DHS

6

I'm trying to catch on as an ISA instead of starting as an ISO. I've been referred and called for interviews for ISO, but I'd rather get my feet wet as an ISA first. It would actually be a move down the GS scale for me, but just temporarily. The problem with getting an ISA job is that I only get referred and/or called for interviews in locations where the cost of living is insane or they're only hiring at GS 5. Even in a low cost area, I feel like I'd have to be a 6 in order to relocate. There's another thread out there that is currently discussing the cost of living in the DC area. I don't think even being hired at 7 for ISA would be enough to survive in Arlington.

So if I'm applying for ISA and saying that I'd only accept GS-6, does that hurt my chances of being called for an interview?

Congrats!!!! Mind sharing your time line? How long after you were referred did you get a request for interview? How long for tentative offer? What GS?

My timelines for ISA positions:

1st attempt:

07/28/18 - Sent
08/27/18 - Referred
09/06/18 - Interview
10/01/18 - Not Selected

2nd attempt:

01/26/19 - Sent
03/16/19 - Referred
03/25/19 - Interview
04/04/19 - TO Received
04/05/19 - TO paperwork/instructions received
Decided to decline the offer because a candidate cannot have multiple offers at the same time from the same agency. I went in a different direction within USCIS.

Interviews were very relaxed and much less formal than ISO or Asylum interviews. They will offer you a few time slots to choose from, but selection is very limited. The supervisors were present and asked basic interview questions: office experience, customer service, work ethic. They will allow you to ask questions at the end. Had the option to telephone interview for both. For the first one, I arrived in person and I wore professional business attire. For the second one, I chose to interview by phone for convenience.

All of my references were contacted right after my interview. In some cases, right before.

Hope this keeps the thread alive and answers some timeline questions. Good luck to everyone!

What job type and location? Probably not, but might depend on what you got.

I have a friend who works as an ISO and she said it's hard to negotiate because it's an easy position to fill.

I figured that it didn't hurt to ask. HR emailed me and requested a copy of my last SF-50, from when I was a federal employee back in 2013 (been with the State since then). So I haven't gotten a "no" yet, lol!

Does anyone know the required "Time in Grade" for an ISA-GS 7 to become an ISO- GS9? Had my interview yesterday for an ISA position and they did make mention of "Time in grade" before one can become an ISO, but they did not elaborate and did not specify the required amount of time required to be an ISA- GS7 before applying to a ISO GS9

Hello everyone, sorry for necroing an old thread, but my anxiety is kicking in and I was hoping to get a few answers.

Timeline for Reference for an ISA 1 position

Application Closed:7/5
Referred: 7/15
Interview and 30 minute timed writing assessment: 7/19 (Was asked for 3 references the day prior to the interview)
References Checked: They contacted them on 8/6 but 2 didn't call back until 8/8

I was just wondering if this is a normal timeline for the job as during the interview itself I was told that we should hear back hopefully within two weeks. The other question I had was if it meant anything that my references were contacted (Was looking on Reddit on some places said they only contacted references as a formality before hiring, and one more specific post said that in regards to USCIS they always ask for the references prior to the interview, but it only matters if they actually contact them.)

The posting was for the ISA position in Harlingen (just moved into the area with relatives)