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Post by neufenland on Apr 28, 2022 7:15:06 GMT -5
I competed the application and it took me at least an hour...wow. An hour to write out 6 of the compentcy sections and all the contact info for 9 references? That's impressive! Good luck! I said "at least" an hour, to be fair. And upon reflection, it was probably closer to two hours. One can lose track of time in the moment, and even then, I was trying to be quick so as to make the cut-off. |
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Post by kastelf on Apr 28, 2022 7:15:18 GMT -5
Glad to have wasted 3 hours last night working on this (with plans to finish this evening), only to find out that it closed in less than 24 hours. Apparently all of the attorney-advisors already working in SSA spent their workday doing their application, while being paid by the agency to do that - ugh! Can't win for trying Just another perspective: I am not an insider, but got my application in out of sheer luck. I have had my transcript in usajobs for years, add the new proof of bar license when it comes, updated my resume and added it fairly recently for a different posting, and had a starting point for the assessment questions from a previous app started but not finished. The requirement of 9 references was nearly a downfall because even after seeing the information on this board last week that the posting would go up, I just did not think to line up references. Fortunately, mine are wonderful people who responded quickly with all needed info, and I was able to apply before the deadline. My point is: there are many reasons why people may have been in a position to apply quickly, and I doubt most of them are because insiders were spending paid work time doing it or that they had more inside info than could be obtained here from interested outsiders who have had this job in their target for awhile. |
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Post by badger on Apr 28, 2022 7:20:01 GMT -5
Glad to have wasted 3 hours last night working on this (with plans to finish this evening), only to find out that it closed in less than 24 hours. Apparently all of the attorney-advisors already working in SSA spent their workday doing their application, while being paid by the agency to do that - ugh! Can't win for trying Improper assumption, they likely took leave we are not allocated time to apply for jobs in our widget makung accountability tool. Although we had a heads up it was coming last weeek, some of us were busy working and got shut out just like you...even after paying our own way through the testing process in 2016 and scoring well but being executive ordered out of making certification with good scores. Unfortunately, I forgot to check here for info after several years of crickets on this particular job front.or I would've taken day off for a chance as a previously well qualified candidate ir I'd have taken leave and applied instead of spending all day at my job of 17 years preparing the existing ALJs for hearings next week drafting detailed prehearing reviews as an SAA who formerly drafted and signed decisions myself earlier in my career. Just as an FYI, AWT now has a "merit promotion" category that allows you to apply to SSA jobs with supervisor approval. |
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Post by roonie on Apr 28, 2022 7:20:56 GMT -5
Improper assumption, they likely took leave we are not allocated time to apply for jobs in our widget makung accountability tool. Although we had a heads up it was coming last weeek, some of us were busy working and got shut out just like you...even after paying our own way through the testing process in 2016 and scoring well but being executive ordered out of making certification with good scores. Unfortunately, I forgot to check here for info after several years of crickets on this particular job front.or I would've taken day off for a chance as a previously well qualified candidate ir I'd have taken leave and applied instead of spending all day at my job of 17 years preparing the existing ALJs for hearings next week drafting detailed prehearing reviews as an SAA who formerly drafted and signed decisions myself earlier in my career. Just as an FYI, AWT now has a "merit promotion" category that allows you to apply to SSA jobs with supervisor approval. Our region gave guidance that this would not be approved because the job was open to the public. |
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Post by natethegreat on Apr 28, 2022 7:22:25 GMT -5
Improper assumption, they likely took leave we are not allocated time to apply for jobs in our widget makung accountability tool. Although we had a heads up it was coming last weeek, some of us were busy working and got shut out just like you...even after paying our own way through the testing process in 2016 and scoring well but being executive ordered out of making certification with good scores. Unfortunately, I forgot to check here for info after several years of crickets on this particular job front.or I would've taken day off for a chance as a previously well qualified candidate ir I'd have taken leave and applied instead of spending all day at my job of 17 years preparing the existing ALJs for hearings next week drafting detailed prehearing reviews as an SAA who formerly drafted and signed decisions myself earlier in my career. Just as an FYI, AWT now has a "merit promotion" category that allows you to apply to SSA jobs with supervisor approval. It was indicated yesterday that the ALJ vacancy was not considered a Merit Promotion and therefore you could not apply under that provision. |
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Post by odarwinian on Apr 28, 2022 7:22:28 GMT -5
Just as an FYI, AWT now has a "merit promotion" category that allows you to apply to SSA jobs with supervisor approval. Our region gave guidance that this would not be approved because the job was open to the public. Same here. |
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Post by badger on Apr 28, 2022 7:29:09 GMT -5
Just as an FYI, AWT now has a "merit promotion" category that allows you to apply to SSA jobs with supervisor approval. Our region gave guidance that this would not be approved because the job was open to the public. Interesting, I was wrapping up my shift when I saw the posting, so I applied after work. I don't think we got guidance on that. Might be worth asking for union clarification, the guide says "agency vacancy announcement" it doesn't say internal only. |
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Post by lawyeredbylaws on Apr 28, 2022 7:38:34 GMT -5
Made cert last time but I missed out on this time around. I was sick all day so didn’t see it got posted until after dinner time. So had no opportunity to confirm references. I thought I’d have at least until end of today.
