|
Post by JudgeRatty on Dec 23, 2014 11:24:06 GMT -5
Congrats to all who have been hired...what a great way to end 2014. For those of us not so fortunate, has anyone had any luck finding out the results of their interview? Humbling as it would be to find out that I was a "not recommend", it'd be better than being on pins and needles several times a year until a refresh. My GAL is nowhere close to wide open and I'm not a vet. But my score is decent (77+) and by my count I've been considered for at least 8 positions in 5 cities over the last two certs. Maybe it's too soon to write this off but I'm beginning to wonder if I blew the interview and I'd like to know if it's possible to find out the final recommendation. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! It is WAY too early to think you are not going to be hired at all. Even with your score, it does not mean they will not take another look at you later. As has been discussed ad nauseaum on this board, the 3 strike rule is discretionary and even those who thought they were 3 struck were hired later. With that said, no, I have never heard of anyone hearing in specific detail as to why they were not hired.
|
|
|
Post by zepplin on Dec 23, 2014 11:41:44 GMT -5
Congrats to all who have been hired...what a great way to end 2014. For those of us not so fortunate, has anyone had any luck finding out the results of their interview? Humbling as it would be to find out that I was a "not recommend", it'd be better than being on pins and needles several times a year until a refresh. My GAL is nowhere close to wide open and I'm not a vet. But my score is decent (77+) and by my count I've been considered for at least 8 positions in 5 cities over the last two certs. Maybe it's too soon to write this off but I'm beginning to wonder if I blew the interview and I'd like to know if it's possible to find out the final recommendation. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! You are not alone. : ). Best for last and all that...
|
|
|
Post by saaao on Dec 23, 2014 12:20:51 GMT -5
Congrats to all who have been hired...what a great way to end 2014. For those of us not so fortunate, has anyone had any luck finding out the results of their interview? Humbling as it would be to find out that I was a "not recommend", it'd be better than being on pins and needles several times a year until a refresh. My GAL is nowhere close to wide open and I'm not a vet. But my score is decent (77+) and by my count I've been considered for at least 8 positions in 5 cities over the last two certs. Maybe it's too soon to write this off but I'm beginning to wonder if I blew the interview and I'd like to know if it's possible to find out the final recommendation. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! While hiring for the January class is drawing to a close, hiring from this group of certs is almost certainly not. I think it is very likely that ODAR will hire from these before pulling new certs for the next class, and that scores will jump up again with the next hire. At least I hope so, because I am in the same boat as you.
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on Dec 23, 2014 12:31:52 GMT -5
Congrats to all who have been hired...what a great way to end 2014. For those of us not so fortunate, has anyone had any luck finding out the results of their interview? Humbling as it would be to find out that I was a "not recommend", it'd be better than being on pins and needles several times a year until a refresh. My GAL is nowhere close to wide open and I'm not a vet. But my score is decent (77+) and by my count I've been considered for at least 8 positions in 5 cities over the last two certs. Maybe it's too soon to write this off but I'm beginning to wonder if I blew the interview and I'd like to know if it's possible to find out the final recommendation. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! While hiring for the January class is drawing to a close, hiring from this group of certs is almost certainly not. I think it is very likely that ODAR will hire from these before pulling new certs for the next class, and that scores will jump up again with the next hire. At least I hope so, because I am in the same boat as you. There is no doubt SSA will hire more from this cert. Will they pull an additional cert? Perhaps, a small one, but not many more cities in my opinion. It will just want to interview those still needing to be interviewed along with any new small cert individuals. Then, SSA will be filling in more cities from this last cert with additions to some of the cities on this cert IMHO.
|
|
|
Post by funkyodar on Dec 23, 2014 12:35:59 GMT -5
The newest alj in Charleston has confirmed via anonymous pm.
Welcome to the corp and congratulations.
|
|
|
Post by hopefalj on Dec 23, 2014 13:11:26 GMT -5
While hiring for the January class is drawing to a close, hiring from this group of certs is almost certainly not. I think it is very likely that ODAR will hire from these before pulling new certs for the next class, and that scores will jump up again with the next hire. At least I hope so, because I am in the same boat as you. There is no doubt SSA will hire more from this cert. Will they pull an additional cert? Perhaps, a small one, but not many more cities in my opinion. It will just want to interview those still needing to be interviewed along with any new small cert individuals. Then, SSA will be filling in more cities from this last cert with additions to some of the cities on this cert IMHO. I think you may see more than just a couple of new cities pop up in January as well as a refresh of some of the cities in the current certs. Seems like that would accomplish two goals. First, if you're going to assemble interview panels, you might as well maximize their time. I'm not sure there are a big number of people that still lack an interview at this time. They may run fewer panels for fewer days, but I doubt it. Two, it allows them to see more new faces. On the bright side, holdovers will get to rerank their choices, and perhaps some geographically closer options will newly pop up. My SWAG is that you'll see several holdovers from the second cert and even the first cert getting picked up first in the next round. It may sound odd, but I think many of the holdovers from the first two certs will be picked up farther down the road after SSA has a chance to see as many folks as possible. My guess is that they're not three striking anyone at this point, although I think it's pretty evident that they are not considering some folks at this time that have been considered three times.
