Conflict with Potential Interview Dates

[veronica]

Greetings! 

I am in the group of folks who applied in March 2013, tested in Oct-Dec 2015 and recieved an NOR in March 2016.  A lot has happened since I first applied.  My issue is, should I be so fortunate as to be offered a chance to interview the week of May 2 (or May 9), I will not be available due to personal circumstances.  It appears interviews are being scheduled now, even before certs have issued, so I thought I'd seek input from the Board. 

Do folks have advice on the best way I can respond to a potential interview offer that will allow me to delay any interview by at least 8 weeks whilst, at the same time, maximizing my chance of remaining a viable candidate?  Would asking to delay an interview sink my chances, or is it no big deal?  Thanks in advance for your input! 

[gary]

IMHO, delaying the interview that length of time will take you out of the running for the June class. It may or may not take you out of the running for the July class depending on when they would be interviewing for then. It would leave you viable for the expected September class.

I don't think it matters how specific you are in telling them you can't interview the week of 5/2 and/or the week of 5/9. They are pretty compartmentalized and I doubt if the interview scheduler would pass along that info. I doubt TPTB would care even if they knew.

[veronica]

Thanks, Gary.  Being in the expected September class would actually work out well, should I be so fortunate. 

[gary]

Good luck!

[Pixie]

I believe you can also contact OPM and ask to be temporarily suspended from the register. That might cost you a class or two, but it would give you some breathing (and birthing) room. Pixie.

[veronica]

Thanks, Pixie.  I had considered the possibility of going that route, but wondered if that would land me in ALJ purgatory.  If I get an interview call, I will post an update.  

[gary]

There are Board members who for one reason or another have suspended from the register. From what I recall them saying, both suspending and unsuspending were relatively quick and painless. If I were you though, I wouldn't take my word for it; I'd see if I could find out from someone who actually did it.

[veronica]

Good idea, Gary.  I will see if I can find anyone who has exercised this option.

[Prrple]

Congratulations - a wonderful reason to suspend from the register.

[veronica]

Thanks, Daring!  The timing of it all is quite interesting, but we are overjoyed. :-)

[Prrple]

It's such a great thing!

[luckylady2]

Congrats, veronica, and welcome to the Board!

Others who've had very good reasons why they couldn't interview were told that they could miss that round and interview the next time a location on their GAL came up.

I think temporarily suspending is a better idea. You never know how much time you'll actually need since, aside from taking good care of yourself, a lot of your personal circumstances will go on without a whole of lot input from you!   Enjoy this time of life, and un-suspend when you're ready.  SSA will still be there, the claimants will still be there, and they'll still need ALJ's. 

[71stretch]

Apr 8, 2016 11:57:46 GMT -5 luckylady2 said:

Congrats, veronica, and welcome to the Board!

Others who've had very good reasons why they couldn't interview were told that they could miss that round and interview the next time a location on their GAL came up.

I think temporarily suspending is a better idea. You never know how much time you'll actually need since, aside from taking good care of yourself, a lot of your personal circumstances will go on without a whole of lot input from you!   Enjoy this time of life, and un-suspend when you're ready.  SSA will still be there, the claimants will still be there, and they'll still need ALJ's. 

Congratulations! I would temporarily suspend. It's easy to send the emails to suspend and end suspension, and you can focus on what's more important right now!

[veronica]

Thanks, Lucklylady!  Part of me thinks the best thing to do is to suspend, but part of me wonders if that will land me back in limbo for 2-3 more years.  I PM'd a Board member who suspended, unsuspended, and then re-suspended.  Seemed an easy enough process but it doesn't shed light on the impact it would have on my hireability, if any.  Arrgggh.  Oh, well.  I'll figure something out! 

[veronica]

Thanks, Stretch!  Yes, new focus is imminent.  I will keep you posted!

[Pixie]

I think a temporary suspension is preferred over the alternative. Don't think it will be held against you at all. Pix.

[veronica]

Thanks, Pixie.  It seems like the consensus is to suspend. 

[sealaw90]

It is not held against you. Just watch the board for when a cert might be coming out - if you want to compete, just unsuspend a month before the cert is requested by SSA (to make sure you will be considered to be on that cert).
It does not impact your hireability to an agency - it is transparent to them

[veronica]

Thanks, Sealaw.  That's an excellent suggestion.  You guys really rock.

[71stretch]

Apr 8, 2016 15:13:21 GMT -5 sealaw90 said:

It is not held against you. Just watch the board for when a cert might be coming out - if you want to compete, just unsuspend a month before the cert is requested by SSA (to make sure you will be considered to be on that cert).
It does not impact your hireability to an agency - it is transparent to them

Exactly. The agency who is hiring has no idea who has self suspended in the past or how many times. Especially for registers like this that last for years, it's great that we are allowed to do this. Circumstances change in dozens of different ways over time, and change back. This lets people address those changes and not be forced to turn down an interview (or worse, an offer) because of a relatively temporary situation.