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Post by steelrain on Jun 26, 2013 16:47:06 GMT -5
I find myself in an interesting quandary. Like most of us on this board my goal is to become an ALJ, however, event though we are all qualified the odds are not in our favor.
I ask because a very interesting inhouse position has been announced in the city I live in and I have numerous contacts/friends that are willing to "assist" me in getting the position (i.e. friends in high places). It is not a given, but I would have a "leg up" for what it is worth.
I would rather be an ALJ and my dilemma is that if I accept said assistance and certain political capital is used on my behalf it would look a little ungrateful for me to then up and leave 6-9 months later if I end up hitting the ALJ lottery.
I currently work in a large law firm with no work/life balance and feel like my soul is slowly being sucked out of me. This inhouse position could be sanity saver. I am reminded of the old adage that "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
So anyone else pursuing other employment opportunities while this ALJ marathon grinds on?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2013 17:02:06 GMT -5
A moderator should be able to move it. I am not banking on this ALJ gig, I am applying for two overseas positions that just popped up on my radar. I recommend you pursue your opportunity too. Nothing in this process is guaranteed. First you have to make the register and score a high enough position on the register, then you have to gamble on getting hired by the Agency. Way too many "ifs". Great if you make it but the percentage of applicants that go on to get hired is probably in the single digits. An offer, if it comes, may be a year or two away so continue to pursue other opportunities.
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Post by funkyodar on Jun 26, 2013 18:08:29 GMT -5
Steelrain,
In the end it's all about quality of life. if u know the other gig gets it for u and have a shot u gotta take it.
Just my two cents.
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Post by christina on Jun 26, 2013 18:45:21 GMT -5
I am 100 percent with funkyodar. Go for it!!! and exjag is right on their points too. IF you make the register, it could be nine months, it could be a year or two, or it could be longer. as the proverbial saying goes, strike while the iron is hot
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avril503
Full Member
The Stick of Truth
Posts: 66
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Post by avril503 on Jun 26, 2013 19:18:42 GMT -5
I concur with view you should pursue local opportunity. I have less insight than many, but the only folks I know who became ALJs accepted positions on the far side of the country from family. Remember to hit the ALJ lottery you need to move to Michigan or Louisiana or whatever is farthest from your current location. And as noted, you may still get an ALJ gig you want in 2015.
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Post by cafeta on Jun 26, 2013 19:24:24 GMT -5
All good points! And you don't state your age ( nor should you) but depending on that, you may be able to reconsider some years down the line. Or in ALJ application terms, next time! I'd keep my hat in the ring, who knows the timing might work down the line. No job is a life time guarantee, and the in house counsel needs may change on their end. Keep something in your back pocket!
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June
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Post by June on Jun 26, 2013 19:48:35 GMT -5
If you make the Register it's not a guaranteed position. Life goes on while you wait for that "call." Just don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jun 27, 2013 8:06:33 GMT -5
I find myself in an interesting quandary. Like most of us on this board my goal is to become an ALJ, however, event though we are all qualified the odds are not in our favor. I ask because a very interesting inhouse position has been announced in the city I live in and I have numerous contacts/friends that are willing to "assist" me in getting the position (i.e. friends in high places). It is not a given, but I would have a "leg up" for what it is worth. I would rather be an ALJ and my dilemma is that if I accept said assistance and certain political capital is used on my behalf it would look a little ungrateful for me to then up and leave 6-9 months later if I end up hitting the ALJ lottery. I currently work in a large law firm with no work/life balance and feel like my soul is slowly being sucked out of me. This inhouse position could be sanity saver. I am reminded of the old adage that "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." So anyone else pursuing other employment opportunities while this ALJ marathon grinds on? One cannot turn down opportunities as they arise. If something arises steelrain I wouldn't pass it up. At the same time, if an ALJ position becomes open and you qualify and are offered the position, I wouldn't pass that up either. You take your opportunities as they arise and run with them.
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Post by slulawkid on Jun 27, 2013 8:22:17 GMT -5
Steel,
Seriously, this round may be for 30 hires with at least 3 people looked at for each position. The prize is doing the exact same case over and over and over. If you think the application process is bad, it is simply a primer for working in a government agency. Budgets are getting tighter, SSDI and SSI are under the gun for every budget hawk in the Congress. Do you think it will get better? Are you willing to uproot the family, and not come back for a year or two for a position doing DIB claims?
A nice opportunity, in work you enjoy, in a place you already live in or a chance to be an ALJ. This is not a Circuit Court Robe, not a even a County Bench, but administrative law. Is being called Judge that important to your self being? Consider you opportunities carefully. Just my $.02.
