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Post by rp on Aug 7, 2017 18:21:48 GMT -5
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Post by sportsfan1 on Aug 7, 2017 18:32:06 GMT -5
The SSA employee handing out envelopes specifically said that envelopes were for non-SSA interviewees when I had my interview.
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Post by usmccol on Aug 7, 2017 19:38:44 GMT -5
Thanks, Gary. I had forgotten about the ability of SSA to cause the exam to be given. I knew there had been some action by Congress, but didn't know it was this strong. With this in mind, I seriously doubt that OPM is opening the register on its own initiative. SSA is probably looking ahead and sees that with its projected hiring needs in the next 2 to 5 years, the register will be depleted if OPM doesn't start the process in motion. SSA likes a nice plump register, while OPM is content to let it dwindle to sticks and stems. Pixie This speaks to my analysis as why I don't think this cycle will take as long as the last one. "On the bounce, people, on the bounce!" |
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Post by usmccol on Aug 7, 2017 19:46:13 GMT -5
The SSA employee handing out envelopes specifically said that envelopes were for non-SSA interviewees when I had my interview. OK, I'm throwing a flag on this play. You cannot just throw something up in a thread about mysterious envelopes and/or sheets of paper re: insiders/outsiders and not discuss it fully b/c it violates the CA. It's against the Geneva Convention(s) or something.
Col
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Post by sophie22 on Aug 7, 2017 19:59:11 GMT -5
I also think that non-SSA had stickers and SSA didn't.
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Post by sophie22 on Aug 7, 2017 20:00:42 GMT -5
The SSA employee handing out envelopes specifically said that envelopes were for non-SSA interviewees when I had my interview. OK, I'm throwing a flag on this play. You cannot just throw something up in a thread about mysterious envelopes and/or sheets of paper re: insiders/outsiders and not discuss it fully b/c it violates the CA. It's against the Geneva Convention(s) or something.
Col
Envelopes had the list of interview questions with suggested answers. Bayou, myself, and a few others got them. They said something about giving them out to the best looking people? |
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Post by usmccol on Aug 7, 2017 20:07:27 GMT -5
OK, I'm throwing a flag on this play. You cannot just throw something up in a thread about mysterious envelopes and/or sheets of paper re: insiders/outsiders and not discuss it fully b/c it violates the CA. It's against the Geneva Convention(s) or something.
Col
Envelopes had the list of interview questions with suggested answers. Bayou, myself, and a few others got them. They said something about giving them out to the best looking people? That's cool, 'cuz I'm a two-envelope Marine. |
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Post by gary on Aug 7, 2017 20:09:10 GMT -5
Could be SSA wants the register to hit a random number, say 2,000 names and then keep it replenished at a fairly high level. If ever OPM had insufficient funding to administer the exam on a regular basis or took a hiatus while developing the new test, SSA could carry on for a long time with 2000 names. J Funding the ALJ tests requested by SSA isn't OPM's problem, as: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner of Social Security shall pay the full cost associated with each examination conducted pursuant to subsection (a)." |
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Post by Renee98 on Aug 7, 2017 20:19:44 GMT -5
The SSA employee handing out envelopes specifically said that envelopes were for non-SSA interviewees when I had my interview. Interesting. The employee passing out the envelopes to my group did not say anything. He just passed them out to everyone and said it was related to travel. Since I did all my travel online on E2 Solutions, I just discarded it and thought nothing else of it. There was another insider in my group also and she got the same envelope. But she also said that she didn't travel since she was from the area. I guess gary is right. I might need to check with my boss in the morning to see if I missed a memo. Hope my key card works tomorrow... |
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Post by franperirose on Aug 7, 2017 20:23:16 GMT -5
Both the envelope and sticker theories are not correct. Or at least only partly. Insiders who do not work within the building get stickers. I was handed an envelope but handed it back after hearing they were not necessary for insiders and was told that someone had made a mistake since I was not on the insider list. If only I had known they contained valuable information  |
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Post by aljnoobie on Aug 7, 2017 20:23:47 GMT -5
OK, I'm throwing a flag on this play. You cannot just throw something up in a thread about mysterious envelopes and/or sheets of paper re: insiders/outsiders and not discuss it fully b/c it violates the CA. It's against the Geneva Convention(s) or something.
