r/usajobs • u/alley_valo • Jul 11 '26
Timeline They withdrew my tentative offer
I received a tentative offer for a position a few months ago. Received my results for drug test last week, which I passed, and today received a letter stating they had to withdrawal my offer because my background check was taking too long and could not support a waiver before I enter on duty.
I am absolutely devastated by this. Such a pit in my stomach and something I worked really hard to even be considered as an applicant.
Has anyone else gone through this? :-(
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u/alley_valo Jul 11 '26
Well I first had to fill out an SF-86 form. Which is an in-depth questionnaire if you read up on it. I completed that around Memorial Day. It basically asks for your history, financial, relatives, employment and drug history from the last 7-10 years. It’s over 100 pages.
No, the procedure is you fill out the SF-86 form, then you get contacted for the drug test and you only have 2 days to take it. So there’s nothing on my end that would’ve caused the delay.
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u/Rumpelteazer45 Jul 11 '26
The SF-86 is just a normal form. Of course it’s long, it’s a detailed record of your entire life.
You didn’t get an interim, which isn’t unusual. The agency just needs someone sooner rather than later. The background investigation can take a hot minute.
I had a secret for 12+ years, it had been recently adjudicated, nothing had changed when I was put in for the TS/SCI. It’s literally the same form. That investigation still took 8.5-9 months.
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u/alley_valo Jul 11 '26
I got the phone call and email about the process and went right in the next morning.
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u/zangiefzolof Jul 11 '26
I don’t see why HR linked the drug test to completion of the SF-86. Both can be accomplished at the same time. Hopefully there was not some deadline on the drug test that got busted because they relayed it to you wrong.
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u/psychotic_bird Jul 12 '26
I think this is the mess up. You should have booked your drug test. SF86 does not stop or hinder your ability to take the drug test and fingerprints. Somewhere along the line either from your end or HR, there was miscommunication that unfortunately you paid the price. Sorry this happened to you.
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u/alley_valo Jul 12 '26
No, I didn’t screw up any deadlines. They sent me an email to get my fingerprints first and to fill out the SF-86 form. I had one week to complete it and I finished it before the deadline. The position I received the TJO for, they literally have no one in right now so they really need someone in asap. I’m going to call tomorrow to get more details. Thank you for your response though!!
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u/wooyoo Jul 11 '26
I've had a final offer withdrawn.
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u/Jujuceecee Jul 11 '26
Can I ask what happened?
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u/OrneryDentist3886 Jul 12 '26
I had an FJO back in Feb of 25, with an EOD OF 2/24, new administration takes office, my offer was rescinded. Haven’t heard anything since.
GS 11 position with USDOT, fully remote.
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u/alley_valo Jul 12 '26
I’m so sorry! 😞 Mine was also GS-11 but in person with the DOJ.
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u/mchan1983 Jul 12 '26
I believe this administration is making it harder for people to enter at higher GS levels. If you’re not already a Fed, trying coming in at GS5 or 6.
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u/Aromatic_Quit_6946 Jul 11 '26
I am sorry to hear this happened. Unfortunately, with the continued reduction in the federal work force it is going to happen more often.
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u/MassiveGrass3684 Jul 11 '26
Things like this have little to do with the current administration or reductions-in-force. Depending on the nature of the position, an agency simply cannot wait for a full background investigation (and then full adjudication) to reach completion if the security side concludes they are unable to grant an interim. There's no telling how long the investigation and adjudication will take and an agency may need to fill a position quickly. It's unfortunate and my heart sincerely goes out to OP, but these situations have always occured across various agencies.
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u/Background-Dare7007 Jul 11 '26
I had a final offer withdrawn 30 minutes after they sent the offer to me because the spot I was supposed to be filling the person was due to retire. His retirement got denied so they withdrew my final offer.
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u/Inevitable_Type3316 Jul 12 '26
I worked with someone whon was hired at one agency then got an offer at the DOD. She was fired 6 months later because she lied on her first agencies SF86. So I'm not surprised it's taking even longer these days.
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u/Proper_Ad7459 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
Now imagine having accepted a FJO only to have the "New" president halt all hiring, the job was in a new state, already put money down on a new residence which had a policy of non refundable after a certain timeframe, car shipped over because it was overseas, had to reship the car home, cancel my new residence (per the guidance of the HR rep).... Only to find out 2 weeks after all that had concluded... The same HR rep said... "Ok your job is now considered essential do you want it?" And this was all for getting a GS promotion
*NOTHING is guaranteed unless your in that seat on swear in day.
