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Post by auroraborealis on Aug 27, 2015 12:37:46 GMT -5
well, if your brain's got the room, you can fill it with all sorts of "logic" not to mention randomly guessed at interview answers!!!! kind of preferred the LSAT, SAT, etc when we had some sort of vague idea what the testers were looking for. oh well, such is life. my "loves to slowly prep over time" side is getting a little ocd about the lack of info available from opm on just how to prep. not fishing for stuff anyone.. just a commentary that my preference is to know what to prep for.... I'm with you, christina. Just have to guess and do our best. Even with the lack of info I would do much better knowing when the test will take place versus knowing what might be on it.
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Post by luckylady2 on Aug 27, 2015 12:47:22 GMT -5
I'm in the August 14 email group. Seriously, after I heard in 2013 that I didn't advance to the next group, I recycled all my info and paperwork and forgot about the job. I'd found this forum, and I even forgot about the forum. Imagine my surprise when I found something in my junk email (which I rarely look at) and found I had suddenly "advanced." The sender and subject line were so nondescript that I almost ignored it. It looked suspiciously like the sort of junk message I get regularly from the state bar association. So now I am best friends with my junk email. As I await good/bad/indifferent/basically any news, I would love to see which locations I identified as my GALs. Someone said we can look at our applications through application manager. How? I go to applicationmanager.gov, and it either says access is denied or directs me to USAJobs. I go to USAJobs, click on jobs I've applied to, and I see that the position is closed. I can still see the original job posting, and all the GALs, but not MY GALs. Things have changed for me in the past 2.5 years, and the GALs that might have attracted me now may not be the ones that attract me now. So at best I can make a WAG. Any pointers? In your USAJobs account, you'll find the status of your application under the "Application Status" tab under your Account. That will have a link to the Application Manager, which will have a copy of your original application materials and some of the emails that they've sent to you. The GAL that you submitted back in March 2013 should be reflected in those materials on Application Manager. Unfortunately, whatever you specified then is what you're stuck with forever, unless and until OPM does a mass permission to change GAL's, something that's happened only rarely before.
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Post by gary on Aug 27, 2015 12:54:53 GMT -5
I'm in the August 14 email group. Seriously, after I heard in 2013 that I didn't advance to the next group, I recycled all my info and paperwork and forgot about the job. I'd found this forum, and I even forgot about the forum. Imagine my surprise when I found something in my junk email (which I rarely look at) and found I had suddenly "advanced." The sender and subject line were so nondescript that I almost ignored it. It looked suspiciously like the sort of junk message I get regularly from the state bar association. So now I am best friends with my junk email. As I await good/bad/indifferent/basically any news, I would love to see which locations I identified as my GALs. Someone said we can look at our applications through application manager. How? I go to applicationmanager.gov, and it either says access is denied or directs me to USAJobs. I go to USAJobs, click on jobs I've applied to, and I see that the position is closed. I can still see the original job posting, and all the GALs, but not MY GALs. Things have changed for me in the past 2.5 years, and the GALs that might have attracted me now may not be the ones that attract me now. So at best I can make a WAG. Any pointers? In your USAJobs account, you'll find the status of your application under the "Application Status" tab under your Account. That will have a link to the Application Manager, which will have a copy of your original application materials and some of the emails that they've sent to you. The GAL that you submitted back in March 2013 should be reflected in those materials on Application Manager. Unfortunately, whatever you specified then is what you're stuck with forever, unless and until OPM does a mass permission to change GAL's, something that's happened only rarely before. Or OPM refreshes the register. Or OPM creates a new register.
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Post by JenMPR on Aug 27, 2015 18:20:22 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I found the Aug 14 letter buried in my inbox (I rarely use that email any more). I have so many questions....but first things first. Has anyone gotten the second email...the one for the "self-scheduling"? I actually live in DC now, so I don't need to do a lot of planning, but I was just wondering...
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Post by luckylady2 on Aug 27, 2015 18:33:34 GMT -5
Welcome to the Board, Jenmayo! No, the Aug 14 group had an Aug 21 deadline to make sure the email was correct, so it's been less than a week - which in this process is not very long. Keep an eye on the Board, though. When folks do start hearing from OPM, they'll likely post and you'll know to start looking for yours.
