What Do Government Job Seekers Want?

What’s the number one improvement request made by USAJOBS job seekers?

Simple: The ability to apply to any Federal position from USAJOBS.

Four months ago, we began tracking jobseeker suggestions for enhancements using custom questions in the USAJOBS customer satisfaction survey using the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), E-Government Satisfaction Index. Five of the top ten most frequent requests are being addressed with Agency Integration.

Implemented in November 2003, Agency Integration functionality allows agencies to seamlessly integrate their recruiting systems and processes with USAJOBS. Currently, agencies and their system vendors are rapidly modifying their systems to take advantage. What’s great about the USAJOBS agency integration initiative is that it works within the recruiters’ current environment and does not require them to learn new systems or even business processes. “Recruiters will get an instant bonus with agency integration because their jobs will appear in the new tabbed display,” commented Mark McMurray, Monster Government Solutions and USAJOBS Technical Project Manager.

The Recruitment One-Stop Vision

The Recruitment One-Stop vision will allow jobseekers to apply on-line for any position from USAJOBS. To achieve this vision, the USAJOBS team architected a “Fit-In and Stand-Out” solution. USAJOBS “fits in” by providing the capability to integrate with any agency system, and “stands out” by delivering industry-leading functionality that often exceeds what’s offered in the private and public sector. USAJOBS has been architected to provide agencies with the ability to retain their customized automated staffing systems and integrate with the USAJOBS. “There will be one consistent, unified process for initiating applications plus a consistent way to communicate application status,” said McMurray.

Achieving this vision requires USAJOBS integration with existing agency systems. Using industry-standard XML and Monster’s Business Gateway, the USAJOBS team has delivered a platform for systems to effectively communicate. Agencies will soon have ongoing business-to-business data communications between USAJOBS and their systems to provide recruiters with streamlined applications and give job seekers an application one-stop with realtime application status.

What Exactly is Agency Integration?

There are five elements to agency integration:

• Initial Jobseeker Application Integration
• Job Posting Upload and Download
• Application/Position Status
• USAJOBS Job Search Integration with Agency Web Site
• Master Reference Data

Initial Jobseeker Application Integration
After a jobseeker applies for a position by clicking on the Apply Online button and selecting a USAJOBS resume, their resume is routed to the agency system. If the agency requires additional resume fields, the jobseeker is asked to provide the information; otherwise, they are directly passed to any screening questions in the agency system. Upon completing the application, they’re returned to USAJOBS.

Job Postings
If your agency has an existing system used to create job announcements, the Business Gateway allows job postings to be posted from your current system to USAJOBS. For agencies that choose to use the USAJOBS’ job announcement builder with its industry-leading functionality, you may also download job postings from USAJOBS into your agency system.

Application/Position Status
With agency integration, applicant status information can be passed from agency systems directly to USAJOBS. Recruiter’s stress will be reduced by fewer phone calls and emails asking for status. Jobseekers will be able to see the status of all their applications from their account.

USAJOBS Job Search Integration with Agency Web Site
Search may be integrated with the same look and feel as USAJOBS or may be entirely customized to seamlessly blend in with agency branding. Additionally, USAJOBS job search may also be integrated with an agency’s internal Web site (Intranet) and display Internal Agency Only positions-- jobs that don’t appear on USAJOBS.

Master Reference Data
Agencies can also benefit from USAJOBS maintenance of Master Reference Data. Agency systems can load data for standardized tables such as Occupation Codes, Locations, and Central Personnel Data File (CPDF) Codes.

Agency Vendors in a Horse Race

As part of the agency integration process, the USAJOBS team has provided public access to system vendors that include all technical specifications, samples, and a production-copy testing environment. “We’ve invited everyone to review and comment on the specifications and to openly discuss any issues,” said Dave Concordia, Monster Government Solutions and USAJOBS Technical Lead. “We’ve made changes as a result of vendor feedback. We’re trying to be as flexible as possible without forcing a timetable.”

To ensure integration success, Monster has hired HRWorX, a private consulting firm with deep experience in agency recruitment integration and development, to help educate agencies and vendors on technical issues relating to USAJOBS integration. QuickHire, a division of Monster Government Solutions, used by over 50 Federal agencies, is creating a simplified experience for the jobseeker while simultaneously providing efficiencies to HR through automation.

“QuickHire was the first commercial vendor to integrate with USAJOBS," said Bryan Hochstein, Vice President of Business Development. "As USAJOBS continues to be transformed through the Recruitment One-Stop initiative, we remain committed to ensuring that our customers will be able to take advantage of all functionality.”

Agency integration is a major element of the Recruitment One-Stop Vision. It delivers primary functionality that will benefit all stakeholders and extends the industry-leading innovation delivered by USAJOBS.

For additional information on Agency Integration, you should contact Dan DeMaioNewton, Monster Government Solutions USAJOBS Program Manager at dan.demaionewton@monster.com or Bridget Purcell at the Office of Personnel Management at bkpurcel@opm.gov.