cybear
Full Member
sic semper ursi
Posts: 57
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Post by cybear on Jan 11, 2008 11:21:42 GMT -5
I especially liked the red lighting at the top of the Crystal Palace and the way everyone refers to individual buildings within the skyline complex as "Sky 5", etc.
The only substantive point I would want to make is to keep your answers concise and to the point. They have alloted two hours for each interview, but I was informed that most are consuming only around an hour. This suggests that you likely don't win a medal for having the longest interview.
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Post by jagghagg on Jan 11, 2008 11:41:43 GMT -5
...The only substantive point I would want to make is to keep your answers concise and to the point. They have alloted two hours for each interview, but I was informed that most are consuming only around an hour. This suggests that you likely don't win a medal for having the longest interview. Well, THAT'S good to know. The group (and it seems to be that there are 5-6 panels running simultaneously) before mine barely went over an hour, and my group of 3 barely went over an hour, so I wondered....... (Not that I would grab onto any little negative thing or anything....)
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Post by southerner on Jan 11, 2008 11:44:48 GMT -5
Mine started about 5 minutes late and lasted about 1 1/2 hours.
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Post by govtattorney on Jan 11, 2008 14:03:08 GMT -5
I went the first day and it lasted about 1 1/2 hours. Reading through the responses, I believe everyone feels good about their interview. If everyone did well, I assume it'll come down to the overall application package, score, location preferences, and good fortune. Good luck to all of you.
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Post by emphyrio on Jan 11, 2008 20:34:03 GMT -5
Mine went about 1.75 hours. The interviewers were very pleasant. I had no chance to network with other posters on this board, because I was ushered into my interview almost as soon as I finished with the paperwork. In fact, my interview actually started early -- how's that for efficiency?
To those of you, like me, who know virtually nothing of Social Security laws and regs, the interview clearly does not require such knowledge. This was a huge relief to me. As other people have said on this board, the questions are about what you would expect.
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Post by shadow on Jan 12, 2008 10:09:10 GMT -5
There were six other applicants in the office when I arrived for my interview - three men and three women, average age probably mid 40s. I appeared to be the codger in the group [57]. I did not get a chance to talk to the others, but overheard one gentleman say he was an MSPB administrative judge.
The interviewers were professional and pleasant, and the questions were about what you would expect. The interview started on time and lasted a little longer than an hour and a half.
The interviewers did not ask for additional written materials, but I managed to give them the package I prepared at the beginning of the interview. I don't believe they looked at it during the interview.
The topic of locations did not come up at all during the interview.
Now I'm done and there isn't anything else to do but wait . . . for me this will be the hardest part. Best of luck to everyone.
Correction: I mispoke re: ages, actually most of the applicants were in their 40s, although a younger woman, mid-20s probably, sat next to me on the couch. ;D
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Post by snowman on Jan 12, 2008 10:36:17 GMT -5
Shadow, It doesn't matter, but one of the women waiting was a friend who had driven a candidate to the interview. So, there were five - two women and three men. I had a chance to speak to two other candidates after the interview and our interviews each lasted less than 1 1/2 hours. And I'm 37 ~ oh, how this process has aged me!!! Correction: There were four men and two women for a total of six.
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Post by shadow on Jan 12, 2008 10:47:24 GMT -5
Sorry snowman - I almost said late 30s to mid 40s, which would have been more accurate, obviously. Didn't mean to prematurely age you! LOL
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Post by snowman on Jan 12, 2008 11:14:37 GMT -5
Correction: I mispoke re: ages, actually most of the applicants were in their 40s, although a younger woman, mid-20s probably, sat next to me on the couch. Much better.
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Post by testtaker on Jan 12, 2008 14:29:58 GMT -5
I also interviewed yesterday. They took three of us over to Sky 5 for our interviews, which required walking across a small plaza. I was pleased that the rain had stopped or my hair would have been a wreck - that should be the least of my worries, right? ;D
My interview lasted 1.5 hours and it did indeed fly by. I actually enjoyed speaking with my two interviewers. The questions were mostly expected, but one or two required a bit of thinking on my part. I thought the interview went well, but who the heck knows!
I wish to thank the posters on this board and on "What to expect at the interview" for their insights. It helped me prepare.
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lee
Full Member
Posts: 102
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Post by lee on Jan 13, 2008 18:08:37 GMT -5
For those of you who have already interviewed--- Were your references contacted before your interview? To the best of my knowledge, none of my references have been contacted, but I do not interview until 2/1. I am a reference for a colleague, who interviews during the 3rd week of January, and I have not been contacted about him yet.
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Post by doctorwho on Jan 13, 2008 18:46:55 GMT -5
For those of you who have already interviewed--- Were your references contacted before your interview? To the best of my knowledge, none of my references have been contacted, but I do not interview until 2/1. I am a reference for a colleague, who interviews during the 3rd week of January, and I have not been contacted about him yet. As far as I know, my people were contacted after the interview. I do not believe there is a rhyme or a reason to it.
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Post by southerner on Jan 14, 2008 16:53:27 GMT -5
Interviewed last week. No contacts yet that I have heard.
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Post by testtaker on Jan 14, 2008 17:23:07 GMT -5
For those of you who have already interviewed--- Were your references contacted before your interview? To the best of my knowledge, none of my references have been contacted, but I do not interview until 2/1. I am a reference for a colleague, who interviews during the 3rd week of January, and I have not been contacted about him yet. I interviewed last week and none of my references have been contacted yet.
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Post by shadow on Jan 14, 2008 18:03:38 GMT -5
One of my references was contacted by phone today - haven't heard from any of the others.
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Post by happy on Jan 14, 2008 18:45:06 GMT -5
I passed by the glass doors of OCALJ this morning and saw a nice sized group of individuals looking spiffy in their suits. Also looked pretty tense (most of them). I think I'll take Wilddog's advice and just relax. Sounds like a pretty standard interview, important and potentially life-changing though it may be.
Thanks to all for being willing to share your experiences and dispelling some of the mystery. I'll be putting my two cents' worth in next week.
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Post by counselor95 on Jan 14, 2008 20:29:33 GMT -5
On a more mundane note, how much is the cab fare from National airport? Thanks!
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Post by southerner on Jan 15, 2008 8:31:39 GMT -5
On a more mundane note, how much is the cab fare from National airport? Thanks! From DCA (Reagan) to Homewood Suites (across Leesburg Pike from ODAR HQ), it was just over $20. Keep taxi receipts for reimbursement. When you exit the airport, you will go a taxi area where you will be asked where you are heading. Virginia-specific cabs are available. If you prefer credit card rather than cash, inform the person that will ask you where you are going and one with credit card capability will be obtained.
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Post by morgullord on Jan 15, 2008 16:54:02 GMT -5
I interviewed the first day (8 Jan) and my references began receiving phone calls this morning.
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Post by regalzr7 on Jan 15, 2008 19:04:38 GMT -5
I interviewed yesterday. Met the dapper and friendly Waffle and several other candidates who did not know of this board. Escorted to the new National Hearing Center at 5 Skyline. The interviewers were cordial, 2 HOCALs and a HOD to take notes. Questions read from a list asking the types of questions that have been discussed on this board. My interview lasted about 1 hour.
My present employer was called on the day of the interview. Questioning lasted about 20 minutes. A personal reference was called last week, about 30 minutes of questioning and an attorney reference also called last week had a five minute call.
Ok, here we go!
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