BTW - people on the Board are in various stages of the process, so the posts can seem a little confusing if you're just joining us now.
There's the Aug 14 group that OPM just notified that they will be invited to go test in DC in the fall.
There's the June group that had OPM appeals resolved in their favor and are going to DC to test at OPM in the next week or so.
Then there's a group of people who are already on OPM's Register of eligibles who've gotten notice from SSA that they are in contention for a job in specific cities. There's a lot of speculation as to when offers will be made, but all agree it will be soon. (Of course "soon" in governmental time.)
There's also a bunch of people who are on the Register and aren't in contention for the SSA jobs this go-round. And there's also a bunch of people who've already been hired who still hang around and give us great advice and info and keep us sane (more or less). And some folks that don't fit into any of these groups, but still hang with us anyway!
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Post by christina on Aug 27, 2015 18:55:57 GMT -5
aurora- i just saw this: "I'm with you, christina. Just have to guess and do our best. Even with the lack of info I would do much better knowing when the test will take place versus knowing what might be on it" yes, knowing the dates would be nice. But on the other hand, we got dates!!!! to the ALJ prom dance. kinda blind dates at this point but i heard they're really hot(and don't wear leotards ) so let's make sure we don't trip over our high heels and get great scores and get invited to the senior prom(also known as ALJ offer). some guy named Bob coordinates those blind dates! and to our new addition, nope, we don't know when DC testing is either. i too got the August 14th email.
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Post by auroraborealis on Aug 27, 2015 21:03:18 GMT -5
I know, totally feel like the last kid picked for the kickball team, but hey we were picked! I'm trying not to psyche myself out too much and stay focused on the next step. Good summary of the board, luckylady2. The posts would be confusing without it.
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Post by JenMPR on Aug 28, 2015 5:32:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the info! This is a great board. I will keep my eyes open for that second email! (Fingers crossed)
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Post by quesera on Aug 28, 2015 8:05:27 GMT -5
I know, totally feel like the last kid picked for the kickball team, but hey we were picked! I think of it more like being the "B" students in a group of really smart people. It's a very familiar role for me. The "C" students are a really smart group of kids on the playground too. Everyone who participated in the online 2013 testing is an exceptional attorney, I am sure. There are no D or F GPAs here. I will never know why I made it this far, but thankful for the luck to have my B grade (for now).
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Post by auroraborealis on Aug 28, 2015 9:00:11 GMT -5
I know, totally feel like the last kid picked for the kickball team, but hey we were picked! I think of it more like being the "B" students in a group of really smart people. It's a very familiar role for me. The "C" students are a really smart group of kids on the playground too. Everyone who participated in the online 2013 testing is an exceptional attorney, I am sure. There are no D or F GPAs here. I will never know why I made it this far, but thankful for the luck to have my B grade (for now). Could not agree more. I know a few people who already went through all of the testing and have been anointed as ALJs and they all without question were smart, competent attorneys who I know will make great judges. They also all have acknowledged and agree that those of us who are in this "B" category are just as smart and competent. They too have been happy a lot of us got a second chance. I think the members of this board deserve a standing ovation too for being so supportive and open to those of us moving along in this next stage. It would be very easy for someone who is on the register to be bitter about the fact that they haven't fully exhausted all of the names on that list before opening things up to more candidates by expanding the "score eligibility." I have found nothing but encouragement and support here and for that I super grateful.
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Post by willsdad on Aug 28, 2015 9:31:16 GMT -5
Auroraborealis and quesera, you are very kind, but please don't think of yourselves as B or C grade! I'm one of the many 2013 testers who has been on the Register and every cert from the beginning. Becoming an ALJ is the ultimate goal we all share, and you are just beginning the process a little later. Regardless of when you come on, if you become an ALJ, you will have successfully navigated a rigorous and highly-selective process. There are no qualitative ALJ grades A, B, or C. So, just buckle in and good luck to all of you!
