You have GOT to be kidding me...

So, I finally got the long awaited email from the Placement Assistant that asks for your updated resume (13 days after my Toolkit was updated to say that I have been medically cleared).  It went like so:

Dear Leigh,

I hope this email finds you well!  I'm writing to you from the Peace Corps Placement Office in Washington, D.C. I reviewed your file this morning and I identified a couple items that needed follow-up.

We appreciate your patience during the placement and assessment process. We also would like to update you on the current status of Peace Corps programming.  Like all federal agencies, Peace Corps is looking at its operations in light of budget reductions. This will result in fewer service opportunities available overseas in 2011 and 2012.  Unfortunately, it is too soon to tell what impact this will have on the program you were nominated to as Peace Corps is currently reevaluating our needs for the upcoming months.  Please note that these changes may affect your potential placement.  If you are not placed in the program to which you were nominated, your Placement and Assessment Specialist will conduct the final suitability and skill review to determine if we can match you to the next available program that best fits your skills and qualifications.  Please note that this may mean a significant pushback in departure date, perhaps until January 2012 or later.  We will be in touch with more information should this be the case and anticipate that we should be able to provide you with more information over the upcoming weeks.  Please also keep in mind that a final invitation is contingent upon the completion of this final suitability and skill review. 

Additional flexibility in geographic preference, program preference,  and departure date will be even more important, as another program like the one you were nominated to may not be available until many months after your original departure timeframe.  Given this, please let me know as soon as possible if there is any reason that you would not be interested in remaining under consideration for a future program at this time. 

I would like you to send me an updated professionally formatted resume which includes the following: Name, Address, Phone Number, Permanent E-mail, Summary of Skills, Education, Volunteer and Work Experience and Additional Interests or Skills. Please use a format similar to the following:

 English Teacher-8^th Grade                                                             March 2008 - Feb 2010
Kline Middle School, Chicago

• Develop curriculum and implement interactive lessons
• Teach 100+ students daily
• Classroom and records management
• Parent/teacher communications
• Afterschool English Tutor

**Please be sure to tailor your resume to highlight the volunteer and work experiences that are most relevant to your nomination.
Please keep in mind that many computer word processing programs provide nicely formatted resume templates which you can use as a guideline.  This document should be no more than two pages long and have exact dates (month/year) for employment/volunteerism.  For volunteer experiences please note the approximate hours per week.
**Please submit the request materials within the next two weeks.  Failure to do so will result in the withdrawal of your application.**Once you submit your updated materials it may take some time before you hear from your Placement Specialist regarding the final evaluation of your application materials.  You will receive notification as soon as you are qualified for service.  Your Placement Specialist will be in touch about a possible invitation to serve in the weeks following this qualification.  Please keep in mind that the application process is a competitive one, and we encourage you to take this waiting time to continue to gain additional experience relevant to the program to which you were nominated.  This additional experience will also make you a more valuable resource to your potential future community overseas.  In the case that you are not placed in the program to which you were nominated, your Placement Specialist will do their best to match your skill set to the needs of our host countries in a different program.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions, but we will contact you as soon as we have further information about your potential placement.
Best,
M


So, I emailed "M" back with my updated resume and received an immediate e-mail back.  It said: 


Thank you for contacting the Peace Corps Placement Office.

I am currently out of the office.  I will be returning Tuesday August 9.  I will respond to all emails at that time.

If you are an applicant in need of immediate assistance please email the Education Desk at educationplacement@peacecorps.gov or call 202.692.1840, option 4.

Best,
M


I just want to scream.  You have GOT to be kidding me! Why would you even send the e-mail today if you aren't even going to read it (and the 200 other applicants that probably email you in a week) until Tuesday at the earliest!?  AH!!!!!!


Gotta love the Peace Corps!