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Post by chessparent on Nov 19, 2014 19:17:55 GMT -5
Now that's cryptic. I heard no reports of cannibalized candidates, nor any bloodcurdling screams, so you must have been after me. I didn't think there was a group between 10:30 and 1:30, but I may have been mistaken. Some of us have reputations to protect, or at least reputations to run from. Plus, I prefer to leave no survivors to tell tales.
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Post by Who Me? on Nov 19, 2014 19:40:53 GMT -5
Stayed at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. Horrible experience. The room was hot and no A/C. Was told that when the outside temp goes to 60, the A/C is shut off. The thermostat was set for 60 degrees and was pumping out hot air. I was told to turn off the thermostat and eventually the room would cool down.
Very noisy and thin walls. The bathroom vent didn't work and the rooms need major updating. Bed was as hard as a rock. This place did not live up to Hilton standards. Since Homewood and Hampton were sold out, this was the next closest to HQ.
Stayed in a number of hotels/motels over the years and never had an experience like this. Would not recommend this place to anyone.
I will admit the food at the restaurant wasn't bad.
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Post by peacemaker on Nov 19, 2014 19:51:13 GMT -5
Wow--so sorry you had a bad room at the Hilton. Mine was really nice--perhaps if others end up there they should ask for my room--2815--a corner room in the tower. Bed was really comfy, temp was a little cool because there were windows on all three sides and a beautiful view of DC. I asked for a quiet room, and it was extremely quiet. It's a big place and there seems to be a lot of variability in the rooms.
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Post by orchid on Nov 19, 2014 19:54:38 GMT -5
My experience at the Hilton was in between peacemaker and who me. Not fabulous, not horrible. Room less than what I'd expect but it is an old building. Staff friendly. Very good breakfast! Easy to get to skyline via cab. Just relieved to be done?
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Post by Who Me? on Nov 19, 2014 20:27:49 GMT -5
Thanks, peace and orchid.
The place was fully booked and my room was on a lower floor. Don't know if that made a difference, but I was not happy trying to sleep in a warm/hot room. Having traveled cross country, all I wanted was to be rested and refreshed for the interview the next morning. After being up in the early AM and taking over 9 hours to get to FC, I expected a better reception.
Stayed at numerous Hilton properties over the years. As a member of their frequent stay program, I can only say this place was below Hilton's standards.
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Post by Loopstok on Nov 20, 2014 0:20:56 GMT -5
Well, my interview is all wrapped up, and I'm back home. Was in the waiting room earlier today with a good group of candidates; some admitted Board lurkers, but no-one outed themselves as a regular poster (and the person who walked me to my interview room, did NOT announce to the panel "I have Loopstok here -- doesn't he look just like his avatar?!", which I guess is a relief).
I found the entire process reassuring and was quite impressed with the professionalism of everyone in the building; even appreciated the security guard who greeted our group with "Welcome to I-Want-To-Be-An-ALJ!", which helped break the ice for me.
As for my hotel, way out in Alexandria (what with everything nearby having been sold out), it was a bit of a long cab ride, but my room was nicely chilled, and, had I been capable of sleeping last night, the bed would have been excellent.
After the standard round of second-guessing all my answers after the fact, I am satisfied that I gave this process my all. Best of luck to everyone, and I do mean everyone, going forward! I'm rooting for every single board member, even if my journey turns out to have ended today.
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Post by moopigsdad on Nov 20, 2014 0:36:09 GMT -5
Nice to have met you chessparent....LOL! Observer53 I know who she is and I am sure she knows who I am. Plus, I can say that her reputation on the Board is a little hyped.
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Post by 71stretch on Nov 20, 2014 6:49:40 GMT -5
Nice to have met you chessparent....LOL! Observer53 I know who she is and I am sure she knows who I am. Plus, I can say that her reputation on the Board is a little hyped. Oh, I'm quite sure her reputation is more than a little hyped. Fun to play along, though.
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Post by anotherfed on Nov 20, 2014 7:15:57 GMT -5
Frankly, if her avatar name is any indication, and she is the mother of a competitive kid, I am even more scared of her. Those mommas are fierce!
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Post by ibnlurkin on Nov 20, 2014 8:14:29 GMT -5
I wrapped up my interview Monday afternoon and have been catching up in the office since. Since I'm in the NYC area I Slamtracked in and out the same day. Arrived at Skyline and was through security about a half hour ahead of my scheduled interview time. I was happy to be whisked right in as my nerves were jangling a bit. (My last 2 jobs were obtained shooting the breeze over a cup of coffee with friendly colleagues I'd known for over 10 years) Interview was a bit nerve wracking but I completely concur as to the professionalism and friendliness of everyone from the front door to the 16th floor.
