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Post by Gaidin on Dec 10, 2015 10:21:30 GMT -5
If you are happy with your GAL choices keep it the same and good luck. I made some mistakes with my original GAL that were compounded by a computer error and have been waiting to expand my GAL ever since. I know that for some folks their current list is more than satisfactory.
Remember though that you can always make it smaller later you may not be able to make it bigger.
If I don't get picked up this time I look forward to seeing Middlesboro, Mt. Pleasant, and Tupelo show up on my certs in the future.
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q32
Member
Posts: 22
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Post by q32 on Dec 10, 2015 10:47:45 GMT -5
I scheduled myself to test/interview in DC in November 2015, but due to work obligations, I had to reschedule. I am supposed to be rescheduled for testing in Spring 2016, and I received the GAL survey email.
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Post by hopefalj on Dec 10, 2015 10:51:40 GMT -5
With all the pieces ODAR has to move to place a newbie, why make it more difficult by limiting yourself geographically? You are the widget in the cog, and ODAR is the wheel. Unless you have a super high NOR (probably north of 86, which I heard somewhere was average ), you need to be flexible. And even then, if you are limited to just a few cities, you may be waiting a while. I heard a totally unfounded rumor* that the guy with a 99 NOR but with only one city -- Honolulu -- has been waiting since 1942.
*and fabricated by me for illustrative purposes. omg, I'm thinking in hypos in every aspect of my life now... While I generally agree with you, there is a reality for a lot of people. Maybe they have a spouse with an established work practice that is built into a particular community. Maybe they have a child issue that doesn't allow them to uproot their children (it doesn't take a lot of imagination to think of one). Maybe they have an ailing parent that requires them to be within a few hours at most, or even closer. There are any number of reasons that a person may need to limit their GAL. If you don't need to, sure, it helps your chances. And as people learn more about the process from the original JOA, there are likely a group that have been waiting anxiously to expand, but some people have no choice but to limit their GALs. Hopefully, the expansion will let folks who had changed circumstances from then to now open up some options. People are entitled to do what they want with their GAL, and I certainly agree that there are factors that would keep folks in a limited geographic area. That said, there have been several instances over the past two-plus years where people have come on the board clamoring for the opportunity to expand their GAL because circumstances in their life have changed over that time and would allow them to add cities to the list. Unless you are absolutely certain that you would never entertain living in a certain city, there really is no reason to exclude it at this level. I'll reemphasize this... you can always, always, always eliminate a city from your GAL if your name comes up on the cert. It's been a rare occasion that you can expand your GAL down the road. This is not a decision to be made with the thought of where you could possibly live in the next 6-12 months. This register will go on for years, so your GAL could remain effective for 2-4 years before expansion is allowed again.
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Post by 71stretch on Dec 10, 2015 11:28:45 GMT -5
While I generally agree with you, there is a reality for a lot of people. Maybe they have a spouse with an established work practice that is built into a particular community. Maybe they have a child issue that doesn't allow them to uproot their children (it doesn't take a lot of imagination to think of one). Maybe they have an ailing parent that requires them to be within a few hours at most, or even closer. There are any number of reasons that a person may need to limit their GAL. If you don't need to, sure, it helps your chances. And as people learn more about the process from the original JOA, there are likely a group that have been waiting anxiously to expand, but some people have no choice but to limit their GALs. Hopefully, the expansion will let folks who had changed circumstances from then to now open up some options. People are entitled to do what they want with their GAL, and I certainly agree that there are factors that would keep folks in a limited geographic area. That said, there have been several instances over the past two-plus years where people have come on the board clamoring for the opportunity to expand their GAL because circumstances in their life have changed over that time and would allow them to add cities to the list. Unless you are absolutely certain that you would never entertain living in a certain city, there really is no reason to exclude it at this level. I'll reemphasize this... you can always, always, always eliminate a city from your GAL if your name comes up on the cert. It's been a rare occasion that you can expand your GAL down the road. This is not a decision to be made with the thought of where you could possibly live in the next 6-12 months. This register will go on for years, so your GAL could remain effective for 2-4 years before expansion is allowed again. All true, except that from what we've heard lately, a refresh is likely in the works for 2016, which will bring an opportunity for GAL adjustment well before 2-4 years from now.
