Applicant Flow Data
One critical tool in examining the fairness and inclusiveness of VA’s
recruitment efforts is the collection of applicant flow data. Applicant flow
data refers to the information reflecting characteristics of the pool of
individuals applying for an employment opportunity. EEOC’s Management Directive
715 direct agencies to “maintain a system that tracks applicant flow data, which
identifies applicants by race, national origin, sex and disability status and
the disposition of all applications.”
Applicant flow data, by law, must be kept separate from an applicant’s
application and is reported in aggregated manner where no personally
identifiable information can be deduced. Most importantly, an applicant flow
data must not be used as a basis for employment. The two types of applicant flow
data are front-end and component-based. Front-end data provides the demographic
background of applicant at the application stage. Component-based applicant
background data provides valuable demographic breakout of each stage of the
recruitment process including (1) the applicant stage, (2) the minimally
qualified stage, (3) the best qualified stage, and (4) the final selection. The
expansive nature of component-based applicant flow data affords the opportunity
to examine in detail the diversity dynamics at various stages.
ODI is leading two initiatives in the area of applicant flow data collection. In
collaboration with OPM, ODI is collecting front-end application flow data
through USA Staffing for all VA vacancies. Additionally, ODI has launched a
pilot program to collect component-based applicant flow data for all SES
vacancies.
Additional Resources
