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Post by JudgeRatty on Dec 4, 2014 7:00:25 GMT -5
Okay, it's 5 AM and I woke up an hour ago feeling pretty down about this whole process for the first time. I had my interview two weeks ago, which I thought went well. My application docs have been checked. On Monday, a few references emailed to find out why they haven't been called yet. All I could say was, maybe they're not interested in me, who knows? It's all a big mystery. By now, everyone except me seems to have had at least some of their references checked I started the application in March 2013 knowing and expecting nothing. Now I have invested a lot of time, energy, money and thought. I wasn't expecting to get hired on the first cert (not a vet, score is at the mean, small GAL) so I wasn't paying a lot of attention to what happened last summer. I was surprised and excited a month ago when I got the phone call. It looks to me at this point as though my application has gone south. I wish I could find out. I can live with it if I am not what they want, but if there was a mistake made somewhere, I might be able to fix it. This is a terribly frustrating process. I know nothing about how any of it works except for what I read on this board. Do they not check references if they've decided not to hire you? Should I be calling someone at SSA at this point? Or assuming that my application has tanked and simply move on? I would appreciate any insight or information. This board is great and I thank everyone for what I've learned from all of you. Folks on the other thread have been getting calls this week and many yesterday. They are working on it! There is NO reason to think anything negative at this point. If we knew nothing of this board we would not be comparing who had what when. We would only know we turned in paperwork a very short time ago. while I love this board we sometimes stress out when there is no need. Me included!
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Post by lizdarcy on Dec 4, 2014 7:37:08 GMT -5
Thanks for reminding me. The sun is up and I have regained some perspective. Wow, I can't believe how this all is affecting the usually unflappable me. I hope you have a stellar day, sratty.
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Post by gary on Dec 4, 2014 7:42:26 GMT -5
Okay, it's 5 AM and I woke up an hour ago feeling pretty down about this whole process for the first time. I had my interview two weeks ago, which I thought went well. My application docs have been checked. On Monday, a few references emailed to find out why they haven't been called yet. All I could say was, maybe they're not interested in me, who knows? It's all a big mystery. By now, everyone except me seems to have had at least some of their references checked I started the application in March 2013 knowing and expecting nothing. Now I have invested a lot of time, energy, money and thought. I wasn't expecting to get hired on the first cert (not a vet, score is at the mean, small GAL) so I wasn't paying a lot of attention to what happened last summer. I was surprised and excited a month ago when I got the phone call. It looks to me at this point as though my application has gone south. I wish I could find out. I can live with it if I am not what they want, but if there was a mistake made somewhere, I might be able to fix it. This is a terribly frustrating process. I know nothing about how any of it works except for what I read on this board. Do they not check references if they've decided not to hire you? Should I be calling someone at SSA at this point? Or assuming that my application has tanked and simply move on? I would appreciate any insight or information. This board is great and I thank everyone for what I've learned from all of you. Let me start by saying I don't really know what any of this actually means. But I can apply logic and what I think I've figured out about the process. First, I don't think that your references not being contacted yet means they've decided you don't have the right stuff to be an ALJ. Reference checking has been going on in what seems to be a patternless fashion. Some have reported first checks occurring this week. Also, the folks who would decide you or I aren't ALJ material don't begin to deliberate until next week. So although I'm generally an abandon-ship-all-hope-is-lost kind of guy, I really don't think you need to worry at this point.
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Post by funkyodar on Dec 4, 2014 7:52:15 GMT -5
Liz (and others freaking about the reference checks).... relax. I have been told the agency sends a big list with copies of the forms you provided naming references to this independent contractor firm. They then divide the list (not always that cleanly as I was a reference for another candidate and got called twice, by two different checkers on two different days and asked the same questions) and make the calls in whatever order they can. They just have a hard deadline for when it has to be completed. And, I was told the final product is just a "green light/ red light" list of the names they return to SSA. So, the only thing reference wise, you have to worry about is whether you gave them someone who could tank you. Also, I am pretty sure once that list is handed over to them, the agency doesn't call them and say "don't bother with X, she tanked her interview." If you tanked the interview they don't care if your references are stellar.
