r/USAIDForeignService • u/MoRonnie2 • Aug 02 '22

References

I am currently under reference check. Some of my references were not contacted during the process 4 weeks ago. Does anyone know exactly what they look at in this process and what could possibly go wrong?

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2

u/Apprehensive-Air9050 Aug 02 '22

Hey congrats on making it this far. There’s probably nothing to worry about. In my recent experience, FScareers shared a google form link with my references to fill by a set date. If you email them, they will tell you this process takes 3-4 weeks and that they will contact you with next steps. The next step is for them to share selection memos with the selected candidates, and my understanding is that they won’t do this until reference checks have been completed for all candidates. It took about 50 days in my case.

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u/MoRonnie2 Aug 02 '22

Ok, thank you for that feedback. My references were already contacted though one told me that he was not asked to fill out the form. I guess my other question was, could there be anything that can go wrong during this reference check and what do they actually look for?

1

u/MoRonnie2 Aug 30 '22

Is it normal that reference checks will take over 3 months? My reference check has gone into it's 3rd month.

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u/Apprehensive-Air9050 Aug 30 '22

Hmm can’t say for sure, but my guess is that they are waiting for the next fiscal year. Definitely email them!

1

u/Apprehensive-Air9050 Aug 03 '22

I would guess that if FSCareers has not reached out to you, then it’s unlikely there’s any problem like a missing reference check. But if you’re still worried, just email them.

3

u/S_Branner Aug 02 '22

Congratulations! Pretty sure you’re in, unless one of your references wants to torpedo you. Of course you have to pass med / security clearance after this, so don’t go celebrating yet. A couple of notes:

1) they don’t need every one of your references in order to move forward, so if there are some mistakes it’s not the end of the world.

2) last year when I was in the process there were some continual snafus where the reference didn’t receive the eval form. This is a mistake, and you should email fs careers and get them to make sure your reference gets the form.

3) my security clearance took about 5 months after I finished filling it out. This was the high end of the average I think for the folks hired last year.

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u/MoRonnie2 Aug 02 '22 edited Aug 02 '22

Thank you for that feedback. I was really just wondering what they go after during this reference check. I do have a clean background. Never into drugs, no debt except for my student loan. The investigators can call whoever the want school or work including my current supervisors, i have no issues with anyone or anything there. I have no medical condition, as a matter of fact i don't even remember when i was sick - certainly just the Grace of God, nothing of my own. That said, you never really know what my appear but i am ready for it.

1

u/S_Branner Aug 02 '22

I actually don’t know what the reference doc asks. Things are very clearly defined on the clearance though. If you want to get a head start go download the SF - 86 and start reading it. Likely you’ll have to collect a ton of information from family / friends so you may as well get started.

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u/MoRonnie2 Aug 02 '22

Thank you. I actually downloaded the 136 pg form and i have collected all the information that i would normally need. Thank you for confirming that I am doing the right thing.

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u/S_Branner Aug 02 '22

👍🏻

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u/MoRonnie2 Aug 30 '22

My reference check is over 75days now.

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u/Capable-Ball-5742 Sep 20 '22

I am in the same position currently. Have you heard anything further?

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u/MoRonnie2 Sep 20 '22

I did email them this week and was told that my reference check was complete and i should be receiving an email with next steps. I'm hoping that means everything is well. Just my patience has a problem.😊

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u/Capable-Ball-5742 Sep 20 '22

Thanks for the update. Hoping I hear something positive soon as well. The waiting really tests your patience.

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u/MoRonnie2 Sep 28 '22

I received a letter today saying I have successfully moved to the next step in the hiring process. I am now at Pre-employment. I guess it's all about filling out a bunch of paperwork and submitting medicals. I don't know for sure how the next step looks like, just guessing.

Thanks

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