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Post by Gaidin on Apr 11, 2016 9:03:25 GMT -5
So you hit send on your ALJ application Friday night at 11:59 EST and now you wonder whats next. Some of you may assume that by May 1 you will be swept off to DC to be sworn in by POTUS and to get measured for your robes. Others of you have read the FAQ. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/824/alj-hiring-faq-intro-process?page=1You folks who have read the FAQ have a clearer head (or have been down this road before) and know that you next have to wait to find out if you were lucky enough to get to the online testing phase and then if you're really lucky you will get an invite to the DC testing phase, and then if your luck is exceptional you will get a NOR with a numerical score and you can actually get down to being interviewed for the job. Now when I tested in 2013 we found out whether we were passed onto the online testing within about 4 weeks of the application closing and getting notice that we had gotten to the online testing. This year there may be a snag and that is that OPM may not have the reviewers in place as of yet. This thread gives you some idea on what different people on the Board thinks that means. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/3763/inference-timing-job-posting-specialistsNow some of you may be about to start asking serious questions about GALs or transfers or what you should wear to your first day at work or something. I encourage you to finish reading the FAQs and also this thread before launching into all that. We all want to be helpful to each other and answer questions but some things have just been beaten into the ground a million times and we don't have new words for old questions. Thus we would prefer you at least see what we said the first time around. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/3657/important-threads-future-review-march
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Post by Pixie on Apr 11, 2016 9:16:03 GMT -5
Another good job, Gaidin. Thanks for your many efforts. Pix.
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Post by Gaidin on Apr 11, 2016 9:17:27 GMT -5
Another good job, Gaidin. Thanks for your many efforts. Pix. Well if Bob never calls me at least I can get validation here. Unfortunately, it doesn't pay as well as I would like. Thank you for the very kind words.
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Post by Pixie on Apr 11, 2016 9:21:37 GMT -5
We are always open to paying you more. In fact I have actually thought about doubling your salary. How does that sound? Pixie.
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Post by Gaidin on Apr 11, 2016 9:22:28 GMT -5
We are always open to paying you more. In fact I have actually thought about doubling your salary. How does that sound? Pixie. That sounds wonderful. Now I can afford a really nice vacation.
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Post by Pixie on Apr 11, 2016 10:50:32 GMT -5
We are always open to paying you more. In fact I have actually thought about doubling your salary. How does that sound? Pixie. That sounds wonderful. Now I can afford a really nice vacation. Well, maybe not. If we doubled your salary, 2 X nothing is still nothing. Sorry. Pix.
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Post by catspaw on Apr 11, 2016 12:15:00 GMT -5
That sounds wonderful. Now I can afford a really nice vacation. Well, maybe not. If we doubled your salary, 2 X nothing is still nothing. Sorry. Pix. Actually it's 2X the love and admiration. Sounds priceless.
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Post by firehouse9 on Apr 11, 2016 13:14:38 GMT -5
You folks who have read the FAQ have a clearer head (or have been down this road before) and know that you next have to wait to find out if you were lucky enough to get to the online testing phase and then if you're really lucky you will get an invite to the DC testing phase, and then if your luck is exceptional you will get a NOR with a numerical score and you can actually get down to being interviewed for the job. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/3657/important-threads-future-review-marchIf one has the requisite 7 years experience, should luck really matter? One thing that worries me is that, while it seems that one should have the experience or not, people write on here about having the experience but then getting mysteriously denied the ability to go on to online testing. From what I understand of the process, at this stage, luck shouldn't play a role. When it does, it seems to be mostly bad.
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Post by Gaidin on Apr 11, 2016 13:26:35 GMT -5
You folks who have read the FAQ have a clearer head (or have been down this road before) and know that you next have to wait to find out if you were lucky enough to get to the online testing phase and then if you're really lucky you will get an invite to the DC testing phase, and then if your luck is exceptional you will get a NOR with a numerical score and you can actually get down to being interviewed for the job. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/3657/important-threads-future-review-marchIf one has the requisite 7 years experience, should luck really matter? One thing that worries me is that, while it seems that one should have the experience or not, people write on here about having the experience but then getting mysteriously denied the ability to go on to online testing. From what I understand of the process, at this stage, luck shouldn't play a role. When it does, it seems to be mostly bad. Ok, how about: Did you fully understand all of the questions you were asked and did you respond as required to those questions? Did you follow all instructions completely? Did you get a reviewer who fully reviewed what you submitted and who understood it? This last one is where the luck comes in but I also believe that many many people are tossed because they answered the question they wanted to answer not the question that were asked.
