jmc
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by jmc on Jul 8, 2013 9:34:17 GMT -5
Hi! Well, I don't know how optimistic I am about THIS round, but am happy to have made it thus far. I have an extremely limited GAL (my home town, a rust belt town). I applied for this job when it showed up on USA jobs. My husband works as a federal government attorney in a field where ALJs handle the hearings (not SSA) and we were actually reading the job announcement thinking he would apply, but he is short about one year of experience. Reading the announcement, I realized I did have the requisite experience and my current experiences as a local government attorney (in the social services field where many of the clientele are the same as the SSA clientele) would be, in my opinion, very good preparation for being an SSA ALJ. I think it would be a great fit. To my surprise I made it to round two, and like others on this board, that was when I really started to research what the next stages of the interview / hiring process might entail. From this board, I learned the importance of having a wide GAL, well for "one-city" me that ship has apparently sailed. But I have a lot of optimism for everyone if I don't make it to round three this time, I will keep an eye open for future job announcements a bit older and wiser than before. Although I still feel geographically tied to where I am for many reasons, you never know what the future may bring.
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Post by hopefalj on Jul 8, 2013 9:42:05 GMT -5
I am at least lucky in the fact that Mrs. Funky has one of the few jobs that allows her to move freely. Nurse are always in demand all over. Like Crab, i would love to have a lil place in the country but close to some culture. In my experience, towns that are the home of small colleges are awesome. Usually have a strong community feel, good arts and a local sports team to get behind. Luckily, many ODAR offices are in such places even if they are in one of the countries belts. My wife shares your wife's job flexibility for the same reason. My GAL is anywhere, but she is hoping for something reasonably near a body of salt water. I would just be happy to have the job in a functional hearing office. I only want to be an SSA ALJ, and I want the job because I feel like I can provide a claimant with a fair hearing and a reasonable decision. I think it's important that judges in the agency do that. As far as optimism goes, I had a dream last night that I was two points short of the maximum possible score at this stage, which was only related to my EA. How's that for optimism? :-)
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Post by sandiferhands (old) on Jul 8, 2013 9:42:30 GMT -5
Fun little fantasy, kind of like daydreaming about what you'd do with Lottery winnings.
As a small firm litigator I would look forward to having a job that focused on the practice activities of the job, and relieved me of the pressures of being a rainmaker. I don't do that well, and never dreamed in law school that I'd have to be a salesman to keep business coming in the door. I think I'd find the science and medicine in the SSA decisions fascinating, as that is similar to my med mal practice, and I'm experienced in court, organized and write well, so I don't think that the mechanics of the job would pose a significant hurdle for me.
Where? I have a long list of acceptable cities, all southeastern/sunbelt/western. We're one more year of high school away from being empty nesters, so a move out of our current city is definitely feasible for the right opportunity.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 8, 2013 10:14:17 GMT -5
Like Superbonbon, I would likely try to transfer back to where I am now just because we love our current house, wife has a good job and the schools are great. But, I gave pretty much anywhere as my GAL and for certain dream places we would pack up the truck and move to beverly. It's kind of exciting (if premature) to think about. Probably the closest my unathletic self will ever feel to that of a professional athlete. Waiting on the draft, hoping to be picked, not knowing which team will take you, what city you are going to. Hell, maybe I need an agent. LOL
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Post by Ace Midnight on Jul 8, 2013 10:17:08 GMT -5
It's kind of exciting (if premature) to think about. Probably the closest my unathletic self will ever feel to that of a professional athlete. Waiting on the draft, hoping to be picked, not knowing which team will take you, what city you are going to. Hell, maybe I need an agent. LOL Calm down funky - this is a marathon, not a sprint.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 8, 2013 10:27:27 GMT -5
It's kind of exciting (if premature) to think about. Probably the closest my unathletic self will ever feel to that of a professional athlete. Waiting on the draft, hoping to be picked, not knowing which team will take you, what city you are going to. Hell, maybe I need an agent. LOL Calm down funky - this is a marathon, not a sprint. Yeah, but the funk comes in spurts
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 8, 2013 10:42:37 GMT -5
Ok. I am new here and some of the acronyms are unusual to me. What does GAL stand for and is there a convenient list of acronyms and their definitions.
I have done a bit of research on the all the cities on the list that corresponded with USAJObs posting and am up for most of them. However, when I sent in the resume I wasn't sure about a lot of them and because we have a little one and are considering a second addition we kept it short. Does anybody know if you can add to that list later?
At this point as a government lawyer I have two options to advance my career; work towards a General Counsel job or become and ALJ. I want to be an ALJ because having managed attorney's in the past I don't ever want to do it again. Herding rabid cats is easier.
If I get a golden ticket to DC I am not really sure where to eat so any suggestions would be great. My only trip to DC was years ago and I didn't get to eat out much.
Thanks for the optimism board. I need it.
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Post by Ace Midnight on Jul 8, 2013 11:07:16 GMT -5
GAL = Geographic Availability List
You cannot be considered for a location, unless that location is on your list.
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 8, 2013 11:09:11 GMT -5
GAL = Geographic Availability List You cannot be considered for a location, unless that location is on your list. Thanks!
