tb3
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by tb3 on Aug 11, 2015 11:45:33 GMT -5
Sealaw90 as you know you don't interview for a city, but for a SSA ALJ position. Your GAL certs to which you listed with OPM and SSA are what landed you an opportunity to interview, but there is no guarantee SSA may actually hire for your GAL cert city in the end. However, once you had an interview you are set to go. There really is no rhyme or reason as to when reference calls are made. Contractors are hired randomly to make the calls and some are more efficient then others in making the calls. I don't think SSA is holding back names from city certs it plans on hiring later. It's just the contractor(s) hired to do the calls for you and several others may be slower in accomplishing their task. When my turn was up for reference calls, everyone else who interviewed seemed to be getting their references called, while mine were not. Then, suddenly all my references were called within one day. It's just a crazy, maddening process and trying to make some sense out of it will do no good at all. Just sit back and be happy you had an interview as that is all that is needed right now to have your name "in the barrel" for a possible appointment for an ALJ position. Don't let the possibilities drive you nuts. Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale it out through your mouth several times. It will all be okay! This is oddly comforting at this moment! Thanks, MPD.
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tb3
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by tb3 on Aug 11, 2015 11:50:37 GMT -5
I mistakenly quoted an earlier post instead of attempting to ask a question in a new post . . . So the question is does anyone know if the SSA initiates the background check for every interviewee? I received an email about my credit being checked, and I'm wondering if that is meaningless at this phase.
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Post by Gaidin on Aug 11, 2015 12:15:27 GMT -5
I mistakenly quoted an earlier post instead of attempting to ask a question in a new post . . . So the question is does anyone know if the SSA initiates the background check for every interviewee? I received an email about my credit being checked, and I'm wondering if that is meaningless at this phase. I believe they do a preliminary check of all applicants. There is a much more stringent back ground check after you are given a written offer.
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Post by moopigsdad on Aug 11, 2015 13:13:13 GMT -5
I mistakenly quoted an earlier post instead of attempting to ask a question in a new post . . . So the question is does anyone know if the SSA initiates the background check for every interviewee? I received an email about my credit being checked, and I'm wondering if that is meaningless at this phase. Tb3 I never had my credit checked by SSA as of yet and I have been on several certs in the last nine months. However, whether they check it or not makes no difference as Gaidin is correct that a thorough background check is done if you ever receive an appointment as an ALJ.
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Post by moopigsdad on Aug 11, 2015 13:14:01 GMT -5
Sealaw90 as you know you don't interview for a city, but for a SSA ALJ position. Your GAL certs to which you listed with OPM and SSA are what landed you an opportunity to interview, but there is no guarantee SSA may actually hire for your GAL cert city in the end. However, once you had an interview you are set to go. There really is no rhyme or reason as to when reference calls are made. Contractors are hired randomly to make the calls and some are more efficient then others in making the calls. I don't think SSA is holding back names from city certs it plans on hiring later. It's just the contractor(s) hired to do the calls for you and several others may be slower in accomplishing their task. When my turn was up for reference calls, everyone else who interviewed seemed to be getting their references called, while mine were not. Then, suddenly all my references were called within one day. It's just a crazy, maddening process and trying to make some sense out of it will do no good at all. Just sit back and be happy you had an interview as that is all that is needed right now to have your name "in the barrel" for a possible appointment for an ALJ position. Don't let the possibilities drive you nuts. Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale it out through your mouth several times. It will all be okay! This is oddly comforting at this moment! Thanks, MPD. Minny I am glad you found it oddly comforting. LOL! Better oddly comforting than not comforting at all. By the way, I know you meant it in a good way. You are welcome my fellow Board member.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 11, 2015 17:24:54 GMT -5
I think at this point ALJ stands for Alcohol Looks Just right Time for what we call around here "situational bourbon"
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Aug 11, 2015 17:42:10 GMT -5
Since we do not have any information concerning the hiring committee meeting, there is no need for concern. Now "situational bourbon" is not limited, but by our imagination.
