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Post by keepsake on Dec 7, 2015 13:22:10 GMT -5
Well, the poll of current scores certainly bears out that this is a very, very good score.
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Post by zepplin on Dec 7, 2015 13:35:47 GMT -5
Minny is right. It's critical to get together your list of references and past supervisors as early as you can. Many of mine are very old, and I am happy to say they are still around and doing well. I had to call my law school to track down one of my old judicial professors. Fortunately, they were able to help me find him in a senior living community. All that hunting and coordinating takes time. Another thing I added to my Personal History document was "other" work, like legal volunteering, on the blank section that allows you to add additional information. I don't know if it will help, but I provided other points of contact and phone numbers that they can check. Also, go ahead and update your resume since you will have to submit it. You'll have to submit 6 documents back to SSA (5 of the 6 you received with the email, and the updated resume). The only document that will be time consuming is the Personal History one, and that is the one that requires you to list past employment and references. Next is the spreadsheet on which you must list the cities you are willing to consider using an "x" for "no priority" or "1,2,3, etc." for "priority." As has been stated numerous times on this forum, if you don't accept any location, then you will not be offered it again on subsequent certs for the duration of this register. GAL strategy is very personal, and it's a crap shoot. If you greatly limit your spreadsheet selections (like I did), then it's risky since, if you are not selected for this cert, you don't know if there will be a follow-on cert in a couple of months or ever. It might also be a good idea to send the download to OPM a day or two early (unlike I did, since I waited till the last minute), since OPM will have time to review it and maybe get back to you if you failed to send a required form or the transfer was corrupted. I triple checked my "send" files to make sure the 2 documents (I sent 3 in each transmission) were properly sent. Finally, read the fine print of the email they sent you to make sure you have everything and are sending it to the correct email address. Whew... And then there was a confidentiality agreement. ... spirit of....
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Post by ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) on Dec 7, 2015 13:42:09 GMT -5
Another interesting fact, I didn't respond to the email that came out on Monday, but got a call from a nice woman at SSA today asking me about it. So good to know that even if I had missed that email, there would have been a phone call follow-up. Was she calling to see if you wanted to interview? I think so.
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Post by pumpkin on Dec 7, 2015 13:49:04 GMT -5
A lot of information to read and digest on this board.
I'm trying to remain hopeful and focus on those things which are within my control.
Right now, I believe the only thing I can influence is my performance on the SSA interview in Falls Church next week. And getting to the airport on time next week to make my flight to DCA.
Please correct me if I am wrong, because I certainly don't want to take any part of this process for granted. However, what I've garnered from reading the recent posts, is that as of today, the things which are beyond my control include:
- My NOR
- My GAL
- My status as a non-veteran
- When the contractors will contact my references
- What my references actually say about me
- Whether someone has posted that their references have been called, but mine have not
- Whether a preference-eligible veteran is also seeking a position in "my" city
- Whether SSA actually fills a vacancy in the certed city on my GAL
- Who will be serving as my inquisitors/interviewers in Falls Church
- How long my interview in Falls Church will last
My conclusion is that I should focus on putting my best foot forward, unleash my most charming Pumpkin-y self at the interview next week, and quit thinking about the rest of it for the time being. If I should be doing something else or worrying/fretting about more than the interview right now (and my drive to the airport), would one of you kind most-knowledgable folks please correct me?
Thanks!
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Post by Gaidin on Dec 7, 2015 13:55:47 GMT -5
A lot of information to read and digest on this board.
I'm trying to remain hopeful and focus on those things which are within my control.
Right now, I believe the only thing I can influence is my performance on the SSA interview in Falls Church next week. And getting to the airport on time next week to make my flight to DCA.
Please correct me if I am wrong, because I certainly don't want to take any part of this process for granted. However, what I've garnered from reading the recent posts, is that as of today, the things which are beyond my control include:
- My NOR
- My GAL
- My status as a non-veteran
- When the contractors will contact my references
- What my references actually say about me
- Whether someone has posted that their references have been called, but mine have not
- Whether a preference-eligible veteran is also seeking a position in "my" city
- Whether SSA actually fills a vacancy in the certed city on my GAL
- Who will be serving as my inquisitors/interviewers in Falls Church
- How long my interview in Falls Church will last
My conclusion is that I should focus on putting my best foot forward, unleash my most charming Pumpkin-y self at the interview next week, and quit thinking about the rest of it for the time being. If I should be doing something else or worrying/fretting about more than the interview right now (and my drive to the airport), would one of you kind most-knowledgable folks please correct me?
Thanks!
You have some control over how long the interview is. They ask everybody the same questions (and that is all I'm going to say about the questions) so you could make it go by pretty fast by just saying "no" to every question no matter what it is.
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Post by gary on Dec 7, 2015 13:57:26 GMT -5
A lot of information to read and digest on this board.
I'm trying to remain hopeful and focus on those things which are within my control.