|
|
|
Post by Gaidin on Dec 23, 2014 13:18:08 GMT -5
There is no doubt SSA will hire more from this cert. Will they pull an additional cert? Perhaps, a small one, but not many more cities in my opinion. It will just want to interview those still needing to be interviewed along with any new small cert individuals. Then, SSA will be filling in more cities from this last cert with additions to some of the cities on this cert IMHO. I think you may see more than just a couple of new cities pop up in January as well as a refresh of some of the cities in the current certs. Seems like that would accomplish two goals. First, if you're going to assemble interview panels, you might as well maximize their time. I'm not sure there are a big number of people that still lack an interview at this time. They may run fewer panels for fewer days, but I doubt it. Two, it allows them to see more new faces. On the bright side, holdovers will get to rerank their choices, and perhaps some geographically closer options will newly pop up. My SWAG is that you'll see several holdovers from the second cert and even the first cert getting picked up first in the next round. It may sound odd, but I think many of the holdovers from the first two certs will be picked up farther down the road after SSA has a chance to see as many folks as possible. My guess is that they're not three striking anyone at this point, although I think it's pretty evident that they are not considering some folks at this time that have been considered three times. I actually, think Hope's analysis is dead on.
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on Dec 23, 2014 13:28:28 GMT -5
Time will tell rather quickly. If SSA wants to start a new hire for March 2015 it will not have much time to pull a new set of certs, get all the information out, so people can pick their GAL preferences and set up interviews for all those still needing to be interview. In my opinion, SSA has only interviewed about 1/2 of the Register, if that many. Hence, there are still a lot of people it could interview, if it wanted to do so. Furthermore, we know with SSA's timeline they always want to try to give a minimum of four weeks notice prior to the start date. This will be as tight a timeline as this last hire and I am not so sure SSA likes to work on such a tight timeline, if it doesn't have to do so.
|
|
|
Post by peacemaker on Dec 23, 2014 13:41:52 GMT -5
I am happy to report that I accepted Valpo yesterday morning. (I thought I'd wait for the confirmation email before posting, just to make sure I was not dreaming...) Thanks to all on the Board who provided vital information to us outsiders. It gives me hope that community can sometimes triumph over self-interest. Hope I get a chance to pay it forward...
|
|
|
Post by gary on Dec 23, 2014 13:44:37 GMT -5
Congratulations peacemaker!
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on Dec 23, 2014 13:46:03 GMT -5
Congrats peacemaker.
|
|
|
Post by HallmarkFan on Dec 23, 2014 13:47:42 GMT -5
Congrats to all who have been hired...what a great way to end 2014. For those of us not so fortunate, has anyone had any luck finding out the results of their interview? Humbling as it would be to find out that I was a "not recommend", it'd be better than being on pins and needles several times a year until a refresh. My GAL is nowhere close to wide open and I'm not a vet. But my score is decent (77+) and by my count I've been considered for at least 8 positions in 5 cities over the last two certs. Maybe it's too soon to write this off but I'm beginning to wonder if I blew the interview and I'd like to know if it's possible to find out the final recommendation. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! While hiring for the January class is drawing to a close, hiring from this group of certs is almost certainly not. I think it is very likely that ODAR will hire from these before pulling new certs for the next class, and that scores will jump up again with the next hire. At least I hope so, because I am in the same boat as you. Make that 3 of us in the same boat. I feel like I'm a high school senior and I can't find a date for prom. Best wishes to all. Hopefully, I'll see you in Round 3!
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on Dec 23, 2014 13:51:42 GMT -5
There's nothing like saving the best for last!!!
|
|
|
Post by redryder on Dec 23, 2014 13:59:22 GMT -5
The frenzy that accompanies the hiring process is hard to resist. I have no reason to follow the process and I still get caught up in the excitement, the angst, the drama and the tension.
That being said, no one who has applied for an ALJ position is guaranteed an offer. The odds are greater that you won't be selected. Nor will candidates receive any explanations for what went awry. Those are just the plain, hard facts.