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Post by lizdarcy on Aug 11, 2015 20:51:36 GMT -5
It seemed to me that the pieces of the process such as interviews, travel arrangements, reference checks, et al, were done pretty randomly but all the moving parts were in place by the time they had to be finished. There's no significance in the order. Although ita difficult, the best thing you can do to take care of yourself is just let go. Also, my understanding is that the prevetting process is thorough enough to make good hires.
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Post by dropduff on Aug 12, 2015 16:08:28 GMT -5
Just heard from one of my references that she received a call this afternoon. I'm sure that many more on the board will soon be making similar reports. The process is moving again.
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Post by sealaw90 on Aug 13, 2015 10:51:51 GMT -5
A Judicial reference of mine let me know they were contacted today. That's the first one, hopefully not the last one this week. I feel much better now
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Post by dropduff on Aug 13, 2015 11:21:12 GMT -5
Yep, things are definitely moving now!
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Aug 13, 2015 11:28:05 GMT -5
WAG: you are one of the last applicants who needed to have references contacted. Accordingly, all reference contacts will be completed by Monday.
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Post by beenlurking on Aug 13, 2015 11:56:30 GMT -5
WAG: you are one of the last applicants who needed to have references contacted. Accordingly, all reference contacts will be completed by Monday. I'm not sure I understand. Can you elaborate?
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Post by sealaw90 on Aug 13, 2015 12:06:23 GMT -5
Two more of my references spoke to the contractor. I don't think we can determine any date when this would be completed, but I know we'd all like ODAR to make their choice and start calling folks in the next 2 weeks. As long as there is forward momentum, I'm good.
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tb3
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by tb3 on Aug 13, 2015 12:29:07 GMT -5
My references are being contacted as I type this.
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Post by gary on Aug 13, 2015 12:37:34 GMT -5
I have a question sort of related to this thread--do references from previous certs "count" in the current one? I was certed in 2013. Pretty wide-open GAL but didn't get an offer. I have good reason now to believe I was sabotaged by one of my references. I am a Round 1 appellant now so this may not matter anyway. Should I abandon ALL hope? I believe if you get on the current Register and make one or more certs with SSA, you will have to complete all the paperwork, including the listing of references; the references in the new paperwork will be contacted; and you will be interviewed by SSA again. As long as the problem reference is not someone you have to list (i.e., a supervisor during the period they require you to list), I don't think the problem reference will be considered. But that's just my best guess.
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Post by sealaw90 on Aug 13, 2015 17:07:13 GMT -5
Ok, six references for today. I guess the contractor wants to get paid on time! I'm assuming that they have to finish this up by Saturday so they can get the results to ODAR on Monday, but that's just a wag on my part.
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Aug 13, 2015 17:52:53 GMT -5
It is time to concentrate on when offers will be made. August 24 looks like a good date, unless the give the green light on the 21st. It is amazing that with all of the insiders, we do not know when the hiring committee meets. Maybe they meet remotely. ODAR HUMINT, where r u?
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Post by minny on Aug 13, 2015 18:49:35 GMT -5
Ok, six references for today. I guess the contractor wants to get paid on time! I'm assuming that they have to finish this up by Saturday so they can get the results to ODAR on Monday, but that's just a wag on my part. I just got word from a judicial reference that she was contacted, but she is the first of mine to be contacted, as far as I know. At least it is a start for me. She sent the email to me just before 6:00 and said she had just gotten off the phone with them.
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paattorney
Full Member
One year anniversary. Wow.
Posts: 46
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Post by paattorney on Aug 13, 2015 19:37:50 GMT -5
At this point, all of my judicial references, adversarial references and former supervisors have been contacted. None of my professional references have been as of yet. I see no rhyme or reason to it.
Funny antecdote. One of my judicial references let me know he was called. He was asked the notorious question about whether or not I could handle 500-700 cases. I had not discussed details about the position with the judge so he wanted further information. He asked the contractor what type of cases I would be handling and whether they meant writing 500 decisions, presiding over hearings, or what? The contractor's answer: "I don't know. I'm only a contractor!"
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