Importance of the Interviews

[oldjag]

Does anyone know the judges who accepted?

[oldtimer]

I have no personal knowledge of any who have accepted, but with 10 Regional Chiefs and roughly 140 HOCALJs, they should manage to have enough to conduct several weeks' worth of interviews.

[southerner]

Given 4 2-hour interviews per day, and generally 5 days per week (except MLK holiday), and 4 weeks total for interviews, I think it appears that it will take 5-6 panels each day to reach 400-450 interviewees.

4 x 5 = 20 per week per panel. 4 (weeks) x 20 = 80 - 4 (MLK holiday) = 76. Then either 400 or 450 to reach 5 or 6.

[Pixie]

Quite frankly I doubt that they are scheduling the interviews for two hours. One hour is more in line with past practice. They may tell you to allow for two hours when making flight reservations, but that is to give a little more time in case the schedule gets behind. Pix.

[aaa]

The times for interviews were 2 hours apart, or at least that was the times I was offered - 9:00 AM, 11:00 and 2:00 PM I think were my choices.

[kingfisher]

My interview, a few years back, was conducted by two RCALJs and IMHO it seemed that the success of the interview depended on the specific focus of the RCALJ asking the questions.

One RCALJ seemed focused exclusively on production: can I do electronic hearings, write decisions, conduct video hearings, and handle a heavy work load.

The other RCALJ seemed most impressed by my enthusiasm for the job and my previous experience as a judge, which enabled me to handle all sorts of strange situations with confidence and a sense of humor.

So, it probably depends at least in part on which interviewers you draw. But overall, my suggestion is to show you are enthusiastic and hard working.

Keep in mind that ODAR managing judges get a lot of pressure from politicos to get the job done faster for their constituents. I understand that letters from Senators are arriving almost daily, and rather than focusing on the entire system, they focus in on the judges. Of course, that is the reason we are being permitted to hire 150 new judges, so I guess its a two edged sword.

[deadwood]

aaa said:

The times for interviews were 2 hours apart, or at least that was the times I was offered - 9:00 AM, 11:00 and 2:00 PM I think were my choices.

Ditto plus I was also offered 4:00 p.m.

[Pixie]

If the interviews last that long, I will buy everyone who was interviewed for two hours a glass of Merlot, or a drink of your choice! Virtual Pixie.

[chris]

I asked about the length and was informed that the length depends on the interviewers but most will be around an hour. The extra time is for the occasional interview that may start late or go longer so that they don't get behind and have candidates backed up and waiting and miss their flights etc..

[odarite]

I can vouch for this being a sensible idea. When I interviewed I did have plenty of time to make my flight, but others were worried and in fact I was originally scheduled to interview with panel A which was so backed up I was interviewed by panel B when they finished their own list.

[Pixie]

Yep, just as I thought! I made the offer for a drink because I knew the interviews would only last about an hour. When will you people realize that Pixies have special powers? Pix.

[aaa]

Hey Pix - can you use your special powers to just grant us all our wishes?

Seriously, we should all take YOU for a drink and dinner. Perhaps you can appear in Baltimore one of the nights of training and any of us that make it (you'll be able to tell who we are by our name tags with the forum name on them!), can do something nice for you to show appreciation for all your good advice!