|
Post by hearings101 on Oct 28, 2009 13:33:05 GMT -5
|
|
tab58
Full Member
Posts: 63
|
Post by tab58 on Oct 28, 2009 14:55:49 GMT -5
My understanding is that when the register re-opens and if it has been less than one year we cannot reapply. (NOR was February 2009)
But if it re-opens will we be able to amend our GALs??
|
|
|
Post by morgullord on Oct 28, 2009 15:08:17 GMT -5
You can reduce your GAL, not add to it.
|
|
|
Post by oldjag on Oct 28, 2009 15:21:29 GMT -5
During an open period you may add or delete from your geographic preferences.
|
|
|
Post by atlantis on Oct 28, 2009 15:29:51 GMT -5
But here may be an added kicker - if Social Security sends OPM the new office cities then OPM should have to notify all of us to update our preferences. Note the verb should.
|
|
|
Post by deminimis on Oct 28, 2009 17:18:28 GMT -5
So any informed speculation or wild guesses about what is meant by "in the near future"? To me, that's a week or two, but the announcement says interested persons should monitor USAJOBS "in the coming weeks," which sounds longer.
|
|
|
Post by carrickfergus on Oct 28, 2009 18:10:38 GMT -5
Making sure I understand: those of use who made the last couple of certs, but received the NOR less than a year ago, can't reapply under the upcoming register, correct? But we can expand the GAL's is what I'm hearing - so how exactly is that done?
|
|
|
Post by replay on Oct 28, 2009 20:07:44 GMT -5
If you have been three-striked and a new register opens, will SSA continue to refuse to consider your application?
|
|
|
Post by karaj on Oct 28, 2009 21:43:21 GMT -5
As I recall, it was a few weeks from the time they announced that the exam was opening, to the time it actually opened. That may or may not be the case this time. Check these boards daily. If you received your NOR in late February 2009, as most of us did last round, you cannot re-apply until until after Feb 2010. However, it is my understanding that you can add or reduce your GAL. I would assume this is done in the online application when it opens. Once you take the exam and are placed on the register, you cannot add to your GAL. Good luck all!
|
|
|
Post by northeasterner on Oct 28, 2009 22:02:09 GMT -5
A posting last month said
"The exact language from OPM: "If you received a NOR with a final numerical rating, you may retake the examination after one year has passed from the date of the final NOR and the examination opens to the receipt of new applications."
So those of us who received NOR's in late February 2009 probably will not be faced w/that quandry (depending upon the date that counts as "re-taking the exam" -would that be the application date?) But at least we can update our GALs. Which leads me to a question for the veterans of this process: how exactly does one update GALs when the register is refreshed? "
If this is true, then how can we possibly know whether we can re-apply in the coming weeks, without knowing when the next exam??? Could OPM reopen the register in November and schedule the exam before the end of February?
NE
|
|
|
Post by phillydog on Oct 29, 2009 9:53:05 GMT -5
PF is right about this. It is important to get confirmation of a GAL change. Do not assume that a GAL change has been made just by sending an email.
|
|
|
Post by alj2009 on Oct 29, 2009 10:52:22 GMT -5
I am still confused about making the changes in the GAL. Will I get an email telling me I can now make changes? And if so, will there a be a list of places I can check?
Thanks this never ends, does it?
|
|
|
Post by carrickfergus on Oct 29, 2009 11:42:37 GMT -5
"If this is true, then how can we possibly know whether we can re-apply in the coming weeks, without knowing when the next exam??? Could OPM reopen the register in November and schedule the exam before the end of February?"
NE, I was wondering the same thing. I re-read the OPM post stating that the "exam" will be re-opened in a few weeks. Since the application includes the AR, and the AR is part of the exam, it would seem that those who received their NOR in February may not apply.
|
|
|
Post by coloradoman on Oct 29, 2009 12:33:31 GMT -5
The most recent past announcement from August 2008 gave a specific cutoff date for which individuals on the current register can retake the examination. The announcement specifically stated: "With the exception of 10 point veterans, applicants on the current ALJ register who received a Notice of Results dated October 30, 2007, with a numerical rating, are not eligible to retake the examination at this time." I suspect that the new announcement will include a similar cutoff date which will say that those who received a NOR dated of February 27, 2009 (most recent NOR) will not be eligible to retake the examination at this time.
