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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2013 12:14:06 GMT -5
Hello, long time reader, just joined. I was wondering if any offers have been made for ALJ slots. They are in process of hiring 30 to 35 candidates. I had interview this week in Falls Church and believe that a few more people have interviews pending.
Another question. Does SSA need to interview everybody that is a candidate? And, does anybody know how much weight the agency places on these interviews given all the other steps in the evaluation process?
A few months ago my references were checked and I submitted the other materials and this week I went to Falls Church for the 2 hour interview. This is unrelated to the ongoing testing as they are forming a new list based upon the March 2013 ALJ testing.
Thanks
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Post by bartleby on Aug 17, 2013 13:01:59 GMT -5
It is my feeling that the SSA interview is the most important part of the process. They have three options, highly recommend, recommend, not recommended. Last one is the kiss of death. First one is very, very good. Middle one is okay, but marginal. The panel Judge told me that they can't make you, but they can break you. So, if everything is equal, a good interview will definitely get you looked at, depending on your GAL and score. Many with mediocre scores, a wide open GAL, and a good interview are now wearing robes.. As usual, JMHO.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2013 14:52:38 GMT -5
Thank you! Very helpful information. This is interesting process for sure.
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Post by zepplin on Aug 17, 2013 16:06:06 GMT -5
I have been on the register since the Application first reopened. I had a very limited GAL but was on I think 4 or 5 certificates but never hired. I am on the current certificate for the 25 to 30 hirings with an expanded GAL. My question is.... Would one be placed on the certs with a "not recommended" rating from the interview? I had a bad interview, and I hate to think one bad day in the course of my career has this long-lasting effect. My score was middlin'. No vet preference. Private practice. Upstate NY. But I wish SSA would re-interview after oh say 5 years....
I did go to D.C. Aug 11-12. I was told by another candidate that one person walked out of the WD and did not return.
Fingers crossed for second chances.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 17, 2013 16:46:36 GMT -5
You will still get on the cert with a "not recommended" interview, so long as you were not "three struck" during the selection process after the onterviews.
Only those who have been "three struck" ( see other threads for that discussion) have been left off recent certs by OPM at ODAR's request.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2013 17:57:42 GMT -5
Interesting Obeserver53, would it be fair to say that a majority of strikes are of vets who have to be selected ahead of non preference eligibles unless disqualified via OPM procedures?
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 17, 2013 20:36:10 GMT -5
Interesting Obeserver53, would it be fair to say that a majority of strikes are of vets who have to be selected ahead of non preference eligibles unless disqualified via OPM procedures? I have no idea how many vets are in that group, actually. There are plenty of strikes against non- veterans as well.
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Post by zepplin on Aug 17, 2013 21:10:29 GMT -5
A bad interview cannot be dispositive then, it seems? There were three interviewers. Does each offer an opinion or is it by majority vote?