Best of luck to all !
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Post by owl on Nov 20, 2014 12:12:28 GMT -5
I'll put in a plug for the Westin Arlington Gateway on Glebe Rd. 2 blocks from Ballston Metro stop. 10-15 min. cab ride to ODAR, and cabs lined up outside at all times, made grabbing one easy. Plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance, and I was given a complimentary pass to the breakfast buffet for being a first-time guest. Quiet, spacious, comfortable room with a pillow-top bed, pleasant staff. In short, I was well-pampered and rested for my interview, so any and all failures were solely my fault. ;-) Good luck all.
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Post by thankful1 on Nov 20, 2014 16:31:31 GMT -5
Just opened up my "travel packet" to fill out the paperwork for reimbursement for expenses for last week's interview. There is an ACH vendor enrollment form, and my instructions tell me I have to go to my financial institution and have the ACH Coordinator sign the form.
I'm a fed employee who has never sought reimbursement for travel in my life. What the heck is this? If I go to my bank and show them this form, will they know what it is and what to do with it?
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Post by 71stretch on Nov 20, 2014 16:35:26 GMT -5
Just opened up my "travel packet" to fill out the paperwork for reimbursement for expenses for last week's interview. There is an ACH vendor enrollment form, and my instructions tell me I have to go to my financial institution and have the ACH Coordinator sign the form. I'm a fed employee who has never sought reimbursement for travel in my life. What the heck is this? If I go to my bank and show them this form, will they know what it is and what to do with it? I walked up to the front desk at my credit union, and the man there cheerfully signed it, commenting that he had not seen one before. I thought that insiders would be paid some other way. I am an outsider. We were paid by check last time (2010) and did not have an electronic option.
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Post by thankful1 on Nov 20, 2014 16:39:42 GMT -5
thanks for the tip. I'm a fed employee but not an insider at any agency that hires ALJ's.
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Post by Who Me? on Nov 20, 2014 17:25:19 GMT -5
Just opened up my "travel packet" to fill out the paperwork for reimbursement for expenses for last week's interview. There is an ACH vendor enrollment form, and my instructions tell me I have to go to my financial institution and have the ACH Coordinator sign the form. I'm a fed employee who has never sought reimbursement for travel in my life. What the heck is this? If I go to my bank and show them this form, will they know what it is and what to do with it? The Feds want direct deposit rather than issuing checks. Walk you bank through the process. Make sure they plug in the right info.
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Post by 71stretch on Nov 20, 2014 17:53:39 GMT -5
Just opened up my "travel packet" to fill out the paperwork for reimbursement for expenses for last week's interview. There is an ACH vendor enrollment form, and my instructions tell me I have to go to my financial institution and have the ACH Coordinator sign the form. I'm a fed employee who has never sought reimbursement for travel in my life. What the heck is this? If I go to my bank and show them this form, will they know what it is and what to do with it? The Feds want direct deposit rather than issuing checks. Walk you bank through the process. Make sure they plug in the right info. I filled in the routing and account info myself, as well as the name and address of the credit union. All the bank person really has to do is sign.
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Post by mamaru on Nov 21, 2014 0:06:03 GMT -5
The Feds want direct deposit rather than issuing checks. Walk you bank through the process. Make sure they plug in the right info. I filled in the routing and account info myself, as well as the name and address of the credit union. All the bank person really has to do is sign. Look at the small print. Sometimes you are allowed to attach a voided check instead of completing the information about the bank.
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afm
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by afm on Nov 21, 2014 9:27:32 GMT -5
I called Melanie Rusnak about the bank signature on the form. She said it is required and that a void check is not acceptable to the finance people.
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Post by northbend on Nov 21, 2014 10:35:40 GMT -5
My branch of Chase Bank said they don't have an "ACH Coordinator" as the form requests, but the Lead Teller signed and listed that as her position. They thought it should work out fine.
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Post by 71stretch on Nov 21, 2014 11:52:48 GMT -5
My branch of Chase Bank said they don't have an "ACH Coordinator" as the form requests, but the Lead Teller signed and listed that as her position. They thought it should work out fine. Similar situation here. I think some sort of management position will suffice.
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