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Post by Propmaster on Dec 10, 2015 12:01:57 GMT -5
While I generally agree with you, there is a reality for a lot of people. Maybe they have a spouse with an established work practice that is built into a particular community. Maybe they have a child issue that doesn't allow them to uproot their children (it doesn't take a lot of imagination to think of one). Maybe they have an ailing parent that requires them to be within a few hours at most, or even closer. There are any number of reasons that a person may need to limit their GAL. If you don't need to, sure, it helps your chances. And as people learn more about the process from the original JOA, there are likely a group that have been waiting anxiously to expand, but some people have no choice but to limit their GALs. Hopefully, the expansion will let folks who had changed circumstances from then to now open up some options. People are entitled to do what they want with their GAL, and I certainly agree that there are factors that would keep folks in a limited geographic area. That said, there have been several instances over the past two-plus years where people have come on the board clamoring for the opportunity to expand their GAL because circumstances in their life have changed over that time and would allow them to add cities to the list. Unless you are absolutely certain that you would never entertain living in a certain city, there really is no reason to exclude it at this level. I'll reemphasize this... you can always, always, always eliminate a city from your GAL if your name comes up on the cert. It's been a rare occasion that you can expand your GAL down the road. This is not a decision to be made with the thought of where you could possibly live in the next 6-12 months. This register will go on for years, so your GAL could remain effective for 2-4 years before expansion is allowed again. I really really want this job (with no practical expectation of it at this point, though). However, I do not want to spend 1 week, much less a month, much less over a year in a city with high heat. I live in the upper Midwest and complain all year except winter about the heat. I drove to New Orleans one year (many years ago), spent 4 hours being bitten by mosquitoes, and drove back the same day (well, the next couple days). I leave the swampy southlands to you who enjoy them (and I care not if my ignorance of climate control options in those cities affects my decision). I expanded my GAL by about 10 cities, but I am still statistically at about half the cities. In my opinion, if they don't want to hire me with that much GAL, they just don't want to hire me. (Caveat: I'm an insider, so they KNOW if they want to hire me, and I KNOW they KNOW if they want to hire me, etc., and I've been on almost every cert for 7 years, so we pretty much all can guess the answer to that question).
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Post by anotherfed on Dec 10, 2015 13:56:47 GMT -5
Yes, family and other circumstances may require a certain geographic region. But a Register GAL may (or may not, if the 2016 refresh rumor is accurate) stay with you for the next 4 or 5 or 9 years. My opinion is that anyone considering his or her GAL should err on the side of overinclusiveness, since those same constraints that limit your GAL today might not in the future.
As has been repeated more than once here, you can always narrow your GAL at different steps in the process, but you can't (or rarely can) expand it.
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Post by places2go on Dec 10, 2015 14:20:44 GMT -5
Hello. I'm a new member, but have been lurking since the 2013 application. I went to DC for the testing and interview in October. In reponse to comments that the GAL can be narrowed at different steps, how does that work? Are you asked at the time you get on a cert if you are still interested in that city? If you drop it, is it then gone for good, or could you end up on a later cert for that same city? I apologize if this was answered before.
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Post by gary on Dec 10, 2015 15:02:23 GMT -5
Hello. I'm a new member, but have been lurking since the 2013 application. I went to DC for the testing and interview in October. In reponse to comments that the GAL can be narrowed at different steps, how does that work? Are you asked at the time you get on a cert if you are still interested in that city? If you drop it, is it then gone for good, or could you end up on a later cert for that same city? I apologize if this was answered before. 1. Your GAL can be narrowed whenever OPM allows modification of GALs. That is happening now. 2. Your GAL can be narrowed when you make one or more certs. At that time the hiring agency gives you the opportunity to decline any or all of the locations for which you are on certs. SSA gives you this opportunity in a spreadsheet that is included among the forms you are required to return to them when you make the cert(s). 3. If you decline a location it comes off your GAL unless and until you put that location back in your GAL on a subsequent occasion when people on the register have the opportunity to modify their GALs.
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Post by almostheaven on Dec 10, 2015 15:25:54 GMT -5
Has anyone (else) not gotten the GAL expansion email? I saw the posts late yesterday and searched but have not found an email. I was in training without good internet access yesterday and thought something would show up today but nothing. I am on two certs so my email should be correct. Any thoughts or suggestions?
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Post by almostheaven on Dec 10, 2015 15:26:42 GMT -5
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Edit Note by Pixie: There is and edit function button on the upper right hand of the message screen that one can use to add text to a post prematurely sent.
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Post by gary on Dec 10, 2015 15:29:48 GMT -5
1. Check your spam folder; 2. Email OPM ALJ people.
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Post by Gaidin on Dec 10, 2015 15:46:45 GMT -5
Has anyone (else) not gotten the GAL expansion email? I saw the posts late yesterday and searched but have not found an email. I was in training without good internet access yesterday and thought something would show up today but nothing. I am on two certs so my email should be correct. Any I know of at least one other board member who did receive the GAL expansion email yesterday. I believe they contacted OPM but I don't know what if any response they received from them.
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Post by sealaw90 on Dec 10, 2015 15:49:05 GMT -5
Just remember the new rule requiring a new hire to remain in the location hired for a minimum of 15 months. Good Luck! Yes, it is now only 15 months. For the longest it was a minimum of two years, and everyone was able to get back where they wanted to be. Wasn't seen as a deal breaker then, and 15 months shouldn't be so viewed either. The 90 day rule was doomed from the beginning. A noble experiment, but one that had little chance of longevity. Figure out those locations that are within driving distance for weekend trips home--maybe 3 to 5 hours--and have a go. Pix. In the spirit of Pix's comment in bold, I found this neat website that let me do exactly as she said Travel Math . I had never found this before, so you folks who already know about this handy tool, I apologize. What's cool is it not only gives you mileage, but travel distance, airports nearby, airlines that actually fly out of an airport to your home location (if available), etc.