They didn’t have to limit the number of applicants or could have just done a 3 day cut off instead they did the random 1000 number. I’d imagine they have a list of people they want for ALJs ready to go and the listing is a mere formality, which is a lot easier to do now that there is no testing.
There is a reason why OHO is ranked 389/411 in best places to work in the federal government.
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Post by bp on Apr 28, 2022 7:46:34 GMT -5
I completed the OPM testing process in 2016, flew myself to DC for two days of testing, got a really good score, and made the first certificate for HHS's ALJ hire in my dream location shortly after that. About a week before my interview, they blew up the register and I never got the chance to be considered.
When SSA posted their next ALJ vacancy announcement, I again applied, completed the new process, and was invited to fly myself to Falls Church for two days for the final interview stage. I did that, and then SSA never made the hire due to the change in leadership.
After the dozens of hours and thousands of dollars in travel expenses I have spent applying, my consolation prize is that I had my application materials mostly done and was able to slip my application in with 5 minutes to spare. I suspect others were able to apply quickly for similar reasons. If there is one thing I have learned about ALJ hiring, it is that the process can be unfair and subject to a healthy amount of luck.
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Post by montyburns on Apr 28, 2022 8:02:50 GMT -5
That may be the case, but they certainly had inside information about when the application would open and what sort of information was necessary to complete. Who can possibly secure a transcript of their undergraduate and law degree that quickly? No, everyone (outsiders/insiders) on this board knew you needed transcripts because they’ve asked for them every time. I’ve seen it required for many of the legal jobs I’ve applied to in USAJOBS . Indeed, insiders have consistently shared info on this board despite it being detrimental to their chances to do so. Most of the people on here have 5-10 years experience applying to this job. You got to have all that stuff uploaded already. We get that it sucks. But understand that most people in here have gone through this process many times and have spent thousands of dollars and dozens (hundreds?) of hours applying to it and similar jobs. |
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Post by lawyeredbylaws on Apr 28, 2022 8:12:16 GMT -5
In regards to transcripts, I’ve been applying to a lot of attorney jobs on USAJobs and almost all require a transcript. So there are tons and tons of attorneys who already have them uploaded and ready to go.
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Post by badger on Apr 28, 2022 8:13:54 GMT -5
That may be the case, but they certainly had inside information about when the application would open and what sort of information was necessary to complete. Who can possibly secure a transcript of their undergraduate and law degree that quickly? No, everyone (outsiders/insiders) on this board knew you needed transcripts because they’ve asked for them every time. I’ve seen it required for many of the legal jobs I’ve applied to in USAJOBS . Indeed, insiders have consistently shared info on this board despite it being detrimental to their chances to do so. Most of the people on here have 5-10 years experience applying to this job. You got to have all that stuff uploaded already. We get that it sucks. But understand that most people in here have gone through this process many times and have spent thousands of dollars and dozens (hundreds?) of hours applying to it and similar jobs. Unfortunately applying to federal jobs takes some trial and error. They are super particular about certain things. Upload your transcripts now if you don't have them. My transcripts have an upload date from 2015, they'll sit on USAJOBS forever. I'm sure I messed something up in the rush yesterday, but once the dust settles I intend to go over my app and make sure everything is perfect and ready to go for the next time the job is posted. |
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Post by mvnsouth on Apr 28, 2022 8:20:51 GMT -5
Just as an FYI, AWT now has a "merit promotion" category that allows you to apply to SSA jobs with supervisor approval. Our region gave guidance that this would not be approved because the job was open to the public. Yes our office/region interprets as application for details not jobs...up to 2 hrs, but different mgmt teams approve/disapprove NWT |
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Post by mvnsouth on Apr 28, 2022 8:26:37 GMT -5