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Post by hopefalj on Jul 8, 2013 11:19:33 GMT -5
GAL = Geographic Availability List You cannot be considered for a location, unless that location is on your list. To add, it's an extreme rarity that you can add to your GAL down the road. You can remove cities at a certain point if you wish, but adding to the list typically isn't permitted.
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 8, 2013 11:20:42 GMT -5
GAL = Geographic Availability List You cannot be considered for a location, unless that location is on your list. To add, it's an extreme rarity that you can add to your GAL down the road. You can remove cities at a certain point if you wish, but adding to the list typically isn't permitted. Thanks. That isn't what I wanted to hear but I am glad to know it.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 8, 2013 12:07:29 GMT -5
GAL = Geographic Availability List You cannot be considered for a location, unless that location is on your list. To add, it's an extreme rarity that you can add to your GAL down the road. You can remove cities at a certain point if you wish, but adding to the list typically isn't permitted. I think changes to your GAL are difficult whether adding or subtracting. You can always refuse an interview in a place you don't want to go and never be considered for that location again, but I am not so sure you can delete locations listed in your GAL.
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Post by hopefalj on Jul 8, 2013 12:36:34 GMT -5
To add, it's an extreme rarity that you can add to your GAL down the road. You can remove cities at a certain point if you wish, but adding to the list typically isn't permitted. I think changes to your GAL are difficult whether adding or subtracting. You can always refuse an interview in a place you don't want to go and never be considered for that location again, but I am not so sure you can delete locations listed in your GAL. I believe candidates on a certificate are emailed a list of cities from their GAL that are possibly/probably going to have openings, and they are asked to confirm they will still accept a position there. At that time, you can effectively remove a city from your GAL by indicating you no longer wish to be considered for a position in city X. You never interview with or for a specific location.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 8, 2013 12:52:26 GMT -5
I think changes to your GAL are difficult whether adding or subtracting. You can always refuse an interview in a place you don't want to go and never be considered for that location again, but I am not so sure you can delete locations listed in your GAL. I believe candidates on a certificate are emailed a list of cities from their GAL that are possibly/probably going to have openings, and they are asked to confirm they will still accept a position there. At that time, you can effectively remove a city from your GAL by indicating you no longer wish to be considered for a position in city X. You never interview with or for a specific location. You are correct sir, I just used the wrong words to express what you stated so aptly. You can always decline an area you previously agreed to in your GAL on a possible open cert and not be considered for that area as an ALJ again. As we just saw from those on this Board from a previous Register, just because a cert opens, doesn't mean that SSA is absolutely going to hire ALJs.
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Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 8, 2013 13:50:27 GMT -5
Optimism is against my nature, but I'll play your little game, funky! I listed every city east of the Rockies and north through New York down to the gulf coast. I'd prefer to be in the midwest or southeast, as I grew up in a rural area and would like that opportunity again. Though, I'd go just about anywhere. Eventually I want to transfer back home, where my husband and children will remain if I get a city out of driving distance. I love DC and have visited it several times, though I do not know of any specific restaurant that I will visit again. I think after the DC ordeal (optimistically assuming, of course) I will simply seek out a location where I can get sloppy drunk.
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 8, 2013 13:53:28 GMT -5
I think after the DC ordeal (optimistically assuming, of course) I will simply seek out a location where I can get sloppy drunk. This ^
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Post by cafeta on Jul 8, 2013 13:55:26 GMT -5
I think after the DC ordeal (optimistically assuming, of course) I will simply seek out a location where I can get sloppy drunk. This ^ Are we gonna get a "like" button? Cuz I "like"!
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 8, 2013 13:57:16 GMT -5
Optimism is against my nature, but I'll play your little game, funky! I listed every city east of the Rockies and north through New York down to the gulf coast. I'd prefer to be in the midwest or southeast, as I grew up in a rural area and would like that opportunity again. Though, I'd go just about anywhere. Eventually I want to transfer back home, where my husband and children will remain if I get a city out of driving distance. I love DC and have visited it several times, though I do not know of any specific restaurant that I will visit again. I think after the DC ordeal (optimistically assuming, of course) I will simply seek out a location where I can get sloppy drunk. I thought Mrs Funky was gonna want a word with you till i reread it and saw you didnt say "get a sloppy drunk."
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Post by BagLady on Jul 8, 2013 14:32:31 GMT -5
I think after the DC ordeal (optimistically assuming, of course) I will simply seek out a location where I can get sloppy drunk. Well, I've been lurking for months and enjoying the banter, but this comment was the one to draw me away from the wall and onto the dance floor. I like your thinking, L2A! In order to make my GAL, a city had to have favorable weather (warm) and be on or near a large body of water, preferably salty water. There are a few exceptions to that rule, of course (I am a lawyer, after all). I have a few rusty Midwest locations as well, since they are close to home.
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Post by hopenfaith on Jul 8, 2013 17:22:52 GMT -5
I left my GAL wide open. The hubby fears we will end up in Alaska or somewhere worse. If I make it to the next round, I expect a drink with one or more of the other Hope-somethings on this Board!
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