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 17, 2013 22:31:14 GMT -5
A bad interview cannot be dispositive then, it seems? There were three interviewers. Does each offer an opinion or is it by majority vote? I'm talking about the agency interview here, now (SSA, in particular), not the SI. A bad agency interview CAN be dispositive. If you aren't deemed to be a "fit" for the agency, even if you are not ever actually "struck" three times, you can end up as filler on a cert and languish on the register for a very long time, if your score is not good enough to make the smaller certs for other agencies. The "majority vote" issue. IIRC, agency interviews of candidates on a cert for SSA are conducted by two interviewers. So, there could be no majority vote there.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2013 0:00:22 GMT -5
A bad interview cannot be dispositive then, it seems? There were three interviewers. Does each offer an opinion or is it by majority vote? I'm talking about the agency interview here, now (SSA, in particular), not the SI. A bad agency interview CAN be dispositive. If you aren't deemed to be a "fit" for the agency, even if you are not ever actually "struck" three times, you can end up as filler on a cert and languish on the register for a very long time, if your score is not good enough to make the smaller certs for other agencies. The "majority vote" issue. IIRC, agency interviews of candidates on a cert for SSA are conducted by two interviewers. So, there could be no majority vote there. So only the very top scores have a realistic chance with the smaller certs from other agencies? I suppose it makes sense since they pick fewer candidates.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 18, 2013 7:34:22 GMT -5
I'm talking about the agency interview here, now (SSA, in particular), not the SI. A bad agency interview CAN be dispositive. If you aren't deemed to be a "fit" for the agency, even if you are not ever actually "struck" three times, you can end up as filler on a cert and languish on the register for a very long time, if your score is not good enough to make the smaller certs for other agencies. The "majority vote" issue. IIRC, agency interviews of candidates on a cert for SSA are conducted by two interviewers. So, there could be no majority vote there. So only the very top scores have a realistic chance with the smaller certs from other agencies? I suppose it makes sense since they pick fewer candidates. Yes. They are only hiring for one, maybe two, positions at a time, so the cert is going to be FAR smaller than any SSA cert... 10 names or less. And, those other agencies have ALJs in very few cities as well, so you have to have not only a high score, but the right cities on your GAL.
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Post by privateatty on Aug 18, 2013 7:44:39 GMT -5
I'm talking about the agency interview here, now (SSA, in particular), not the SI. A bad agency interview CAN be dispositive. If you aren't deemed to be a "fit" for the agency, even if you are not ever actually "struck" three times, you can end up as filler on a cert and languish on the register for a very long time, if your score is not good enough to make the smaller certs for other agencies. The "majority vote" issue. IIRC, agency interviews of candidates on a cert for SSA are conducted by two interviewers. So, there could be no majority vote there. So only the very top scores have a realistic chance with the smaller certs from other agencies? I suppose it makes sense since they pick fewer candidates. To summarize and reiterate what observer53 has said: 1. You get one and only one SSA Interview. If you are a "no" you will never get an offer from SSA. If they want you and can get to you (i.e., your score is not too low), you will get an offer, presuming that your GAL matches their geographic needs. 2. Other Agencies hire off the Register and request Certs. They will interview you and if they like you, then you will get an offer. In order for you to be on one of their Certs, you have to have a high score---their Certs are small.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2013 7:49:01 GMT -5
This process is somewhat like playing the lottery. You know that somebody actually wins but the chances that it will be you... .
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Post by privateatty on Aug 18, 2013 7:52:18 GMT -5
Interesting Obeserver53, would it be fair to say that a majority of strikes are of vets who have to be selected ahead of non preference eligibles unless disqualified via OPM procedures? Being a vet means absolutely nothing to SSA. OPM will score you down to two digits: like a 63.34. In this way they avoid all that messy business of not choosing a vet over a favorite son or daughter. You get your five or ten points. I suspect that most think that is more than enough consideration. Heck, just read this Board.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2013 9:45:13 GMT -5
Patiently, that is a very good question. I may check with Bob the SSA guru to see what is up with that. I would like to know outcome of interview as well. This process is shrouded in mystery at times.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 18, 2013 9:48:54 GMT -5
I would be VERY surprised if Bob would disclose any such information.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2013 10:05:24 GMT -5
I think you are correct observer53. I have never had any success having anything disclosed to me except in a formal email fashion. My score seems rather low and I cannot imagine how they would be able to reach me for a spot even with a wide open GAL, regardless of how the interview turned out. Thank you for information.
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Post by zepplin on Aug 18, 2013 10:50:34 GMT -5
If I got a "not recommended" I wish they would not have bothered my references...three or four times! : /
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Post by bartleby on Aug 18, 2013 11:08:29 GMT -5
I have a friend in San Antonio, an insider, that was three struck, and he is on this small cert..
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Post by zepplin on Aug 18, 2013 14:14:27 GMT -5
Hmm. So what does that mean I wonder?
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