Incredibly disappointed and very surprised. I finished most of it yesterday, and was able to do so because, having applied at least twice before, I had a lot of what they were asking for ready to go, including transcripts and copy of bar card, and got it all uploaded. All I was going to do was update my references, so I closed it down and was going to start up again early this morning. Much to my horror, I got the dreaded email in the middle of the night (eastern time)that it had closed. Best of luck to those that made it in time. This was my last shot, so I guess I’ll just retire next year. Darn. Same here but got 2 years til possible early out! Still bummed not to gave made cut off after so many years of waiting for a second chance. Confirmed my docs were there and wanted to tweak a few things...early bird gets the 🪱. |
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Post by mvnsouth on Apr 28, 2022 8:28:31 GMT -5
That may be the case, but they certainly had inside information about when the application would open and what sort of information was necessary to complete. Who can possibly secure a transcript of their undergraduate and law degree that quickly? No, everyone (outsiders/insiders) on this board knew you needed transcripts because they’ve asked for them every time. I’ve seen it required for many of the legal jobs I’ve applied to in USAJOBS . Indeed, insiders have consistently shared info on this board despite it being detrimental to their chances to do so. Most of the people on here have 5-10 years experience applying to this job. You got to have all that stuff uploaded already. We get that it sucks. But understand that most people in here have gone through this process many times and have spent thousands of dollars and dozens (hundreds?) of hours applying to it and similar jobs. 💯 exactly! |
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Post by ARobeByAnyOtherName on Apr 28, 2022 8:34:40 GMT -5
USAjobs sent an email to applicants shortly after midnight stating the job is now closed. It did close after just one day. I did not get this email, but I got an email that my app was received (and it was like 8 hours before it closed). Should I be worried? The email I received about the posting closing included the following: You received this email because you signed up for notifications when a job you applied for has closed. To unsubscribe or manage your email preferences for job applications: 1. Sign into your USAJOBS account. 2. Go to your Applications. 3. Click the Notifications link. 4. Click the checkbox to remove or add an email notification. If a checkbox is empty, you will not receive emails. |
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Post by recoveringalj on Apr 28, 2022 8:35:07 GMT -5
This “pop up” style announcement used to be the way OPM did it many years ago. It seems to me that this is more likely history repeating itself than a conspiracy to favor insiders. That said, the qualifying experience seemed flexible enough to allow some insiders who didn’t qualify in the past to make the cut.
It’ll be interesting to see how many people are willing to move for these jobs given new flexibilities and the state of the housing market. You already see people on this board saying they would not move for the job.
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Post by shmi1979 on Apr 28, 2022 8:36:30 GMT -5
I did not get this email, but I got an email that my app was received (and it was like 8 hours before it closed). Should I be worried? The email I received about the posting closing included the following: You received this email because you signed up for notifications when a job you applied for has closed. To unsubscribe or manage your email preferences for job applications: 1. Sign into your USAJOBS account. 2. Go to your Applications. 3. Click the Notifications link. 4. Click the checkbox to remove or add an email notification. If a checkbox is empty, you will not receive emails. Thanks! |
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Post by dragon on Apr 28, 2022 8:51:38 GMT -5
This was my email:
The following job that you applied for on USAJOBS has closed. You can no longer make updates to your application.
Announcement #: SH11434791
Agency Name: Social Security Administration
Job Title: Administrative Law Judge (Licensing and Benefits)
Series & Grade: AL-0935-3
OPM Control Number: 651261700
You received this email because you signed up for notifications when a job you applied for has closed.
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Post by montyburns on Apr 28, 2022 8:57:22 GMT -5
This “pop up” style announcement used to be the way OPM did it many years ago. It seems to me that this is more likely history repeating itself than a conspiracy to favor insiders. That said, the qualifying experience seemed flexible enough to allow some insiders who didn’t qualify in the past to make the cut. It’ll be interesting to see how many people are willing to move for these jobs given new flexibilities and the state of the housing market. You already see people on this board saying they would not move for the job. One would think the insider conspiracy theory would be quashed by the requirement asking for three references who are former opposing counsel. Insiders don’t have that. A lot of sitting ALJs don’t have that. |
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