Right now, I believe the only thing I can influence is my performance on the SSA interview in Falls Church next week. And getting to the airport on time next week to make my flight to DCA.
Please correct me if I am wrong, because I certainly don't want to take any part of this process for granted. However, what I've garnered from reading the recent posts, is that as of today, the things which are beyond my control include:
- My NOR
- My GAL
- My status as a non-veteran
- When the contractors will contact my references
- What my references actually say about me
- Whether someone has posted that their references have been called, but mine have not
- Whether a preference-eligible veteran is also seeking a position in "my" city
- Whether SSA actually fills a vacancy in the certed city on my GAL
- Who will be serving as my inquisitors/interviewers in Falls Church
- How long my interview in Falls Church will last
My conclusion is that I should focus on putting my best foot forward, unleash my most charming Pumpkin-y self at the interview next week, and quit thinking about the rest of it for the time being. If I should be doing something else or worrying/fretting about more than the interview right now (and my drive to the airport), would one of you kind most-knowledgable folks please correct me?
Thanks!
I suggest you follow the example of those of us who have gone before and worry/fret about everything.
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Post by 71stretch on Dec 7, 2015 14:06:29 GMT -5
Minny is right. It's critical to get together your list of references and past supervisors as early as you can. Many of mine are very old, and I am happy to say they are still around and doing well. I had to call my law school to track down one of my old judicial professors. Fortunately, they were able to help me find him in a senior living community. All that hunting and coordinating takes time. Another thing I added to my Personal History document was "other" work, like legal volunteering, on the blank section that allows you to add additional information. I don't know if it will help, but I provided other points of contact and phone numbers that they can check. Also, go ahead and update your resume since you will have to submit it. You'll have to submit 6 documents back to SSA (5 of the 6 you received with the email, and the updated resume). The only document that will be time consuming is the Personal History one, and that is the one that requires you to list past employment and references. Next is the spreadsheet on which you must list the cities you are willing to consider using an "x" for "no priority" or "1,2,3, etc." for "priority." As has been stated numerous times on this forum, if you don't accept any location, then you will not be offered it again on subsequent certs for the duration of this register. GAL strategy is very personal, and it's a crap shoot. If you greatly limit your spreadsheet selections (like I did), then it's risky since, if you are not selected for this cert, you don't know if there will be a follow-on cert in a couple of months or ever. It might also be a good idea to send the download to OPM a day or two early (unlike I did, since I waited till the last minute), since OPM will have time to review it and maybe get back to you if you failed to send a required form or the transfer was corrupted. I triple checked my "send" files to make sure the 2 documents (I sent 3 in each transmission) were properly sent. Finally, read the fine print of the email they sent you to make sure you have everything and are sending it to the correct email address. Whew... Just one correction. You aren't sending those documents back to OPM , but to ODAR.
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Post by madmansdad on Dec 7, 2015 15:06:15 GMT -5
Good luck to everyone interviewing this round.
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Post by ba on Dec 7, 2015 15:31:01 GMT -5
A lot of information to read and digest on this board.
I'm trying to remain hopeful and focus on those things which are within my control.
Right now, I believe the only thing I can influence is my performance on the SSA interview in Falls Church next week. And getting to the airport on time next week to make my flight to DCA.
Please correct me if I am wrong, because I certainly don't want to take any part of this process for granted. However, what I've garnered from reading the recent posts, is that as of today, the things which are beyond my control include:
- My NOR
- My GAL
- My status as a non-veteran
- When the contractors will contact my references
- What my references actually say about me
- Whether someone has posted that their references have been called, but mine have not
- Whether a preference-eligible veteran is also seeking a position in "my" city
- Whether SSA actually fills a vacancy in the certed city on my GAL
- Who will be serving as my inquisitors/interviewers in Falls Church
- How long my interview in Falls Church will last
My conclusion is that I should focus on putting my best foot forward, unleash my most charming Pumpkin-y self at the interview next week, and quit thinking about the rest of it for the time being. If I should be doing something else or worrying/fretting about more than the interview right now (and my drive to the airport), would one of you kind most-knowledgable folks please correct me?
Thanks!
Yo have some control over how long the interview is. They ask everybody the same questions (and that is all I'm going to say about the questions) so you could make it go by pretty fast by just saying "no" to every question no matter what it is. Mean G...very mean.
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Post by Gaidin on Dec 7, 2015 15:59:34 GMT -5
Yo have some control over how long the interview is. They ask everybody the same questions (and that is all I'm going to say about the questions) so you could make it go by pretty fast by just saying "no" to every question no matter what it is. Mean G...very mean. Some people are very worried about catching their return flights. I'm just trying to help ease that worry.