I have a list of about 16 ODAR locales that I can add to my tiny GAL. My thoughts are do I just add those, or do I add everything and cross off if/when I make a cert for some location I could NEVER live in.
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Post by berk727 on Dec 10, 2015 15:54:07 GMT -5
Yes, it is now only 15 months. For the longest it was a minimum of two years, and everyone was able to get back where they wanted to be. Wasn't seen as a deal breaker then, and 15 months shouldn't be so viewed either. The 90 day rule was doomed from the beginning. A noble experiment, but one that had little chance of longevity. Figure out those locations that are within driving distance for weekend trips home--maybe 3 to 5 hours--and have a go. Pix. In the spirit of Pix's comment in bold, I found this neat website that let me do exactly as she said Travel Math . I had never found this before, so you folks who already know about this handy tool, I apologize. What's cool is it not only gives you mileage, but travel distance, airports nearby, airlines that actually fly out of an airport to your home location (if available), etc.
I have a list of about 16 ODAR locales that I can add to my tiny GAL. My thoughts are do I just add those, or do I add everything and cross off if/when I make a cert for some location I could NEVER live in.
Thanks for the tip! I've never heard of that website. very handy.
my view is add everything, since you likely won't get the chance again. you'll be able to cross off things that are just terrible-sounding, but when you get a cert, there might be a city you didn't think would work, but at that point is now doable. you don't want to miss out. that's just my 2 cents; do with it what you will.
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Dec 10, 2015 15:54:48 GMT -5
Yes, it is now only 15 months. For the longest it was a minimum of two years, and everyone was able to get back where they wanted to be. Wasn't seen as a deal breaker then, and 15 months shouldn't be so viewed either. The 90 day rule was doomed from the beginning. A noble experiment, but one that had little chance of longevity. Figure out those locations that are within driving distance for weekend trips home--maybe 3 to 5 hours--and have a go. Pix. In the spirit of Pix's comment in bold, I found this neat website that let me do exactly as she said Travel Math . I had never found this before, so you folks who already know about this handy tool, I apologize. What's cool is it not only gives you mileage, but travel distance, airports nearby, airlines that actually fly out of an airport to your home location (if available), etc.
I have a list of about 16 ODAR locales that I can add to my tiny GAL. My thoughts are do I just add those, or do I add everything and cross off if/when I make a cert for some location I could NEVER live in.
Add everything. I do not understand the hesitation or confusion when a GAL expansion has been a topic since 2013. Do or do not Jedi. Or are you cloudy!
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Post by hapi2balj on Dec 10, 2015 16:00:26 GMT -5
Re: expanding the GAL - let me make sure I understand. If I am certed for City X, but I do not check it on the spreadsheet, I'm out for that city for the life of the register (unless there's a permitted expansion meaning I could add it back) but there's no other "penalty" - correct? But if I do indicate interest in City X on the spreadsheet, but then turn down a job offer there, it's somehow counted against me? And I want to thank sealaw as well for the tip on the Travel Math website - I'll check it out right now.
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Post by gary on Dec 10, 2015 16:05:59 GMT -5
Re: expanding the GAL - let me make sure I understand. If I am certed for City X, but I do not check it on the spreadsheet, I'm out for that city for the life of the register (unless there's a permitted expansion meaning I could add it back) but there's no other "penalty" - correct? But if I do indicate interest in City X on the spreadsheet, but then turn down a job offer there, it's somehow counted against me? And I want to thank sealaw as well for the tip on the Travel Math website - I'll check it out right now. Yes. If you decline a location on the spreadsheet, the only consequence is deletion of that location from your GAL. If on the other hand you decline two job offers, you are suspended from the register for one year. There has been debate on the Board over whether declining a job offer with SSA is held against you by SSA in hiring for subsequent positions. That is not formally provided for by OPM, but is another possibility to consider with respect to turning down a job offer.
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Post by Pixie on Dec 10, 2015 16:19:47 GMT -5
SeaLaw: That is a very handy tool, for both driving and flying. Takes the guesswork out of time/distance problems. Thanks for posting. Pix.
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Post by funkyodar on Dec 10, 2015 16:23:20 GMT -5
Wow...a GAL expansion. Now I know what it feels like to be Bart and PA. "You damn youngsters have it so easy. back in my day we had to stick with the GAL we originally took to the dance."
Sorry I haven't been around much lately, but very glad to see the much hoped for expansion is a reality. Excited to hear from old friends that they are in the Cert rodeo again. maybe this is the one. You definitely all deserve the call.
And happy for those that are reporting just finishing testing...exciting times ahead for you folks.
I check in from time to time and try to respond to PM as quickly as possible. Will of course pass on any intel I get. Mainly though, I will assume the Bart and PA role of cheerleader/"get off my lawn" guy.
Good luck all.
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Post by wingnut on Dec 10, 2015 16:23:27 GMT -5
I went ahead and did a total 180 from unbelievably tiny to wide-open. Given how much my circumstances have changed since 2013, it seemed wise to keep my options open. Even if it doesn't work out, it is kind of fun to be open to a totally new adventure. Whatever GAL you choose, may you get your first choice!
That travel math site is really nifty!
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