US Labor Department streamlines federal hiring process

Office of Personnel Management and other federal agencies discuss steps taken toward hiring reforms, simplified application process for job candidates

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Labor joined representatives from across the federal government to mark the progress made over the past six months in streamlining the hiring process to modernize the federal workforce. Along with U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry and other agency leaders, Labor Department representatives discussed the steps the department has taken in implementing President Obama's hiring reform initiative.

"This hiring reform puts the Department of Labor in a better position to hire much needed talent," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These reforms simplify the application process for job candidates and contribute to an efficient federal hiring system. Recruiting the most qualified candidates to ensure good jobs for millions of Americans is critically important to this administration and to our country."

On May 11, 2010, President Obama mandated a reform of federal hiring practices in order to achieve quality talent acquisition. In his memo, the president directed agencies to reduce the time it takes to hire an applicant, begin accepting resumes and simplify the hiring process overall. Over the next few months, OPM and the Office of Management and Budget will review the progress each individual federal agency is making in implementing reforms in the hiring process.

Several elements of hiring reform at the Labor Department include convening a multi-agency task group to develop templates for standard, common-language job opportunity announcements; and developing a communications plan for hiring managers.

Every day, Labor Department employees serve the American public by protecting workers, preparing them for new and better jobs, and ensuring the safety of America's workplaces. By making the federal hiring process more transparent, efficient and effective, the department will be able to attract and more quickly hire talented and diverse applicants to serve and protect American workers.