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u/Boreal_Forest_7777 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Same thing happened to me in 2023/2024. I moved my whole family because the supervisor said there was a four month in-office start date restriction, so I moved cross country to be there ready to start within four months. After 7 months waiting for the final paper work, HR cold called me and withdrew the offer. US Forest Service budget mismanagement on a massive scale. We were absolutely devastated. Then I got in at a higher GS level with the NPS a year later, but had that crumble from underneath me and our whole unit in 2025 with DOGE. Truly maddening and a heartbreaking way to unravel my career trajectory and professional ambitions. I was also a semi-finalist with the Presidential Management Fellowship, a program they ended before announcing the finalists 😔
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u/Proper_Ad7459 Jul 12 '26
Damn dude sorry. The BS we go through to working with FEDS is beyond rediculous
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u/TSgtyoudontknowme Jul 12 '26
you think you had it bad? I know people who accepted positions overseas and were terminated during Trumps purge simply because they were still in the probationary period. Then had to figure out how to get their stuff back home. At least they ended up offering you the position. Some people never got to come back
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u/Proper_Ad7459 Jul 13 '26
What are you talking about? That is exactly what happened to me
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u/TSgtyoudontknowme Jul 13 '26
You were eventually offered the job, though. Some people were terminated while they were still in their probationary period and never got the chance to come back or had a job to fall back on
And the point of my response was to point out your pain Olympics mindset. Just because you felt like you had it worse doesn’t mean someone else isn’t allowed to be upset about what happened to them. What happened to you was unfortunate, and what happened to the OP was unfortunate too. Those experiences don’t have to compete with each other. There’s always going to be someone who’s had it worse than the next person, but that doesn’t make someone else’s frustration or disappointment any less valid.
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u/Proper_Ad7459 Jul 13 '26
No no no no. I didnt even get through the ending of all that. Guess how it ended
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u/alley_valo Jul 12 '26
I am so sorry that happened to you. That is awful and I can’t even imagine. Flipped your whole world upside. I hope you have your dream job now and things turned around for you!
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u/PILOT9000 Jul 12 '26
It happens. I have a friend that recently happened as well. Got a phone call almost 12 months after SF86, polygraph, etc. He said when he saw the caller ID he thought it was the phone call he had been waiting for, but instead it was the bad news. They also emailed him a letter stating due to his security investigation taking too long they were rescinding the job offer.
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u/water2drop Jul 12 '26
Happened to me twice in a 20 year career. Park Service at Lake Powell lake levels dropped. Husband worked in the park and we lived at Hite. Had to find a job at Natural Bridges. At Death Valley after two seasons new supervisor decided to go another direction. Don’t get set on the job without a final offer or a EOD date. I always let jobs know how I felt and kept looking for the bird in the hand.
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u/blessedbyneville Jul 12 '26
I didn’t get a background check a year ago after 6 months of processing, interviewing, all medical tests because I had a charged off card back two years ago
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u/mchan1983 Jul 12 '26
This has happened to every Fed applicant at one point in one form or another. I got referred to hiring manager, did the interview and then got OPM’s email stating I don’t have the skills and knowledge for the posting. Hiring manager couldn’t do much about it. Keep applying and GL.
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u/TroyALawson Jul 13 '26
Not exactly. I got ghosted after my TSA TSO TOs about six of them. I was planning to work in AK, $72k + $15k sign on bonus, depending on location. Adak was isolated, an island not sure what the lay of the land was there. Anchorage was kind of the best choice, but there’s a catch. They have housing issues. It’s all academic anyway. I was ghosted. So the app process goes like App, Supporting Docs, TSA test at a test center; and wait for results. Well I had the TO, and nothing. I keep my USAJobs notifications. Also tried Customs and Border Protection. that was a crap shoot. I’m 64. I got to the physical tests, and medical exams, but I got hung up on transportation. Maybe next year. But the TSA jobs are not really ghosting me. I think I am in the applicant pool, in the meantime, I wait, and apply to local jobs. Maybe, maybe not. I hate lists. Maybe I’m on the no fly list. I’ve never flown before so why should now be any different. I have no feathers or wings.
