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Post by sageadvice on Jan 15, 2008 20:57:21 GMT -5
Congrats to everyone who's completed the interview. What's the weather like in Falls Church? Is there a place to leave hats, coats, purses, etc. at Sky?
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Post by jagghagg on Jan 15, 2008 21:13:57 GMT -5
Hey, it snowed today, as far as weather goes. It's been a mild winter, however. (But then, I like Alaska......so perhaps you cannot judge by me.....my brother says temps in the single digits are only "ambient" for me.) There is a single coat rack/pole for your coat. But they are not bothered by people coming in with their luggage. It is a large, comfortable waiting area - which they stock with trans fat-laden goodies for you. The coat rack was packed when I got there so I just rolled my coat and placed it on a shelf in the empty book case next to it.
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Post by sageadvice on Jan 15, 2008 21:47:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Jagghagg, especially about the goodies. Will bring my parka & snow shoes...
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Post by nonamouse on Jan 15, 2008 23:42:05 GMT -5
There was a stiff wind today and light snow flurries at lunch time. No snow accumulation. Actual temp was around 35 at noon. I was fine with my liner in the trench coat (over a suit), scarf and gloves getting from the cab into the tower lobby, but my ears were frozen just that quickly.
I think the cookies were a sneaky test to see who would come into the interview wearing crumbs with chocolate between their teeth. They smelled sooooo good. . . and there was hot coffee too.
Make sure the cab driver know you want Skyline TOWER because everything around there is Skyline something or other. One poor person got dumped across the complex for a very chilly walk while hunting for the correct building.
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Post by sageadvice on Jan 16, 2008 18:53:05 GMT -5
Don't despair, Justfound. I thought I'd flunked the Structured Interview & was stunned to learn I'd be interviewing in January. I think you scored points by arriving so early.
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Post by jagghagg on Jan 16, 2008 19:57:03 GMT -5
I had my interview today. ... I will not be surprised if I don't make it through to the finish. Come ON, JTFB! You know better than this! Sageadvice is providing sage advice, darn it! I, too, was sure that my SI with OPM would have me searching for a job as a paralegal and I made it to the interviews. My own interview was a rambling saga of "gee-I-wish-I-had-saved-THAT-story-for-THIS-question" and "my-gawd-aren't-I-just-the-wonderful-one" ? WHO KNOWS ? And you are well-spoken and thoughtful - I have serious doubts about your own doubts. I think it's just your adrenaline that is speaking right now!!!!!
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Post by chris on Jan 16, 2008 20:41:54 GMT -5
I had my interview today. It was scheduled for 4 but I arrived at 3. I was actually brought to the interview room around 3:30 - I was too nervous to look at my watch. It lasted about 1 hour. Interviewers were nice. Sadly, I don't think I answered their questions very well, so I will not be surprised if I don't make it through to the finish. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think the primary purpose of the interview is to weed out potential bad actors. The secondary purpose is to make note of the exceptional prospects. That leaves the rest of us, probably 80%. The interview is not a test and as long as you didn't say something that put you in the bad actors category, you'll be fine.
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Post by jagghagg on Jan 16, 2008 20:45:26 GMT -5
JTFB: Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee??????
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Post by jagghagg on Jan 16, 2008 21:57:00 GMT -5
Thanks, guys. You are the best~ Hmmmmm, why yes - yes, I think we are!!! (And you are one of us!)
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Post by morgullord on Jan 17, 2008 10:09:28 GMT -5
The real test was the goodies tray. There was a hidden camera and people were rated by what they removed from the tray. If you took a peanut butter fudge piece, like me, well...
(only joking, of course)
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Post by gromit on Jan 17, 2008 10:59:05 GMT -5
Hi all.
I interviewed yesterday. I concur with everyone who has posted on this thread already. The staff is very friendly. The waiting area is large and comfortable, and you basically sit in a large office area.
I arrived an hour early for my interview as did three others. Don't worry about showing up early. You could probably show up 5 hours early, and nobody would care. If you like cookies and coffee, you're set.
It was nice to meet others who have gone through the same process, and three of the four of us had heard of this forum. I got to meet Counselor95 who was quite nice. C95, it was very nice meeting you, and I wish you the best of luck.
Actually, I recommend showing up a bit early to chat with others and avoid the stress of running late.
