rumors

[mushroom]

I have heard a RUMOR that OPM is going to reopen the register in 30 to 60 days. Anyone else heard this?

[Propmaster]

I have not heard this.

And there is no reason why I would have, frankly.

It is sad, sad news to me, although I know it will be welcome news to all the people who were out on technicalities, or who missed the tiny window of opportunity.

I think many of us applicants who scored in the low 60's or less were kind of hoping another 100 or so would be hired from this register. Maybe after this expanded hire, that's not so reasonable. However, I am more than confident that if another 600-1000 people are added to the register, I'll move 400-667 slots downwards, and essentially out of contention.

Nor will I reapply right away. I don't think I can significantly improve me score without boosting my experience and credentials. I'll probably wait a few years.

Still, thanks for the potential heads up. (No, I'm not holding you to anything

[mushroom]

Well, I'll admit, I am an ODAR-ite & I heard it from someone who I *think* - but now I'm not even really sure - would know.

The other part of the rumor I heard is that people already on the register can either keep their score or do the whole thing ALL over again.

I, like you, am hoping they will hire another 100 judges before opening it up! I think we've worked too hard to get here.....just my thoughts!

thanks for not holding me to anything - i am just a lowly mushroom after all......

[dazedandconfused]

mushroom, I was at the recent conference and it was stated that the Commissioner of SSA asked OPM to reopen. However, OPM and SSA have not got along real well in the past, and the big question is whether OPM will comply or not. From there perspective there are still 400-450 qualified people on the list, even if SSA doesnt think so. More than enough to hire another 100+ judges. Even if it does reopen, it could take another 6+ months to score everyone, so SSA could still take one more cert from the current register.

[odarite]

If you have any interest whatever in applying or re-applying when the register reopens, then go to usajobs.gov and set up a "client" and select daily notification (or whatever option is most frequent) so you will receive immediate notification when OPM reopens the register. And unlike dazedandconfused, I don't think there are still enough names on the register if the Commissioner asks for a certificate for 150 hires, as he is rumored to intend. There are at most about 400 left on the register (there were only about 600 to start, and SSA has hired or is hiring about 160-170, plus the other agency hires. When you add to the mix geographic availablility, this is not enough.

[allrise]

I thought those on the register already could not reapply until at least 1 year after we received our score.

[dazedandconfused]

Odarite, at the same conference it was stated the hires for next year will be 50-100. The people who won their appeals were added to the register. It is now probably in the neighborhood of 425-450. More than enough for another cert of 50. No doubt SSA wants the register to reopen. The question is will OPM jump through hoops for them before the end of the fiscal year.

[allrise]

a co-worker who was knocked out of the process before the test and interview for not demonstrating 7 years of litigation experience was advised a few months ago that her appeal was granted. However, she has not been asked to take the written test and interview. Does anyone know whether OPM has interviewed or tested anyone since last Fall?

[mushroom]

Ah....so it's no longer a rumor. The race will be on again!

[dazedandconfused]

So much for my theory.

[ALJD]

Yup. It's confirmed now.

Here's the link for all to see:

www.opm.gov/news/opm-to-announce-reopening-of-the-administrative-law-judge-exam,1423.aspx

[aljkeb123]

Anyone have any advice for those who intend to apply when the register re-opens?

[morgullord]

Pay attention to the instructions. Give them exactly what they want. Assume nothing.

[okeydokey]

Morgullord's point is worth repeating:

Pay attention to the instructions. Give them exactly what they want. Assume nothing.

Check and recheck your application. Make sure EVERY box is filled, whether it is relevant or not. If it is not applicable, put "n/a". That way you will be sure not to omit information that will lead to automatic disqualification, i.e., your bar number.

[nylawyer]

another tidbit- if for some reason something is not applicable, or can't be answered, you might want to explain why. For example, New York doesn't have bar numbers, a fact I discovered when I called up the First Department to find out what mine is. So, I wrote that fact, along with the name of the person who I spoke with. I made the register (the bottom, but still, I'm there)- I guarantee there were applicants from New York who didn't because they didn't provide a non-existent bar number.

[testtaker]

Jul 25, 2008 13:13:25 GMT -5 nylawyer said:

another tidbit- if for some reason something is not applicable, or can't be answered, you might want to explain why. For example, New York doesn't have bar numbers, a fact I discovered when I called up the First Department to find out what mine is. So, I wrote that fact, along with the name of the person who I spoke with. I made the register (the bottom, but still, I'm there)- I guarantee there were applicants from New York who didn't because they didn't provide a non-existent bar number.

New York attorneys have a registration number. You can locate your number by performing a search at: iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorney/AttorneySearch

[aljkeb123]

Thank you all for that invaluable informtion.

[aljkeb123]

Thank you for all of the great advice. I will put it to good use.