News: Senators Unveil Bill to Streamline Hiring Process

Posted on Government Executive.com, www.govexec.com 
By Alyssa Rosenberg, arosenberg@govexec.com
March 31, 2009

Two senators active on government reform issues on Monday introduced legislation to revamp federal hiring procedures dramatically.

The 2009 Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act, sponsored by Sens. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, would eliminate the knowledge, skills and abilities essays on federal job applications and emphasize résumés and cover letters. It also requires agencies to eliminate jargon from job postings, develop workforce plans and measure the success of hiring reforms. In addition, it asks the Office of Personnel Management to create a database of applicants who want to be considered for positions at multiple agencies.

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Comments

[Levi Boren]

Does anyone know how the essays were being utilized? The central feature of these changes appears to be a substantial change in Training and Experience Evaluations. Is that the correct way to interpret this news?