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Post by firehouse9 on Apr 11, 2016 13:51:22 GMT -5
If one has the requisite 7 years experience, should luck really matter? One thing that worries me is that, while it seems that one should have the experience or not, people write on here about having the experience but then getting mysteriously denied the ability to go on to online testing. From what I understand of the process, at this stage, luck shouldn't play a role. When it does, it seems to be mostly bad. Ok, how about: Did you fully understand all of the questions you were asked and did you respond as required to those questions? Did you follow all instructions completely? Did you get a reviewer who fully reviewed what you submitted and who understood it? This last one is where the luck comes in but I also believe that many many people are tossed because they answered the question they wanted to answer not the question that was asked. I think so. The main questions that required understanding were the experience assessment questions. I described my work, put in dates, and put in percentages. I hope it's all ok.
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Post by Gaidin on Apr 11, 2016 13:53:09 GMT -5
I hope so too.
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Post by moopigsdad on Apr 11, 2016 14:25:18 GMT -5
So you hit send on your ALJ application Friday night at 11:59 EST and now you wonder whats next. Some of you may assume that by May 1 you will be swept off to DC to be sworn in by POTUS and to getmeasured for your robes. Others of you have read the FAQ. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/824/alj-hiring-faq-intro-process?page=1You folks who have read the FAQ have a clearer head (or have been down this road before) and know that you next have to wait to find out if you were lucky enough to get to the online testing phase and then if you're really lucky you will get an invite to the DC testing phase, and then if your luck is exceptional you will get a NOR with a numerical score and you can actually get down to being interviewed for the job. Now when I tested in 2013 we found out whether we were passed onto the online testing within about 4 weeks of the application closing and getting notice that we had gotten to the online testing. This year there may be a snag and that is that OPM may not have the reviewers in place as of yet. This thread gives you some idea on what different people on the Board thinks that means. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/3763/inference-timing-job-posting-specialistsNow some of you may be about to start asking serious questions about GALs or transfers or what you should wear to your first day at work or something. I encourage you to finish reading the FAQs and also this thread before launching into all that. We all want to be helpful to each other and answer questions but some things have just been beaten into the ground a million times and we don't have new words for old questions. Thus we would prefer you at least see what we said the first time around. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/3657/important-threads-future-review-marchGaidin as usual is a fount of information for everyone on the Board. It is a shame he has yet to be picked up for an ALJ position (as with many others on the Board who so kindly and tirelessly give of their time to help others). So, Newbies be "forewarned", as JudgeRatty hinted in another thread, just because you jump all the hoops of the application, test and interview process and actually receive a NOR, you still may not be picked up for an ALJ position. Sadly Gaidin, Gary, 71stretch and many more can tell you it is now just a waiting game for them, but they will continue to help others while they wait. These long time Board members deserve your accolades for all they do to assist the entire Board.
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Post by jagvet on Apr 11, 2016 14:43:42 GMT -5
There is some luck involved. For example, I committed a big faux pas last summer when I did my on-line writing. I misjudged the time at the end when I got momentarily distracted and time ran out mid-sentence. Despite that royal mess-up, I did make it to SI/WD in August and onto the cert with a good NOR. Then "bad luck" set in and I did not get the call in January for the one place on my small GAL which got considered. It's not just bad luck that can destroy you, but good luck can pull you across the finish line. I think what everyone is really saying is that you can think you did everything right and not make it, and you can think you messed up and they take you anyway. So don't give up.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 6:06:40 GMT -5
Condensed version:
1. Apply 2. Wait a month 3. Complete the online testing 4. [nonsensical lottery-like process, wait a year] 5. Maybe go to D.C. for the WD/SI 6. Wait a few more months 7. Maybe get on the register 8. Wait some more 9. SSA interview! 10. Wait 11. [nonsensical lottery-like process] 12. ALJ?
