Tinker implements new hiring process Published March 18, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- In May 2010, President Barack Obama passed an initiative to improve the federal hiring process. On April 25 a new system aimed at doing just that will be implemented at Tinker. The Single Staffing Tool is an enterprise method used across the Department of Defense, which aims to hire a candidate in less than 80 days, while also keeping a candidate informed of their application status. The tool manages applicants - new employees and existing staff applying for new positions - based on overall experience and knowledge using a résumé format and online questionnaire. Résumés and questionnaires will then be reviewed by management and human resources personnel. The former system which rated an applicant based on skill codes or career briefs will no longer be used. "This change brings opportunities," said Laura Young, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Personnel Directorate's Manpower and Personnel deputy director. "It's going to be more efficient and in time, we'll see a decrease in how long it takes to hire someone." The tool, which can be accessed at www.USAJOBS.gov, uses four elements to keep applicants aware of their statuses. Once a candidate fills out an application and it is received, the system will let the applicant know. As the application is being reviewed for qualifications, the applicant will again be notified. The applicant will also be advised of his referral status and his selection status. "This will be one-stop shopping instead of applicants going to two different sites - USA JOBS and the Air Force Personnel Center self-nomination process site," said Donna Zawisza, AFPC Operation Location chief. Within the USAJOBS website, candidates can search for specific DOD job announcements based on keywords, location, grade, salary or agency. Each announcement will list details about the position, qualifications and how to apply. Additionally, candidates can build and store up to five résumés, tailoring each one to a specific skill set, on the site. Résumés can include past and present experience, training, education, appraisal scores, awards and licensures. "This way managers will have a larger, more sufficient applicant pool," said David Traynor, OC-ALC/DP Personnel Programs Division Human Resources specialist. Because the system is new and will mainly affect current DOD civilians, the Airman and Family Readiness Center offers USAJOBS training and résumé classes and the OC-ALC/DP Force Development Division offers stand-up training. More information regarding training opportunities will be available through organization human resource professionals. For USAJOBS information, go to http://www.usajobs.gov/infocenter; for résumé and application tips, go to http://www.usajobs.gov/El/resumeandapplicationtips.asp; and for frequently asked questions, go to http://www.custhelp.usajobs.gov/app.