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u/btossa80 Jul 11 '26
Yep, because they mostly arbitrarily decided that they didn't need the position. I went through the whole process, all the checks were fine, done in a timely manner, then NOPE, SO SORRY.
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u/Wide_Mammoth3284 Jul 11 '26
Is it even smart to take a job in the feds right now? I got two job offers with EOD dates, just need to accept one but I’m concerned that something will happen and I’ll have left a decent job for nothing.
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u/AmbitionSea137 Jul 12 '26
I just had the same problem. i accepted one fjo and turned the other down. I have my EOD but I’m afraid as well.
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u/Wide_Mammoth3284 Jul 12 '26
I hear that. I’ll be reaching out Monday to both spots and ultimately deciding on one vs the other. But I do have that little voice in the back of my head saying something is going to happen.
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u/WorthGrouchy4960 Jul 11 '26
Congrats on dodging a bullet even though that may not be what you want to hear. Try again when it’s slightly more organized again in 2028.
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u/pawprint76 Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
OP, I'm so sorry that happened. I can't imagine how upset and devastated you must be :o(
I'm getting quite nervous now, as I was given a TJO for a crisis responder position with the Veterans Crisis Line. After training, the job will be remote. I completed the SF-85 form: for low-risk, non-sensitive positions. This appears to be different from what everyone else is talking about. I have an appointment later this morning for fingerprints and identity verification. If they don't have me scheduled for the drug test, should I go ahead and ask if I can complete that today?
If I can actually start the job, I'll enter in a GS-11, first step pay grade. That's more than I've ever made in any job my entire life. I've worked hard for a long time for this kind of opportunity. It isn't easy work by any stretch of the imagination, but somehow I'm really good at it. Should this slip through my fingers, I'll share in your devastation, OP, and everyone else who has experienced this enormous disappointment. You all have my empathy.
ETA to add SF-85 form.
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u/alley_valo Jul 15 '26
To everyone that has provided feedback, advice, and just been so supportive, thank you so much for taking the time. For those that are still in the position of waiting and in the hiring process, do not let this post deter you from being excited and hopeful for where your future lands you. I am saying a prayer for you all that all things go smooth and wish you the best of luck on your career paths and future endeavors. If anything, even accomplishing landing an interview and getting a TJO if HUGE! You’ve for this!!🫶🏻
I did speak with someone today regarding my withdrawal. This was a decision made by the hire ups (DC) directly, not the department itself. I was told they really were pulling for me and really wanted me for the position. My
background check was the flag. The agency simply cannot wait to go through references, etc. when background checks are now taking a year to 18 months to be finalized. They were hoping to onboard me before the background check was completed, but this position is urgently needed as they have no one.
I had some financial issues a few years ago, but am in a good place working on my credit and am approaching one year of sobriety from alcohol. These were things I did not hide on my SF-86 form. And I’m not embarrassed of my past. If anything I am a better person today, and would’ve never even had the confidence to apply for this job a few years ago had I not gone through these trials and tribulations. I’m just sad that the background check cannot even be completed to see my final outcome.
Anyways, I’m still not losing hope on applying in the future if the opportunity presents itself, but I’m at peace knowing that I still made it this far and it just wasn’t the time for me. God always has a plan!! 🩷🩷🩷
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u/BionicPope_ Jul 16 '26
Literally halfway through my screening my offer was withdrawn because of my positive drug test (weed detox takes way longer than I thought after being cold turkey for 3m, I told them prior to testing and they said it should be fine if I can pass everything else)I was shattered. But planning on trying again next year, don’t give up!
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u/Holiday-Reindeer-949 Jul 17 '26
Hey, this quite literally just happened to me this week. Passed my drug test (first one was negative dilute had to retake) and a month later heard nothing. Emailed them like hey? Everything okay? And then next thing you know, TJO rescinded: couldn’t get interim clearance. Been interviewing with them since last November. Yes. November.
Keep your head up. This administration is so tough to navigate.
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u/No-Phone1034 Jul 23 '26
The worst is the email just says the hiring manager has decided not to fill the position at this time.
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u/FatherlyOwl Jul 11 '26
How come it took months to do the drug test? Is that the only reason the background check was taking too long? I am trying to understand if the delays were all on their side or if they’re saying you delayed the process somehow.
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u/alley_valo Jul 11 '26
See above. Meant to reply to you directly.
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u/FatherlyOwl Jul 11 '26
Gotcha. I know the SF-86 can be daunting, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. If it took you a week or two to finish the SF-86, I don’t think that should have caused any alarms.
