background, my credit (whoo brother, was that expensive, I had a couple of things from years ago I didn't even know about - thank God I had the money to clear it up, ugh), my references, etc.

 

They had said that it would take 3 to 5 business days for the test results to come back - I'm on day #5 and still haven't heard a thing, so my knees are literally knocking together. It's not that I have a worry about the drug test itself - I don't - but I've been on pins and needles for over two months now with the testing procedures. They sure don't make it easy!

 

I'm just running on "no news is good news", only they can't not give me news forever!

 

ETA: I had the interview already - that was scary, there were 3 mean-looking guys in there, ack. But it all went rather well, considering. I didn't think of the possibility of a lie detector test, yeah, that's also a consideration. But I think I'd do well on that too - after all, I have nothing to hide, no one in their right mind would apply for a federal job and lie if they wanted it, that's how I figure it.

 

Ah, well, more waiting...

Edited April 1, 2008 by PuppyDogEyes
Grammar/spelling

[Ssheena]

I know how hard it is waiting but I think that if they have already done all the background stuff and called you to DC for both interview (what does ETA mean?) and drug testing that you are going to get the job.

 

I know it's the government and all but still it is very, very expensive to do all the research they have done and then not offer you the job.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[2sunny]

ask Curmudgeon - he might have some info you find useful...

[tanbark813]

Does this position require a security clearance? If so, you may also have to pass a lie detector test. The key is to tell the truth, even if you think you're telling them something they don't want to hear. They'd rather you tell them something like, "yes, I used to smoke pot" or "yes, I shoplifted something in high school" rather than lying because the lie makes you a worse risk.

 

I agree that you should be honest but if you smoke weed (and are honest about it) you won't get security clearance.

[jerbear]

I'm not too sure if the job requires a security clearance or not - it might. This position's with the DoJ and I'm going to be working in a sensitive area, so it's very possible. I had to fill out the Public Trust questionnaire, they checked my criminal background, my credit (whoo brother, was that expensive, I had a couple of things from years ago I didn't even know about - thank God I had the money to clear it up, ugh), my references, etc.

 

They had said that it would take 3 to 5 business days for the test results to come back - I'm on day #5 and still haven't heard a thing, so my knees are literally knocking together. It's not that I have a worry about the drug test itself - I don't - but I've been on pins and needles for over two months now with the testing procedures. They sure don't make it easy!

 

I'm just running on "no news is good news", only they can't not give me news forever!

 

ETA: I had the interview already - that was scary, there were 3 mean-looking guys in there, ack. But it all went rather well, considering. I didn't think of the possibility of a lie detector test, yeah, that's also a consideration. But I think I'd do well on that too - after all, I have nothing to hide, no one in their right mind would apply for a federal job and lie if they wanted it, that's how I figure it.

 

Ah, well, more waiting...

 

Public trust is pretty easy and usually do not require polygraphs so your probably safe. TS and higher are much harder and can include polygraphs.

 

3 guys? I got one lonely gal.

 

You didn't give your drinking buddies names out as references did you?

[norajane]

I agree that you should be honest but if you smoke weed (and are honest about it) you won't get security clearance.

 

True, there's no point in applying if you currently smoke weed. If you did it in college, though, and not anymore, as long as you're honest, they actually don't use that against you.

[tanbark813]

True, there's no point in applying if you currently smoke weed. If you did it in college, though, and not anymore, as long as you're honest, they actually don't use that against you.

 

True dat.

 

[Gold Pile]

I agree that you should be honest but if you smoke weed (and are honest about it) you won't get security clearance.

 

Agreed.

Detector test operators will often pretend the machine has detected a lie and give you an "opportunity" to tell them the truth. It is a trick...stick to your story.

[PuppyDogEyes]

I contacted them on Friday and they've told me that everything's cleared - credit check, criminal background, drug test, the whole nine yards so to speak. At this point, however, they're waiting for a 'placement'. The position that I had applied to for some reason needs a lot of male job-seekers (due to the nature of the work), and they're trying to figure out what to do as far as all of the female applicants (apparently only one male applied for the position!!).

 

The one time where being a 'minority' doesn't help! Augh!

 

I'm looking for a part-time job to supplement my income while I... wait. Sigh. It's a waiting game. I want to believe that I've got this job, but I've got bills to pay and I'm unfortunately a pessimist - the longer it takes, the less hope that I have.

 

Those that do work for the federal government... how long did you have to go through this? I know it takes a while... but my God, it's nerve-racking. How did you handle it?

 

-pde.

[PuppyDogEyes]

3 guys? I got one lonely gal.

 

You didn't give your drinking buddies names out as references did you?

 

No, I sure didn't, I'm not crazy!

 

Yes, I got three huge African-American fellows that all looked like a combination between ex-football players and Yaphet Kotto on 'Homicide: Life On The Street'. Scary, let me tell you. I'm sitting there clutching my poor little resume while these guys are going, "Uh-huh, uh-huh" and writing down on their pads. And all the while I'm realizing, this is law enforcement, sheesh, if I breathe the wrong way I'll be arrested or something!

 

My discomfort was considerably eased when the interview was over and I shook all three hands, then got told by the head interviewer that "it was a pleasure meeting me and seeing my nice smile." Bless his scary-looking heart.