The previous announcement also stated: "If you're currently on the register, you may change your selected geographic locations during the vacancy announcement period, if you wish. To make a change, e-mail to aljapplication@opm.gov with your new, complete list of desired geographical locations. This new list of desired geographical locations will become your list of record and will replace your previous selections. Such requests will be honored only if they are received during the vacancy announcement open."
I'm not sure if ALJ application program will allow one to click selections and print out a new completed geographical availability list, whether we need to type one out in MS Word ourselves, or whether we must print out the list and make selections by hand and scan the document to pdf and attach to the e-mail.
In any event, don't take my word for it. Be sure to stay alert and read the announcement when it comes out.
|
|
|
Post by 24kgoldengirl on Oct 29, 2009 13:13:47 GMT -5
PF, Easy on the adult talk! This process is terribly confusing, frustrating, and in some cases downright intimidating. Take me for example, 2 cycles back, I am certain that I had two problems. #1 my score had to be the lowest ever. (Somebody has to be last) #2 I foolishly chose locations that I had no chance of getting even if I added 20 points to the score. (Who knew?) This time I plan to be more open-minded. I am re-entering the process with a new application. I am re-packaging myself. Once I submit the new application, does my old score and application go away? I sure hope so. 24kgolden girl
|
|
|
Post by carjack on Oct 29, 2009 16:40:43 GMT -5
As to GAL, just use the form or material in the ap itself. You made certain choices the first time that you wish to expand, do it that way again. However, just to be safe, if you're an "all places" I would still mark the individual locations. Technically you can't be an "all places" unless you include Puerto Rico which most people don't, so you're an "all places except Puerto Rico." Even so, I'd still put the individual cities down. I did that last time it was open and my last notice of eligibility was for everywhere except Puerto Rico.
As to taking the test again, your new score is new and replaces the old. If, G forbid, you applied again but screwed up somehow and were disqualified, they wouldn't let you go "take backs" and try to get your old standing put back in.
My understanding, however, is that SSA will likely still consider you as having been previously considered, even with the new ap and even if your score is different and so you may still end up being three-striked. But you might get lucky and get a newer higher score and have another agency show interest.
|
|
|
Post by privateatty on Oct 29, 2009 18:19:31 GMT -5
When the OPM Application opens and it will quite soon, make sure that there are no errors or omissions. OPM is looking for any error on your part to cut down the number of applicants that will advance, which historically has been 600 out of the 1200 who made the cut. There are many tales of woe in these pages who forgot to put a bar # or made an error.
Try to expand on your accomplishments and employ the words used in the query. Remember that those scoring are not necessarily appreciative of what a bench trial means or understands the concept of court-annexed arbitration.
Past posters have admitted to listing accomplishments well outside of the practice of law and may be worth considering.
|
|
|
Post by ssaer on Oct 29, 2009 21:04:25 GMT -5
how can we possibly know whether we can re-apply in the coming weeks, without knowing when the next exam??? Could OPM reopen the register in November and schedule the exam before the end of February? NE The "exam" has three parts: (1) the Accomplishment Record, which is the application portion of the exam that is expected to open very shortly and only for a few days; (2) the written examination, which is open to those who received sufficiently high scores on the Accomplishment Record portion of the process; and (3) the "structured interview," which is essentially an oral examination conducted at OPM by a panel of three and which constitutes the last segment of the three part examination process. An individual's scores on all three parts are factored into the final score, which is communicated through a Notice of Results (NOR). The one year bar on retaking the examination, measured from receipt of the NOR, precludes the submission of a new application during the one year period, i.e., affected individuals may not apply by submitting an Accomplishment Record and accordingly may not participate in the remaining two parts of the three part examination process.
|
|
|
Post by diceman on Oct 30, 2009 10:09:46 GMT -5
OK, here's a question that I probably don't want the answer to - ODAR was allegedly going to hire some 200 ALJs in January, does that mean that us losers on the list still have a shot? Or will OPM's opening the register cause ODAR to put off the 2010 hiring until later in the year leaving us without the brass ring again?
|
|
|
Post by tigerfan on Oct 30, 2009 10:24:04 GMT -5
ODAR is not going to hire 200 ALJs in January. There may be a cert for some in January as they have some new offices opening in April and June. The new OPM list will probably not be completed until 6 to 9 months after they start taking applications if they take as long to develope a new register as they usually do. Remember that the last one opened in July of 2008 and the new names were added to the register in spring of 09. I don't know if ODAR will wait that long to hire all of it's new ALJ. To answer you question. It is my opinion that you still have a chance because there will likely be some hires before the new register is completed by OPM. Just my opinion for what it is worth.
|
|