|
Post by JudgeRatty on Aug 13, 2015 21:27:17 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!" On the reference checks, there is NO pattern. Do not look for one. They dole out the names to various contractors who make these calls and they are not in any order. They do not have any information whatsoever about the process or even the job at issue. They have a list of people to call and a set list of questions to ask. Period. I hope this helps!
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Aug 13, 2015 21:31:12 GMT -5
And by the way, the questions are the same and have been the same for a long time. You can find a list of exact questions asked of each reference on this board. I found that list a few years back. I was a reference for an ALJ in 2009 and the questions they asked me were exactly the same as the ones they asked my references when mine were contacted last year. This is not something that is part of the confidentiality like the SI process, which is super secret and NOT to be discussed. Good luck all!
|
|
|
Post by litig8tor on Aug 14, 2015 12:31:45 GMT -5
I interviewed on July 29 and was beginning to get down hearted. Then this morning emails started coming in from my references who had just been called. Seemed they started on the east coast and are working their way west.
|
|
|
Post by sealaw90 on Aug 14, 2015 12:40:49 GMT -5
I interviewed on July 29 and was beginning to get down hearted. Then this morning emails started coming in from my references who had just been called. Seemed they started on the east coast and are working their way west. Glad to hear they are finally calling your references but your geographical theory is not correct at all. I'm on the east coast.
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Aug 14, 2015 12:42:13 GMT -5
I interviewed on July 29 and was beginning to get down hearted. Then this morning emails started coming in from my references who had just been called. Seemed they started on the east coast and are working their way west. Glad to hear they are finally calling your references but your geographical theory is not correct at all. I'm on the east coast. Exactly. There is no pattern. The contractors call when they call.
|
|
|
Post by litig8tor on Aug 14, 2015 12:56:19 GMT -5
Glad to hear they are finally calling your references but your geographical theory is not correct at all. I'm on the east coast. Exactly. There is no pattern. The contractors call when they call. Sorry. I did not intend to imply that this is a general pattern. It is just the pattern for me today.
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Aug 14, 2015 13:16:09 GMT -5
No worries. I am sitting in the airport having a burger and adult beverage. I cannot express how wonderful my fellow classmates have been and I am already looking forward to supplemental training next year. Quite an awesome experience. The graduation ceremony was neat and how perfect that it coincided with the 80th Anniversary of SSA. I sure hope you all have an opportunity to experience it all. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Aug 14, 2015 13:56:24 GMT -5
Good for you JudgeRatty, and congratulations. You probably slept, or wish you could have slept, through most of the training. I have been in that airport many times, but never had time for an adult beverage.
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Aug 14, 2015 14:02:02 GMT -5
Good for you JudgeRatty, and congratulations. You probably slept, or wish you could have slept, through most of the training. I have been in that airport many times, but never had time for an adult beverage. LOL! Well the first two weeks were just as I had anticipated with a good review of the materials and I have to say I consumed more caffeine than I have in years. LOL! The last two weeks were better for the insiders as there were some great breakout sessions and practical application discussions.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Aug 18, 2015 16:42:41 GMT -5
So my references are just being contacted today... Anyone else still waiting for reference checks? Does this mean next week before we hear anything or possibly by the end of this week?
|
|
|
Post by minny on Aug 18, 2015 16:48:30 GMT -5
So my references are just being contacted today... Anyone else still waiting for reference checks? Does this mean next week before we hear anything or possibly by the end of this week? Good question. My references are being checked in a very slow trickle fashion, it appears. They started last Thursday and there are still at least 3 who have not contacted me to say they have been called.
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Aug 18, 2015 19:33:39 GMT -5
So my references are just being contacted today... Anyone else still waiting for reference checks? Does this mean next week before we hear anything or possibly by the end of this week? When my refs were contacted one was out of the country and not able to answer his calls. They emailed him the questions and he responded. So make sure your refs know about this possibility, email contact. As I recall, they had ref checks right up to the weekend prior to offers.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Aug 19, 2015 8:06:55 GMT -5
Thanks, JudgeRatty. I actually listed a co-worker who is on vacation until Monday. I gave his office contact information, so it will be at least next week before he will have a chance to get voice mail or email. Have they ever gone forward without contacting all listed references? <object style="position: absolute; z-index: 1000;" id="plugin0" width="1" type="application/x-dgnria" height="1"><param name="tabId" value="{C1B771B0-DDD2-4F5B-88A8-82D699B04660}"></object>
|
|
|
Post by funkyodar on Aug 19, 2015 9:09:35 GMT -5
Not uncommon for them nt to conatct all references at all. They contacted all 3 of my judge references, 2 of my three atty refs and 1 of my other refs. Think they only talked to one I put down as a past supervisior. Did talk to my then current supervisor, but I was an insider.
|
|
|
Post by moopigsdad on Aug 19, 2015 9:30:14 GMT -5
Not uncommon for them nt to conatct all references at all. They contacted all 3 of my judge references, 2 of my three atty refs and 1 of my other refs. Think they only talked to one I put down as a past supervisior. Did talk to my then current supervisor, but I was an insider. Then again buddy, it doesn't surprise me as you have always been "special". LOL! Very helpful and useful advice though Funky!
|
|
|
Post by willsdad on Aug 19, 2015 10:31:06 GMT -5
Once again, funky breaking off some knowledge! Thanks, man! I'm a long-timer in this process, and I wasn't sure that my references would be contacted again. They were contacted for the first and only time roughly a year or so ago. Well, I just found out today that at least one of my references has spoken with the SSA contractor again. So, I've spent the morning emailing all of my references to let them know they could be next. It's good to know that not all of them may be bothered again. I'd rather give them all some warning, though.
|
|
|
Post by Youngblood Priest on Aug 20, 2015 8:57:20 GMT -5
I just returned from vacation this week, and found out my references were being contacted. Does having references contacted mean the interviews did not give you the dreaded "Do not recommend" ranking? Or do they check everybody's references? (FYI, I'm not an insider or a 10-point vet.)
|
|
|
Post by nj4096 on Aug 20, 2015 9:26:42 GMT -5
Funny I was wondering about the nature of the reference check. Then I remembered that I was a personal reference for someone who was hired as an ALJ a few years ago. It was easy to say true and flattering things about this individual. One thing not to worry about as long as I do not list any crazy people as references (when I get to that point).
|
|
|
Post by gary on Aug 20, 2015 9:30:08 GMT -5
I just returned from vacation this week, and found out my references were being contacted. Does having references contacted mean the interviews did not give you the dreaded "Do not recommend" ranking? Or do they check everybody's references? (FYI, I'm not an insider or a 10-point vet.) It doesn't mean anything except that they are making progress.
|
|
|
Post by carsondaily on Aug 21, 2015 13:06:27 GMT -5
My references were checked this week too, this is the 2nd time for me, and I credit the wise comments here not to take it as a sign of anything but general progress. It's now Friday afternoon so I will leave you with these [oddly] encouraging words for the weekend ---
...Now and again I get the feeling Well if I don't win, I'm a gonna break even... ~ Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
|
|