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How long is a typical post-CB waiting time before hearing about a ding or offer for a lateral position at a federal agency (DOJ; SEC; etc)? Anecdotally have heard that government takes a lot longer than, say, a firm would, but what are we talking here? 2 weeks? A month? Realize this may vary widely by office.

It really varies, but for me it was around 2-3 weeks to get a soft offer after a callback. I've found that while it takes months after applying to get an interview, the post CB soft offer usually comes a lot faster. If your agency or department doesn't do soft offers and waits until it can give you a formal offer to tell you, it can be over a month.

Yeah seems that it can vary, and while I haven't had any success yet post-interview it does seem correct that they can take months to interview and then turn it around pretty quick.

Anyone know how long it typically takes to get a start date and clear the background checks and such?

Which agencies make soft offers? I know DOJ does, but any others?

SEC soft offers. Start date and such also vary by agency. At some it's around a month because they let you start working on an interim clearance while you wait for your full clearance to come through. At others like DOJ I think you actually have to wait for your clearance to be granted, which I believe usually takes at least 3 months.

My (small agency) went like:

December application --> End of January Interview --> February 12 (offer from future boss) --> February 20 (actual firm offer from HR) --> start date beginning of March

my understanding though is that this is very fast, like, unreasonably fast, but just take that with a grain of salt

Also, I still never heard anything about my background check, so either it is still happening or no one thought to tell me that I was ok

Fair to say a few weeks of post-CB radio silence is not unusual? Anyone know of agencies that wait to give formal offers and don't give out soft offers earlier?

Not unusual, but I think you can go ahead and email them to see what the situation is.

Anonymous User wrote:Not unusual, but I think you can go ahead and email them to see what the situation is.

I agree with this ^.

Although mine wasn't a lateral, I emailed after the CB to check in and was simply told that they were still interviewing other candidates so no selections had been made yet. I got the offer eventually, so asking didn't hurt anything.

Anyone know what DoED's process is like?

So if an agency calls and asks for references from a current supervisor, does that mean they want to make an offer?

Anonymous User wrote:So if an agency calls and asks for references from a current supervisor, does that mean they want to make an offer?

Assuming you interviewed already, it's plausibly they are making final selections. It doesn't necessarily mean you will get picked. But I hope you do.

OP here: took over a month post-CB but ultimately got an offer The government works in mysterious ways, friends.

Anonymous User wrote:OP here: took over a month post-CB but ultimately got an offer The government works in mysterious ways, friends.

Congrats!

Congrats and welcome! (Well in another few months after you pass the security check )