The folks who fared the best mentally with this process were those who were happy with their current situation, went through the testing, responded to the invitations to interview and then went about their every day lives. If and when the call came, it was a happy and unexpected surprise. If it didn't, they simply went on with whatever they were doing already. Those most miserable were those who pinned all of their hopes and dreams on getting an appointment, never got the call, and never got over being passed over. And there are those in the middle. Those who invested a lot into the process and were disappointed when an offer was not received. Sure, it was a big disappointment and that takes time to get over. But they did, choosing to find a new avenue for their passion. A new job, a new cause to support, a new hobby or interest.
So while you participate in this process, you may want to take some time to think about which of these persons are you? And which do you want to be?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 14:37:59 GMT -5
Is anyone of the radical opinion that there may be a REFRESH for new applicants not on the current register by Summer or Fall 2015? I surely hope that the present progress indicates a REFRESH sooner than expected.
|
|
|
Post by 71stretch on Dec 23, 2014 14:45:11 GMT -5
Is anyone of the radical opinion that there may be a REFRESH for new applicants not on the current register by Summer or Fall 2015? I surely hope that the present progress indicates a REFRESH sooner than expected. No. There are LOTS of people left on the register (and many more who may be able to reach the register through appeal) As long as the last register took to put together, and the money it cost OPM and SSA, I don't see it in calendar year 2015.
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Dec 23, 2014 14:47:49 GMT -5
Is anyone of the radical opinion that there may be a REFRESH for new applicants not on the current register by Summer or Fall 2015? I surely hope that the present progress indicates a REFRESH sooner than expected. This has been discussed in other threads, but no, a refresh that early does not seem likely. This register will take us through the 2015 hiring. We have at least 200 more spots to fill in 2015. It took almost 2 years to get to this point. EVEN IF they started right now, a refresh would take just as long to put into place given they have to test, interview, etc. So although that might be appealing to some, it isn't likely to happen anytime soon. Just remember, they only started hiring off this brand new shiny register with one class done, and one underway.
|
|
|
Post by thankful1 on Dec 23, 2014 15:18:09 GMT -5
The frenzy that accompanies the hiring process is hard to resist. I have no reason to follow the process and I still get caught up in the excitement, the angst, the drama and the tension. That being said, no one who has applied for an ALJ position is guaranteed an offer. The odds are greater that you won't be selected. Nor will candidates receive any explanations for what went awry. Those are just the plain, hard facts. The folks who fared the best mentally with this process were those who were happy with their current situation, went through the testing, responded to the invitations to interview and then went about their every day lives. If and when the call came, it was a happy and unexpected surprise. If it didn't, they simply went on with whatever they were doing already. Those most miserable were those who pinned all of their hopes and dreams on getting an appointment, never got the call, and never got over being passed over. And there are those in the middle. Those who invested a lot into the process and were disappointed when an offer was not received. Sure, it was a big disappointment and that takes time to get over. But they did, choosing to find a new avenue for their passion. A new job, a new cause to support, a new hobby or interest. So while you participate in this process, you may want to take some time to think about which of these persons are you? And which do you want to be? I have no doubt that your critique is mostly correct. While we all ultimately have control over our own circumstances, for many reasons, some of us may find ourselves in less than desirable professional situations, and see the potential of an ALJ appointment as wonderful way out of that situation. Presumably, such people understand that the odds are slim. I would be hard pressed to tell those people how to react to getting, or not getting, an appointment. To my knowledge, you can't control the feelings you have. What you can control is how you act on your feelings, and how you react to stimuli from the world. You neglected to include in your critique the miserable souls who did get the call. They may have been the happiest of all!
|
|
|
Post by redryder on Dec 23, 2014 16:04:28 GMT -5
Dear Thankful 1: I was and still am one of those persons who is prepared for the worst and pleasantly surprised when anything else occurs.
My typical response: It's not just a cough. It's lung cancer.
Quite frankly, I am not worried about those who get an offer and accept. You are right. They may be the happiest of all. It's those who are not selected that I worry about. These folk can be toxic to an office as well as themselves. But as you pointed out, they cannot always leave the job they are in.
As as long as you are in a certain job, do you not have obligations to your employer and your coworkers? Do you want to engage in conduct that may jeopardize the job you are in?
Just as each candidate has to make decisions about accepting or declining the invitation to interview with various agencies and about what duty stations are acceptable, each needs to think about the alternative endings of this process. Life if an offer is extended as well as life if one is not. A person going through this process has to think about all of these alternative endings if he/she wants to survive with a modicum of sanity and grace.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 16:22:36 GMT -5
I am going to take Redryer's advice to heart and focus on my present job as a claimant's rep. The practice has been steadily growing and it's not a bad gig in the least. If a REFRESH occurs in 2016, great. If not, or if I eventually apply and get passed over three or four years from now, so be it. Happy Holidays, everyone. Maybe you'll see me on the bench in 2020
|
|