I found that the interview itself was the most pleasant part of this whole process. I sat at a small table with two interviewers and a note taker. If you haven't interviewed yet, don't worry as the questions are quite reasonable.
This interview really is geared to make sure that you'll be a good ALJ. My impression was that the interviewers genuinely want to like you and that they're looking for colleagues. They want help, and they hope you'll be on board to help them.
At the end, they'll give you plenty of opportunity to ask questions. More importantly, they give candid answers - VERY REFRESHING.
As with everyone, I walked away with a very good feeling about the interview. Mine, btw, lasted a little under 1:25.
Good luck to all
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Post by jagghagg on Jan 17, 2008 11:25:55 GMT -5
Thank you, Gromit - it is good for all of us to know the consistency of the "comfortable" nature of the interviews!
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Post by travis on Jan 17, 2008 13:35:16 GMT -5
Say, if memory serves, there is a nice coffee shop in the building adjacent to the SSA tower. So, if you're inclined - you could get your quad shot venti soy latte w/3 equals right before you head up for the interview. Best of luck to all!
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Post by southerner on Jan 17, 2008 14:09:38 GMT -5
The name of the coffee place is Caribou.
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Post by privateatty on Jan 17, 2008 14:34:51 GMT -5
The interview from this end went very well. I got my sea legs after a minute. It was nothing like OPM and I can only reiterate what has already been posted in that vein. You all should be able to do this folks--as has been said by those more qualified than I.
I remembered what chris had said a long time ago--listen to the question. I had to come back to one because I hadn't fully answered it...
I managed to work in some practical assurances to concerns formulated by our esteemed bench herein...I went one hour, forty minutes.
Practice helped me.
I'm keepin' my positive waves...it was snowing today and that always brings a smile and calmness--shredders rule!
Good luck all!
BTW, I met two ODAR folks today.
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Post by lurker on Jan 17, 2008 16:15:29 GMT -5
I'm keepin' my positive waves...it was snowing today and that always brings a smile and calmness--shredders rule! Good luck all! BTW, I met two ODAR folks today. I was in the 9:00 a.m. group this morning and all the other women I spoke to (4) were with SSA (ODAR or OGC). And yes, all the interviewees in my time frame were women.
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Post by 3orangewhips on Jan 17, 2008 16:35:08 GMT -5
after reading and watching this thread, there is absolutely no way that 50 agency attorney on the register comment allegedly made by the commissioner is correct.
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knownuthin
Full Member
Out of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.
Posts: 114
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Post by knownuthin on Jan 17, 2008 17:30:29 GMT -5
I interviewed on Tuesday. Five out of six in my group were either ODAR or OGC. The interview was really pleasant. We strayed off topic several times and it wasn't always my fault. Just remember to smile and have fun.
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Post by jagghagg on Jan 17, 2008 19:25:58 GMT -5
More importantly, does it really mater? I'm tempted to say it doesn't - but I am quite sure that insiders care and outsiders fear ....either way, it is what it is; they are interviewing who they interview and they will select who they select. I've talked to insiders and outsiders --- on and off the public boards ---- everyone who made the cut to the interview comes across as competent and possessed of the characteristics which would make a good ALJ. Unless there is some huge conspiracy to ignore vet preference (I doubt it) and reach only favored insiders (again, I doubt it) then we will achieve slots or live to fight again another day. So good night; sleep tight; don't let the bedbugs bite!
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Post by 3orangewhips on Jan 17, 2008 20:22:56 GMT -5
after reading and watching this thread, there is absolutely no way that 50 agency attorney on the register comment allegedly made by the commissioner is correct. You know 3OW, I agree with you. Just based on my personal experience it would seem that there has to be more than 50 insiders. I just do not know what to make of Astrue's comment. I do not think that anyone outside of OPM knows the answer to this question. More importantly, does it really mater? It matters to the agency because for probably the first time, SSA will have plenty of candidates to choose from with agency experience. For the agency, it's the dream situation. It also matters to people with relatively lower scores because, unlike in the past, agency exprience is more common on the cert. As someone with a relatively lower score, agency experience was a benefit to my chances in the selection process. It still is, but lesser so because of the number of agency attorneys on the cert. I'm simply trying to logically think through my chances of landing the job in this hire. My guess is that 50% of the cert has agency experience.
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