ALJ Interviews are being scheduled

[yogibear]

Hi! I just want to let people know that OCALJ has started calling to schedule the interviews and give information for the travel arrangements. They are conducting the interviews from 1/8 to 2/1/08.

[aaa]

Are the calls coming to work numbers or cell phones or home phones? And do you know when the candidate faxed in their information to Ms. Rocheford?

Thanks!

[yankee]

My call went to my home phone number sometime this afternoon. I faxed in my information this afternoon, too.

[statealj]

My call came to my cell phone this afternoon. I had not yet faxed in any material. I missed the call and the caller left a message with her name and call back number without leaving any specific details as to why Social Security was calling.

[Waffle]

For those of you who have been called for an interview, would you mind posting your score, and the locations you listed?

Thank you very much, and best of luck to you!

[lurker]

I received my call for the interview this afternoon. They called me at my office. I was given the same information as already posted: interviews between January 8 and February 1. Two ALJs and a notetaker. Falls Church. Travel is arranged through SATO. Times available were 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

[testtaker]

Received my call today as well (score around 68, if I remember). Made my travel plans already.

Interesting to note is that I looked on Orbitz and the flight I wanted was $311 including tax. I had to book through Sato and the same exact flight will cost the government over $880!

[morgullord]

They have not called me (74+) and I am in the SE.

[morgullord]

My last name begins with "S"; is it possible they are calling in alphabetical order?

[regalzr7]

I got the call. I have not yet sent in the info. I'm in the Northeast.

[Pixie]

OK, no panic attacks here. If you are on the certificate, you will get called for an interview, barring some unforeseen major problem.

SSA must have a bunch of money left to be able to pay for travel for these interviews with no budget yet. Or, it may be gambling on having a budget before the bills come due. Pix.

[lee]

OK--so I am not to panic, and I should not worry that I am being penalized for not faxing my info in yet. When should I start to panic about not hearing from anyone about an interview?

[tootsie]

Got my call this afternoon! I am early in the alphabet (not to encourage any delusional thinking!)

[crazybroad]

Someone in my office got the call Friday too but missed it. Last name begins with E.

[kingfisher]

lee said:

OK--so I am not to panic, and I should not worry that I am being penalized for not faxing my info in yet. When should I start to panic about not hearing from anyone about an interview?

First, take a deep breath. . . okay, let it out slowly. Second, examine the facts [consider it practice for being an ALJ] before you. The evidence includes an extended deadline for submitting your information, correct? That deadline has not passed yet, correct? Third, first thing in the morning send it in, before you even have your first cup of coffee if it will make you feel better. Fourth, be patient for a few days while the individual tasked with making all the phone calls gets your information, checks off your name as being eligible to move forward, then slowly but surely she will work her way down the list to your name and phone number.

If that doesn't work, before you start worrying too much, how about checking with the other ALJ Candidates who received the FEIA [or was it FIEA?] list and see how many have been called and how many are still waiting. The interviews aren't until January and the filing deadline has not passed yet. So, finally, end this like you began, by taking a slow, deep breath, and hang in there.

Of course, it is easy for me to suggest this to you, but if you ask how I feel about the transfer offer I haven't received yet for a city that is on the list ~ well, that's another story and you may need to remind me to follow the first and last steps one day.

[southerner]

No message yet for me, but surname is at the end of alphabet.
Faxed completed packet Thursday of last week.
Daytime phone is office number with evening number my cell.
Flexdays Monday and Thursday.

[lurker]

JFTB wrote:
So do you think they are doing this alphabetically? If they are, doesn't that mean there is absolutely no effort to adhere to the "rule of three"? They are just going to interview everyone, choose the 150 they like best, then figure out how they can get all or most of those people in a position based on their chosen cities and then, perhaps veterans preference if they absolutely have to???
***
They are not calling people alphabetically (I've been called, and I'm an end of the alphabet name, 1st and last). They are also not calling people based on who faxed in info because I have not sent in my info (got that last reference today and am still sweating over locations). I am close enough to not need an overnight stay - maybe the calls are geographically based? Or maybe they are following rule of 3? Who knows? It is, however, my understanding that everyone on the registry is supposed to get interviewed, so I agree with kingfisher - breathe.

I know, I know, easy for me to say.

[3orangewhips]

seriously, why are people here freaking out? the FEAI package deadline isn't even until wed and SSA has 450 people to call with limited staff.

[testtaker]

lee said:

OK--so I am not to panic, and I should not worry that I am being penalized for not faxing my info in yet. When should I start to panic about not hearing from anyone about an interview?

justfoundthisboard said:

So do you think they are doing this alphabetically? If they are, doesn't that mean there is absolutely no effort to adhere to the "rule of three"? They are just going to interview everyone, choose the 150 they like best, then figure out how they can get all or most of those people in a position based on their chosen cities and then, perhaps veterans preference if they absolutely have to??? I now realize I was a tad bit too hasty to tell the Chief Judge of OMHA that I could not move to a new job in 2 weeks. At least I didn't have the competition there. I wonder if it is too late???

"Take a deep breath" ... You've got that right. I've read the posts on this thread and others in the past few days and I think many need to just step back and relax a bit. I think there is some unecessary worrying going on here. The e-mail we received says we will be called for an interview - - I think that indeed all who got the e-mail will be called. It will just take time. I had not anticipated getting a call until sometime in the next week or so, just because there are so many calls to be made. I had actually put it out of my mind, when I received my call.

I do not believe there is any rhyme or reason as to the order of being called. I actually asked the woman who arranged the interview whether there was any specific order and she said there wasn't to her knowledge. Just in case you're curious about a pattern (I don't think there is one), my name is in the middle of the alphabet, my score was in the high 60s, I live in the northeast, and I faxed my materials in on Friday afternoon. I was told the entire range of dates for interviews (1/8 thru beginning of Feb) and was given a choice of any date. They did not suggest any specific date or time for me.

I'm not sure how many people are doing the calling, but I know that they have many calls to make. They will get to you soon enough. The caller was very helpful and answered several questions I had (logistics questions). For the folks in the Northeast, they are paying for airfare to DC and back for a one day trip. They will also reimburse for transportation to the airport or parking and for transport from DC airport to the interview.

Good luck to all on the cert! And don't forget to breathe ... maybe even try and stay away from the board for a few days (I know how hard that can be as I'm always checking).

[jennifer]

Are they maybe calling the veterans first?