Thoughts on Remaining 2014 Timeline

[71stretch]

I don't know what you mean by "decision timeframe"... if you mean the time you have to accept an offer, you might get a day or two (two especially if you are called on a Friday) but not more. If you mean ODAR's decision making timeline, that's hard to predict. Around four weeks after the end of the interviews would be a rough guess, could be more, out toward the end of July. Depends on when they can get everyone they need into the non-smoke-filled room at the Puzzle Palace.

The time between offer and start date has ranged from two weeks to around three months. Outsiders in private practice might be able to ask for the later start date, I've seen that happen when there were two classes in 2010. The planned training dates are here:

www.aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/2487/2014-new-alj-training

Mid September and mid October. So, start dates beginning of those two months. So, you all might get a little more notice, which would be nice.

[funkyodar]

My guess:

Peterprinciple posted that the training dept's sharepoint calendar shows the first new alj training class to begin on 9/15. The second class in October, but for planning purposes probably best to go with the earlier date.

Jerseymom advised that the initial duty station training had been increased from 2 to 3 weeks. So that would make the report date 8/25 (Subject to whether or not that is the start of a new pay period.)

The board has reports of offers coming in with anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months notice to report. Most common appears to be 3 to 4 weeks. So, that puts offers around the last week of July and first week of August.

I disagreeUMPTION is all offers, for those in both classes, will go out at the same time. So, second classers will have more notice. There are some reports that private practice folks have been able to request slots in a second class, when their have been 2, to allow more time to close shop. YMMV.

I feel for you guys. There was 18 months between my application and interview and offer for the AA position. So much time had passed that I had pretty much forgotten about it. The call came on a Saturday, I was at a cle, and I was told to report the following Monday. In that job though, I went in, did all the paperwork, was sworn in, established my service comp date and then was immediately allowed to go on 60 days leave without pay to close shop.

Even with that great benefit, which won't be afforded to new aljs, it was one of the toughest things I've had to do. Good luck.

[funkyodar]

What observer said

[anotherfed]

I've been using the very helpful "The Unofficial ALJ Exam Timeline Thread." I think that 2007, the last time there was a new Register, is probably the most predictive. Although most years, even though there were wide variations in various dates, it seems like there was an almost uniform 2 months between scheduling of interviews and offers. FWIW.

[dudeabides]

As I understand it, the PLAN is to conduct the interviews (a few stragglers excepted) over an 8 day period - Monday 6/2 to Wednesday 6/11.

Thus 8 days x 3 interview slots per day x 7 interview teams = 168.

Perhaps 6/12 and 13 (Thursday and Friday) are for a group grope of the 7 teams to finalize the Interview rankings.

Thus, a few stragglers excepted, interviews are DONE by 6/11.

Offers? Week of July 14?

[funkyodar]

I was offered a 6/12 interview. Took an earlier date, but they were clearly scheduling for that date.

[dudeabides]

Whoops, there goes that theory.  7x3x8=168.  Such nice numbers.

Funky has supplied new data.  A mentat need data!

Funky - you are, necessarily, a special case!  Surely, in the annals of SSA - The Last shall be First.

Anyone have an interview on Friday the 13th?

 

[JudgeRatty]

May 18, 2014 13:05:47 GMT -5 dudeabides said:

Whoops, there goes that theory.  7x3x8=168.  Such nice numbers.

Funky has supplied new data.  A mentat need data!

Funky - you are, necessarily, a special case!  Surely, in the annals of SSA - The Last shall be First.

Anyone have an interview on Friday the 13th?

 

I thought for SURE that would be Funky's day....you know, to keep a pattern.

[jmgjr]

I was also offered 6.12. My interview is on 6.11.

[bartleby]

I have heard of a few people that have accepted the job, but needed longer to come on board and came on with a later class, one as far off as 6-8 months. Not normal, but if you have a good reason, the hiring folks are not unreasonable.

