GENERAL CBSA APPLICANT CHIT CHAT

[huckleberry81]

For those waiting, I just received invite for Feb to write the OTEE, so keep a lookout for emails.

[Palpatine]

Yes. I graduated from grad school, got another Gov job, and have had my psych expire, and soon to be my PARE as well. Since March/April of 2022 my process has gone nowhere and I had everything done except for my security clearance.

I’m not upset about it, I got another degree, a gov Canada job, and got to do some other stuff I had been meaning to do but it’s a tad annoying after spending 4 years in the process (almost 5). My story isn’t unique though. Many people redo steps, the CBSA has an atrocious recruitment process.

I'm in the same boat (check my signature)

I've redone psych and medical and I'll probably have to redo it again

Yep, you’ve been it longer than I have. To see someone be “ahead” is part of the process but a 2022 applicant? Head scratcher (not directed at the OP). Let alone a 2022 applicant. Not sure if they fit EE categories but I know I fit 2 of those in addition to having a higher academic credential which is sometimes mentioned in posters (crim/sociology).

Some of the bigger more “intense” national security departments don’t even move that slow. However, I’ve heard from many people that everything is stored in an excel sheet, so that tells me a lot about the internal processes.

Also for those of you looking at this with a shocked face, no, I have no issue critiquing a potential employer, that’s part of the change making process. Even less so now that I work for the GoC and see the inside of other departments.

I'm amazed that for some candidates, one goes all the way to the security stage only to have everything re-set because time expired. Seems like such a huge waste of time on both sides of the equation.

It seems to me that if a candidate has made it to the "later stages", the agency should expedite those cases , given their accomplishments thus far, otherwise they risk having everything expire. In contrast, the ones at the OTEE stages - don't need to be expedited , as they're still quite early in the process.

I passed my OTEE in summer 2022 and received an email awaiting next steps for the interview.

Stories such as the above are concerning especially for applicants like myself who are now in their 40s! Yikes!

[CAFSP05]

Hello,

Has anyone received an Interest Confirmation email for OITP ? How soon afterwards did anyone get the official invitation?

[Gamerz101]

Hello,

Has anyone received an Interest Confirmation email for OITP ? How soon afterwards did anyone get the official invitation?

Did you just get the interest confirmation recently?

[CAFSP05]

Yes, very recently.

[Gamerz101]

Yes, very recently.

When did you do your security interview?

[M92]

I'm in the same boat (check my signature)

I've redone psych and medical and I'll probably have to redo it again

Yep, you’ve been it longer than I have. To see someone be “ahead” is part of the process but a 2022 applicant? Head scratcher (not directed at the OP). Let alone a 2022 applicant. Not sure if they fit EE categories but I know I fit 2 of those in addition to having a higher academic credential which is sometimes mentioned in posters (crim/sociology).

Some of the bigger more “intense” national security departments don’t even move that slow. However, I’ve heard from many people that everything is stored in an excel sheet, so that tells me a lot about the internal processes.

Also for those of you looking at this with a shocked face, no, I have no issue critiquing a potential employer, that’s part of the change making process. Even less so now that I work for the GoC and see the inside of other departments.

I'm amazed that for some candidates, one goes all the way to the security stage only to have everything re-set because time expired. Seems like such a huge waste of time on both sides of the equation.

It seems to me that if a candidate has made it to the "later stages", the agency should expedite those cases , given their accomplishments thus far, otherwise they risk having everything expire. In contrast, the ones at the OTEE stages - don't need to be expedited , as they're still quite early in the process.

I passed my OTEE in summer 2022 and received an email awaiting next steps for the interview.

Stories such as the above are concerning especially for applicants like myself who are now in their 40s! Yikes!

Yeah. I mean the department routinely ranks in the bottom 3 out of all the departments in the GoC when the PSES results come out. Not trying to discredit the department, but I’m sure some of the issues that have resulted in that ranking will bleed into recruitment since low morale (civilian/uniformed) will effect the recruitment process.

At the end of the day we can’t do much about it as applicants and recruits. As an applicant early in the process treat any fast moving parts as a success and slow moving parts as just another step in the process. No point sitting on the job nor the process. Best advice I’ve gotten from here is move on with life and treat this job as an afterthought. I would say it worked well for me and I’m still happy, albeit annoyed, when things happen in the process that mean I’m moving forward.

[raymond.tee]

For those waiting, I just received invite for Feb to write the OTEE, so keep a lookout for emails.

When did you apply? I'm still waiting for OTEE invite.

[Newfiecat_girl]

For those waiting, I just received invite for Feb to write the OTEE, so keep a lookout for emails.

When did you apply? I'm still waiting for OTEE invite.

