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Post by gary on Apr 16, 2015 11:31:38 GMT -5
That is a wonderful accomplishment of which you can be justly proud. I am not sure the contractors who do the reference checks would know how to properly value it in their report back to SSA. Although you are probably correct, I would like to think a contractor in such a business would have encountered this issue before and have appropriate, established procedures in place by which they are able to provide SSA a complete report. That would be nice. The ones I've heard about make their calls and just ask the questions they are told to ask even in situations where those questions don't make a lot of sense. But maybe there are some who are more adaptable.
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Post by dpageks on Apr 16, 2015 11:47:57 GMT -5
Although you are probably correct, I would like to think a contractor in such a business would have encountered this issue before and have appropriate, established procedures in place by which they are able to provide SSA a complete report. That would be nice. The ones I've heard about make their calls and just ask the questions they are told to ask even in situations where those questions don't make a lot of sense. But maybe there are some who are more adaptable. Of course, I would "like to think" a lot of things that may not be true; you can call home and ask my wife!
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Post by moopigsdad on Apr 16, 2015 11:49:19 GMT -5
Although you are probably correct, I would like to think a contractor in such a business would have encountered this issue before and have appropriate, established procedures in place by which they are able to provide SSA a complete report. That would be nice. The ones I've heard about make their calls and just ask the questions they are told to ask even in situations where those questions don't make a lot of sense. But maybe there are some who are more adaptable. From the reports of my references, Gary is correct in that most just ask the questions from the paper in front of them without variance from it. While, some of the hired reference checkers may add in a few remarks or follow-ups, most just do the job they were contracted to do, which is ask the questions and record the answers, nothing more and nothing less.
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Post by sealaw90 on Apr 16, 2015 12:12:43 GMT -5
Perhaps where the form asks for your supervisor, you should hand write, "None of your business!!!!!!!" That's how I answered most of my interview questions...hmmm. Wonder why I haven't gotten an offer yet. I heard that you said "none of your damn business" which really sets the tone during the interview. Thanks for taking it in the shorts for the rest of us.
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Post by dpageks on Apr 16, 2015 12:40:03 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that I was a reference for an ALJ applicant who was eventually hired (in 2009) and is a current ALJ. I received "the call" and spoke with the person asking the questions about the applicant. I remember we had a great time on the phone--and we laughed a lot--during the 40 minute call.
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Post by moopigsdad on Apr 16, 2015 12:54:45 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that I was a reference for an ALJ applicant who was eventually hired (in 2009) and is a current ALJ. I received "the call" and spoke with the person asking the questions about the applicant. I remember we had a great time on the phone--and we laughed a lot--during the 40 minute call. Almost all of my references stated they were only spoken to for less than 20 minutes, despite trying to expand upon answers to the questions. The interviewer just stuck to the script and kept it moving along. Maybe I had a bad set of interviewers assigned to my references, I don't know for sure or maybe that is par for the course in the process.
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Post by gary on Apr 16, 2015 13:22:46 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that I was a reference for an ALJ applicant who was eventually hired (in 2009) and is a current ALJ. I received "the call" and spoke with the person asking the questions about the applicant. I remember we had a great time on the phone--and we laughed a lot--during the 40 minute call. Almost all of my references stated they were only spoken to for less than 20 minutes, despite trying to expand upon answers to the questions. The interviewer just stuck to the script and kept it moving along. Maybe I had a bad set of interviewers assigned to my references, I don't know for sure or maybe that is par for the course in the process. That sounds like what I heard back from my references.
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Post by hondo35 on Apr 17, 2015 8:31:16 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that I was a reference for an ALJ applicant who was eventually hired (in 2009) and is a current ALJ. I received "the call" and spoke with the person asking the questions about the applicant. I remember we had a great time on the phone--and we laughed a lot--during the 40 minute call. Almost all of my references stated they were only spoken to for less than 20 minutes, despite trying to expand upon answers to the questions. The interviewer just stuck to the script and kept it moving along. Maybe I had a bad set of interviewers assigned to my references, I don't know for sure or maybe that is par for the course in the process. Now we know how dpageks got elected and re-elected! I'm sure glad you're not up for my cities.
