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Post by Gaidin on Jul 10, 2013 10:22:32 GMT -5
I didn't feel demeaned. I just wanted to make sure that everyone recognizes that the posting wasn't as clear about everything as one might have hoped. On a more positive note when (not if never if) the golden ticket shows up I will be checking flights within 5 minutes.
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Post by interestedlawyer on Jul 10, 2013 10:56:11 GMT -5
It's easy to forget that there is an entire universe of applicants out there who don't know about this board, and wouldn't be interested in this board if they knew about it. For example, NOSSCR sent an email to the membership about the opening of the application process. There may have been more than 1000 of those private attorneys who applied and who have never even looked at this board. The applicants who come from that perspective may have applied as a lark. They may have applied just to see what happens, without thinking too hard about whether they really want to be an ALJ. Unlike on past registers, when there was a very short time frame from the time of the announcement until the closing of the application process, this year there was a leisurely period of time in which a less than dedicated applicant might decide to apply without full seriousness. And that pool of applicants would be likely to pass the 7 year experience hurdle, so most probably went on to the second round. How many dropped off during the online testing process is anybody's guess, but again they would certainly have a leg up on government attorneys in the area of litigation experience. Many of them could barely give a rat's tail whether they get an invitation to the next round, except for the bruise to their egos if they don't.
And if OPM follows past practice and gives those folks 2-3 weeks notice to buy a plane ticket and book a hotel in DC, I suspect some percentage of those applicants will decline. And if OPM gets really crazy (say 10 days notice) I may be among those who can't make the trip, even on the increasingly unlikely chance I receive an invitation.
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 12, 2013 12:43:44 GMT -5
A few additional WD questions from those who know or have taken it in the past: 1. Do we get a spell checker? 2. Are the laptops new, old, covered in sticky grossness, large small, etc.? 3. Does the 4-hour WD mean we are researching and writing a single decision in 4-hours, or is it multiple decisions (I see this as a test structure question and not a test content question)? No, you don't get spell check, that's disabled. I can't tell you how old the laptops were, but they were perfectly fine for the task, standard size, with regular keyboards attached. One question, with one draft decision.
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Post by zebra51 on Jul 12, 2013 18:03:45 GMT -5
Ok. So I have an out there question. I learned to touch type using the DVORAK keyboard layout. I hunt and peck ( pretty fast) on the QWERTY keyboard layout.
Changing the keyboard layout in any computer is just a couple of mouse clicks under international settings. Will I be able to access the settings to change the keyboard layout?
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 12, 2013 19:10:19 GMT -5
Ok. So I have an out there question. I learned to touch type using the DVORAK keyboard layout. I hunt and peck ( pretty fast) on the QWERTY keyboard layout. Changing the keyboard layout in any computer is just a couple of mouse clicks under international settings. Will I be able to access the settings to change the keyboard layout? Well I have no idea what the difference is between QWERTY or DVORAK keyboards (excuse my ignorance), but my gut feeling is that if you need something other than "ordinary" ....maybe ask for an accommodation to be safe? I don't even know if that is possible at this point, I know it was earlier, but I bet some elders know. Now I am going to google these keyboard terms....good distraction! LOL!
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Post by ba on Jul 12, 2013 19:25:00 GMT -5
Well I have no idea what the difference is between QWERTY or DVORAK keyboards (excuse my ignorance), but my gut feeling is that if you need something other than "ordinary" ....maybe ask for an accommodation to be safe? I don't even know if that is possible at this point, I know it was earlier, but I bet some elders know. Now I am going to google these keyboard terms....good distraction! LOL! QWERTY keyboards were arranged as they are to avoid typewriter jams as the letters struck the paper. The DVORAK keyboard was created to make typing faster, avoid awkward hand movements, and reduce typos in a post-typewriter world. QWERTY's ubiquity has lead to it being the predominate keyboard layout in the United States. HTH.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 12, 2013 19:27:56 GMT -5
Ha! Thanks! Good to know!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 12, 2013 19:28:54 GMT -5
And I know I did not answer your question at all and was of no help... but I am hoping someone who has been around much longer can help you.
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 12, 2013 19:36:24 GMT -5
Ok. So I have an out there question. I learned to touch type using the DVORAK keyboard layout. I hunt and peck ( pretty fast) on the QWERTY keyboard layout. Changing the keyboard layout in any computer is just a couple of mouse clicks under international settings. Will I be able to access the settings to change the keyboard layout? Don't know... you might have to ask that question once you get the date information. My guess is that you won't be able to access any such settings (you can change obvious settings like the font size) but perhaps they can do it for you.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 12, 2013 19:44:28 GMT -5
Ok. So I have an out there question. I learned to touch type using the DVORAK keyboard layout. I hunt and peck ( pretty fast) on the QWERTY keyboard layout. Changing the keyboard layout in any computer is just a couple of mouse clicks under international settings. Will I be able to access the settings to change the keyboard layout? Don't know... you might have to ask that question once you get the date information. My guess is that you won't be able to access any such settings (you can change obvious settings like the font size) but perhaps they can do it for you. Observer53 you need an additional star! Over 1500! Thank you for your amazing contribution to this board! There is no comparison to the level of knowledge about the process that this board has to offer, and contributors like you make it possible! Thanks!
