AUSA/USAO hiring Forum

[Anonymous User]

Recently got a request for an interview in a major metropolitan area. Was told to keep the whole work day open and that there would be 2 panel interviews in the morning, a panel interview with supervisors in the afternoon, then an interview with the USA. Not sure what, if anything, to make of this. Is this typical?

It’s a bit more extensive than I’ve usually seen, but it’s not unheard of. It really depends on how a particular office chooses to handle interviews. You generally can’t get hired without interviewing with the USA, so I’d imagine this is a final/only round.

I’ve heard of some offices asking you to prepare a mock opening/closing or similar, which would take up more time - not sure if they normally warn you ahead of time if they’re going to do that, though.

[Anonymous User]

Checking in re: most recent criminal NDIL job posting.

USAJobs has the application as 155 applicants. Is that the norm for postings? Looks like at least two slots from the start dates.

Any movement on this?

Got a rejection letter a few weeks back. My status didn't change on USAJobs/the internal website. Hopeful that it's a "maybe later" rejection and not a firm no.

Was that for the job posting that went up in July?

Yep! FWIW, I'm currently at main justice so it may have just been a courtesy to colleagues or something.

[Anonymous User]

Any movement from most recent EDNC criminal division posting?

[Anonymous User]

I will be reapplying to a district that I had a first round interview with last year, followed by a rejection letter. Does it make a difference at all to address my previous application in the cover letter? They will certainly know I have applied and interviewed before. Just curious if it makes sense to highlight it up front on my end. I was almost thinking it could provide a natural segue to outline what I have done since to become a stronger candidate.

[Anonymous User]

I will be reapplying to a district that I had a first round interview with last year, followed by a rejection letter. Does it make a difference at all to address my previous application in the cover letter? They will certainly know I have applied and interviewed before. Just curious if it makes sense to highlight it up front on my end. I was almost thinking it could provide a natural segue to outline what I have done since to become a stronger candidate.

I don’t think there’s any one right answer to this but I think it would make sense, if you can do it effectively. Not claiming this is the best wording, but you could absolutely include something along the lines of “my interview last year confirmed my interest in working in your office because [reasons]. Since then, I have taken the opportunity to develop X skill further by [cool accomplishment],” especially if that’s something that bolsters part of your application that was less strong last year.

If you think about the cover letter as your opportunity to start a conversation with the hiring committee, referencing your previous application makes sense as a starting point, as it would be kind of unnatural to pretend it never happened.

That said, if you end up struggling with this in practice, a short acknowledgment with a reiteration of continued interest would be sufficient. Better to keep it short and sweet than get weird/awkward.

[Anonymous User]

Does SDNY, EDNY, or DNJ have a hiring freeze at the moment?

[Anonymous User]

Has there been any movement on the CDCA AUSA positions from last month (August 2024)?

[Anonymous User]

Any movement on NDIL?

[Anonymous User]

Any movement on NDIL?

Curious about NDIN as well

[Anonymous User]

Any movement on NDIL?

Curious about NDIN as well

Both NDIL and NDIN are doing first round interviews.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have experience qualifying for ASLRP as an AUSA? Is it a really competitive process just to even qualify? Looking at the suggested criteria for selection in Appendix A (https://www.justice.gov/oarm/attorney-s ... Appendix_A), I guess I’m wondering how a line AUSA can qualify without knowing a foreign language, being stationed in a territory, etc.

[Anonymous User]

I read that as just providing examples people have previously used that are specific to a particular district or assignment, not that you *have* to have any of those things. That is, if you’re in PR or on the southwestern border, you can show you’re competitive because you can speak Spanish. If you’re working in the northern district of Indiana (hypothetical example of a place where Spanish is less pertinent), that’s not something that necessarily makes you more competitive.

I think the territories example is an exception to my caveat, because they probably have a harder time keeping people, so working there at all makes you particularly valuable. But if your office has had a big increase in caseload, you could also argue that you’re particularly necessary because of that, if that makes sense.

That said, while I never applied for this for various reasons, I do have the impression it’s hard to get.

However, my office has offered internal student loan payment assistance before, which was much easier. I suspect budgets may not be geared to this right now but you could always check with your HR people if your office has ever done that or will do it again.

[Anonymous User]

I read that as just providing examples people have previously used that are specific to a particular district or assignment, not that you *have* to have any of those things. That is, if you’re in PR or on the southwestern border, you can show you’re competitive because you can speak Spanish. If you’re working in the northern district of Indiana (hypothetical example of a place where Spanish is less pertinent), that’s not something that necessarily makes you more competitive.

I think the territories example is an exception to my caveat, because they probably have a harder time keeping people, so working there at all makes you particularly valuable. But if your office has had a big increase in caseload, you could also argue that you’re particularly necessary because of that, if that makes sense.

That said, while I never applied for this for various reasons, I do have the impression it’s hard to get.