I’m still waiting as well but hey I guess that’s the game of patience! Although it would be nice to know if I’m still in the game lol

[BSOJOE]

When did you apply? I'm still waiting for OTEE invite.

I’m still waiting as well but hey I guess that’s the game of patience! Although it would be nice to know if I’m still in the game lol

Did you try nudging them? Sometimes getting that confirmation that they’re aware you’re waiting and everything is all good can be reassuring.

[Newfiecat_girl]

When did you apply? I'm still waiting for OTEE invite.

I’m still waiting as well but hey I guess that’s the game of patience! Although it would be nice to know if I’m still in the game lol

Did you try nudging them? Sometimes getting that confirmation that they’re aware you’re waiting and everything is all good can be reassuring.

Yes I have, I asked maybe a month or so ago and all I got was that the system randomly pulls people

[Mikezel381]

Yes, very recently.

I'm assuming that you have completed all phases of the process. Don't mind me asking, how long have you been OITP ready?

[CAFSP05]

About 5 weeks

[Ziggy Stardust]

Yep, you’ve been it longer than I have. To see someone be “ahead” is part of the process but a 2022 applicant? Head scratcher (not directed at the OP). Let alone a 2022 applicant. Not sure if they fit EE categories but I know I fit 2 of those in addition to having a higher academic credential which is sometimes mentioned in posters (crim/sociology).

Some of the bigger more “intense” national security departments don’t even move that slow. However, I’ve heard from many people that everything is stored in an excel sheet, so that tells me a lot about the internal processes.

Also for those of you looking at this with a shocked face, no, I have no issue critiquing a potential employer, that’s part of the change making process. Even less so now that I work for the GoC and see the inside of other departments.

I'm amazed that for some candidates, one goes all the way to the security stage only to have everything re-set because time expired. Seems like such a huge waste of time on both sides of the equation.

It seems to me that if a candidate has made it to the "later stages", the agency should expedite those cases , given their accomplishments thus far, otherwise they risk having everything expire. In contrast, the ones at the OTEE stages - don't need to be expedited , as they're still quite early in the process.

I passed my OTEE in summer 2022 and received an email awaiting next steps for the interview.

Stories such as the above are concerning especially for applicants like myself who are now in their 40s! Yikes!

Yeah. I mean the department routinely ranks in the bottom 3 out of all the departments in the GoC when the PSES results come out. Not trying to discredit the department, but I’m sure some of the issues that have resulted in that ranking will bleed into recruitment since low morale (civilian/uniformed) will effect the recruitment process.

At the end of the day we can’t do much about it as applicants and recruits. As an applicant early in the process treat any fast moving parts as a success and slow moving parts as just another step in the process. No point sitting on the job nor the process. Best advice I’ve gotten from here is move on with life and treat this job as an afterthought. I would say it worked well for me and I’m still happy, albeit annoyed, when things happen in the process that mean I’m moving forward.

This is definitely the correct attitude to have. I think that the process may be designed to get you adjusted to the reality when you get the job.

Best wishes to all of you and hang in there!

[M92]

I'm amazed that for some candidates, one goes all the way to the security stage only to have everything re-set because time expired. Seems like such a huge waste of time on both sides of the equation.

It seems to me that if a candidate has made it to the "later stages", the agency should expedite those cases , given their accomplishments thus far, otherwise they risk having everything expire. In contrast, the ones at the OTEE stages - don't need to be expedited , as they're still quite early in the process.

I passed my OTEE in summer 2022 and received an email awaiting next steps for the interview.

Stories such as the above are concerning especially for applicants like myself who are now in their 40s! Yikes!

Yeah. I mean the department routinely ranks in the bottom 3 out of all the departments in the GoC when the PSES results come out. Not trying to discredit the department, but I’m sure some of the issues that have resulted in that ranking will bleed into recruitment since low morale (civilian/uniformed) will effect the recruitment process.

At the end of the day we can’t do much about it as applicants and recruits. As an applicant early in the process treat any fast moving parts as a success and slow moving parts as just another step in the process. No point sitting on the job nor the process. Best advice I’ve gotten from here is move on with life and treat this job as an afterthought. I would say it worked well for me and I’m still happy, albeit annoyed, when things happen in the process that mean I’m moving forward.

This is definitely the correct attitude to have. I think that the process may be designed to get you adjusted to the reality when you get the job.

Best wishes to all of you and hang in there!

Sadly, it’s pretty clear that the recruitment process isn’t to test anyone or prepare anyone, it’s just all over the place. GoC applications all take some time, even outside of the CBSA, but most are a year or less.

Regardless, we can’t change anything so just gotta keep on living life and if stuff happens in the process, good. If not? Also fine.