The agency plans to survive more as an entrepreneurial human resources consultant and less as an appropriations-dependent central management agency. We see the federal employment process as a unified and integrated piece, and automation becomes a common denominator. OPM has automated not only the job search, but also the application process. OPM does a great deal of recruiting for other federal agencies. Applicants blacken in responses to questions that are directly related to what the managers at the agency are looking for.
Applicants also can answer the questions via computer or telephone.
From the responses, OPM can rate and evaluate the candidates. Automation in the staffing process is by no means limited to Washington. We do merit promotion as well as competitive examining for several of the larger agencies. And we do it not only here in Washington but also at 16 other service centers throughout the country. Agencies using OPM's automated staffing services include the Patent and Trademark Office.