Federal Hiring Reforms – A Step towards Efficient Government

President Obama have released the hiring reform memorandum (new executive order) in order to improve the Federal recruitment and hiring process. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) also recently hosted a Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Summit to discuss the executive order which allows for changes in the hiring system by reducing the gap between the job announcements and filling vacancies.
Hiring has always been a matter of concern both for the job applicants as well as the Federal agencies. This overhaul in the Federal hiring process was long due with The Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggesting changes since 2001.
In the memo the President said that “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. Americans must be able to apply for Federal jobs through a commonsense hiring process and agencies must be able to select high-quality candidates efficiently and quickly.”
Some highlights of the hiring reform include eliminating essay-style application material and instead submitting resumes and cover letters in simple, plain language. The agencies have also been asked to submit their recruitment plan for top talent to the Office of Personnel Management by the end of 2010.