tater
Full Member
Posts: 73
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Post by tater on Nov 11, 2009 22:59:26 GMT -5
If they pass me by this time, I am putting my donkey in the barn. He is too expensive to feed. ;D
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Post by southernmiss on Nov 15, 2009 23:51:46 GMT -5
I have decided it is too emotionally upsetting to get too involved with it any longer. I will apply again, if I ever get the opportunity, but I will not invest my emotions in it. And realistically speaking, after this time it is hard to imagine that there will be hiring in large numbers, so my chances get slimmer and slimmer.
You have to keep in mind-what they are testing for is not necessarily what they SHOULD be testing for, so it is no reflection on your capabilities.
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Post by marciabrady1977 on Nov 17, 2009 12:12:39 GMT -5
tater, I'm right there with you, buddy! We spent a lot of money on a job we didn't get...ugh...and to think of the shoes I could've purchased. Oh, well... As they say, nothing ventured nothing gained! You keep your donkey in the barn...as for me I've sold the farm and hit the road with the sun on my face and the wind in my hair!!!!! The ALJ process is like having a bad seat on the crazy train...I'd rather watch from the depot at this point. I don't envy the newbies to the application process especially if they take it all too seriously! Peace Marcia Brady
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Post by tricia on Nov 17, 2009 12:25:23 GMT -5
Southern Miss, you said: "I will apply again, if I ever get the opportunity, but I will not invest my emotions in it. " I think that that is the healthiest viewpoint. This has been a very frustrating ride for a lot of us, and personally, I haven't even had the opportunity to waste a thousand dollars on the cost of testing and interviewing. I just think that stressed-out people like Tater and Marcia Brady should hang in there to see what happens next. Tricia PS How do you hypnotize yourself into not investing your emotions in the process?
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Post by marciabrady1977 on Nov 17, 2009 20:53:47 GMT -5
tricia:
Wowie...I am anything but stressed out!!! If you've read any of my posts you would realize that...and I don't want you or anyone else to think otherwise!!! HA! Otherwise, my writing skills are failing me!! Believe me, I've seen so many people become close to despondent over this process and it is simply not worth it!! It's a job, like any other, plain and simple. Oh my goodness!
tater and I were being funny...sorry it didn't come across in my post!!! If you knew anything about me, you'd know I've had much larger things on my plate since 2007 when I first applied...stuff that means something to me and those around me.
tricia, even if you end up spending money to travel back for your part of the process and don't get the job, it is still worth the effort!!! I had two great trips back to D.C., and learned a lot about myself on the trips! Re-connected with a college pal, met new friends, and just generally had a great time.
So, if you applied this time...THE BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!
You are absolutely right about NOT investing yourself emotionally (in a process over which you have very little control). Go with the flow and see what happens!
You might catch a good wave and have the ride of your life!!!!!!!!
peace
Marcia B
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Post by privateatty on Nov 18, 2009 19:53:38 GMT -5
Southern Miss, you said: "I will apply again, if I ever get the opportunity, but I will not invest my emotions in it. " I think that that is the healthiest viewpoint. This has been a very frustrating ride for a lot of us, and personally, I haven't even had the opportunity to waste a thousand dollars on the cost of testing and interviewing. I just think that stressed-out people like Tater and Marcia Brady should hang in there to see what happens next. Tricia PS How do you hypnotize yourself into not investing your emotions in the process? Everyone I know who got this job did in their own, hard way. It took me 3 years. Most will not admit to the emotional toll; the steep disappointment, the full frontal assault on the ego. Its a brutal process. Yes, some apply, test and get hired in a year, but they have been in the minority of those I've met. All of us love the job. It is the best one in government as far as I can tell, but coming from private practice, what do I know? I get to use all my years of lawyering every day, seperating the wheat from the chaff. There is very little, if any mental stress and I leave my job on my desk, where it belongs. Only a third or less on the Register get this privilege. I do feel blessed. I feel that those that exhibited the blue flame of desire tended to shine... Keep your powder dry and your chins high!
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Post by tricia on Nov 19, 2009 11:32:26 GMT -5
Privateattorney and Patriotsfan, thanks for the moral support. Tricia
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Post by decadealj on Nov 19, 2009 22:05:37 GMT -5
I genuinely believe the process for selecting ALJs was far better 16-20 years ago than now. It was completely transparent with every applicant provided his/her score (on every part of the scoring process) and where they stood with respect to all other applicants they were competing with. Adzell led to all of the mystery/machinations that are the source of so much despair now. I will also state without reservation that the job has been demeaned by the agency from HPI through every other management initiative since. I could not be happier to know I will soon join deltajudge and many other old coots on the sidelines wathching the hearing process continue to degenerate into nothing more than a glorified reconsideration "adjudication" by SSA adjudicators. The government has RIFed ALJs before- i.e. the FCC among others. I hope all you insider newbies get what you asked for.
