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Post by cafeta on May 29, 2013 16:55:28 GMT -5
Yikes, assuming I make it far enough to matter, I hope my kid can graduate before they make offers... Time will tell. and major ditto on don't make travel arrangements yet. one, who knows who will be invited and 2, the government tells you when to show up. Good luck to all. I can comment that this hiring seems to be moving much more quickly than in the past so with that in mind, the July through September rumor makes sense. I agree christina. But regarding # 2 and the government telling you when to show up, if this is so, do you know if they are flexible if there are any scheduling conflicts? Say with a significant family event?
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Post by Administrator ALJ on May 29, 2013 17:53:03 GMT -5
Yikes, assuming I make it far enough to matter, I hope my kid can graduate before they make offers... Time will tell. and major ditto on don't make travel arrangements yet. one, who knows who will be invited and 2, the government tells you when to show up. Good luck to all. I can comment that this hiring seems to be moving much more quickly than in the past so with that in mind, the July through September rumor makes sense. I agree christina. But regarding # 2 and the government telling you when to show up, if this is so, do you know if they are flexible if there are any scheduling conflicts? Say with a significant family event? And how much time is usually given between the e-mail/call inviting you to take the next round of tests and the tests themselves? I'm guessing short notice could mean steep fares.
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Post by nylawyer on May 29, 2013 18:13:17 GMT -5
So, if the structured interviews are hypothetically completed in early September, wouldn't that mean at least until the end of the year before the written portion is completed? That would seem to mean the register won't actually be ready until early next spring, I don't recall this process taking a full calendar year last time (admittedly, eight years ago).
Any chance this "rumor" might also apply to the March 2013 cert people who still need to be interviewed? I for one would love for that to get resolved, even if my expectations are pretty low.
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Post by workdrone on May 29, 2013 18:15:27 GMT -5
Any chance this "rumor" might also apply to the March 2013 cert people who still need to be interviewed? I for one would love for that to get resolved, even if my expectations are pretty low. Sorry no. Zero on the March 2013 cert front.
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Post by cafeta on May 29, 2013 18:37:18 GMT -5
So, if the structured interviews are hypothetically completed in early September, wouldn't that mean at least until the end of the year before the written portion is completed? That would seem to mean the register won't actually be ready until early next spring, I don't recall this process taking a full calendar year last time (admittedly, eight years ago). Do you mean before the grading of the written is completed? I'm pretty sure you do the LBMT and WD before you go to the SI. So, theoretically, they could be grading the first two while conducting the SIs and results could be as early as late October? Dash my dreams, I know this is OPM we're dealing with, but they seem to be moving pretty fast so far.
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Post by philliesfan on May 29, 2013 18:56:59 GMT -5
In 2007, the WD was first at the end of July and SI was about 2 1/2 weeks later. My final rating came about the end of October.
If a remember correctly, if you had a conflict with the dates they assigned you, you had one chance to get different dates. Both processes went on for several weeks. It is likely that you will have to make two trips to DC.
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Post by 71stretch on May 30, 2013 0:46:03 GMT -5
In 2007, the WD was first at the end of July and SI was about 2 1/2 weeks later. My final rating came about the end of October. If a remember correctly, if you had a conflict with the dates they assigned you, you had one chance to get different dates. Both processes went on for several weeks. It is likely that you will have to make two trips to DC. I realize we have a different process now, but again, the instructions don't say that the LBMT and WD have to be graded before you do the SI, just "completed". In 2010, the WD/SI were done on successive days in most if not all cases.. Then, they tested in more than one city. Now, it's all DC. You did get one reset, all the resets were moved to DC, even if you were originally set, as I was, in SFO. Until it's confirmed by OPM, I'm not going to assume that multiple trips are to be required just to make the register.
