Hard to believe, but we're half way through our time in Manila -- even more than half way, once I consider the three months I'll be spending in the US for baby number three's birth. I still get anxious and a bit sad when thinking about HYD and the friends we left there -- maybe that's what's inhibited me from feeling like I've figured out how to "connect" with Manila and left me with a feeling that I'm just existing here (rather than really living here). In any case, here we are, in April 2012 with a scheduled transfer date of April 2013.
Since many family members have asked, I'll explain how we figure out where we go next. The first two assignments were "directed." This means we received a list of all possible jobs (over 100), which we evaluated based on logistical criteria (did the timing work so we didn't have a big gap between posts? would we go over the permitted 'time-in-training' limit?) and personal criteria (two jobs available? can the boys and Bagwelle come? what's the housing/school/child care situation? etc etc). We rank ordered about 25 assignments, and the career development office back in DC slotted us into our positions after considering the State Department's needs and our preferences (compared against all the other bidders' preferences).
From here on out, we "lobby" for our assignments. Meaning, after available jobs are posted, we start contacting various people to express our interest in the jobs we like (i.e., "lobby" for a position). This involves sending out resumes, working contacts, asking colleagues to submit "360 reviews" of our performance, and I'm sure some other aspects I have yet to figure out. We could stay overseas, we could go back to DC - just depends on what the options are, especially because we're looking for two jobs in the same city with relatively the same starting month.
The lobby process officially starts in August when the list is released ... but unofficially starts as early as May when bureaus start to post "projected" positions available. Around late September/early October, we submit our official bid list into the online system, rank ordered, so bureaus have a final list of who wants to go where. Then the bureaus offer "handshakes" - and if we accept a handshake, the assignment is submitted to (and hopefully approved by) "the panel," making us "paneled" into the job. The exact timeline changes year to year, depending on when tenure and promotion announcements are made (since jobs and people are ranked by level, and bidding "at level" is evaluated differently than a "stretch" position).
If all goes well (i.e., we get a handshake we like), we should know by Thanksgiving where we're headed next. Otherwise, it's back to the drawing board to see what's left and where we might fit best. So, dear family, now you have the explanation of the lingo we'll be using this fall.
Since many family members have asked, I'll explain how we figure out where we go next. The first two assignments were "directed." This means we received a list of all possible jobs (over 100), which we evaluated based on logistical criteria (did the timing work so we didn't have a big gap between posts? would we go over the permitted 'time-in-training' limit?) and personal criteria (two jobs available? can the boys and Bagwelle come? what's the housing/school/child care situation? etc etc). We rank ordered about 25 assignments, and the career development office back in DC slotted us into our positions after considering the State Department's needs and our preferences (compared against all the other bidders' preferences).
From here on out, we "lobby" for our assignments. Meaning, after available jobs are posted, we start contacting various people to express our interest in the jobs we like (i.e., "lobby" for a position). This involves sending out resumes, working contacts, asking colleagues to submit "360 reviews" of our performance, and I'm sure some other aspects I have yet to figure out. We could stay overseas, we could go back to DC - just depends on what the options are, especially because we're looking for two jobs in the same city with relatively the same starting month.
The lobby process officially starts in August when the list is released ... but unofficially starts as early as May when bureaus start to post "projected" positions available. Around late September/early October, we submit our official bid list into the online system, rank ordered, so bureaus have a final list of who wants to go where. Then the bureaus offer "handshakes" - and if we accept a handshake, the assignment is submitted to (and hopefully approved by) "the panel," making us "paneled" into the job. The exact timeline changes year to year, depending on when tenure and promotion announcements are made (since jobs and people are ranked by level, and bidding "at level" is evaluated differently than a "stretch" position).
If all goes well (i.e., we get a handshake we like), we should know by Thanksgiving where we're headed next. Otherwise, it's back to the drawing board to see what's left and where we might fit best. So, dear family, now you have the explanation of the lingo we'll be using this fall.
1 comment:
It's such a straightforward, simple process. Can't imagine why some of us weren't perfectly clear on how it works. I hope you end up with the jobs you want in the place you want to be.
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