The Official March 2009 DUSM FCIP Applicant Thread

[macteam]

I figured it would be worth starting a separate thread for all of us who managed to get through on the 12th, 13th and 16th and get on the list for an information session. It might be useful to share whatever information we get about the FCIP hiring process.

I'm scheduled for Knoxville next week. It took me the best part of 8 hours solid calling on three phones to get through. Not the easiest start to the hiring process, but at least that hurdle is over and done with.

Who else is scheduled?

[Chemo]

It took me 7 hrs 15 mins to get through to a recruiter. Almost fell out of my chair when the phone started ringing :D

I'd be happy to share my insight after I get back form my session.

Looking forward to hearing other points of view concerning the sessions.

[macteam]

I guess it's just you and me then, Chemo!

[Chemo]

I find it hard to believe that only two people registered in NC and 1 in Knoxville are watching the forum. But hopefully we'll be the only two to show up, less competition that way.... LOL

[macteam]

I hope so. My prediction is that since it's been so long since USMS has hired from the general public, every hopeful applicant from across the US decided to call in and reserve a space in the information sessions. I bet that "local" applicants from region 2 will be about 25% of the applicants, while the other 75% will be people from the rest of the country.

Now that people who got through and reserved a space have a few days to think about it, I bet plenty won't show up, particularly as they realize that USMS FCIP isn't the best paid position in the world, and particularly as they realize that USMS will evidently be conducting similar recruitment efforts for regions that are closer to home.

I think there's lots of applicants who had enough drive to dial in for a couple of days to reserve a space, but there's not too many who are prepared to take the next step and actually book a flight/hotel and spend all that money and time (if they can even get time off work at such short notice) in order to attend a long-shot pre-interview session a thousand miles away.

I know for a fact that if I signed up for such a session in California, my wife would slap me around the head and tell me that she's not moving across country for a shot at $40,000 per year and that I can wait until local positions open up.

So for those of us who do show up, I'm inclined to believe that there will be more than a few empty seats in each session. The competition will still be fierce though. It will be an interesting few days next week, that's for sure.

[Chemo]

From reading some other forums, I know there is a canidate coming in from Germany and I'm flying in from the United Kingdom. I'm originally from TN and moving back sometime in the next 9 to 12 months or upon job offer if I get that far; so Region 2 is perfect.

My wife has been very supportive although she gets a big laugh out of me flying over 5K miles that weekend for a one day session and flying back later that same evening. But I'm 35 so this is probably the last opportunity for the Marshals unless I can get on with another agency.

Macteam, are you turning in a resume or the OF615 form. I'm trying to get both together and see which one looks better. Just curious as to your thoughts.

[Chace]

Hey I got in Monday for Knox. My date is next thrusday.

[Chace]

I will also share my session with you guys. I never new about this site. I've been in LE for some time now and I still get nervous for a interview. I have been dreaming since I was young to be a USM. Good luck guys.

[Chace]

I dont know if I should give my resume or a OF612. What are you guys taking.

[Chemo]

Chace, I've got 0 LE experience, but have 2x BS and 17 years in the Army Reserves. I wish I had some of your LE experience going into this to make me feel better. Don't worry I still get nervous in interviews too. Especially ones which have the potential to lead you down the path of a long time dream/goal such as this.

I was thinking of using the OF612 just because I know it would cover all the required information. Not sure about the announcement # portion though or how many years of work experience to cover. Was going to call recruiter with those questions when I get home from work. What are your thoughts?

[macteam]

I'm a little on the old side too (for these kinds of jobs - I have about 2 years of eligibility left), so my resume has more than a few jobs to be shown. I have been debating the "resume vs. 612" issue for a few days now, and I think I'm going for the resume. I figured that if I'm putting on five or six jobs on a 612, it'll look scrappy and have countless half-completed employment sheets. I was planning on making sure my resume had every single piece of info requested by the 612 - SSN, etc.

As far as what jobs to put down on the resume or 612, are you guys putting down everything since the age of 18, or just the main jobs that are relevant. I don't want to list everything (as there's a lot of irrelevant junk jobs in my past during college and stuff like that), but I'm worried about perhaps getting beyond the initial stage, having to list all of my prior jobs on a SF86, then having to explain to a BI that I wasn't trying to hide anything by not listing everything on my resume.

Or perhaps we're just overthinking it.

[Chemo]

Macteam those were my thoughts exactly. I have a lot of unrelated experience and didn't want to clutter things up where I didn't have to. I will be calling a recruiter when I get home in a couple of hours. I will post his/her thoughts concerning our questions of resume vs. OF612.

[LEXIS]

Hello Mac, Chemo and Chace! I reside in South Carolina and will be attending the Raleigh session next Monday. I was able to get thru by the 3rd attempt on the 12th. I am very eager to get there and get more feedback on my questions etc!!! The recruiter gave me a confirmation # and told me I would get an e-mail with the information on where to report etc but I haven't received that e-mail yet, have you guys received it? If so, I will be calling him back later today and just confirm my e-mail address. Well, hope to see some of you on Monday and good luck with all. Keep us posted if you find any information that will help us get better prepared for Monday.

[macteam]

No email for me yet either.

3rd time on the 12th? So you spent, what, five minutes on the phone in total?

[Chemo]

Hello Lexis, will you be in the morning or afternoon session.

All: Just spoke with the Deputy Marshal in NC and got some info for those of us flip-flopping between resume and OF612.

They have no preference one way or another which we use; stated they know some people already have a resume and don't want to make them have to redo everything. In regards to the Work History/Experience, that want all of your work history not just the relevant portion. He stated that it would probably be used as part of the BI.

If anyone has any prior Federal Civilian Employment bring your SF-50 or equivalent document which would verify your prior series and grade level.

Concerning emails; they should be sent here soon. Said they have 700 applicants they have to send the emails out to and he is hoping they send the emails out to the Monday session applicants first; no guarantees on that though. He gave me the address and zip to use for online mapping in the event the email doesn't make it; if you would like it PM me.

As a side note, he said Raleigh is not a big city so the out-of-towners should not have a hard time finding our way around and if you are in a hotel within a 1/2 mile if the session location you shouldn't have any problems finding places to eat around the area if you are staying overnight.

That's it for now. Time to get cracking on my resume as it will look more professional than the OF612 + half a dozen continuation pages. Just remember, if you are using a resume make sure it covers all the information on the OF612.

Later everyone.