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Post by mamaru on Apr 17, 2015 8:37:37 GMT -5
My mentor, who is retired, called to say that it turned out the person calling him was his neighbor and they had a lovely chat. But was it about me?
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Post by dpageks on Apr 17, 2015 8:41:19 GMT -5
Almost all of my references stated they were only spoken to for less than 20 minutes, despite trying to expand upon answers to the questions. The interviewer just stuck to the script and kept it moving along. Maybe I had a bad set of interviewers assigned to my references, I don't know for sure or maybe that is par for the course in the process. Now we know how dpageks got elected and re-elected! I'm sure glad you're not up for my cities. Lol! You give me too much credit.
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Post by Propmaster on Apr 17, 2015 11:13:12 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that I was a reference for an ALJ applicant who was eventually hired (in 2009) and is a current ALJ. I received "the call" and spoke with the person asking the questions about the applicant. I remember we had a great time on the phone--and we laughed a lot--during the 40 minute call. Almost all of my references stated they were only spoken to for less than 20 minutes, despite trying to expand upon answers to the questions. The interviewer just stuck to the script and kept it moving along. Maybe I had a bad set of interviewers assigned to my references, I don't know for sure or maybe that is par for the course in the process. In the past 7 years, I have been a reference for 10 ALJ applicants, each of whom was selected to be an ALJ. It is a bitter irony, since my own dance card is empty. Despite the seeming statistical evidence that knowing me is hiring gold, I know that it is not ONLY my reference that sealed the diverse deals. That being said, I am an awesome reference, in large part because of this board. I write not to brag, but to share the following regarding reference check giving: When I agree to be a reference for someone, I think about what I know about them and I develop a very short "sound bite" that I can drop three or four times, that is designed to be excerpted in the comments provided to the officials reviewing the references. For examples, "his strength is to make a decision quickly, then move on to the next thing," "because he makes decisions quickly and moves on, he does not fall behind in his work," and "in conclusion, he would be a great ALJ because he makes decisions quickly and moves on." For each person, I pick something I can honestly say about why he or she would be a good ALJ that is also something I have learned from this board is a likely focus of ODAR concern, and then I emphasize it to death to make sure it gets on the paperwork for added comments.
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Post by cheesy on Apr 17, 2015 12:43:57 GMT -5
ALJD and Pixie,
I respectfully suggest that the above information be included in the FAQ section under the appropriate heading. This information is gold.
Vr/ C
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Post by Propmaster on Apr 17, 2015 12:46:06 GMT -5
Thank you cheesy. However, as a caution, it is less "information," and more, "opinion." I have not seen the inside of the reference process, only seen it reflected in the knowledge of others that is shared here.
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Post by northbend on Apr 17, 2015 13:50:23 GMT -5
It looks like no calls this week. They must have wanted our GAL's by Wednesday so the group could meet yesterday and today to make decisions. I predict calls begin Monday, based on the decisions made yesterday and today.
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Post by luckylady2 on Apr 17, 2015 13:57:32 GMT -5
Hey, propmaster, will you be a reference for me??
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Post by Propmaster on Apr 17, 2015 16:17:57 GMT -5
Hey, propmaster, will you be a reference for me?? If it turns out that you are, in real life, a professional, responsible, courteous, intelligent, and decisive individual who I already know and whose work I am familiar with and respect, I would be GLAD to be a reference!
