Questions from a puzzled newbie

[kenjazzman]

I am as new as a newbie can be, having just discovered this Forum and registered.
I hope I am not asking things I should have been able to find with a search, but here goes -
I was in the group that made the register in 2007 - NOR on 10/30/07. Like everyone else, I was not told what my score (71.1) meant.
I heard virtually nothing until, out of the clear blue, I was invited to an interview in Falls Church on April 20, 2009. (There was at least one opening in one of my locations.) I believed that interview went very well, but received an email that I was not selected on 10/26/09.
I gather that this really is as mysterious as it seems, but here are my questions:
1) Can I still expand my "geographical locations" by revising my GAL? If so, how do I go about it?
2) If nothing else happens between now and October 2010, am I simply off the Register? If so, do I start from scratch if I somehow manage to learn of an opening of the list in the future?
3) Am I correct that I would not be interviewed again even if I were considered for another slot?
4) Was not getting the one I know about "strike 1", leaving me two more, or for all I know am I "outta there"?
5) With my number and not having heard anything further, am I finished? Should I just forget it? Or might I still be considered for an opening between now and October?
Thanks much,
Kenjazzman

[chinook]

1) You can expand your GAL when the register opens. What does that mean -- when OPM is accepting applications for the exam process, those on the register may expand their GAL. However, because this register is scheduled to expire this October, you are not likely to have that opportunity.

2) Good question and the definitive answer is "who knows." There is speculation that this register will be extended, at least for a few months. Follow this board and you will find out next fall.

3) Probably. SSA has historically interviewed a person only once. If another agency were to get your name on a cert they would do their own interview (no likely to happen with your score as the thought is that it has taken over 80 to get an interview with another agency).

4) Nobody knows. The three strike process is subject to much discussion. I suggest you go read the old posts on the subject (there are many) then you will be just as confused as everybody else.

5) Define finished. The speculation here is that there probably will not be another large SSA cert before October. However, you can take the exam again when it reopens. A number of people took the exam a second time this last exam and most (but not all) improved their score, some significantly. So it is up to you if you are finished.

[arlene25]

KenJazzman,

You also might want to consider a FOIA request. I know a couple of people who got Hoodwinked by their references.

[kenjazzman]

Thanks.
From these answers and reading the various threads, I think I am beginning to get a sense - aside, of course, from the fact that no one really knows.
This is a good, helpful Forum. Well done.

Kenjazzman

[alj]

Jazzman: There have been many judges made an offer after being passed over more than three times. The agency has the option of not considering a candidate again after that candidate has been given three considerations and non selected each time. The option lies with the agency, and it isn't mandatory.

The Three Strike Rule allows the agency to dig a little deeper into the certificate to reach candidates it would otherwise be unable to reach.