Number of Candidates by Geographic Preference

[Pixie]

Earlier in another thread we were discussing the number of candidates who expressed a willingness to go to some of what we considered to be the less desirable locations. I told you that you would be surprised at the number of candidates who had indicated their willingness to go to these locations. I have now located that information. The list was prepared back in the mid to late 90's before the register was closed for a number of years. I don't remember how many names were on the register at that time, but there may have been around 1500 to 2000. I know that at some point around 2005 there were about 1400 names on the old register.

I went back to the Other Board to try and locate my posts that gave the exact number on the register back then, but was unable to do a successful search of my old posts. So the number above is my best guess.

I think I will break it down into city, total number, and the number with a score over 90. Back then only scores of 92 or 93 or better had a realistic chance of receiving an offer. So, the last number will be for the scores between 90 and 110 (which is the maximum score obtainable). I don't have access to the number of scores over 92.

Fargo, ND 607 248

Billings, MT 537 224

Minneapolis, MN 523 211

Middlesboro, KY 642 255

Albany, NY 589 230

Boston, MA 652 269 (For Patriotsfan)

Baltimore, MD 504 201

Washington, DC 677 275

New York, NY 530 212

Chicago, IL 626 254

Cincinnati, OH 505 206

Cleveland, OH 529 217

San Fran., CA 514 212

Seattle, WA 565 219

Atlanta, GA 618 244

Montgomery, AL 588 241

Nashville, TN 574 229

Birmingham, AL 382 261

I decided to go ahead and throw in some representative locations other than the ones we had discussed earlier. What struck me was the number of candidates willing to go to so many locations, and the fact that there were about the same number willing to go to all of the locations. This is before candidates were given an opportunity by the agencies to limit their geographic locations. The list is straight from the register. Hope this is helpful. Pix.

[shadow]

While I said I'd go anywhere, and will, Minneapolis would be my first pick if someone asks me. It looks like that location wasn't highly sought after in the old days; maybe I've got better than a 1 in 71 chance? Pixie, or another one of the insiders, do you think SSA will try to accommodate preferences if it doesn't conflict with the rule of 3?

When I was in the military, it seems like they asked you where you wanted to go, then sent you in the opposite direction. . .Of course, in 1968 in the Marines there was little doubt where you'd end up. Hope it's not like that this time around. LOL

[kingfisher]

Pixie,

I was selected from the old register and held out for Dallas for the longest time. With a score over 93, I was selected after I added a few more cities. I'm curious about how many folks were on the list for Dallas in those days. Where did you find this data on the old posting board?

Thanks,

Kingfisher

[Pixie]

Shadow: No, I don't think they will try and accommodate preferences. In fact I am not aware that you can give a preference for a certain location. RVN, Semper Fi.

Kingfisher: There were as many folks on the list for Dallas as there were for the other locations. There really isn't that much of a difference. Total: 543. 90 to 94.9: 179. Above 95: 40.

No, I never posted this info on the other board. And I couldn't access my old posts to find out the information I did post back then. I found the information in a box I had squirreled away. Knew I had it, but just hadn't had the time to look through the box. Yesterday I decided to do find it. Thought some of you might be interested. Pix.

[Pixie]

I am going to move this post from another thread to this thread as it is more relevant here.

Thanks, I found the post. I am hesitant to try and correlate as I am just doing a very rough calculation. And you must remember that the register is much smaller this time, so that more scores will be reached. The new scores are to the left and the old scores are to the right.

Very roughly:


85 to 95 = 95 to 110

75 to 85 = 90 to 95

65 to 75 = 85 to 90

55 to 65 = 80 to 85

Please don't accept this as gospel, because it isn't. Only a rough calculation by a non (very non) mathematician. Also, as there are fewer candidates this time around, a lower score will still make the cut. From what I have seen here, scores in the 60's are competitive this time around. So, take it for what it is worth: Very little. Pix.

[kingfisher]

Thanks Pixie. It is fascinating. I realize now that the only way I could have been selected for this job was to add less desirable locations, as I did. Glad I did it as I really do love the job.

[govtattorney]

My rough math tells me that i should do the best i can on the interview and hope. Everything but my interview answers are out of my control. I have only 10 locations on the remaining cert. Best on pixie's statements, I can guess that each location probably has 200 or more possible candidates interviewing next month with OPM scores both higher and lower than me. Bottom line - I'm not asking Santa for a one-way plane ticket this year.

[Pixie]

Snoopy: This post needs to be placed in another thread, or a new thread started. We try to stay on topic--not usually successful, but this post isn't even tangentially related to the thread topic.

You can move the post, or start a new thread, but I cannot cannot do so without making it appear that I made the post. That is an odd feature of Proboards--that the moderators can't move posts. You will probably have some answers to your question when you move the post. Thanx, Pix.

Edit: A new thread has now been started under "Importance of the Interview." I was going to start a new thread and cut and paste Snoopy's question there, but was beaten to it by aljwannabe. Pix.