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Post by McLovin' on Jan 6, 2010 22:10:56 GMT -5
I applied for an ALJ position when the announcement came out in November. I hope to get results soon! I'm also pulling for some people who I do not even know in person but whose posts I read on here! Now that I have created a screen name I'll be asking questions and answering some questions. I have both in agency (SSA/ODAR) and out of agency experience as an attorney. Agnes isn't my real name but it will do for now. When I get to know people better I will give my geographical information & more details. I'm just saying hi for now and good luck to the others who are waiting.
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Post by vacuum on Jan 6, 2010 23:17:15 GMT -5
Hi Agnes, I wish you good luck.
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Post by jibtrimmer on Jan 6, 2010 23:38:51 GMT -5
I've been lurking since last weekend, decided to jump in. Always looking for info and good advice, and this looks like the place...
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Post by tricia on Jan 7, 2010 10:27:09 GMT -5
Welcome Agnes and Jib. I think that you will find, not just info and advice, but also a shared mission and moral support.
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Post by McLovin' on Jan 7, 2010 15:49:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. Thanks for the reminder not to let this process define who I am. There is a part of me that knows that the process can be somewhat arbitrary but there is also a part of me that says that making it to the written exam is some recognition on OPM's part of the hard work I've done both within SSA and on the outside (I am now in private practice). Ladywordsmith, I am still making sure that I understand the process. Are you currently on a list and hoping that the application you submitted in November gets you a better place on the list?
Last night I was looking through some posts from here. I bookmarked the one of the websites for judicial robes just in case I may need it someday. Now I am feeling superstitious so I am wondering if it was bad luck to save the link. Well, at the very least, I will have the information in case any attorney I know needs it.
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Post by privateatty on Jan 7, 2010 17:29:25 GMT -5
This Board has been through highs and lows. Right now we are a bit bereft of participation and thus welcome new blood, particularly if you like to post.
The Board only works if you'all participate. Welcome agnes and jib and good luck!
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Post by karaj on Jan 8, 2010 8:51:43 GMT -5
PF you are too funny..! Agnes, forgive us..we tend to be sarcastic about the
whole experience at times... hang in there & try not to take this whole process too seriously..it will help your sanity! Good luck to you..
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Post by californiagirl on Jan 8, 2010 10:47:13 GMT -5
I applied last time and didn't make the first cut, but am now awaiting results from the November app. I've lurked alot, too, but have gotten so much good information and encouragement from this board--good luck to us all!
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Post by arlene25 on Jan 8, 2010 12:39:31 GMT -5
""The one piece of advice I do have to share (since I speak from experience) is, "Nothing beats a failure but a try; all we can do is try our best in this process. But in the end, we don't get to select ourselves. There are new adventures if we're selected but I am also certain that there will be new adventures if we're not. DON'T let this process define you and enjoy where you are on the way to where you're going!"
"There's no success like failure and failure's no success at all"
;D
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Post by privateatty on Jan 9, 2010 10:27:18 GMT -5
I applied last time and didn't make the first cut, but am now awaiting results from the November app. I've lurked alot, too, but have gotten so much good information and encouragement from this board--good luck to us all! Ah, California girl... Careful, your name could confuse some of us with active memories... ;D Anyway, please accept my big Hello and glad you joined us!  |
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Post by privateatty on Jan 9, 2010 10:35:43 GMT -5
Hi Agnes, To answer your question: I applied in May 2007 and was fortunate enough to complete the entire process (application, written demonstration and interview) and received my NOR, as did everyone else, in October 2007. Early in 2008 when SSA did the big ALJ hire, I was on the SSA cert and interviewed but did not get an offer. So, yes, I am on the register and could "hold pat" until the entire register expires (or is extended, whichever comes first). For several reasons, I don't want to do that. This was the first time that those who received their NOR in October 2007 could retake the exam. While I run the risk of getting a lower score, I see that as a very low risk (I'm not an ALJ now and if I get a lower score, then I most likely won't be an ALJ later -- status quo). Besides, I see this as an opportunity to try that chicken in the bag thing recommended by Patriotsfan If you have other questions, you can send me a private message and I'll reply. Ladywordsmith  Due to being a vet, I was in your present shoes in 2008 and substantially raised my score which resulted in me getting hired. It can be done. Luck did play a role, so did thinking positively. What really helped is what I learned on this Board and the friends I made. That is why this Board is so important and why I fervently believe that ye of little or no faith will get what you believe--bupkus. |
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Post by fanning on Jan 11, 2010 22:09:51 GMT -5
I'll add my name to the list of lurkers. I put in my app during the 11/09 opening also. As for bad luck, I started working on the app during the 7/08 opening. I worked all day on 7/31/08 until 11:57 p.m. How can I get this precise, you ask? Three minutes after I last saved it the application window closed. I figured there was no way OPM would hit their app quota in two days, so I decided to put the finishing touches on the app and submit it the next day. The next day was not one of my better days...
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Post by tricia on Jan 12, 2010 10:23:24 GMT -5
Welcome Fanning. The more you learn about this process, the more you can avoid similar bad luck in the future. Good luck in the upcoming round.
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Post by californiagirl on Jan 12, 2010 10:26:30 GMT -5
privateattorney, Thank you for the welcome, and don't worry about my "name"--it just says where I'm from! I have a positive attitude about this very confusing process and appreciate all of the enlightening, funny and neat people on this Board! If that can bring good thoughts from my colleagues, great!  |
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Post by blackletter on Jan 28, 2010 9:10:15 GMT -5
Would like to add my name to list of newbies on board. Don't qualify as long time lurked, but probably was on old "imrovement" board. Left there for it's lack of courtesy to others and frequent descents into personal attacks. Noted some here, but hope that it is here only an infrequent aberration.
I applied once in 2007, but was denied on initial and no request for recon. Chalked it up to poor ability to paticipate in the buzzword game. I was incommunicado when 2008's was announced, but ready and waiting for the 2009 announcement.
So I'm in. Perhaps only for the short haul.
Hope I can contribute as well as I get from this board. Thanks for the forum.
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