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Post by Serious, J. on Apr 12, 2016 7:02:09 GMT -5
So you hit send on your ALJ application Friday night at 11:59 EST and now you wonder whats next. Some of you may assume that by May 1 you will be swept off to DC to be sworn in by POTUS and to getmeasured for your robes. Others of you have read the FAQ. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/824/alj-hiring-faq-intro-process?page=1You folks who have read the FAQ have a clearer head (or have been down this road before) and know that you next have to wait to find out if you were lucky enough to get to the online testing phase and then if you're really lucky you will get an invite to the DC testing phase, and then if your luck is exceptional you will get a NOR with a numerical score and you can actually get down to being interviewed for the job. Now when I tested in 2013 we found out whether we were passed onto the online testing within about 4 weeks of the application closing and getting notice that we had gotten to the online testing. This year there may be a snag and that is that OPM may not have the reviewers in place as of yet. This thread gives you some idea on what different people on the Board thinks that means. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/3763/inference-timing-job-posting-specialistsNow some of you may be about to start asking serious questions about GALs or transfers or what you should wear to your first day at work or something. I encourage you to finish reading the FAQs and also this thread before launching into all that. We all want to be helpful to each other and answer questions but some things have just been beaten into the ground a million times and we don't have new words for old questions. Thus we would prefer you at least see what we said the first time around. aljdiscussion.proboards.com/thread/3657/important-threads-future-review-marchGaidin as usual is a fount of information for everyone on the Board. It is a shame he has yet to be picked up for an ALJ position (as with many others on the Board who so kindly and tirelessly give of their time to help others). So, Newbies be "forewarned", as JudgeRatty hinted in another thread, just because you jump all the hoops of the application, test and interview process and actually receive a NOR, you still may not be picked up for an ALJ position. Sadly Gaidin, Gary, 71stretch and many more can tell you it is now just a waiting game for them, but they will continue to help others while they wait. These long time Board members deserve your accolades for all they do to assist the entire Board. Absolutely. Accolades are not enough. I really hope they get picked up on the next cert.
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Post by gary on Apr 12, 2016 7:06:50 GMT -5
Thank you MPD and serious worrywart for the very kind words.
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Post by southernfun on Apr 12, 2016 7:11:50 GMT -5
Condensed version: 1. Apply 2. Wait a month 3. Complete the online testing 4. [nonsensical lottery-like process, wait a year] 5. Maybe go to D.C. for the WD/SI -like process] Is that still correct.... a year between online testing and in-person live proctored DC testing?
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Post by backtoeden on Apr 12, 2016 7:54:49 GMT -5
Condensed version: 1. Apply 2. Wait a month 3. Complete the online testing 4. [nonsensical lottery-like process, wait a year] 5. Maybe go to D.C. for the WD/SI -like process] Is that still correct.... a year between online testing and in-person live proctored DC testing? I don't think there was ever a year between the two phases. Looks like the 2013 app took about one year from the app opening to the NOR scores being released. However, I suppose some people had to wait two years just to get invited to the DC testing? This is very different from the old process. I'm just hoping I can wind my way through it successfully.
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Post by Gaidin on Apr 12, 2016 8:23:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the very kind words guys.
In 2013 we were notified that we could take the online portion in early April.*
We completed the online portion between April 29 and May 10.
I was notified on July 11, 2013 that I was passed onto the testing in DC.
The DC testing took place between September and November 2013.
We received our results in March 2014.
*This is the part where I speculate some delay may arise because I don't believe the HR screeners have been hired yet. Hopefully, I am wrong about that.
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Post by southernfun on Apr 12, 2016 8:27:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the very kind words guys. They are very well deserved. Your devotion to helping others is admirable and remarkable! In 2013 we were notified that we could take the online portion in early April.* We completed the online portion between April 29 and May 10. I was notified on July 11, 2013 that I was passed onto the testing in DC. The DC testing took place between September and November 2013. We received our results in March 2014. *This is the part where I speculate some delay may arise because I don't believe the HR screeners have been hired yet. Hopefully, I am wrong about that. That time line sounds way more like what I expected to hear... a year between online testing and DC testing would be.... difficult... but like everything about this process, endurable. This is a critical hiring decision by OPM and the agencies. Mistakes are very difficult to correct.
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