BREAKING NEWS: Congratulations, if you are invited to the Online Component. We recommend our ALJ Writing Guide to review the 13 ALJ Competencies! We also recommend our Structured Interview practice if you are invited to the Structured Interview component of the ALJ Examination.
Preparing your Application for the Administrative Law Judge Examination
Deadline April 8, 2016
The long-awaited ALJ Examination Announcement is out. And now begins the pressured writing of the initial application. The first stages of the application can be seen in the USAJOBS announcement. This is just a Quick Review of the four initial application elements:
Resume, two narratives, optional case list, vet preference documents (and other license and educational documents)
Samples of the ALJ resume, narratives and optional case list are available in the ALJ Guide. Also ALJ Webinar, April 2, Sat.
The actual application for April 8th is four parts:
Required Documents
(1) RESUME to be reviewed by hiring agencies only – HOT TIPS FOR YOUR RESUME:
A. THE 13 ALJ COMPETENCIES! Read, study and try to include or consider the 13 ALJ Competencies with your resume! Decision Making, Interpersonal Skills, Judicial Analysis, Judicial Decisiveness, Judicial Management, Judicial Temperament, Litigation and Courtroom Competence, Oral Communication, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Reasoning, Self-Management, and Writing.
B. ALJ Accomplishments! Improve your resume with a few of your most significant, memorable, complex and interesting cases. Tell a few stories to show your casework, knowledge and expertise. See samples in the book.
C. Keywords ! Match the announcement duties and responsibilities, and the ALJ position description with your resume.
D. 3 or 4 pages! The best ALJ federal resumes are longer than the typical private sector attorney resume. Give the ALJ HR reviewers a little more information to consider.
(2) VETERANS PREFERENCE documentation (if you are claiming Veterans’ Preference)
How to Apply
To apply for the position of ALJ, you must submit the minimum complete application package through the online processing system (Application Manager). A minimum complete package includes the following:
(3) YOUR RESPONSES TO THE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE (TWO NARRATIVES) – you can view the questionnaire inside of the “How to Apply” toggle. Scroll down.
Request for two one-page narratives in the assessment questionnaire.
In the text box below, describe your experience, if applicable, that relates to the “litigation experience” requirements as defined in the “Qualifications Requirements” section. Please pay special attention to the above instructions concerning specificity and detail.
In the text box below, describe your experience, if applicable, that relates to the “administrative law experience” requirements as defined in the “Qualifications Requirements” section. Please pay special attention to the above instructions concerning specificity and detail.
(4) LISTING OF SIGNIFICANT LITIGATION AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASES (OPTIONAL): The case listing is optional. You may provide this information in support of your application by identifying specific examples of qualifying experience. You may use the case listing format provided below to cite and discuss up to six (6) of the most significant litigation and/or formal administrative law cases you have prepared, participated in, and/or reviewed.
The case listing document should be uploaded as a separate document in the “Other” document type of your application. The cases will not be scored as part of the ALJ examination, but may be used by hiring agencies in their selection process. The cases will be provided to hiring agencies with your résumé if your name is on the ALJ register and is referred for employment consideration.
The case listing format is as follows:
- Title of case
- Party represented
- Regulatory body or court hearing the case
- Brief statement of issue(s) involved
- Your precise role or capacity
- Final disposition of case
- Dates between which your participation took place
- Presiding officer/judge with contact information (i.e., name, title/position, email address (if possible), and phone number)
- Opposing counsel (or counsel appearing in case if applicant served in a hearing officer/judicial position) with contact information (i.e., name, title/position, email address (if possible), and phone number)
Good luck with your ALJ application – Round 1 !
Order the ALJ Writing Guide Now!
The 2016 ALJ Announcement was just posted!
Check your qualifications!
This book contains valuable insight and samples including:
● Two sample federal resumes, including a before (general two-page legal resume) and after (4 or 5 page federal-style narrative resume)
● Introduction to the Context-Challenge-Action-Results model for writing ALJ narratives
● Sample qualifying administrative law and litigation narratives
● Definitions for all 13 competencies tested in 2013*
● Review of all changes in ALJ hiring since 2009 including the innovative 2013 ALJ exam.
Kathryn Troutman, Co-Author, Publisher, ALJ Writing Guide, Webinars. President, The Resume Place, Inc.