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Post by christina on May 30, 2013 6:06:43 GMT -5
Hi, just got back on. Regarding how flexible is the government on when you need to be there, not very. Significant family event would not cut it. I think in the past there were a couple of dates for the SI and there may have been some flexibility on which you picked but they were close together(I want to say maybe one month apart??). Or maybe there were 2 times that were about a month apart and there were 2 or 3 days in each set of interviews. I think the WD was just on one date. however, as others noted, this pool may be too big to do the WD in one session so maybe it will be stretched out. more likely it would be same date but in 2 different places though. Regarding how long between e-mails inviting you and when you needed to be there, I think it was around or at least 3 weeks so there were times to get decent fares. I don't remember that being "too" much of an issue. The bigger problems were having very short windows to work in, having to drop everything you're doing, etc. some of my friends had their cell phones with them at the beach while on vacation just in case.... And in case you new to the process don't know, if you get selected, they will send you anywhere you have on your list. They pick where you go; you pretty have no options in asking for another locale. The good news is that many find it a great job. So despite all the hassles at this phase, many who are sitting or retired ALJ's found the hassles to be worth it.
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Post by Administrator ALJ on May 30, 2013 10:33:07 GMT -5
Hi, just got back on. Regarding how flexible is the government on when you need to be there, not very. Significant family event would not cut it. I think in the past there were a couple of dates for the SI and there may have been some flexibility on which you picked but they were close together(I want to say maybe one month apart??). Or maybe there were 2 times that were about a month apart and there were 2 or 3 days in each set of interviews. I think the WD was just on one date. however, as others noted, this pool may be too big to do the WD in one session so maybe it will be stretched out. more likely it would be same date but in 2 different places though. Regarding how long between e-mails inviting you and when you needed to be there, I think it was around or at least 3 weeks so there were times to get decent fares. I don't remember that being "too" much of an issue. The bigger problems were having very short windows to work in, having to drop everything you're doing, etc. some of my friends had their cell phones with them at the beach while on vacation just in case.... And in case you new to the process don't know, if you get selected, they will send you anywhere you have on your list. They pick where you go; you pretty have no options in asking for another locale. The good news is that many find it a great job. So despite all the hassles at this phase, many who are sitting or retired ALJ's found the hassles to be worth it. Thanks, Christina. With regard to the airfare affordability, at least that's one positive to governmental lag.
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Post by adjudic8r on May 30, 2013 11:06:31 GMT -5
FWIW, my March 2010 WD took place at OPM in the District and the SI took place the next day at a hotel in Alexandria, VA.
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Post by cafeta on May 30, 2013 11:28:48 GMT -5
FWIW, my March 2010 WD took place at OPM in the District and the SI took place the next day at a hotel in Alexandria, VA. Do you know if they are both accessible using the DC subway? Did you have any difficulties in getting to one or the other? I know it may change this time, both in location and in timing, so I am mainly curious if there is at least an appearance they considered any commuting issues out-of-towners may experience.
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Post by adjudic8r on May 30, 2013 11:44:23 GMT -5
FWIW, my March 2010 WD took place at OPM in the District and the SI took place the next day at a hotel in Alexandria, VA. Do you know if they are both accessible using the DC subway? Did you have any difficulties in getting to one or the other? I know it may change this time, both in location and in timing, so I am mainly curious if there is at least an appearance they considered any commuting issues out-of-towners may experience. OPM is easily accessible via the Metro (subway). If I recall correctly, Alexandria is on the Orange line but I cannot tell you if the hotel was near a stop, as I drove to interview. The hotel that they used in March 2010 was near Old Town Alexandria. It appears that they put up the interviewers in the hotel and set up some of the rooms for the interviews on each floor. It was at the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria, 901 N. Fairfax Street,Alexandria, VA 22314 (but that is not to say that they would use the same location again). I know we are jumping the gun a little, but I found it cheaper to fly into Baltimore and rent a car. I have family in the area, so I cannot comment on lodging. I hope this helps.
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Post by 71stretch on May 30, 2013 11:52:41 GMT -5
FWIW, my March 2010 WD took place at OPM in the District and the SI took place the next day at a hotel in Alexandria, VA. Do you know if they are both accessible using the DC subway? Did you have any difficulties in getting to one or the other? I know it may change this time, both in location and in timing, so I am mainly curious if there is at least an appearance they considered any commuting issues out-of-towners may experience. From the hotel where I was staying, I used a bus and my feet to get to OPM. Messed up the return trip on the bus and walked all the way back. Used a bus to get to Alexandria the next day, too. I wasn't far from the metro line at all at the hotel, I forget why I didn't use it-- perhaps it was less direct from where I was.