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Post by jafo on Aug 28, 2015 10:14:52 GMT -5
I think of it more like being the "B" students in a group of really smart people. It's a very familiar role for me. The "C" students are a really smart group of kids on the playground too. Everyone who participated in the online 2013 testing is an exceptional attorney, I am sure. There are no D or F GPAs here. I will never know why I made it this far, but thankful for the luck to have my B grade (for now). Could not agree more. I know a few people who already went through all of the testing and have been anointed as ALJs and they all without question were smart, competent attorneys who I know will make great judges. They also all have acknowledged and agree that those of us who are in this "B" category are just as smart and competent. They too have been happy a lot of us got a second chance. I think the members of this board deserve a standing ovation too for being so supportive and open to those of us moving along in this next stage. It would be very easy for someone who is on the register to be bitter about the fact that they haven't fully exhausted all of the names on that list before opening things up to more candidates by expanding the "score eligibility." I have found nothing but encouragement and support here and for that I super grateful. We're special!
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Post by gary on Aug 28, 2015 10:23:30 GMT -5
Could not agree more. I know a few people who already went through all of the testing and have been anointed as ALJs and they all without question were smart, competent attorneys who I know will make great judges. They also all have acknowledged and agree that those of us who are in this "B" category are just as smart and competent. They too have been happy a lot of us got a second chance. I think the members of this board deserve a standing ovation too for being so supportive and open to those of us moving along in this next stage. It would be very easy for someone who is on the register to be bitter about the fact that they haven't fully exhausted all of the names on that list before opening things up to more candidates by expanding the "score eligibility." I have found nothing but encouragement and support here and for that I super grateful. We're special! If you get the job, you'll prefer being a B to being an A. And C is even better.
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Post by willsdad on Aug 28, 2015 10:27:18 GMT -5
Right on, Gary!
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Post by cafeta on Aug 28, 2015 11:31:51 GMT -5
First log in to USAJobs. Go to the specific ALJ job posting and look for the "more information" link. Click on that and it will direct you to Application Manager. Once you reach that page for "application status tab" look for the View/print my answers button. That will direct you to your initial application answers including the cities you noted you'd relocate to. Sigh, when I go to usajobs, then the the alj position, and click "more information," I first got to the page that says it is transferring me to the site used by the multi-agency, wait 5 seconds, and then up pops the usajobs login. So I take the bait and login, and I recieve a response that the page is not working but they are working on it. They says it will be up soon, but this has been my outcome all week. Anyone have any ideas where I may be going wrong?
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Post by cafeta on Aug 28, 2015 11:42:36 GMT -5
Ok, it's nearly midnight on the 20th here. I am putting down a 2 dollar bet.....you heard that right, $2!!, that those of us that received an email invite on the 13th or 14th of August, will today (the 21st) receive our email stating the dates of our testing/interview! Woohoo, hold your breath all damn day, cuz I'm probably wrong, but let's start some speculationing! (That's a word, isn't it?). Ok, believe it or not, I had a rationale underlying my wildly naive guess for the 21st, but after 15 years as a fed, I should have known federal response time trumps ANY rationale, regardless of how sound. But now, here it is the 28th! And if I recall correctly, there was a group of people that received notice on or around the 7th that they were eligible. By the next week they had their test dates (which was my underlying rationale, that we 14th'ers would also receive notice the next week). And as I recall, the 7th'ers are testing 8/31 and 9/1, but were given an option to reschedule for 9/14 (or mid-September, don't recall). So, I still think the 14/mid-Sept. Is for us 14th'ers, but maybe OPM is waiting until after the 7th'ers have tested to notify us to self-schedule? Thoughts?
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Post by luckylady2 on Aug 28, 2015 12:32:37 GMT -5
Auroraborealis and quesera, you are very kind, but please don't think of yourselves as B or C grade! I'm one of the many 2013 testers who has been on the Register and every cert from the beginning. Becoming an ALJ is the ultimate goal we all share, and you are just beginning the process a little later. Regardless of when you come on, if you become an ALJ, you will have successfully navigated a rigorous and highly-selective process. There are no qualitative ALJ grades A, B, or C. So, just buckle in and good luck to all of you! Willsdad is absolutely right - all of that testing, all of those references to scores that they will never divulge, then a final score (NOR) that many say has no real meaning to the agencies, all to come into a final - yes-no answer! If it's yes, it doesn't matter when you came into this process - and the reverse is true, too. And there's sooooo many slots to be filled and such a huge backlog of cases that everyone who manages to squeak through the entire gauntlet is very welcome! Coming on later has given you some huge advantages on the Board. There is much more info about the process than two years ago. Piece of advice for the testing - don't focus on being second wave. Focus on being able to own who you are and what you can do and have done.