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Post by marten77 on Jun 27, 2013 8:31:35 GMT -5
I agree with all the points made here. I say do both. Keep going with the ALJ exam because it isn't a for sure thing, but don't let opportunity pass you by with this other job. As was noted, who knows if or when you could be picked up for a cert and where in the country you would have to go and for how long you would have to stay there before you could get back to where you want to be. If you have a family, kids in school and a spouse with their own career in your current locality, these are hefty considerations. That being said, if you make the register and take the new job, as was also noted, it could turn out to be something other than what you were expecting and you would still have the ALJ position to fall back on if you get pulled for a cert sometime down the road. On the other hand, if the job is everything that you thought it would be, you can turn down any ALJ spot that comes up or just withdraw from the register all together and reapply the next time the exam opens if you want to take another crack at it. I think there is a chance of revitalizing your soul in either scenario.
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Post by valkyrie on Jun 27, 2013 9:34:34 GMT -5
Let me be blunt. Anyone who puts all of their eggs in the ALJ sweepstakes basket is either independently wealthy, or an idiot. Its the career equivalent of emptying your 401k to buy Pick 6 tickets.
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Post by zebra51 on Jun 27, 2013 9:52:13 GMT -5
Go for it and also keep going for the ALJ. The last register was used for a number of years. Even if you get both the new job and on the register it may be 3-4 years before you get a ALJ job offer. You may be tired of the new job by the the time you get offered an ALJ position. If your not you can just decline the ALJ position offered. There is no reason you cannot put both those birds in your hand and decide which to let go when the time comes.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jun 27, 2013 10:12:17 GMT -5
Let me be blunt. Anyone who puts all of their eggs in the ALJ sweepstakes basket is either independently wealthy, or an idiot. Its the career equivalent of emptying your 401k to buy Pick 6 tickets. Well said Valkyrie. This was my laugh for the day!
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Post by sealaw90 on Jun 27, 2013 10:21:47 GMT -5
Steel, I'll echo the good advice you've received here - you should definitely pursue one or more opportunities simultaneuosly. I have my hat in the ring for a job with the Army, even though I want to reach ALJ. My current job is also sucking the life out of me, so I cannot wait around 1, 2, 3 or more years while I hope to become an ALJ. I apply to everything that fits my experience and is in my commuting area. I have high school aged children who would rather die than move, so IF I get selected for ALJ, I am definately moving by myself, which is a definate downer. Who knows, you (or I) may be so happy at a new job we could turn down ALJ even if selected! Good luck.
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Post by funkyodar on Jun 27, 2013 10:28:57 GMT -5
Looks like everyone is in agreement Steelrain. In fact, let's take it a step forward. I think all of you guys should pursue other opportunities. Go ahead and send OPM a withdrawal email.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jun 27, 2013 10:36:39 GMT -5
Looks like everyone is in agreement Steelrain. In fact, let's take it a step forward. I think all of you guys should pursue other opportunities. Go ahead and send OPM a withdrawal email. LOL! Now this was my second laugh for the day from reading this Board.
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Post by cafeta on Jun 27, 2013 11:03:30 GMT -5
Looks like everyone is in agreement Steelrain. In fact, let's take it a step forward. I think all of you guys should pursue other opportunities. Go ahead and send OPM a withdrawal email. Keep it coming funkyodar, I love the levity!!
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Post by steelrain on Jun 27, 2013 11:42:24 GMT -5
I agree with pursuing other opportunities, but my current situation is a little different in that one of my close friends is willing to spend some of his "political capital" to make sure my application rises to the top of the pile. Doesn't mean I will get the job, far from it, but I am told I would get an interview and therefore be in the running. This is a GC position with a quasi-state agency so there very well could already be a favored candidate for the position and I am gnashing my teeth for no reason. I have just finished up the application and will drop it in the mail today - so I now get to stress over hearing nothing on two fronts. And funkyodar I will take your position under advisement and give it the proper weight it deserves For the record I am one of the "Awaiting Results" people which is quickly starting to look like the kiss of death...
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Post by crab on Jun 27, 2013 12:37:34 GMT -5
Looks like everyone is in agreement Steelrain. In fact, let's take it a step forward. I think all of you guys should pursue other opportunities. Go ahead and send OPM a withdrawal email. Classic! Was thinking the same thing! But seriously steelrain, don't let a good opportunity pass you because you're worried you may have to bail early when you get picked off a cert. cross that bridge when you get to it. I'll also add, that make sure any job is something you really want unless your situation really is life sucking. Always better to run to than run from in my book but that just my two cents. Good luck to you!
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Post by crab on Jun 27, 2013 12:40:43 GMT -5
And I disagree that Awaiting Results is the kiss of death so keep your chin up.
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