SSA Attorney Advisor Attire & Tips for Newbie

[adviser#9]

Starting as an attorney advisor for SSA next week.  Any tips on the following topics would be appreciated: 1) is it business casual dress?  suit & tie ever required?  2) how long/what does training consist of?  3) Any other advice.  Thanks to all.

[barkley]

Most dress business casual - polo/kackis type of thing, although I have seen some in jeans and sneakers.  You will see how others in the office dress.  The only time I would recommend a suit and tie is special occasions, like when Regional Office staff visits or other guests arrive.

As to training, typically you will be assigned a senior attorney as a mentor who should do OJT and review your decicions in the beginning.  Eventually you should go to formal training in Falls Church.  It used to be three weeks, but I think more recent classes may have cut back to 2 weeks.

Advice?  They should give you several months to learn your way around.  Take your time to really learn the law and what the expectations are.  SSA has some good video on demand training tools and be sure to ask how to access them.  As you get to know your fellow writers, ask what links to materials they have saved and what auto text they use.  There is no point in your re-inventing the wheel - you may not use all of what you find, but there are some good short cut tools out there.

[jrh83]

Quite a few of our members would be happy to share shortcuts.

[damarohl]

Personally, I think I'd show up in a tie on the first day--I've done that in each of the offices I worked in, though after that it was usually jeans and polo shirts for me.  Suss out the joint first.

And I've seen people come in wearing sweatsuits or gym shorts and T-shirts.