PHS

[USSS0712]

Does anyone know what's the typical waiting period between the submission of the Personal History Statement and being contacted by the BI investigator for the initial interview?

[Kojak]

I know this is gonna sound vague but, it could be 2 days or it could be several months. The good news is that there is a big push to process all applications in effort to fill the next academy. So... I would say you'll be contacted closer to "2 days" end of the spectrum. Sit tight and review the copy of the PHS you submitted (hopefully you made a copy) for mistakes and be prepared to make the necessary corrections during your intial interview. Good Luck!!!!!!!

[nobody33]

It was about 7 months for me.

[dw]

You may want to search around, this topic has been covered in depth.

[Darth Choke]

my BI contacted me the DAY my PHS was due :cool:

[K-Lo]

Sit tight and review the copy of the PHS you submitted (hopefully you made a copy) for mistakes and be prepared to make the necessary corrections during your intial interview.

I couldn't agree with this more. I filled out my PHS and read it over 1/2 a dozen times before I mailed it in. Reviewed it at my initial and again at the final interview. As it turns out, I left some boxes blank by accident and didn't catch it upon any of those reviews. My BI gave me a well deserved lashing for it and explained how that might affect me in the field.

I consider myself a very meticulous person. So needless to say I felt like a dope. :confused: What made it worse was that one of my references told my BI that I am a very detail oriented person. That is actually true. All I could do was admit to a my mistake and move on. This was a very valuable lesson in attention to detail.

So USSS0712, read your completed PHS over and over and over and over again before you submit it. Make a copy before you mail it in. Review the copy again and again and again as hwyhopeful suggested so you will be ready to make any corrections at your initial interview. Make sure you answer every question and enter D.N.A. in every empty field as instructed. Best of luck to you.

[makakona]

better yet, have someone ELSE proof it. two pairs of eyes are better than one! :smile:

[K-Lo]

better yet, have someone ELSE proof it. two pairs of eyes are better than one! :smile:

makakona - Where were you in December when I did mine? HA HA :biggrin:

Very good suggestion!!

[Kojak]

better yet, have someone ELSE proof it. two pairs of eyes are better than one!

This is a very good suggestion. I would also have someone you trust with your deep dark secrets not only proof read but also ask you questions about the inevitable "bumps in the road" of your past. This will give you an idea of what it's like having to explain your past actions and decisions during your initial. If you have a significant other, have them read it; he/she will be almost as probative as your BI!!! ;)

[uoplax13]

Everything needs to be filled in......For example, if I've had no prior military service, will checking the box "no", and then moving on to the next section work, or do I need to put D.N.A. in every box pertaining the the military info?

[pupdog]

On jobs, even though you've laready put the phone number down, it asks for the supervisor's name & phone number on a different line. REPEAT THOSE PHONE NUMBERS! Yep, felt like a huge idiot when I was handed the green pen for that one, and I also consider myself very detail oriented, and I went over the packet saveral times before sending it in!

[K-Lo]

Everything needs to be filled in......For example, if I've had no prior military service, will checking the box "no", and then moving on to the next section work, or do I need to put D.N.A. in every box pertaining the the military info?

Put D.N.A. in there. One of the things that got me was in the vehicle section. I believe there are 4 or 5 lines but I only had 2 vehicles. I only listed the 2 vehicles. My BI asked if I had any other vehicles and I said no. He then asked, "How would I know that looking at this?" That same question came up in the employment section as well.

The correct thing for me to have done would have been to enter D.N.A. in the remaining lines. That goes for the employment section, military, and everything else. Don't leave anything blank!!

As suggested, have another pair of eyes look over the PHS. Have that person read the instructions as well. That way they will know what it is they need to look for.

[I am going to make it!]

I know that the PHS says list employment for 7 years, is that all they want or does the BI want more? Also how many co-workers and supervisors should be listed? All or just a few that fit in the space?

[pupdog]

Your PHS only wants 7 years, but remember, your application that was handed in after the PAT and reviewed at the QAP asked for 10. Those other 3 years WILL be looked at. I had a little couple hours a week coaching gig 9 years ago that's on the application, and the company considers things this old to be 'archived,' and charged me $63 to let my BI verify employment! Whatever...prior to being there, I was with the same company in a different area in the personnel office. Part of my job was employment verifications, and older 'archives' just meant it was in a box upstairs thater than the filing cabinet in the office.

[K-Lo]

I know that the PHS says list employment for 7 years, is that all they want or does the BI want more? Also how many co-workers and supervisors should be listed? All or just a few that fit in the space?

Just list 7 years as instructed. If your BI wants more they will ask. Make sure you enter D.N.A. in the additional lines leftover after you enter all of your employers for the last 7 years.

I only listed my immediate supervisor. I also have a couple dozen coworkers. I listed about 4 or 5 that fit in the box. They were the ones I work the most directly with at my office. When my BI came into work, he only spoke to my supervisor and 2 other coworkers. I would list as many as you can fit and then ask your BI at the initial interview if he wants more names. You could also list as many coworkers that fit in the small box and then list all of the others on a separate sheet of paper as explained in the instructions.

Good luck.

[dw]

better yet, have someone ELSE proof it. two pairs of eyes are better than one! :smile:

Excellent advice. I would have someone else you trust review every document you submit during the hiring process.

[uoplax13]

Thought of another question..... One of my residences was a fraternity house. Do I need to list all 30-40 guys, thier phone numbers, and include a list for each year (since it changed a lot) or would listing my specific roommates work better?

[dw]

Thought of another question..... One of my residences was a fraternity house. Do I need to list all 30-40 guys, thier phone numbers, and include a list for each year (since it changed a lot) or would listing my specific roommates work better?

I'd list your specific roommates and offer the other information to your BI if he/she wants it.