Post by mamaru on Nov 28, 2015 11:34:43 GMT -5
dad,
As for the number of people on the certs, it is our understanding that the certs (which are done by location) are much deeper than you describe to allow for three unique names for each vacancy in each location in case everyone else is hired elsewhere. Exactly how many for each cert gets into complicated questions of the GALs of the individuals involved.
In your case, you would probably be on certs for lots of the cities on your GAL, if there are certs for those cities, given your score. People at the other end of the spectrum may be "filler" needed to get the requisite numbers and not have a realistic chance of being made an offer until a later round.
SSA will let you know what cities you are being considered for in your email notifying you that you are on a cert or certs. You can decline any of those cities if you know for sure that you would not go there if offered when you turn in your rankings. If you know for sure one of your locations won't work, better to strike it then so that you will be considered elsewhere rather than be selected for that city only to be put in a position of declining an offer. In batting this around, I think it's fair to say that most of us feel that - absent a recent development between turning in the paperwork and the offer - turning down an offer is not a good idea. The reason is significant too. If your spouse has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness that would interfere with your ability to relocate, that's one thing. On the other hand, the cost of airfare from a city on your GAL is something that can be a real constraint in accepting a particular location, especially with a 15-month minimum periodic "commute," but that's due diligence that you should do before you turn in the paperwork, not within the 24 hours after you receive an offer. It's also a courtesy to SSA and the other contenders to "free up" a location you have ruled out, for whatever reason.
Finally, we have never received emails regarding certs before, or even shortly after, 8 a.m. Don't set your alarm.
As for the number of people on the certs, it is our understanding that the certs (which are done by location) are much deeper than you describe to allow for three unique names for each vacancy in each location in case everyone else is hired elsewhere. Exactly how many for each cert gets into complicated questions of the GALs of the individuals involved.
In your case, you would probably be on certs for lots of the cities on your GAL, if there are certs for those cities, given your score. People at the other end of the spectrum may be "filler" needed to get the requisite numbers and not have a realistic chance of being made an offer until a later round.
SSA will let you know what cities you are being considered for in your email notifying you that you are on a cert or certs. You can decline any of those cities if you know for sure that you would not go there if offered when you turn in your rankings. If you know for sure one of your locations won't work, better to strike it then so that you will be considered elsewhere rather than be selected for that city only to be put in a position of declining an offer. In batting this around, I think it's fair to say that most of us feel that - absent a recent development between turning in the paperwork and the offer - turning down an offer is not a good idea. The reason is significant too. If your spouse has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness that would interfere with your ability to relocate, that's one thing. On the other hand, the cost of airfare from a city on your GAL is something that can be a real constraint in accepting a particular location, especially with a 15-month minimum periodic "commute," but that's due diligence that you should do before you turn in the paperwork, not within the 24 hours after you receive an offer. It's also a courtesy to SSA and the other contenders to "free up" a location you have ruled out, for whatever reason.
Finally, we have never received emails regarding certs before, or even shortly after, 8 a.m. Don't set your alarm.