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Post by cafeta on May 30, 2013 11:53:29 GMT -5
Do you know if they are both accessible using the DC subway? Did you have any difficulties in getting to one or the other? I know it may change this time, both in location and in timing, so I am mainly curious if there is at least an appearance they considered any commuting issues out-of-towners may experience. OPM is easily accessible via the Metro (subway). If I recall correctly, Alexandria is on the Orange line but I cannot tell you if the hotel was near a stop, as I drove to interview. The hotel that they used in March 2010 was near Old Town Alexandria. It appears that they put up the interviewers in the hotel and set up some of the rooms for the interviews on each floor. It was at the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria, 901 N. Fairfax Street,Alexandria, VA 22314 (but that is not to say that they would use the same location again). I know we are jumping the gun a little, but I found it cheaper to fly into Baltimore and rent a car. I have family in the area, so I cannot comment on lodging. I hope this helps. Thanks, I found it very helpful. And thanks for the tip on flying into Baltimore and driving from there, I did that when applying for a different position in DC, but so long ago that I had forgotten. And indeed, we are a little ahead of the game here. Who knows, I may not even get a ticket to the dance! But it is still pleasant to entertain the notion while it is still a possibility!
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Post by crab on May 30, 2013 12:07:37 GMT -5
Since we're planning for the big party , there's also the B30 Metro bus from BWI for those that don't want to rent a car (because of the expense or the madness of driving in the area). It's a quick half hour to the end of the Green Line and then the District is at your fingertips. The DC area is pretty easy to navigate via public transportation and a bit of hoofing if you're up for it.
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Post by nj4096 on May 30, 2013 12:46:16 GMT -5
Warning give yourself plenty of time if you plan on taking B30 from airport to subway. At nonholiday season it runs about once an hour. Inevitably I usually just miss one by the time I land and get to bus stop. More importantly with no traffic it is probably a half hour ride by bus from airport to subway. But this is metro dc and there is rarely no traffic. Give yourself hours to get from Bwi to dc hotel or appointment. I live in northern va and always regret trying to save a dime by flying into bwi rather than dulles. Get transportation infoat www.wmata.com. again add a cushion to whatever times it says metro can get you from point A to B. There are often metro delays and off peak times the train runs infrequently (about every 20minutes) There are also public transportation options from reagan national airport in dc as it is attached to the subway and a bus from dulles airport to reston va and then to rosslyn va metro and l enfant plaza metro. Depending also where you are coming from there are many cheap buses Megabus and boltbus see their websites. They now conveniently arrive at dc union station.
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Post by hod on May 30, 2013 13:18:45 GMT -5
Given the numbers of people involved, I would not be surprised if the testing reverted to the "old way" where the written portion was offered in several key areas of the country. But I have not heard anything to this effect.
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Post by crab on May 30, 2013 13:20:39 GMT -5
If you are going to DC to be tested or interviewed, why risk being frazzled by public transit and cheap hotels/in-laws? Fly first class into Reagan National, have a car and driver pick you up at the airport, take you to the Ritz in Pentagon City, eat happy foods, think happy thoughts, and blow the socks off the testers/interviewers with relaxed, unfrazzled confidence. Even if you don't get the job, at least you've had a fabulous time . . . Ha ha, I like your style aljfaq! If I send you my Paypal address can you front me the coin? Sounds like a great idea.
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Post by cafeta on May 30, 2013 13:53:59 GMT -5
If you are going to DC to be tested or interviewed, why risk being frazzled by public transit and cheap hotels/in-laws? Fly first class into Reagan National, have a car and driver pick you up at the airport, take you to the Ritz in Pentagon City, eat happy foods, think happy thoughts, and blow the socks off the testers/interviewers with relaxed, unfrazzled confidence. Even if you don't get the job, at least you've had a fabulous time . . . Ha ha, I like your style aljfaq! If I send you my Paypal address can you front me the coin? Sounds like a great idea. Sounds good! I'm in too!! Oh, wait, maybe I'm not in yet, gotta get the right e-mail first!
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Post by moopigsdad on May 30, 2013 15:45:05 GMT -5
Positive thinking is good to have as opposed to negative thinking. Let's just keep our fingers crossed for acceptable results to move on to the next stage.
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