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Post by dcasea on Dec 7, 2015 16:17:08 GMT -5
on different topic, we need 9 references? and do we need to list our supervisors over the last 15 years? in hopes i make register, i am start going to get these lists together since it sounds like it could be very short turnaround when time comes. and if i don;t make register, i will still have the pleasure of speaking with current and former colleagues. Alexandersdad post made me think of these questions. Yes, , nine references, 3 each judiciary, adversary, non adversary. Yes, you list your supervisors separately from the nine. You can ask that current supervisor not be contacted. Has anyone given thorough thought to how to select the best adversary references? In my work I do my best to be collegial, but as a labor/employment litigator, many of my cases are contentious. Also, I handle cases over a large geographic area, so I don't have many "repeat players" with whom I have built up long-term relationships. I can think of the kinds of professionalism and temperament questions I might ask if the shoe was on the other foot, but, do we know if ODAR's contract reference checkers do that? Or are they just verifying "did attorney X do case Y with you?"
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Post by bookman on Dec 7, 2015 16:23:49 GMT -5
I was thinking a better answer to all the questions might be "7", which is, after all, the answer to life the universe and everything
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Post by Gaidin on Dec 7, 2015 16:49:29 GMT -5
Yes, , nine references, 3 each judiciary, adversary, non adversary. Yes, you list your supervisors separately from the nine. You can ask that current supervisor not be contacted. Has anyone given thorough thought to how to select the best adversary references? In my work I do my best to be collegial, but as a labor/employment litigator, many of my cases are contentious. Also, I handle cases over a large geographic area, so I don't have many "repeat players" with whom I have built up long-term relationships. I can think of the kinds of professionalism and temperament questions I might ask if the shoe was on the other foot, but, do we know if ODAR's contract reference checkers do that? Or are they just verifying "did attorney X do case Y with you?" If you look at the threads about references you will see a list of the questions the contractors will ask.
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Post by keepsake on Dec 7, 2015 16:58:22 GMT -5
I suggest folks pay attention to the actual language of the three reference categories as well as threads dicussing getting references on board:
1) Judge references are asked to be "familiar with your work ethic"
2) Adversary references need to "attest to your ethical and profressional conduct" and
3) Professional references are to "have knowledge of your ethical conduct in the legal community".
Either intentional saying the same thing in a couple different ways or they really do want these different groups to address these possibly subtle or not so subtle differences in scope of your work ethic vice ethical conduct vice profressional conduct. Whatever . . . . if they have a good opinion of you whether adversary or not, that is what seemingly counts just on the surface of these calls for references and so they won't say, "Who? Do I know her? Oh yeah . . . ."
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Post by minny on Dec 7, 2015 17:11:43 GMT -5
Yes, , nine references, 3 each judiciary, adversary, non adversary. Yes, you list your supervisors separately from the nine. You can ask that current supervisor not be contacted. Has anyone given thorough thought to how to select the best adversary references? In my work I do my best to be collegial, but as a labor/employment litigator, many of my cases are contentious. Also, I handle cases over a large geographic area, so I don't have many "repeat players" with whom I have built up long-term relationships. I can think of the kinds of professionalism and temperament questions I might ask if the shoe was on the other foot, but, do we know if ODAR's contract reference checkers do that? Or are they just verifying "did attorney X do case Y with you?" I had much the same problem. I had two attorney friends who technically appeared against me in cases and I used them. I also had an issue with judicial references because it has been so long aince I appeared in state or federal court, but I listed sources who could speak to my current status including administrative judges and arbitrators who are also attorneys. Now, I have not gotten the golden ticket yet, so follow my steps at your own peril. On another note, please forgive the horrendous spelling in my prior post. I may have too turn swype off on my phone if this continues.
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Post by Ready-Now! on Dec 7, 2015 17:39:16 GMT -5
I was thinking a better answer to all the questions might be "7", which is, after all, the answer to life the universe and everything I thought that was 42?
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Post by 71stretch on Dec 7, 2015 18:14:30 GMT -5
They ask all nine references and supervisors the same set of questions, which have been discussed repeatedly on this board. If you search under member "northwest" you should find them. They've been posted since, too, but I don't know by whom.
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Post by pumpkin on Dec 7, 2015 20:00:09 GMT -5
You have some control over how long the interview is. They ask everybody the same questions (and that is all I'm going to say about the questions) so you could make it go by pretty fast by just saying "no" to every question no matter what it is. Thanks, G! I am, indeed, worried about getting out of that interview in time to make the most convenient return flight. Answering "no" and "7-42" to every one of those questions posed will aid in that quest, no doubt. This will leave me time to ponder other important things about the interview like whether I should be dressing in layers over my kilt, packing snacks in case the interview runs long, and finding noise canceling headphones that don't clash with my red suit jacket. Much obliged!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Dec 7, 2015 20:05:21 GMT -5
I was thinking a better answer to all the questions might be "7", which is, after all, the answer to life the universe and everything Um, NO.... the correct answer is 42.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Dec 7, 2015 20:06:38 GMT -5
I was thinking a better answer to all the questions might be "7", which is, after all, the answer to life the universe and everything I thought that was 42? YES! And now I must find the movie and watch it yet again.
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