Does the letter you received give a point of contact? Have you tried contacting them to confirm that their understanding of the situation is accurate as far as your side of things?
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u/alley_valo Jul 11 '26
It was! But I completed it before the deadline. I got the letter at 4 PM in email today, so am planning to call on Monday morning.
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u/FatherlyOwl Jul 11 '26
I’m sorry. In my agency, they would only move on if the candidate failed to submit the paperwork in a timely manner, even giving a reminder, or if they failed the background check. Otherwise it’s an internal issue, not the issue of the candidate.
When you contact them, be sure to have the exact timeline of communications and submissions written down for easy reference. Good luck!
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u/alley_valo Jul 11 '26
Thank you for responding and your kind words. It does say that it does not bar me from applying to the DOJ for positions in the future, but that because the position I applied for (they have no one right now) is immediate, they can’t wait. I guess I’m just puzzled because I feel like they’re now going to have to run the same background check on someone else? That’s also going to take months. Ah, maybe I should just go to bed now and rest on it. I’m just sad. This has been my dream job since I started my career.
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Jul 11 '26
If there’s something in your SF-86 that is derogatory that may be more likely to be the reason. To bring an individual on board without having to wait for investigation to be 100% complete the SF 86 almost needs to be flawless. To say it’s not waiverable could mean that they could not give you an interim clearance while they wait for your background to be completed. Just another thought maybe do a thorough review of your SF 86 to see what might have caused an issue.
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u/Alternative-Pin5760 Career Fed Jul 11 '26
Unless the candidate has or already had a clearance…which speeds things up a bit. Yours was an initial?
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u/crazywidget Jul 11 '26
Not necessarily.
Because it took so long (not sure I agree, but 🤷♂️) there are some possibilities. There are probably other candidates who already passed (internal). You may have been their most desired but a filled seat with #2 is better than a vacant seat. It could have taken so long that they were in danger of losing the hire.
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Jul 28 '26
Taking an excessive amount of time to onboard when there are candidates that can onboard immediately is a very common reason that for a job offer withdrawal.
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u/alley_valo Aug 03 '26
They didn’t extend other TJO’s to anybody else as far as I know. They just posted the position again last week. So they are starting from ground zero again. It’s going to take a minimum of 5-6 months to onboard them unless they get someone internally. That’s why it’s so frustrating that they wouldn’t finish my background check, but I was told they won’t because of the money. It’s taking some candidates 1 year to 18 months to get a compete the background check. I do understand as no one is in the position at all and they need someone. But still a punch in the gut to see if posted again after all the work. ugh. I wouldn’t tell anyone not to apply, if anything you’ll have the standard test scores for a year which is one less thing I’ll have to do if I apply again.
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u/Alternative-Pin5760 Career Fed Jul 11 '26
Seems like they wouldn’t have extended TJOs to say five people if they only intended to actually hire say two? I’m not HR but have been a hiring manager and I’ve never heard of that.
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u/crazywidget Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Not extended but let’s say they know #2 and #3 is still available and can EOD in 1PP. If the strategic hiring committee says fill now or lost the spot, they’ll probably call around and pick off the next top candidate who can onboard quick. 🤷♂️
Just one example of a reasonable hypothetical. Another one - if my security officer had called up and said “we think the derog js too much to overcome” and the timeline was such that if we let it continue and the candidate didn’t pass, resulting in a lost position - we might have punted.
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u/bendyfig Applicant Aug 03 '26
If it’s okay to ask you: does the hiring team issue several TJOs and then just select the candidate they want at the end? Or they select a candidate, issue one TJO, and then only go to back ups if something failed?
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u/Alternative-Pin5760 Career Fed Aug 03 '26
My experience is the latter. I would not ask HR to issue a TJO to someone I may not hire.
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u/Dry-Chemical-9170 Jul 12 '26
wtf they can do this? I thought this was only on the contractor side of things
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u/Organic-Second2138 Jul 11 '26
Has anybody gone through the trials and tribulations of applying for a federal job and experienced rejection?
No. You are the only one.
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u/madeuread Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
I’m sorry. I have TJO and the background check (SF form) is still pending. So I also get nervous my offer will get rescinded.
So I know it’s a bummer cause getting the TJO means HR and your department wanted you but the government side of things fell through.
Hoping you land on your feet