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Post by marten77 on Aug 28, 2015 12:34:43 GMT -5
Ok, it's nearly midnight on the 20th here. I am putting down a 2 dollar bet.....you heard that right, $2!!, that those of us that received an email invite on the 13th or 14th of August, will today (the 21st) receive our email stating the dates of our testing/interview! Woohoo, hold your breath all damn day, cuz I'm probably wrong, but let's start some speculationing! (That's a word, isn't it?). Ok, believe it or not, I had a rationale underlying my wildly naive guess for the 21st, but after 15 years as a fed, I should have known federal response time trumps ANY rationale, regardless of how sound. But now, here it is the 28th! And if I recall correctly, there was a group of people that received notice on or around the 7th that they were eligible. By the next week they had their test dates (which was my underlying rationale, that we 14th'ers would also receive notice the next week). And as I recall, the 7th'ers are testing 8/31 and 9/1, but were given an option to reschedule for 9/14 (or mid-September, don't recall). So, I still think the 14/mid-Sept. Is for us 14th'ers, but maybe OPM is waiting until after the 7th'ers have tested to notify us to self-schedule? Thoughts? At this point, I guess I've decided to throw my hands up and just kick back and wait till my status on application manager changes. Even though I got the email, my status still reads the dreaded "See Details Tab". <shudder> I'm guessing whenever OPM gets around to sending us 14th-er people our emails for the self-scheduling of testing, it will be immediately preceded by a change in status ? (Maybe not?) Unless I'm the only one who received a favorable appeal notice but is still in "See Details Tab"-land?
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Post by funkyodar on Aug 28, 2015 12:43:41 GMT -5
Auroraborealis and quesera, you are very kind, but please don't think of yourselves as B or C grade! I'm one of the many 2013 testers who has been on the Register and every cert from the beginning. Becoming an ALJ is the ultimate goal we all share, and you are just beginning the process a little later. Regardless of when you come on, if you become an ALJ, you will have successfully navigated a rigorous and highly-selective process. There are no qualitative ALJ grades A, B, or C. So, just buckle in and good luck to all of you! Willsdad is absolutely right - all of that testing, all of those references to scores that they will never divulge, then a final score (NOR) that many say has no real meaning to the agencies, all to come into a final - yes-no answer! If it's yes, it doesn't matter when you came into this process - and the reverse is true, too. And there's sooooo many slots to be filled and such a huge backlog of cases that everyone who manages to squeak through the entire gauntlet is very welcome! Coming on later has given you some huge advantages on the Board. There is much more info about the process than two years ago. Piece of advice for the testing - don't focus on being second wave. Focus on being able to own who you are and what you can do and have done. ll2 is absolutely right. This is obviously a competitive process, but too many get blinded by the competition and forget that, in the end, its just a job application. There are no "thanks for playing" gifts or "I got the highest NOR" trophies. You go thru this process and in the end you either get the job or you dont. And most folks that dont, can't blame the competition. It's way more likely you bombed the interview or had a bad reference or GALed yourself out of contention. And, also, remember that it's just a job. Not getting it isnt the end of the world and getting it won't grant you some great meaning to your life. There are many that get this job and hate it. Some then leave. Many gave up too much, ie private practices, to quit and start over so they stay. Others may think they invested years in a competition to get there, so they can't give it up even if they dont like it. Fact is, if you need OPM to tell you your self worth or you have hopes that getting this job will somehow affirm your existence, you are probably better off not getting it.
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Post by Ace Midnight on Aug 28, 2015 12:54:44 GMT -5
funkyodar is absolutely right, about ll2 being absolutely right about willsdad being absolutely right.
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