Hiring Reform at GSA
The federal hiring process has been criticized by many as overly complicated and time consuming. Both managers and job applicants complain that the process is just too burdensome; creating the need for hiring reform.
On May 11, 2010, the President issued a memorandum – Improving the Federal Recruitment and Hiring Process, requiring agencies to implement significant changes to streamline and improve the current hiring process. “To deliver the quality services and results the American people expect and deserve, the Federal Government must recruit and hire highly qualified employees, and public service should be a career of choice for the most talented Americans. Yet the complexity and inefficiency of today's federal hiring process deters many highly qualified individuals from seeking and obtaining jobs in the Federal Government.”
Presidential Memorandum Requirements
The Presidential memorandum outlines a number of requirements including:
- eliminating the need for job applicants to submit essay-style questions when submitting an application for a federal job;
- allowing individuals to apply for federal employment by submitting resumes and cover letters or completing simple, plain language applications,
- assessing applicants using valid, reliable tools;
- requiring hiring managers and supervisors to become more fully involved in the hiring process;
Agencies are further required to provide the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget timelines and targets to reduce the time to fill mission critical jobs; measure the quality and speed of the hiring process and identify and address impediments to improving the process.
GSA’s Hiring Reform Action Plan outlines the actions that have been taken to comply with the Presidential memorandum. Some actions are already completed while others are still in process and will be completed by November 1, 2010.
