|
Post by Propmaster on Mar 14, 2014 14:06:48 GMT -5
The clock in my room was prominently displayed, facing all of us with the time counting down. This does not seem fair. There was a big digital clock with the actual time on it on the interview table, facing all of us. It didn't help me, because I forgot to take note of it (or hadn't noticed it) when I came in, so I had no idea how long it had been (I didn't run out of time anyway). But it seems weird there would be clocks in some rooms - especially counting down!! - and not in others.
|
|
|
Post by dcinsider on Mar 14, 2014 14:16:50 GMT -5
Sitting ALJ hired off the last register. My best guess is those with 70 or above can expect an agency interview in the next 24 months. The first cert is imminent as in within weeks. I heard 70 to be hired. Likely top 300 on the cert. that should reach into the 70s.
Hang in there your time is coming!
|
|
|
Post by dudeabides on Mar 14, 2014 15:44:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jd on Mar 14, 2014 16:38:40 GMT -5
Thank you for those who answered my question about how we will receive cert notifications.
|
|
|
Post by minny on Mar 14, 2014 17:10:18 GMT -5
Took a night off after a particularly tough trial. No email, no computers. Checked my email this morning and was pleased to be moving on. Sure the number is not that high and my GAL is limited, but from what I have read here, I feel like I still have a chance. It feels good to have gotten this far and I will try to wait patiently for the next step. Good Luck to all. I've got a high-risk-high-reward complex 1983 trial in three weeks. So glad this came out when it did. Good luck with your trial. That is what I use to do in the private sector so I know how exhilarating, exhausting and exasperating they can be.
|
|
|
Post by dpageks on Mar 14, 2014 17:39:50 GMT -5
I was fortunate enough--not sure how--to end up with a pretty high score; however, I only chose four (4) cities in Kansas and Colorado for my GAL. I only chose Colorado Springs, Denver, Wichita (go Shockers), and Topeka. After reading many of these posts, I get the feeling I'm going to be passed over? Does anyone have an educated guess as to how much this limited GAL will impact my opportunities? Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by 71stretch on Mar 14, 2014 17:55:38 GMT -5
I was fortunate enough--not sure how--to end up with a pretty high score; however, I only chose four (4) cities in Kansas and Colorado for my GAL. I only chose Colorado Springs, Denver, Wichita (go Shockers), and Topeka. After reading many of these posts, I get the feeling I'm going to be passed over? Does anyone have an educated guess as to how much this limited GAL will impact my opportunities? Thanks! Could be a lot. I'tm not sure I've ever seen Colorado Springs or Denver on a cert (but I could be wrong. Topeka I have seen, I'm pretty sure, and maybe also Wichita. If your score is high, and one or more of those cities are on the cert, you have a shot, if you do well on the interview.
|
|
|
Post by Loopstok on Mar 14, 2014 18:03:04 GMT -5
I'm out, but due to the SI (which I could've guessed because I ran out of time). Good luck, everyone. Too bad. I think they should give you some idea of where you stand on the time during the interview (or sooner than the last few minutes). There was no visible clock in the room. To echo some of what the others have said above, there was a clock in my room, a digital alarm clock at the end of the table. Not counting down, just your standard digital hotel clock. You would think that would be uniform, either every interview room has a clock or every room does not have a clock... Time management skills or not, it would be easier to to judge the SI, you would think, if everyone is playing by the same rules.
|
|
|
Post by dpageks on Mar 14, 2014 18:22:27 GMT -5
Bummer. I was clueless when I first applied. Thanks for the information!
|
|
|
Post by mamaru on Mar 14, 2014 19:22:38 GMT -5
The Topeka office is relatively new so it's possible that ALJs who relocated to staff it are trying to get home via the transfer list, creating vacancies in Topeka. It's all very speculative. Don't beat yourself up - you didn't know how the system works. You just have to hope for the best and knock it out of the ballpark if you get an interview. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by dpageks on Mar 14, 2014 21:01:48 GMT -5
Thanks, mamaru.
|
|
|
Post by wingnut on Mar 14, 2014 22:24:57 GMT -5
Well I am still in but my score isn't what I had hoped. I had no idea about the complexities of this whole process. I just saw a job I was interested in and applied. It never occurred to me that poeple would list multiple cities. Maybe something to think about when my youngest graduates in a few years if I don't get any action this go round.
