Background checks etc.

[extang]

Question to Pixie or anybody else who might know: are they doing a more thorough job of checking references and background in this round of hiring than they have done in the past?
It is hard for me to believe that when I got hired they went through such an elaborate process (especially considering that they essentially had to start working on firing at least one of the new ALJs almost as soon as training was finished; it did take a while but they got rid of him).

[Pixie]

Yes, this time the backgrounds are done sooner--before hiring--and are more thorough. Questions about productivity are a big part of the inquiry, and in the past that area wasn't covered at all. Also in the past SSA didn't check references; that was done by OPM as part of the examination. It is a new ballgame this time around. Pix.

[gromit]

Hmmm. Despite having had most of my references contacted over 2 weeks ago and despite having a few references who returned calls being told that I was all set, one more of my references was contacted today by a "very friendly" person from Yale.


Hmmmm.

[testtaker]

Gromit - I understand the Hmmmm, but why did you put quotes around "very friendly"?

As far as I know, none of my referenes have been contacted. The ALJs I know and those on the attorney and personal lists all know to call me as soon as they are done with the call from Yale. No calls yet. The supervisor at Yale told me on Thursday that they'd be getting to it then, so I am at a loss as to what's really going on here. There just must be so many to get through. I am also at a loss to explain why they went back to Gromit's list. Hmmmm, indeed.

[gromit]

Feb 11, 2008 11:25:25 GMT -5 testtaker said:

but why did you put quotes around "very friendly"?

I used the quotes because those were my references exact words. I repeated them to emphasize that the interview was not hurried. Rather, the individual doing the interviewing was very conversational according to my source. I would have expected any interviews now to have been very hurried. I read in some other thread that they were being pressured to get things done ASAP. It was nice to know that even at this late date, the interviewers are professional and courteous. I don't believe the "friendliness" reflects one way or another on my chances.

My Hmmm is why is this reference being contacted now when all my others were contacted some time ago. My realistic answer is that they were getting ready to send it in and realized they needed one more for me.

BTW, I've given a reference for an individual as well, and that interviewer was also very friendly. However, I've heard others who have stated that the interviewer was very to the point and not very conversational.

[Propmaster]

I had the same lady call me as a reference for two other people, weeks apart, and we remembered each other. She was very friendly.

[zia234]

My past and prior supervisor were called a couple of weeks ago, and between today (2/11) and Friday (2/8), Yale/OMNI called three more of my references. Do they have to call all the judges?

Does anyone know how many of the references they need to call? 6? &? Do these numbers include or exclude supervisors?

Thanks, any info appreciated! Good luck to all.

[nightowl]

Three of my references were called this afternoon. One other reference was called that I know about, but he was not available when they called him.

[Asterisk]

testtaker - only 1 of my references that I know of has been contacted, and I'm pretty sure all or almost all would notify me. and that person was listed both in the AR section/verifiers and later requested list (of 9 -- 3 work ethic, 3 character and 3 judge).

Can anyone tell me which set of references they have been contacting - the AR or the later, or both? Thanks.

[nightowl]

They contacted both judge and work ethic references today. They have not attempted to contact the character references, yet.

[johnthornton]

Apparently the most important question they are asking is would the applicant be able to get out 500-700 decisions a year. Unclear whether they want to know if the reference believes that these decisions would be legally accurate.

[Asterisk]

Thanks, nightowl. and yes, jt...the 1 reference did tell me that the questioner spent most of the time - 30 minutes - on numbers, trying to ascertain exactly what you said re: numbers, and candidate's ability to meet them.

[crazybroad]

I finallly had the rest of my references checked after my supervisor had been contact many weeks ago. They called the references I listed on the inquiry from SSA not OPM. I put my supervisor on for both but he was not asked about the example I used him for on the AR. I am so relieved to hear they were all called. Judges, colleagues, personal. One of the judges I listed is a snow bird - hope they won't hold it against me or hold up the completion of the application because they can't reach him. Would they?

[kolekole]

I've heard back from four of my references. One said he was contacted today. He asked about the process and was told that my file was being closed as complete, with seven of 12 references having been interviewed.

[gromit]

2 more references were contacted yesterday. A former partner and an opposing counsel. Interestingly, the opposing counsel was the one who was told a month ago (by a different individual) that my file was all set.

The interviews lasted 1/2 hour and seem to be the standard questions already discussed on this board.

Anyway, things are apparently moving along.

[testtaker]

Please post here if you know that your references have been called TODAY or if you are someone who was called TODAY as a reference. I would like to know how things are progressing today, as I am still out in the cold. Brrrrrr.

[nightowl]

They were working on my references late yesterday. Between 9 and 9:30 this morning, they started calling the remainder of my references. I have heard from 6 references that they have been contacted (2 judges, 2 attorney/work ethic, and 2 personal/character). I have not heard from two private practice attorneys with whom I worked over 9 years ago, but they would not contact me. One reference could not be contacted because she has been off work this week. I had to update the contact number for my other reference, so I'm not sure whether the contractor used the correct telephone number for him. Bottom line: they are still working on it. I'm sure they will get to your file. You may be the last one. Unfortunately, some one has to be last.

[zia234]

For whatever it's worth to whoever is interested.

Three of my references attempted to return calls to Yale Associates today, but were told my application was completed and had alrdeady been sent on to the "next level."

One of the three references emailed me the following regarding her conversation with the Yale Associates person (Ms. X) said: "Ms. X made it clear to me that your application is now with the SSA administration which will now make its own determination whether to employ you. She also told me that her agency receives 14 references for each candidate and after the first 7 get back to them."

Yale Associates also called two judges yesterday, and four other attorney references (that I know of). They had already called two supervisors (past and present) a couple of weeks ago.

[testtaker]

Finally! One of my "attorney" references was called about an hour ago. He did get out of the Yale employee that she was having a hard time getting through to the Judges in general and that may be why it was taking a while - - she had wanted to try the judges a few time first before moving on.

I am, to say the least, relieved that someone's been called. I just hope that the judges call back before the magic number (6 or 7) is reached.

MODIFICATION - - a second attorney reference was called at about 4pm. So, two down that I know of. At least I now feel that there's movement in this process.