Federal Hiring Reforms

On May 11, President Obama released a Memorandum directing federal agencies to initiate important changes to federal recruitment and hiring. How will these changes affect you?

In the coming months, we will continue to keep you apprised of what's happening with federal hiring. Some of the changes you should be aware of that will be implemented by November 1, 2010 are:
• Elimination of essay-style questions (KSA essays) from the initial phase of the federal application process;
• Allowing applicants to rely on resumes and cover letters or complete simple, straightforward applications;
• Elimination of the "rule of three" approach to hiring, under which managers may only select from among the three highest-scoring applicants, to a "category rating" that permits agencies to consider a greater number of qualified candidates;
• Instituting an 80 day hiring model from posting to offer;
• Notifying applicants on USAJOBS Web site at key stages of the application process; and
• Ensuring that federal job announcements are easily understood by applicants.
In addition, the President directed OPM to:
• Propose a framework for providing effective pathways into federal service for college students and recent college graduates; and
• Evaluate the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) and provide recommendations concerning the future of that program.
Learn more about federal hiring reform at www.OPM.gov/HiringReform.