|
|
|
Post by dpageks on Mar 14, 2014 22:49:24 GMT -5
Why on Earth would there be a waiting list for Kansas? Sure, I want to live here but I didn't think anyone else was really interested. I think my score is in the top 5% (being a 10 point Vet helped). Does having a high score help me overcome my limited GAL or am I simply out of luck?
|
|
|
Post by Orly on Mar 14, 2014 23:26:56 GMT -5
Does having a high score help me overcome my limited GAL or am I simply out of luck? Having a high score and VP may keep you in the running with a very limited GAL. However, it ultimately depends on how much SSA wants you relative to other candidates. If they really want you and you're reachable due to your high score and despite the very limited GAL (assuming the limited openings didn't get filled by transferring ALJs), then you're in good shape. However, if you fail to impress at the interview or gets backstabbed by a reference or two, then you'll end up getting three struck like many high scoring candidates in the past. A high score only gets you to the next stage of testing. It's no guarantee of employment offer by a long shot.
|
|
|
Post by dpageks on Mar 14, 2014 23:32:02 GMT -5
Thanks, orly, that's helpful information.
|
|
|
Post by noweeman on Mar 15, 2014 7:04:00 GMT -5
I was fortunate enough--not sure how--to end up with a pretty high score; however, I only chose four (4) cities in Kansas and Colorado for my GAL. I only chose Colorado Springs, Denver, Wichita (go Shockers), and Topeka. After reading many of these posts, I get the feeling I'm going to be passed over? Does anyone have an educated guess as to how much this limited GAL will impact my opportunities? Thanks! Based on the latest ALJ transfer list, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but those 4 locations are likely filled by transfers as there are wait list for those locations. Is the latest ALJ transfer list publicly available? I also have a limited GAL, and that sounds like it would be very useful info.
|
|
|
Post by philliesfan on Mar 15, 2014 7:59:00 GMT -5
There is no mandatory retirement age for ALJs or any other federal employee. There are several ALJs in their 80s and 90s. One in my office. BTW, there are four potential ALJ vacancies in the Philadelphia metro area.
|
|
|
Post by mamaru on Mar 15, 2014 8:09:02 GMT -5
A transfer list was posted a few months ago. Since then, offers have been made to some judges on the transfer list. At least one judge in our office is on two transfer lists for offices close to his home and has not heard from either. Another has been offered and has accepted a transfer. The movement seems to be in anticipation of getting a cert list, but it's hard to tell exactly where they are on it based on what has happened/not happened in my office. If there is a new transfer list and somebody can post it, that would be interesting reading for all.
I am new to SSA and was not around when they allowed people to modify their GAL lists, but I heard that they were only allowed to narrow their lists, not add locations. Does anyone know for sure how that worked? Not that what happened last round has been an indication of this round, but I'm curious.
|
|
|
Post by hopefalj on Mar 15, 2014 8:43:09 GMT -5
I am new to SSA and was not around when they allowed people to modify their GAL lists, but I heard that they were only allowed to narrow their lists, not add locations. Does anyone know for sure how that worked? Not that what happened last round has been an indication of this round, but I'm curious. It happened because they were taking a seventh cert following a refresh of the register. I think they wanted to give people they liked an opportunity to expand their list because they knew they would not be getting fresh names any time soon but had money to spend. It was not typical. However, should there be a refresh of the register (meaning the job opens again to allow new applicants to be added to the current register) in the future, you can then expand your GAL without going through all the testing. You can also choose to jump through all the hoops again to try for a better score, too. A refresh won't be for a while, though. I would think 2016 would be the earliest, but that's only a guess.
|
|
|
Post by privateatty on Mar 15, 2014 8:43:54 GMT -5
Well I am still in but my score isn't what I had hoped. I had no idea about the complexities of this whole process. I just saw a job I was interested in and applied. It never occurred to me that poeple would list multiple cities. Maybe something to think about when my youngest graduates in a few years if I don't get any action this go round. Research research research. Its all here, wingnut. Who know, you could kill the Interview at Puzzle Palace and the folks at OCALJ will pick you up. Its happened many times on this Board. But, GAL is the single most important thing you can control to increase your chances.
|
|