Waiting. . .

[shadow]

I really thought the scores would come out today, which means they probably won't. I tend to be a reverse barometer in predicting events in this process.

[nylawyer]

I don't think anyone cares about the lack of press coverage that comes with a Friday announcement, because I wouldn't expect the press to really cover this anyway.

If OPM is waiting until 5 PM because they are worried about lost productivity, they are idiots. There are only 600 of us thoughout the entire country even caring about this. Now, if they are waiting until 5 PM because they don't want to be there to answer the phone after the e-mails go out...

Told my wife before that the internet is a dangerous invention. I had never seen this site (or the old one) prior to applying for the position, so I put my application in and then promptly forgot about it until I got the e-mail scheduling me for the written test. Now, I am obsessing every day waiting for an announcement that could simply state that "you have made the register" without telling me where I am placed, or that could give me a score that translates into nothing meaningful in absence of context (rank, geographical preferences).

[deadwood]

nylawyer said:

Now, if they are waiting until 5 PM because they don't want to be there to answer the phone after the e-mails go out...

My exact thought as well!

[ruonthelist]

judicature said:

You would think OPM would want to make a big deal about how responsive they have been about this new ALJ register - as soon as they became aware of Congressional concerns they developed the new register as promised by the end of October.

A Friday announcement of a new register and the cancellation of the old one would get buried in the Saturday news graveyard. On the other hand, maybe that is exactly what OPM wants!

Interesting thought. FWIW my gut feeling is that the general media news cycle doesn't figure in OPM's plans because they believe (probably correctly) that there will be no coverage in general media of the opening of the new register.

Consider the events of last May. The House subcommittee hearing on May 1 generated a column in the Washington Post and another on govexec.com and maybe a few other specialized outlets. The actual reopening came a few days later and it resulted in no mentions that I am aware of in general media. It created a flurry of activity on internet sites devoted to ALJ and SSA disability issues but, unless I missed something (certainly possible) no press interest. I could be wrong, but the establishment of the register doesn't strike me as more newsworthy for the general public than the reopening of the exam was.

Concerning the point in your first paragraph, you make a good point. OPM will certainly want it known that they met their deadline (if they do, as I assume that they will), but at this point the timing is not anything that they are likely to crow about. If they had beat their deadline by a month or more that would be different, but beating it by a few days is nothing that they will brag about. Now that we are within a week of the deadline the perception will be that they met the deadline. Better than not meeting it, of course, but not that big a deal. The difference between October 26th and 31st is pretty trivial for their purposes. A release today would be substantially identical to a release next Wednesday in terms of their Congressional relations.

[judicature]

I concede the point to both nylawyer and runonthelist . . . your assessment of the situation makes sense.

[aljsouth]

Your anxiety and frustration is not unreasonable. Those with scores high enogh to get an interview stand a good chance of selection.

I have heard rumors of two waves of hiring this year. And there is always next year. Remember that the three candidates per site is misleading. Some high scoring vets will be on many site lists but can be selected only once.

OPM will release the scores in its own time. This testing and new list is congress driven and they will want to get it out soon.

Good luck to all.

[cinderella]

ALJSouth, could you give us a little more detail about the rumor of "two waves" of hiring? Also, I noticed on "the other board," a rumor that the 150 projected new hires had been cut to 75 (I guess due to budget?). Any truth to that one? Thanks for your input!

[Pixie]

Cinderella: Don't believe anything you read on the other board. As to the two "waves" of hiring, hopefully there will be three "waves" so the classes will be of a manageable size. Any more than sixty in a class (divided into two sections) is too many. In 2001 there were about 130 in that class, and it was a logistical nightmare. A few years ago, may have been the last class, the hiring for two classes was done at the same time. That way the second class got really good advance notice. Usually it has been about 3 1/2 weeks notice. Not much time to close up shop and take off for training. Pix.

[nylawyer]

okay, so we all assume that the register is completely ready, that everything is graded and set to go. So, why are we waiting? Is OPM going to wait to Wednesday just because they can?

[3orangewhips]

nylawyer said:

okay, so we all assume that the register is completely ready, that everything is graded and set to go. So, why are we waiting? Is OPM going to wait to Wednesday just because they can?

yes.

[judicature]

They don't know what to do with all the perfect scores we received!

[chieftain]

Does OPM apply any sort of curve? Or if there are 450 scores of 100, so be it?

[southerner]

Never heard of any curve utilized.

[privateatty]

Thanks, ruonthelist. I never thought a "wannabe" would equate with an ALJ, but I thought that an eligible/ALJ would have to want in before an ALJ could go out. There must be Union rules that we don't know about.

[crazybroad]

I've heard that some one was contacted last week over a dispute in her vet preference. That's probably what's happening now - investigations into VP - confirming them and all. Can anyone tell me what it says next to their VP on Application Manager, whether or not it's been determined, obviously I'm asking vets only. Thanks. That will either make or break my theory.

[aljwannabe]

Under the column labeled "Status" there is a check mark and "Ok."

[crazybroad]

Hmmm, that still doesn't mean they have figured out all the VPs yet. So . . . that's probably the hold up on releasing scores.

[chieftain]

Mine has the date that the DD-214/VA civil service letter were received, and a link to view them. I'd be surprised if scores were held up for this. Mine had to be verified so I could even apply.

[justalawyer]

3orangewhips said:

goodoleboy said:

Go on about your life as if being an ALJ was not on the horizon. You are now a part of a very dysfunctional process being conducted primarily by two very dysfunctional federal agencies. From experience, do not listen to any rumors floating around especially those from anyone connected with either agency. Do not act on any rumors or any promises by either agency until you have it in writing and then confirm. All of you who make the register must go through another round of interviews. If, for instance, these interviewers tell you to pack your bags and get ready, disregard the statement. Suffice is to say that I listened to rumors, started preparing to leave my practice, giving away clients and closing out club memberships, etc. The call came for me almost 18 months after I made the register, 6 months after the SSA interview and 5 months after I referred my last client. This agency (SSA) doesn't care about you or any of your problems, beliefs, dreams, hopes, current job commitments or family situations. So my advice, if you think you really want to work for SSA, is to proceed with your life as if you don't care about the whole process. Maybe you will be able to change your mind.

ding ding ding, we have a winner.

I know I've come across as negative, but I really do wish the best of luck to everyone to everyone still in the game.

EXACTLY! Thanks to both of you for reminding us all to put it in perspective. Personally I'm geographically bound due to young children in school, a working spouse, terrific neighborhood/schools/friends etc. So I can't/won't move. I will consider commuting (I'm in a large metro area) up to 60 miles one way, but given all my restrictions and the reality of this insane process, I'm not looking for the promotion anytime soon ... as the saying goes "I'm just happy to be nominated!" HA!