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Post by gary on Aug 29, 2015 8:54:42 GMT -5
I am readying myself for the trip to DC next week. I have printed my Wonka-like "Golden Ticket" e-mails which grant admission into the WD/LBMT and SI. I'm confident in my ability to find the Theodore Roosevelt Building and get myself and my PB&J sandwich through the magnetometer. From that point, I will let my herd instinct guide me to a frigid room with lots of laptops.
My question for those who have been through this process is: were you notified about the specific location for the SI? I know the general location is the Embassy Suites in Georgetown. I know the time of my interview, and to arrive 30 minutes early, and to bring my admission ticket. Was there a sign posted in the hotel lobby, "OPM Interviews Room 123"? Did you inquire at the concierge desk ("hello, I'm looking for a job interview") thereby assuming the risk that you'd be given a housekeeping cart to see how quickly you could ready that room in which the fraternity brothers partied the night before? Affix a nametag with "Future ALJ" to your suit lapel and wait in the lobby for the OPM fairy to guide you to the magical land of structured interviews? I suppose I could just put on my Nancy Drew, Girl Detective hat, grab my spyglass, and look behind the 99 steps of the Hidden Staircase. While I will never completely eliminate my obvious dork factor, I'd like to try to minimize it that day and locate the specific interview site without having to use the geocaching app on my phone. As I recall, we had to report to a table on one of the floors near the elevators. The folks at the table checked us in and directed us to a waiting room. When it was time, someone escorted us from the waiting room to our specific interview rooms (there were multiple interviews happening at the same time). When you arrive at the Embassy Suites, ask where you need to go at the front desk. They'll know.
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Post by seaside on Aug 29, 2015 10:18:24 GMT -5
Hi all! Newbie here. I am also a recipient of the 8/14 email notifying me that I was now eligible to move on to the proctored, in-person phases of the ALJ exam and SI. Just as some posters have already mentioned, I got the self-scheduling email on Friday. I look forward to meeting you all in DC and wish everyone the best of luck!!
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Post by tobaby on Aug 29, 2015 10:34:27 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I am in the same group that will be self-scheduling tomorrow night. Just saying hello - I am new to this board.
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Post by lizdarcy on Aug 29, 2015 10:37:32 GMT -5
Welcome, tobaby . I like that avatar.
pumpkin -- when I arrived at the embassy suites, the concierge took one look at me and told me where to go for the interview. I didn't even have to ask.
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Post by Pixie on Aug 29, 2015 10:55:00 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I am in the same group that will be self-scheduling tomorrow night. Just saying hello - I am new to this board. And hello to you. Welcome to the board. Pix.
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Post by bac on Aug 29, 2015 11:30:32 GMT -5
I love the "Wonka-like golden ticket" quote in pumpkin's post. Now I want chocolate however
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Post by lizdarcy on Aug 29, 2015 11:53:42 GMT -5
Hi, Seaside == I missed your post. Welcome to the board. Now I am off to the seaside for real.
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Post by seaside on Aug 29, 2015 12:41:51 GMT -5
Hi, Seaside == I missed your post. Welcome to the board. Now I am off to the seaside for real. Thank you! I'm easy to miss with that drab, gray, faceless non-avatar! I'll rectify that as soon as I'm back at my computer (and not my mobile device).
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Post by auroraborealis on Aug 29, 2015 14:04:59 GMT -5
I should also add another tidbit for the day of testing, for those not familiar with DC and/or the location of the OPM (Teddy Roosevelt) building. There is a Starbucks directly across the street so if you get there early you can always hang out there. Some folks have also mentioned the cafeteria located in the lower level of OPM (it is also open for breakfast).
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avril503
Full Member
The Stick of Truth
Posts: 66
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Post by avril503 on Aug 29, 2015 14:37:23 GMT -5
Wish I was testing next week, just so I could meet pumpkin. Good luck!
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Post by pumpkin on Aug 29, 2015 17:28:54 GMT -5
Wish I was testing next week, just so I could meet pumpkin. Good luck! We shall just look forward to meeting in FC for training then, ok?
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Post by bac on Aug 29, 2015 17:32:55 GMT -5
I like that thinking!
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Post by auroraborealis on Aug 29, 2015 18:34:53 GMT -5
Good luck to all. I went suit shopping today (I have suits but haven't interviewed in years)...couldn't find anything suitable, quite surprising. The search continues. I should probably be focusing more on the testing but I also want to feel/look my best.
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Post by aljwantabe on Aug 29, 2015 21:48:55 GMT -5
Good luck to all. I went suit shopping today (I have suits but haven't interviewed in years)...couldn't find anything suitable, quite surprising. The search continues. I should probably be focusing more on the testing but I also want to feel/look my best. Yes, I too had to have a new suit! I searched several places and could not find anything suitable. I ended up ordering one online. Hopefully, it will fit!
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Post by wannabee on Aug 29, 2015 23:33:19 GMT -5
I haven't worn a suit in about 3 years. I have a closet full of dresses (and a rolling rack of them in my spare bedroom). Is a dress acceptable for the SI, or do I need to go shopping?
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 30, 2015 0:28:10 GMT -5
I haven't worn a suit in about 3 years. I have a closet full of dresses (and a rolling rack of them in my spare bedroom). Is a dress acceptable for the SI, or do I need to go shopping? A dress is FINE. I wore a dress both times.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 30, 2015 0:29:31 GMT -5
Good luck to all. I went suit shopping today (I have suits but haven't interviewed in years)...couldn't find anything suitable, quite surprising. The search continues. I should probably be focusing more on the testing but I also want to feel/look my best. A dress is just fine for the interview. You don't have to wear a suit.
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Post by auroraborealis on Aug 30, 2015 8:39:52 GMT -5
Good luck to all. I went suit shopping today (I have suits but haven't interviewed in years)...couldn't find anything suitable, quite surprising. The search continues. I should probably be focusing more on the testing but I also want to feel/look my best. A dress is just fine for the interview. You don't have to wear a suit. I have a nice sheath dress I could wear, but it is sleeveless so I could wear a jacket over it? Would that be appropriate? I'm afraid of "not looking the part."
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Post by christina on Aug 30, 2015 9:00:53 GMT -5
71 stretch, im in same boat on suit v dress. i have a nice dress that can be a "Sunday" dress . it is cream and black. so a blazer/suit jacket over that dress would be good enough for the interview?? i am not in court these days but if i were and female attorneys occasionally showed up in dresses to court, i would be fine wearing it to court.
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Post by aljwantabe on Aug 30, 2015 9:12:33 GMT -5
A dress is just fine for the interview. You don't have to wear a suit. I have a nice sheath dress I could wear, but it is sleeveless so I could wear a jacket over it? Would that be appropriate? I'm afraid of "not looking the part." I'm sure a dress will be fine. I think what really matters is that you are comfortable with whatever you wear. I knew I would be more comfortable in pants vs. a dress, so decided to buy a new suit (pants)! I can always use it for funerals or when the RO decides to visit.
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