EPAP job – final notification came in!
January 5th, 2012
The wait is over…
Yes – after almost exactly 11 months, I was finally notified I am able to start my new job under the Expanded Professional Associates Program (EPAP). Let me just summarize the stages I went through to get there (and how long it took):
- EPAP call announced – early Jan 2011
- Pre-application writing test – Jan 2011
- Application – late Jan 2011
- Multi-layered review process (QEP et al.) – all the way into May 2011
- Job interview with several folks on the phone, including my new boss, coworkers and others – May 2011
- Got an offer in writing and accepted it – May 2011
- Started the security clearance process – June 2011
- (started wondering if I am going to get the job in the end – mid Sep 2011)
- Notified by HR that I can start – late December 2011
- Start working – TDB, really a minor detail at this point
I am very, very happy that this process is over. A huge amount of people helped in the process (will not mention them here, but will thank them personally when I get the chance!)
Conclusion:
Hear ye, EFMs – definitely go after EPAP jobs, they are worth it (I am fairly certain my will be). Be ready for the long haul and the many steps it takes, though…
good thing it wasn’t much longer or your tour would have been over! There has GOT to be a better to put all of those skills that those professional EFMs have to use and much quicker. But I am glad it worked out for you and the next one should be easier because you should already have the clearance.
Hey – thanks for the kind words… Agreed on speed, and it will be easier next time… I hope! Hugs to everyone! I think it probably works faster for folks who have not been born abroad, travelled so much, blah, blah, blah…