My own experience should offer plenty of perspective. I was on the first cert for most, but not all, of the cities. Score at the low end of those on the cert. No vet points. They didn't call my references till way after the interview and then didn't call a couple of them at all. They not only hired me, they were able to put me in a city I had in my top 7.
Some truths are evident. 1. If you made the cert you are reachable under some strategy of selection if they want you. 2. Enough references for them to be satisfied will be checked. 3. There is simply no way to know if you are among the chosen or discarded until all the offer calls have been made.
If you have completed your interview....then that's the bout. Nothing to do but wait on the score card. Best of luck and remember, in the end it is just a job.
Funky
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Post by jessejames on Dec 4, 2014 7:53:28 GMT -5
References are checked by outside contractors. It could simply be that some contractor has taken a few days leave and your references are waiting in his in box. I am still waiting on a voucher to reimburse me for my travel expenses that I submitted almost weeks ago. Generally, with the Thanksgiving holiday, and the need to take use or lose leave, response time can be slower. My advice is just to be patient.
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Post by anotherfed on Dec 4, 2014 8:07:12 GMT -5
At this point, I think the background check is pro forma and looking for obvious disqualifiers. Live beyond your means? Lose your license because of multiple DUIs? Voted "Most Likely to Go Postal" for the last 5 years in your office? Had your Bar card suspended due to commingling funds? These are all reasons why a prospective employer might want to pass on you, especially if it is for a position of public trust. There are probably a minimum number of references that are required to be checked, but more is better. If the investigators can get to everyone, great. But if one or two are missed, I don't think it hurts you. I think SSA asks for so many references so there is some redundancy built in, in case not everyone can be reached. It seems to me that having at least one reference from each category is a good thing, and is probably hitting the minimum requirement. Two is better for validation, and three is just gravy. So stop stressing.
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Post by moopigsdad on Dec 4, 2014 8:09:22 GMT -5
LIzdarcy you are not alone as I am in your boat, too. I think we all go through highs and lows. Think about those on the first cert who were not picked up and are now on the second cert. All we can do is keep our hopes alive and try not to dwell on any negative possibilities. Life has its ups and downs and nobody who applied should think it is an automatic for a position if you jumped through all the hoops. It is still a long shot for everyone. Some will make it and others won't. Will I personally be disappointed if I don't, sure. However, I will know I did my best and it wasn't meant to be. I will continue on with my life and make the best of it. Just don't get down on yourself or depressed due to this process.
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Post by Gram Pop on Dec 4, 2014 10:04:07 GMT -5
Time for another pithy quote:
If life seems jolly rotten, there's something you've forgotten And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing When you're feeling in the dumps, don't be silly, chumps Just purse your lips and whistle, that's the thing
Always look on the bright side of life by Monty Python
Words to live by as we wait, wait, wait........
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Post by Gaidin on Dec 4, 2014 10:15:17 GMT -5
Remember what the good book says "Don't Panic". Also always carry a towel.
The background checks will be undertaken and they don't meet to consider the results until next week.
As I have said before to others though, if after the struggle to get here and prove yourself repeatedly and to at each and every step been found to be who and what they are looking for you want to panic and bail out now. Please allow me to draft the email to Bob on your behalf.
Folks there are thousands of people that wanted to be where we are right now. Many of them as qualified as any of us to wear the robe. You have spent thousands of dollars and countless hours getting to this point. Do not let the unknown frighten you as you are about to open the door.
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Post by mamaru on Dec 4, 2014 10:22:28 GMT -5
Just got word of my first reference check this morning. I would like to add that I think there is too much speculation on the board as to the relative weight given to the interview, reference check, and background check. None of us knows. Those who do are not talking.
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Post by thankful1 on Dec 4, 2014 10:52:25 GMT -5
Time for another pithy quote: If life seems jolly rotten, there's something you've forgotten And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing When you're feeling in the dumps, don't be silly, chumps Just purse your lips and whistle, that's the thingAlways look on the bright side of life by Monty Python Words to live by as we wait, wait, wait........ Should I hoist myself on a cross whilst I sing?