[redsox1]

I'll take a shot at a WAG. Week of 7-221. interviews over 6-13. Admin prep of packages and possibly a straggler or two - 2 weeks. Take us to July 4th. Nothing happens unti week of 7-7 when hiring committee meets - one week? Add a week because I have consistently underestimated the time table and we get to week of 7-21.

[moopigsdad]

I would think the calls from "Bob" about hiring going out the end of July and beginning of August is real close to correct with the expected timeline. As to devildog's original post, I don't think you can count on anything. Hence, you can set some wheels in motion and try to find some good attorneys who will take over the cases you have, if necessary. At least you will have somewhere to send those cases after your "hiring" as an ALJ should it occur.

Also, it would be nice to let any employees you have, know of the possibility of what might occur, if you are hired as an ALJ. Does it mean some employees may jump ship, even if you don't get the position? Probably, but to give them only 2 to 4 weeks to find another job is even worse in this economy. You are between a rock and hard place my friend and I wish you well. I am glad I now work for a state government and no longer run my own practice. I would hate to be in a private practitioner's shoes, if I was hired. It is easier as an employee of a state government or as a law firm employee rather than as the principle/owner of a law firm. I wish you luck devildog.

[ladywordsmith]

May 18, 2014 10:29:44 GMT -5 @devildog said:

I don't know what I meant by "decision timeframe" either. I guess I meant ODAR's, as I would accept without letting them finish their sentence.

Thanks,

That's REALLY what I did. When Bob was half-way (after he identified himself and where he was calling from) and took a breath, I jumped in and said, "I accept" and he laughed. Then I said, "Oh was I supposed to wait until you finished?" THEN he told me "where"!

LW

[hopefalj]

May 19, 2014 10:28:59 GMT -5 moopigsdad said:

I would think the calls from "Bob" about hiring going out the end of July and beginning of August is real close to correct with the expected timeline. As to devildog's original post, I don't think you can count on anything. Hence, you can set some wheels in motion and try to find some good attorneys who will take over the cases you have, if necessary. At least you will have somewhere to send those cases after your "hiring" as an ALJ should it occur.

Also, it would be nice to let any employees you have, know of the possibility of what might occur, if you are hired as an ALJ. Does it mean some employees may jump ship, even if you don't get the position? Probably, but to give them only 2 to 4 weeks to find another job is even worse in this economy. You are between a rock and hard place my friend and I wish you well. I am glad I now work for a state government and no longer run my own practice. I would hate to be in a private practitioner's shoes, if I was hired. It is easier as an employee of a state government or as a law firm employee rather than as the principle/owner of a law firm. I wish you luck devildog.

I expect hiring calls sooner than that. I'm calling my shot that Bob starts calling folks on 7/15. But I'm pretty sure I've been wrong on just about every timeline so far, so grains of salt and all that.

[moopigsdad]

May 19, 2014 13:37:01 GMT -5 hopefalj said:

May 19, 2014 10:28:59 GMT -5 moopigsdad said:

I would think the calls from "Bob" about hiring going out the end of July and beginning of August is real close to correct with the expected timeline. As to devildog's original post, I don't think you can count on anything. Hence, you can set some wheels in motion and try to find some good attorneys who will take over the cases you have, if necessary. At least you will have somewhere to send those cases after your "hiring" as an ALJ should it occur.

Also, it would be nice to let any employees you have, know of the possibility of what might occur, if you are hired as an ALJ. Does it mean some employees may jump ship, even if you don't get the position? Probably, but to give them only 2 to 4 weeks to find another job is even worse in this economy. You are between a rock and hard place my friend and I wish you well. I am glad I now work for a state government and no longer run my own practice. I would hate to be in a private practitioner's shoes, if I was hired. It is easier as an employee of a state government or as a law firm employee rather than as the principle/owner of a law firm. I wish you luck devildog.

I expect hiring calls sooner than that. I'm calling my shot that Bob starts calling folks on 7/15. But I'm pretty sure I've been wrong on just about every timeline so far, so grains of salt and all that.

I should have clarified that to mean the last two weeks of July or first couple of weeks of August time period. My fault for not being so clear. I think your timeline could be correct, too.