However, my office has offered internal student loan payment assistance before, which was much easier. I suspect budgets may not be geared to this right now but you could always check with your HR people if your office has ever done that or will do it again.

Thanks for the insight. Can you explain why it might be difficult to get despite not having to “qualify” under the criteria in the appendix? I’m asking about all this because I am starting as an AUSA through Honors. I wondered if I am a little unusual because most AUSAs have several years of practice under their belt and might have paid off their loans (or were a lot closer than I currently am) before making the jump.

I appreciate the info about offices having internal student loan payment assistance. I’ll check on that when I start.

[Anonymous User]

I read that as just providing examples people have previously used that are specific to a particular district or assignment, not that you *have* to have any of those things. That is, if you’re in PR or on the southwestern border, you can show you’re competitive because you can speak Spanish. If you’re working in the northern district of Indiana (hypothetical example of a place where Spanish is less pertinent), that’s not something that necessarily makes you more competitive.

I think the territories example is an exception to my caveat, because they probably have a harder time keeping people, so working there at all makes you particularly valuable. But if your office has had a big increase in caseload, you could also argue that you’re particularly necessary because of that, if that makes sense.

That said, while I never applied for this for various reasons, I do have the impression it’s hard to get.

However, my office has offered internal student loan payment assistance before, which was much easier. I suspect budgets may not be geared to this right now but you could always check with your HR people if your office has ever done that or will do it again.

Thanks for the insight. Can you explain why it might be difficult to get despite not having to “qualify” under the criteria in the appendix? I’m asking about all this because I am starting as an AUSA through Honors. I wondered if I am a little unusual because most AUSAs have several years of practice under their belt and might have paid off their loans (or were a lot closer than I currently am) before making the jump.

I appreciate the info about offices having internal student loan payment assistance. I’ll check on that when I start.

My impression is just that there are more people who want it than there is money to go around. So I don’t think you have to show all the specific characteristics on the chart, but I think it’s a little bit the luck of the draw given the numbers. But you may well be right about there being enough other folks who’ve paid off enough loans that they wouldn’t be applying - I didn’t think about that. Definitely worth trying!

[Anonymous User]

Is there a rough estimate on how many people get first round interviews per open slot?

[Anonymous User]

My office interviews about 6-7 per slot. We might add one or two more if the pool is truly outstanding and we can’t decide who to cut.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any insight into AUSA hiring at this point of a presidential election year? There have been many postings in the last couple of months but the security clearance process takes so long that it seems like most people wouldn’t be eligible to start until after the inauguration, at which point there could be a hiring freeze. I’m far along in the process at one office and I’m concerned that even if I’m lucky enough to get an offer, I wouldn’t start before late January.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any insight into AUSA hiring at this point of a presidential election year? There have been many postings in the last couple of months but the security clearance process takes so long that it seems like most people wouldn’t be eligible to start until after the inauguration, at which point there could be a hiring freeze. I’m far along in the process at one office and I’m concerned that even if I’m lucky enough to get an offer, I wouldn’t start before late January.

Sorry, I don’t have any insight into this. Any chance you would mind sharing what district you’ve been interviewing with? Given both budget cuts and the upcoming election, hiring seems pretty slow…

[Anonymous User]

Is it common for all of your references to be checked or are there cases where only some get checked?

[Anonymous User]

Is it common for all of your references to be checked or are there cases where only some get checked?

Are you talking about the background check or post-interview? I had only some checked for the former and I think all of them for the latter.

[Anonymous User]

Is it common for all of your references to be checked or are there cases where only some get checked?

Are you talking about the background check or post-interview? I had only some checked for the former and I think all of them for the latter.

The latter! Looks like one of my references just missed the call, so all of mine ended up getting checked

[Anonymous User]

Is it common for all of your references to be checked or are there cases where only some get checked?

Are you talking about the background check or post-interview? I had only some checked for the former and I think all of them for the latter.

The latter! Looks like one of my references just missed the call, so all of mine ended up getting checked

Got it. That is very promising. I hope it works out for you!

[Anonymous User]

Mind sharing which district?

Is it common for all of your references to be checked or are there cases where only some get checked?

Are you talking about the background check or post-interview? I had only some checked for the former and I think all of them for the latter.

The latter! Looks like one of my references just missed the call, so all of mine ended up getting checked

[Anonymous User]

Mind sharing which district?

Is it common for all of your references to be checked or are there cases where only some get checked?

Are you talking about the background check or post-interview? I had only some checked for the former and I think all of them for the latter.

The latter! Looks like one of my references just missed the call, so all of mine ended up getting checked

Midwestern district, offer shortly afterwards

[Anonymous User]

Mind sharing which district?

Is it common for all of your references to be checked or are there cases where only some get checked?

Are you talking about the background check or post-interview? I had only some checked for the former and I think all of them for the latter.

The latter! Looks like one of my references just missed the call, so all of mine ended up getting checked

Midwestern district, offer shortly afterwards

Congrats!