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Post by ssaer on Nov 20, 2009 4:38:09 GMT -5
I hope all you insider newbies get what you asked for. As an "insider newbie," I can say that, so far, I have gotten at least what I asked for. I have a job in which I am able, on a daily basis, to provide meaningful assistance to the disabled and needy; to utilize my legal and judicial skills in a intellectually rewarding manner; to meet and interact with a host of individuals representing an incredible diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and cultures; to work with a staff, and in an agency, whose dedication to excellence and public service is truly inspiring; and to be fairly compensated for my efforts. I urge those who are aspiring to this job not to be disheartened by the negative comments of the pessimistic, bitter, jealous, and disillusioned -- the job is indeed worth striving for, and I wish you success in your efforts.
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Post by searoys on Nov 20, 2009 8:11:09 GMT -5
If those insider's who were selected recently as ALJs are proud of their selection and feel that those of us who were not selected are pessimistic, bitter, jealous, and disillusioned, I would challenge them to set forth their qualifications on this board so those of us who were passed over will understand that we were not "cheated". Tell us what your OPM register score was, your veteran staus, and the office you were offered. If you accept this challenge, I will take you at your word that the scores you report are true. If you decide not to accept this challenge, I will assume you acknowledge that you may have gotten your position only because people with higher scores and veteran' s preference were wrongfully passed over. Remember to put that on your wall of achievement. ;D
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Post by mrjones on Nov 20, 2009 14:21:43 GMT -5
searoys, I think ssaer was responding to the soon to be retired ALJ and his comments - he was not taking a swipe at candidates like yourself. In fact, he was wishing you well, and I sincerely do too. Like ssaer and privateatty, I am very thankful for my new job. Decadealj hearkens back to the OPM selection process decades ago and he is right, it was a more open process. The only problem was that hardworking staff attorneys like myself were absolutely barred. You don't need to compare resumes to know that that was wrong. Not until 2007 did OPM change the ALJ qualifications requirement, after several years of a closed register. Talk about disillusionment. I think the current process, though far from perfect, at least achieves a better balance of ALJs from different legal backgrounds. Though you and PF may fault the SSA half of the selection process, the OPM part is completely shrouded nowadays, as Decadealj alludes. Why invite other candidates into fruitless resume comparison when nobody, not yourself or any insider, can explain their own OPM score, how it was derived. My app was completely thrown out by OPM in '07 and I appealed not knowing what substantive basis to actually appeal. While my appeal was successful I don't know how anyone can have great faith in their OPM final score, let alone try to compare their score to others and try to derive some kind of understanding of just who is better qualified.
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Post by southernmiss on Nov 20, 2009 17:17:07 GMT -5
Tricia asked how I kept from being emotionally involved. Well, for one thing, my score is so low I don't even have to keep track of what is going on. So, out of sight, out of mind. But also, my ego is healthy enough that I KNOW I am good at what I do, which is a Senior Attorney, and that I would be a good ALJ for SSA. I have realized that what I have is not what they are looking for, which I think is wrong on their part, but which is a fact which I cannot change. So, I just decided to keep trying but to get on with my life and my work for now.
Even if I did have what they wanted, I stiill think it is a crap shoot as to who gets hired.
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Post by extang on Nov 21, 2009 8:14:44 GMT -5
The process for picking ALJs was a little more open 10 or 15 years but it has always been dreadful. The Office of ALJs within OPM, which no longer exists, was infamous. I think we have a tendency to believe that there was a Golden Age. When it comes to ALJ hiring, there never was a golden age [by the way, I was picked up pretty quickly, but the fact that the process resulted in my getting a high score did not make it a good process. I won't go as far as to say that the score means nothing, but it means very, very little].
SSAer: "dedication to excellence"? In ODAR? I have to remind myself that different hearing offices might as well be in alternative universes. I guess the hearing office you work in must be very different from the ones I am familiar with. In the several hearing offices I have been acquainted with, not only has there been no dedication to excellence; they have been characterized by complete indifference to achieving even minimal quality. The only thing that has ever mattered is numbers.
As far as I'm concerned, it would be almost impossible to be negative enough about ODAR. The idea that this is the "best job in government" is appalling [hey, maybe it is, and all those other jobs are even worse nightmares]. Outsiders should keep in mind that the best approach to this job is to keep your expectations really, really low. Insiders should know what they're getting into, and I suppose if you're working for ODAR, you might as well be an ALJ and get paid reasonably well without doing tons of overtime.
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Post by privateatty on Nov 21, 2009 10:44:00 GMT -5
Just to be clear, when I said "best job I've ever had" I am an ALJ at an agency not SSA. I have no idea what the ALJ job at SSA is on a day to day basis, but those who have the job seem to like it. I'll second that!
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Post by Legal Beagle on Nov 21, 2009 14:40:46 GMT -5
I hope all you insider newbies get what you asked for. As an "insider newbie," I can say that, so far, I have gotten at least what I asked for. I have a job in which I am able, on a daily basis, to provide meaningful assistance to the disabled and needy; to utilize my legal and judicial skills in a intellectually rewarding manner; to meet and interact with a host of individuals representing an incredible diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and cultures; to work with a staff, and in an agency, whose dedication to excellence and public service is truly inspiring; and to be fairly compensated for my efforts. I urge those who are aspiring to this job not to be disheartened by the negative comments of the pessimistic, bitter, jealous, and disillusioned -- the job is indeed worth striving for, and I wish you success in your efforts. Ditto here!
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