What to expect at the Interview.

[chris]

Never forget that the number one thing they are trying to do in the interview is to ferret out potential problem children. Too many people go into the intervew thinking they need to establish that they are a superstar. Just remember to make the point that you are a hard worker and a team player. They won't care about either your SSA experience or your private practice experience if you are not a team player.

And good luck!

[privateatty]

I understand the need to convey that you are a team player. But how?

For some of us, this will be a stretch. Not that I can't do it, its just that I've never had to in over 30 yrs and I'm outta practice. I'm not sure what they are looking for in this regard other than the obvious; working with others, taking orders, doing one's duty cheerfully, efficiently and not mouthing off...sorta like the Army.

I suspect the interviewers can pick out the phonies in this regard--sort of like Holden Caufield...

And chris, thank God I've played some poker so I can keep an earnest(?) face about my challenging and professional experiences with and about OPM so far...

[jagghagg]

privateatty said:

I understand the need to convey that you are a team player. But how? ... I'm not sure what they are looking for in this regard other than the obvious; working with others, taking orders, doing one's duty cheerfully, efficiently and not mouthing off...sorta like the Army.

Sorta like the mililtary is not a bad thing. One of the primary things listed in what used to be known as OPRs (Officer Performance Reports) was they "hit the ground running".... it means you don't hang back and wait for things to be given to you; you throw yourself into the mix; you respect each other and don't engage in backstabbing; you know the idea is to make the Big Blue Machine [or Green, if you are Army] keep running; you contribute; you do - indeed - play well with others. ALJSouth and Pixie have offered excellent advice in this regard.

[shadow]

In the Marine Corps, as I recall from 40 years ago [egad, 40 years!] we called our branch of the service the green ------, rather than the green machine. LOL

But I dare say, you'd be hard pressed to find any of us who survived that aren't proud of our service, and our Corps. Semper Fidelis.

[govtattorney]

I appreciate the information shared on this Board. Best to all who interview. My interview is scheduled for next week.