Col
Envelopes had the list of interview questions with suggested answers. Bayou, myself, and a few others got them. They said something about giving them out to the best looking people? That can't be it....I got an envelope and I am homely at best. FYI Colonel - the envelope merely contained travel reimbursement documentation and paperwork for the NODARS. I can confirm that in my group the 4 insiders just got a sheet of paper from the gatekeeper of Isengard; while myself and the other Non-SSA candidate received the envelope. |
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Post by Pixie on Aug 7, 2017 22:37:31 GMT -5
OK, I'm throwing a flag on this play. You cannot just throw something up in a thread about mysterious envelopes and/or sheets of paper re: insiders/outsiders and not discuss it fully b/c it violates the CA. It's against the Geneva Convention(s) or something.
Col
Envelopes had the list of interview questions with suggested answers. Bayou, myself, and a few others got them. They said something about giving them out to the best looking people? was in that group? Well, your theory is shot. |
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Post by Prrple on Aug 7, 2017 22:38:04 GMT -5
I also think that non-SSA had stickers and SSA didn't. Ooooohhhhh!!! I love stickers! I think getting a Wonder Woman sticker is luckier than getting a Spider-Man sticker. |
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Post by bayou on Aug 8, 2017 7:18:07 GMT -5
Envelopes had the list of interview questions with suggested answers. Bayou, myself, and a few others got them. They said something about giving them out to the best looking people? was in that group? Well, your theory is shot. True story. |
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Post by alohastate on Aug 8, 2017 22:40:52 GMT -5
BTW: Unless appeals are adjudicated first which (based on past OPM performance) would be very fast turnaround on them, all you appellants may have a decision to make: Start the process anew and abandon the appeal; or Allow the appeal to run its course and forgo the refresh testing under the new JOA. Abandon. Start fresh. IMHO. |
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Post by alohastate on Aug 8, 2017 22:47:59 GMT -5
I can't even process this all....After the shocking disappointment of failing the WD, I cringe to think of starting all over. We'll see, we'll see Hang in there! Fortune favors the bold! When you are a sitting ALJ, you will remember the "starting all over" process with a dreadful fondness. Like the bar exam. :-) |
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Post by alohastate on Aug 8, 2017 23:47:55 GMT -5
I have been on a hiatus and checked back in only to find this major issue! So it maybe way too early to be pontificating but what in the world to do? To have made it all the way except the WD and to have filed an appeal. I am terrified to simply blindly start all over again knowing that some pencil head or computer glitch could arbitrarily end my chances way earlier. Some of the post I've read talked about this refresh occurring more frequently in the future. I am just really torn about what to do if our appeals are not decided which seems like they will not be. I guess one thought would be to stick with the appeal and if you lose it simply wait until another refresh? Or understanding that so few appeals are successful abandon the appeal and start all over. For those of you all that are in this boat what say you? What I say is be confident. When opportunity knocks, don't peek through the hole, but throw the door open, extend a hand, and invite it in. You (we) are getting a second chance to make a great first impression. If lightning strikes twice, you can revive your tired appeal email (as I suppose I can too). This is a shocking opportunity. Don't retreat from it! |
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Post by JudgeKnot on Aug 9, 2017 14:05:19 GMT -5
There should be something board members could wear to self-identify when they go to testing. Denim jackets with leather trim might work for the testing day, but might be frowned upon as the attire-of-choice for an interview. When I tested, I would've enjoyed speaking with other boardies, but I'm a bit of an introvert and I was new to the board, so I wasn't comfortable walking up to strangers and asking them, "Hey, are you one of the folks on that discussion board that shares inside info about this process?" That might not have gone over well. |
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Post by nothingtoseehere on Aug 9, 2017 15:01:28 GMT -5
There should be something board members could wear to self-identify when they go to testing. Denim jackets with leather trim might work for the testing day, but might be frowned upon as the attire-of-choice for an interview. When I tested, I would've enjoyed speaking with other boardies, but I'm a bit of an introvert and I was new to the board, so I wasn't comfortable walking up to strangers and asking them, "Hey, are you one of the folks on that discussion board that shares inside info about this process?" That might not have gone over well. I wore a full Batman costume to testing. Any of you who saw me there...that was me. |
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Post by bayou on Aug 9, 2017 15:20:25 GMT -5
There should be something board members could wear to self-identify when they go to testing. Denim jackets with leather trim might work for the testing day, but might be frowned upon as the attire-of-choice for an interview. When I tested, I would've enjoyed speaking with other boardies, but I'm a bit of an introvert and I was new to the board, so I wasn't comfortable walking up to strangers and asking them, "Hey, are you one of the folks on that discussion board that shares inside info about this process?" That might not have gone over well. I wore a full Batman costume to testing. Any of you who saw me there...that was me. So, the board member with an avatar of Homer in a tux with the board name of nothingtoseehere wore a batman costume to the interview? |
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