Afosi

[Kimble]

Wondering if there's any AFOSI-types around here? I have my panel interview with them in two weeks from tomorrow, and would greatly appreciate any insight/experience from any SAs (military or 1811) or former applicants.

PS: this interview is for the Palace Acquire (PAQ) program, not the recently-closed Open Vacancy. I'm assuming the PAQ panel would still be somewhat similar to their regular open vacancy, though.

[tunlrat]

I paneled with them in summer 2003. It's your standard panel consisting of 2 or 3 OSI agents. They didn't ask questions that were "agency-specific" per se requiring prior OSI or LE knowledge. Mostly, hypothetical situations & how you would "deal" with them--not necessarily LE situations though. Also, they asked questions like "what was the most difficult crisis you've ever had in your life & how did you deal with it?" The questions were usually two fold: the actual question itself & how did or would you "deal" with it. Also, they used your basic interview questions like, "describe your greatest strength/ weakness & why?" Again, two fold questions.

The writing sample (at that time) can be easy or hard depending how you look at it. It's not like some agencies where you have to listen to a tape or read a passage explaining a "crime" & then write a comprehensive report. I had to pick ANY topic & write an essay. I believe I had an hour to write it. The hardest part, for me at least, was picking a topic. They basically just want to see your writing skills.

Things take a while with OSI (in my experience anyway). They scheduled me for the panel 4 months in advance! :eek: Then, of course, they took their sweet time to tell me I wasn't "selected for further processing" which I never actually got in writing BTW two plus months & some long-distance phone calls to DC later.

I really think my lack of "specialized skills & education" hampered me because I felt I pretty much nailed the panel & the writing portion. I had enough of the "basic" requirements, e.g. bachelor's w/ Superior Academic Achievement, LE work experience, etc. but I could offer none of the "special skills" the Feds typically look for nowadays (computer/ IT/IS/ programming, accounting, foreign linguistics skills, etc.). Heck, the second thing the OSI HR specialist said to me after "hello" was "do you speak a foreign language?" Unfortunately, I had to say no. These issues also came up during the panel interview. Once again, I had to unfortunately say I didn't have any of those skills. :(
I am slowly working on 'em though!

Good luck & good huntin!

[Kimble]

Heck, the second thing the OSI HR specialist said to me after "hello" was "do you speak a foreign language?" Unfortunately, I had to say no.

Thanks for the prompt response, tunlrat. Fortunately (for me) there were two seperate vacancy announcements for the PAQ program, one for those with a language skill and one for those without (i.e. me). I'm assuming my lack of being bi- or multi-lingual will not be held against me since I didn't apply for the language vacancy.

[ruknight]

Hey guys, I am also an AFOSI PAQ applicant. My interview is in Linthicum, MD on Jan 21. Thanks for the good info tunlrat. If you think of anything else, please keep us updated! Good luck ROS

[Kimble]

Hey guys, I am also an AFOSI PAQ applicant. My interview is in Linthicum, MD on Jan 21. Thanks for the good info tunlrat. If you think of anything else, please keep us updated! Good luck ROS

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