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Post by Propmaster on Apr 17, 2015 16:20:12 GMT -5
Hey, propmaster, will you be a reference for me?? If it turns out that you are, in real life, a professional, responsible, courteous, intelligent, and decisive individual who I already know and whose work I am familiar with and respect, I would be GLAD to be a reference! Hmmm. That makes it sound like I only agreed to be a reference for people I thought were going to get to be ALJs. That would skew my "success rate" analysis. I have never turned down being a reference for someone. I have sometimes had to think longer to come up with a good recommendation basis. O.K. I guess I'll do it!* *This does not represent a promise of future performance, and is intended in a spirit of mirth, as I interpret the original question to have also been presented. "With great power comes great responsibility."
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Post by 71stretch on Apr 17, 2015 21:11:17 GMT -5
Almost all of my references stated they were only spoken to for less than 20 minutes, despite trying to expand upon answers to the questions. The interviewer just stuck to the script and kept it moving along. Maybe I had a bad set of interviewers assigned to my references, I don't know for sure or maybe that is par for the course in the process. In the past 7 years, I have been a reference for 10 ALJ applicants, each of whom was selected to be an ALJ. It is a bitter irony, since my own dance card is empty. Despite the seeming statistical evidence that knowing me is hiring gold, I know that it is not ONLY my reference that sealed the diverse deals. That being said, I am an awesome reference, in large part because of this board. I write not to brag, but to share the following regarding reference check giving: When I agree to be a reference for someone, I think about what I know about them and I develop a very short "sound bite" that I can drop three or four times, that is designed to be excerpted in the comments provided to the officials reviewing the references. For examples, "his strength is to make a decision quickly, then move on to the next thing," "because he makes decisions quickly and moves on, he does not fall behind in his work," and "in conclusion, he would be a great ALJ because he makes decisions quickly and moves on." For each person, I pick something I can honestly say about why he or she would be a good ALJ that is also something I have learned from this board is a likely focus of ODAR concern, and then I emphasize it to death to make sure it gets on the paperwork for added comments. Ah,PM my fine virtual friend. Those for whom you have been a reference are fortunate indeed. Trust that there are many of us here who wish we had a reference like you.
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Post by batdog on Apr 18, 2015 10:37:03 GMT -5
Northbend -- Could you expand on that a bit? If I am reading what you said correctly, some group has likely reviewed those available for each location and, depending in part on how many slots there are to fill, picked who will get a call for a face-to-face interview. Is that correct? Any insight on how long the process takes from this point forward? I have another job opportunity, but there's been no written offer and acceptance yet. I expect that to happen this coming week. I went ahead and submitted the documents to ODAR on Friday to remain in contention, but I suspect I am going to reach a final commitment point for the other post before I even know if I'm a contender at ODAR. Also, the email from ODAR says "current or former federal civilian employees may be eligible for a higher base salary." Is there any official criteria for eligibility? Thanks much.
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Post by 71stretch on Apr 18, 2015 11:05:31 GMT -5
Northbend -- Could you expand on that a bit? If I am reading what you said correctly, some group has likely reviewed those available for each location and, depending in part on how many slots there are to fill, picked who will get a call for a face-to-face interview. Is that correct? Any insight on how long the process takes from this point forward? I have another job opportunity, but there's been no written offer and acceptance yet. I expect that to happen this coming week. I went ahead and submitted the documents to ODAR on Friday to remain in contention, but I suspect I am going to reach a final commitment point for the other post before I even know if I'm a contender at ODAR. Also, the email from ODAR says "current or former federal civilian employees may be eligible for a higher base salary." Is there any official criteria for eligibility? Thanks much. Everyone who appears on a cert for any city is interviewed once during the life of the register. If they appear on s subsequent cert after they are interviewed but not selected, they are not interviewed again. No one is "selected" to be interviewed, as everyone on these April certs who hasn't been previously interviewed will be. If this is the first time you've appeared on a cert, you will be interviewed in mid May. Offers are extended some time after that, around two weeks, perhaps more. In your situation, it seems to be a "bird in the hand" scenario. If the job under consideration is something you really want, you should take it, IMO.
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