September 27th, 2025
USAJOBS will add standard language in the job opportunity announcement template emphasizing that candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. And all job opportunity announcements will state that candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
NEW ESSAY QUESTIONS – NO MORE THAN 200 WORDS PER QUESTION
Important note: Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). To reduce the burden on candidates, the responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. CareerPro Global cannot assist you with responses to these questions.
NEW JOB APPLICATION CERTIFICATION
Again, job applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question.
OPM and agencies will improve applicant user experience during the job search by encouraging applicants to make their resumes searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile.
This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers to find their resumes as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.
Effective September 26th, 2025, agencies will take down all current job vacancies and on September 27th, 2025.
SHORT ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONAIRES
Agencies may use a short eligibility questionnaire as part of the initial job application for screening purposes only. These may include initial, job-specific questions such as requiring candidates to certify, for example, that they are U.S. citizens, are willing to carry a firearm in performance of their job duties or hold certifications that are required to perform the role.
As set forth above, agencies require at least one technical or alternative assessment for candidate ranking. To improve communication with candidates throughout the hiring process, OPM will require automatic generation of USAJOBS and USA Staffing notifications for applicants at key stages of the hiring process, instead of relying on agency HR professionals to send notifications.
USA JOBS AND USA STAFFING WILL BE MERGED
And OPM will merge USAJOBS and USA Staffing to create more streamlined applicant experience and reduce duplication and redundant requirements.
REDUCING TIME-TO HIRE TO 80 DAYS – Page 11 – Executive Order 14170 directs that government-wide time-to-hire be reduced to under 80 days.
This goal refers to time to initial offer, though the Merit Hiring Plan will also seek to reduce delays associated with personnel vetting requirements.
Fully implementing practices like pooled hiring and shared certificates through USAJOBS Talent Pools and Talent Programs and USA Staffing’s Candidate Inventory will significantly improve the Federal hiring time average. Whew, lots of changes in the federal job application process.
