United States Department of TransportationQuick Recruiting Helpful Hints
Effective recruiting can be simple and powerful, simultaneously. Often as a manager, you already know where you are going to find the best talent pools. Active recruiting, including requesting an individual apply for a position, is allowed within the Merit System Principals. You only cross the line to a Prohibited Personnel Practice if you unfairly limit competition.
Quick recruiting is especially effective when you are searching for specific skill sets that are not common or you know the talent pool is limited. Your networks may already have top candidates. With DOT’s Departmental Personnel Manual, Chapter 337.301, Category Rating, External Hiring Process and the elimination of the “rule of three”, you will now see all of the Best Qualified candidates, increasing your ability to hire those your recruit.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES FOR PREVIOUS POSITIONS - Review the certificates of past openings and inform the 2nd and 3rd place applicants of your open position(s). Request from your peers or HR the list of other candidates they would have hired if they had more positions available. This can include talking to other DOT OAs.
CURRENT EMPLOYEES - Current employees of DOT/OA should be made aware of openings and provided marketable materials that they can pass on to their colleagues (e.g., like a Job Announcement or flyer). All staff can assist in recruiting and serve in an employee referral process.
AGENCY ALUMNI - Past employees of DOT/OA can be a source of candidates from outside the hiring organization as well (network). If someone left DOT/OA in order to gain experience, they may want to come back.
USAJOBS DATAMINING - It’s searchable and available for sourcing prospective candidates and then informing them of the open position. Your HR Specialist can request the ability to search, but access is limited to better protect the amount of personal identifiable information stored.
DEPARTMENTAL REGISTERS - Individuals with Excepted Appointments Eligibility or have priority consideration may have the right skills and be available without having to advertise the position.