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Post by niqueoftime on Jul 12, 2013 23:38:10 GMT -5
I have gotta say that I agree with this post. And, with all due respect, if you have such strong negative opinions about working for SSA (and serving the public interest) then do not proceed with going to DC for the testing and do not potentially take soneone's place on the register who wants to be an ALJ for SSA in any location (i.e. me!) Because it cost me nothing to apply and took very little time to get this far. And if offered an ALJ position in a good place today, I would probably take it. But I've learned more about the downside to being an ALJ over the past couple months. When I first applied, all I heard was how being an ALJ was a dream job. I had no idea that 99% of ALJs work for SSA deciding disability cases and that most ALJ entry jobs are located in the crap land of America. So those factors are weighing on my mind. In my view, someone who looks down on the important work of deciding SSA disability cases, and who describes the locations of ALJ entry jobs (and the places where disability applicants live) as "the crap land of America," would be quite poorly suited to be an ALJ. Fortunately, most ALJs that I know do not share these views.
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Post by mcb on Jul 13, 2013 3:27:00 GMT -5
In my view, someone who looks down on the important work of deciding SSA disability cases, and who describes the locations of ALJ entry jobs (and the places where disability applicants live) as "the crap land of America," would be quite poorly suited to be an ALJ. Fortunately, most ALJs that I know do not share these views. I come from the crapland of America, Newport, RI. It may not be Palm Beach, FL or Palm Springs, CA, but we try Lord, we try. BTW, where's Alabama?
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Post by mch135 on Jul 14, 2013 9:27:19 GMT -5
Do we get paper to take notes?
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Post by privateatty on Jul 14, 2013 9:28:48 GMT -5
Do we get paper to take notes? Of course--I used the test paper.
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tpm
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by tpm on Jul 21, 2013 22:31:03 GMT -5
Lets not forget that alfjfaq previously disclosed that he earns around 300K annually and it not sure wants to work as an ALJ because the pay is low, although he feels he's not making a difference in his job, though apparently now, he may not want the job because the cases might not be important enough or geography exciting enough. Some people like to post stuff to get others' blood boiling/cause controversy. Someone posing ala Borat outfits would be one for sure.
Now, is there anything that we can discuss about this WD and LBMT that is practical without violating the "rules"?
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 21, 2013 22:42:07 GMT -5
The LBMT is new to this process, so other than anything you might find out there on the 'net about this sort of test generally, there really isn't any information out there. As far as the WD, the general info and tips have pretty much been covered.
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 22, 2013 9:05:16 GMT -5
with all due respect, if you have such strong negative opinions about working for SSA (and serving the public interest) then do not proceed with going to DC for the testing and do not potentially take soneone's place on the register who wants to be an ALJ for SSA in any location (i.e. me!) I've explained it elsewhere, but one more time: There are several agencies on the list that I would want to work for. Unfortunately, you usually have to start at SSA and wait for an opening in one of those other agencies because they do not often hire right off the register. And, "with all due respect," someone who has spent their career at SSA would not make a very good ITC or FTC judge. Don't those agencies (and the parties that litigate against them) deserve quality ALJs with backgrounds and interests that make them a good fit for those agencies? Of course they do. I would like you to explain it again. Aljfaq I find that your lack of conformity upsets my humors..... Why any of us wants to be ALJs or at which agencies is really our own business. I say go for aljfaq and if at some point you decide to drop out then do so but until then good luck.
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 22, 2013 9:26:25 GMT -5
with all due respect, if you have such strong negative opinions about working for SSA (and serving the public interest) then do not proceed with going to DC for the testing and do not potentially take soneone's place on the register who wants to be an ALJ for SSA in any location (i.e. me!) I've explained it elsewhere, but one more time: There are several agencies on the list that I would want to work for. Unfortunately, you usually have to start at SSA and wait for an opening in one of those other agencies because they do not often hire right off the register. And, "with all due respect," someone who has spent their career at SSA would not make a very good ITC or FTC judge. Don't those agencies (and the parties that litigate against them) deserve quality ALJs with backgrounds and interests that make them a good fit for those agencies? Of course they do. Then they should hire off the register more often.
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 22, 2013 12:04:33 GMT -5
Then they should hire off the register more often. Dude, I totally agree . . . if you can make that happen I would be much obliged. Of course I can't. Hopefully you will end up where you want to be, even if you have to pass through SSA to get there.
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Post by chinook on Jul 22, 2013 12:05:06 GMT -5
About 3 years ago I know of two agencies that don't normally hire off the register got certs for a hire. Both agencies have adversarial hearings, sometimes multi-day even sometimes well over a week long. Each got 3 candidates that had minimal courtroom experience, if any. One of the agencies went back to OPM and requested three more names but OPM said no. Each agency hired current ALJs. (I posted this earlier and somebody said I should identify the agencies to prove it. I didn't then and I won"t now.) You will not get agencies hiring directly unless a larger number of the people on the register have litigation experience.
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