Who are Federal Agencies hiring to fill entry-level positions? Why do they come to work for the Federal Government? What were they looking for in a job? These questions form the basis for this MSPB report. Ultimately, the results of this study demonstrate that the Federal Government can more ably compete for entry-level new hires than some of the contemporary research suggests, but there is much room for growth. The Chairman notes, "there are some troublesome trends that could thwart merit-based hiring over time." MSPB makes a number of recommendations that agencies and Federal policy makers should consider when reflecting on how to improve the Federal hiring process.
Agency website: https://www.mspb.gov/
Executive Summary i
Introduction 1
Purpose 1
Scope and Methodology 3
Setting the Context: Past, Present and Future New Hire Trends 5
The Aging Federal Workforce 5
Hiring Trends 6
Demographic Profile 8
Hiring Authorities 10
Who They Are: Age and Experience of Entry-Level New Hires 17
Age 17
Experience 19
Potential Factors to Explain Age and Experience 20
What They Want: Interests, Influences and Intentions 31
Employment Goals 32
Job Offer Attractors 33
Federal Employment Strengths 35
The “It” Factor 36
Intent to Stay 37
What They Did to Get the Job: The Job Hunt 43
Learning About Jobs 43
Applications Sent 47
Obstacles Faced 49
Conclusions and Recommendations 53
Conclusions 53
Recommendations 55
Appendix: Entry-Level Survey 59
Federal employees, their supervisors, agency management, union personnel, especially Human Capital officers and employees across the U.S. Federal Government may be interested in this report. Additionally, members of Congress, and Federal managers within the Office of Management and Budget, and Office of Personnel Management that is responsible for policy making authority may find this guide helpful as a reference with human resources and civil service matters. Additionally, students pursuing research for courses within these fields, especially public administration, human resources, employment law, organizational development, and industrial-organizational psychology may find this primary source document that deals with civil service issues helpful for assignments.