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Post by orchid on Dec 4, 2014 10:53:37 GMT -5
Surely something has to be in to the hiring committee re references before they can properly evaluate your candidacy? Maybe they'll get preliminary reports to the committee by Monday. I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer:(
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Post by lizdarcy on Dec 4, 2014 11:15:33 GMT -5
A great big thank you to everyone. I don't know why it got to me this morning. I will try to do the same for anyone else who is feeling stressed and depressed at any point.
BTW, I believe that I met one of the people who answered my post this morning at the interview a few weeks ago -- also one other person who is active on this board (and who I've now met at both interviews). And I also shared a cab with a third person who is probably reading this. It's only my deductions and guesses, don't know for sure. But I wanted to say that I very much enjoyed meeting and sharing the experience at Falls Church with those four colleagues.
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Post by moopigsdad on Dec 4, 2014 11:26:53 GMT -5
Just got word of my first reference check this morning. I would like to add that I think there is too much speculation on the board as to the relative weight given to the interview, reference check, and background check. None of us knows. Those who do are not talking. I am with you Mamaru. None of us knows the formula for hiring. The reference and credit check may just be an informality to prevent a fraudulent person from getting the job. Other than that I think the interview is most important. If you didn't impress SSA, then the likelihood is you are not getting the job.
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Post by bartleby on Dec 4, 2014 11:29:02 GMT -5
The interview can break you. That is what the inteviewers told me.
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Post by moopigsdad on Dec 4, 2014 11:30:36 GMT -5
A great big thank you to everyone. I don't know why it got to me this morning. I will try to do the same for anyone else who is feeling stressed and depressed at any point. BTW, I believe that I met one of the people who answered my post this morning at the interview a few weeks ago -- also one other person who is active on this board (and who I've now met at both interviews). And I also shared a cab with a third person who is probably reading this. It's only my deductions and guesses, don't know for sure. But I wanted to say that I very much enjoyed meeting and sharing the experience at Falls Church with those four colleagues. Glad you are feeling better lizdarcy. Yes, I met people from the Board too at the interview and everyone seems very nice and genuine. I am so glad to be part of such a nice community as this Board.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Dec 4, 2014 11:39:58 GMT -5
Had my interview this morning and met a couple of board members. Super nice people! I wish I had more time to chat with them. All the staff were great and I had a chance to say hello to Judge Bice who was walking through. Everyone said they are working very hard to move as quickly as they are able to be patient (as usual). We should not read into the order in which things happen for different people. Glad to be done! At the airport now. One more day of interviews until after the holidays. Good luck to everyone!
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Post by moopigsdad on Dec 4, 2014 11:43:37 GMT -5
I spoke to someone in the know and reference checks are still ongoing and will be completed prior to when the SSA hiring committee meets to hire any individuals for the January class. This is solid information provided by someone who knows. (Also in the other thread on reference line calls)
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Post by sealaw90 on Dec 4, 2014 11:43:53 GMT -5
Had my interview this morning and met a couple of board members. Super nice people! I wish I had more time to chat with them. All the staff were great and I had a chance to say hello to Judge Bice who was walking through. Everyone said they are working very hard to move as quickly as they are able to be patient (as usual). We should not read into the order in which things happen for different people. Glad to be done! At the airport now. One more day of interviews until after the holidays. Good luck to everyone! Congrats! Sounds like you made it through and had a positive experience. I hope the interview went as well as the rest of your day! Good luck traveling back home. I have a feeling you'll be heading back to northern VA for training in the next few months sratty....
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Post by moopigsdad on Dec 4, 2014 11:45:43 GMT -5
Had my interview this morning and met a couple of board members. Super nice people! I wish I had more time to chat with them. All the staff were great and I had a chance to say hello to Judge Bice who was walking through. Everyone said they are working very hard to move as quickly as they are able to be patient (as usual). We should not read into the order in which things happen for different people. Glad to be done! At the airport now. One more day of interviews until after the holidays. Good luck to everyone! Congrats! Sounds like you made it through and had a positive experience. I hope the interview went as well as the rest of your day! Good luck traveling back home. I have a feeling you'll be heading back to northern VA for training in the next few months sratty.... Me too sealaw. Sratty is a shoo-in.
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