OPM Details Expectations for the ‘Rule of Many’ in Federal Hiring
In a move aimed at modernizing the federal hiring process, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has published new guidance documents outlining the steps agencies should take to implement the recently finalized “rule of many.” This federal hiring strategy, several years in the making, seeks to create broader pools of qualified job candidates while providing hiring managers with more flexibility.
What Is the ‘Rule of Many’?
Under the “rule of many,” federal hiring managers score job candidates based on their relevant job skills and then rank them according to those scores. From there, hiring managers can choose from several options—a cut-off number, score, or percentage—to narrow down the applicant pool and identify a list of qualified finalists to select from.
The concept was initially included in the fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and was proposed by OPM in 2023 during the Biden administration. The final regulations were issued last September, paving the way for agencies to adopt this new approach.
Aligning with Modern Hiring Practices
OPM Director Scott Kupor emphasized that the “rule of many,” when combined with functional skills assessments, gives hiring managers the flexibility needed to distinguish candidates based on their demonstrated merit-based qualifications for specific roles.
“Coupled with the use of functional skills assessments, the [rule of many] gives hiring managers the much-needed flexibility to distinguish candidates based on their demonstrated functional merit-based qualifications for the role in question,” Kupor wrote in a Sept. 8 blog post.
The “rule of many” aligns with some aspects of the Trump administration’s merit hiring plan, such as using technical assessments and shared certificates. OPM notes that the rule particularly supports skills-based hiring, as it can expand candidate pools with applicants who possess more fitting skillsets.
Encouraging Comprehensive Assessments
In its new guidance, OPM encourages agencies to use more “comprehensive” assessments, like structured interviews or job simulations. The agency also highlights that the “rule of many” can “support improved hiring outcomes, particularly for nontraditional candidates, veterans, and those with varied career paths.”
Potential Challenges in Adoption
Despite the clear benefits, some experts suggest that the actual adoption of the “rule of many” may face hurdles. Jenny Mattingley, vice president at a government consulting firm, noted that many agencies might prioritize other initiatives over implementing this new hiring strategy.
The Impact on Federal Workforce
The “rule of many” is expected to have a significant impact on the federal workforce by making the hiring process more efficient and inclusive. By expanding candidate pools, agencies can tap into a more diverse range of talent, potentially improving retention rates and overall job satisfaction.
Next Steps for Agencies
Agencies looking to implement the “rule of many” should familiarize themselves with the new guidance documents published by OPM. These resources provide detailed steps on how to use the rule effectively while ensuring compliance with existing regulations, such as veterans’ preference and shared certificates.
Conclusion
The introduction of the “rule of many” marks a significant step forward in federal hiring, offering a more flexible and inclusive approach to recruitment. As agencies begin to adopt this new strategy, the federal workforce is poised to become more dynamic and skilled, better equipped to meet the challenges of the modern world.
