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Post by puravida on Mar 28, 2009 9:12:48 GMT -5
Well, just got off the phone with Falls Church. They have some interviews scheduled for Monday, 4/13, but otherwise, it's wide open. Very negotiable, so I got 9 am Wednesday, 4/15, the one day that week I don't have something on my calendar. She was very nice, very helpful. Good luck to all, and stay close to your cell phones!
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Post by pm on Mar 28, 2009 9:19:02 GMT -5
Good post. I forgot that last year they did some of this stuff on the weekend.
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Post by noah on Mar 28, 2009 9:21:09 GMT -5
Did they call you or did you call them?
Were the interview dates offered within the 4/13 - 4/24 timeframe, or were other dates offered?
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Post by noah on Mar 28, 2009 9:22:55 GMT -5
Also, did they offer to pay for your airfare up front, or reimburse you after you paid for it?
Who actually schedules the flight - you or them?
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Post by puravida on Mar 28, 2009 9:30:24 GMT -5
She called me. She did not have a set time in mind for my interview; she told me the times that remain available on Monday, 4/13, and the remaining dates that week are all open. Now, anyway. So I got my pick. The interviews are scheduled at 2 hour intervals, though from what I heard last year, it didn't take nearly that long. Some folks were out in half an hour. She only mentioned that week, 4/13 - 17; I imagine you can ask about the following week if you can't get there that week.
She offered assistance with travel, through SATO, but I'm not far away so I'm driving and don't care too much about reimbursement for mileage.
You do have to pay to park, even though it's in the burbs, so you may want to ask about that if you are driving or renting a car.
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Post by noah on Mar 28, 2009 9:45:51 GMT -5
Thanks puravida for the intel
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Post by lawcat on Mar 28, 2009 10:24:48 GMT -5
I missed the call this morning, and Paula Taylor left a message for me to call back; the number she gave me is 703-605-8500. A recorded message said that this is a non-working government number. Does anyone have a different phone number to call?
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Post by northeasterner on Mar 28, 2009 10:35:02 GMT -5
I also missed the call and they didn't leave me a message at all. I tried the number back and got a phone tree. try 703-605-7000
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Post by grford on Mar 28, 2009 11:47:48 GMT -5
I got called this morning. They left wrong number on my machine, but then called back with correct number. I got my pick of slots. I was told that since I could fly over and back in same day, Government would not pay for a hotel room. I got a 2pm time so may have to do it all in one day.
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Post by firsttimecaller on Mar 28, 2009 12:07:29 GMT -5
For those traveling from afar, there are several hotels one block from HQ. I stayed at the Hampton Inn, which was basic but fine. It's nice to not have to worry about cabs/traffic/parking to make sure you're on time.
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Post by lawcat on Mar 28, 2009 12:21:19 GMT -5
I also just got a call back- they realized the phones were acting up and said they hope to have them fixed by Monday.
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Post by flannery on Mar 28, 2009 12:46:10 GMT -5
I just got the call. For hotels, I checked both the Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites--across from HQ--they are booked up for the day I'd stay there (it would take me more than a day to travel to and from, plus interview). Does anyone know where else, within 5 miles or so I could stay?
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Post by illuminator on Mar 28, 2009 13:07:51 GMT -5
I received a call. The caller (Lorraine) left a number 703 605 8517. When I called back, the tape said it was Sylvia.
Does anyone have a number to call back that is likely to be answered by a person, and not a machine?
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Post by ldtajesq on Mar 28, 2009 14:02:48 GMT -5
Just received a call from Paula Taylor at SSA. She was very nice and informative. She was scheduling for the 1st week (Apr. 13-17) and, like others, I was able to choose my interview date and time. They are really moving along quickly. I'm excited!
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Post by shp on Mar 28, 2009 15:19:12 GMT -5
Just a quick tip about SSA email- If you have someone's full name you can discern their email address.
It will always be: firstname.lastname@ssa.gov The only real drawback is that someone with a fairly common name may also be using their middle intial as well, I.E. firstname.initial.lastname@ssa.gov Do not forget to put the "dot" between the names!
You can always email someone and ask them to call you right back!
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Post by Legal Beagle on Mar 28, 2009 15:26:28 GMT -5
Did you get calls on your cell phones, or the 'preferred' phone of office or home as listed on one of the forms we sent back?
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Post by privateatty on Mar 28, 2009 15:35:47 GMT -5
I just got the call. For hotels, I checked both the Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites--across from HQ--they are booked up for the day I'd stay there (it would take me more than a day to travel to and from, plus interview). Does anyone know where else, within 5 miles or so I could stay? Last year alot of interviewees stayed at a hotel at Reagan/National and cabbed into Puzzle Palace. There are hotels in Old Town Alexandria as well. Check it all on Mapquest...  I would not rent a car, its a pain in the kiester, you're already stressed and traffic can be a bear if its rush hour. Most folks are 45 minutes early. They give you forms to fill out. |
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Post by barkley on Mar 28, 2009 15:50:11 GMT -5
I just got the call. For hotels, I checked both the Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites--across from HQ--they are booked up for the day I'd stay there (it would take me more than a day to travel to and from, plus interview). Does anyone know where else, within 5 miles or so I could stay? The person I talked to suggested the Hampton and Homewood Suites. Then said the Hilton Mark was about 4 or 5 blocks away. 703-845-1010. Regarding which phone, I was called via cell, which was also my preferred number. |
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Post by flannery on Mar 28, 2009 15:55:43 GMT -5
Thanks PA and Barkley...I will use mapaquest and will avoid rent cars, etc. Hopefully, I can find something less than a marathon's distance away.... |
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Post by superdude on Mar 28, 2009 16:14:03 GMT -5
I just got the call. For hotels, I checked both the Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites--across from HQ--they are booked up for the day I'd stay there (it would take me more than a day to travel to and from, plus interview). Does anyone know where else, within 5 miles or so I could stay? Last year alot of interviewees stayed at a hotel at Reagan/National and cabbed into Puzzle Palace. There are hotels in Old Town Alexandria as well. Check it all on Mapquest... I would not rent a car, its a pain in the kiester, you're already stressed and traffic can be a bear if its rush hour. Most folks are 45 minutes early. They give you forms to fill out. More forms!? What do they want to know? Should I bring my resume or job history? Thanks - superdude |
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