University's recruitment and job application process is going online

In an effort to streamline the process of both searching for a job and filling one at Cornell, the Office of Human Resources will soon implement a new online application system with public access from computer sites on campus and in Ithaca and surrounding communities.

The new recruitment/applicant database and tracking system, Recruitsoft, is expected to be available in mid-March, said Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources.

"Recruitsoft will make the process of either searching for a Cornell job or of hiring into an open Cornell position much more streamlined and efficient and will help current and prospective Cornell staff more easily identify available job opportunities that are in line with their career and employment interests," Opperman said. "In this time of budgetary constraints, it is especially important that we carefully search and select for each of our job openings, attracting a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates, as well as enhancing the growth and advancement opportunities of our current staff."

Opperman said applicants will be able to search electronically all open positions, apply for nonacademic and non-bargaining unit and librarian positions online and create a profile of their job interests that could be matched to future openings that meet their interests. Should an opening in their area of interest arise, an e-mail notification can be sent to prospective candidates.

Recruitsoft will also help reduce the time involved in a job search by allowing local human resource officers to post their academic and nonacademic jobs online, track the status of searches, and reduce paperwork and rework, Opperman said. Because jobs will be posted online, candidates will be able to search for and learn about the job openings as soon as each job is posted, rather than waiting for the weekly print version of Jobs at Cornell. In addition, all of the information currently captured on paper for each nonacademic position through Applicant Flow Cards and the Appointment Confirmation and Search Summary (ACSS) sheet will be recorded in Recruitsoft.

For academic positions, applicants can now complete the applicant flow card online at http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/forms/applicant/. In addition, the information currently captured on the Academic Search Plan Proposal Form will be captured in Recruitsoft.

Applicants interested in applying for librarian positions and for nonacademic staff positions that are not part of a bargaining unit will be able to apply and post their resumes online. For confidentiality reasons, the database will be searchable only by a limited number of college and unit human resource staff.

This database will allow for easier and quicker identification of potential external and internal candidates, Opperman said.

"This feature will be especially useful in assisting layoff candidates, furthering our dual-career efforts and enhancing our general recruitment program," Opperman said. "It will also help candidates who apply and are not chosen for one position, but whose skills qualify them for other positions."

Opperman said she expects that the Recruitsoft system will increase Cornell's effectiveness in diversity recruiting both through the timely response to applicants and through the formation of the database, which will bring together a diverse pool of candidates.

Allan Bishop, director of the Recruitment and Employment Center in the Office of Human Resources, reaffirmed the role of Recruitsoft in reinforcing Cornell's commitment to diversity, noting, "It is critical that we change our employment practices to help us reach a higher level of effectiveness in recruiting and retaining top-quality staff and to achieve greater compliance with applicable federal laws."

For those applicants who do not have easy access to a computer, computers are accessible at various locations across campus, at local employment agencies, area libraries and at the Recruitment and Employment Center. The Recruitment and Employment Center also will offer personal assistance to anyone who has limited computer experience or access, or would like extra help in applying for jobs at Cornell.

The start-up date will be publicized when it is set. For questions, contact the Recruitment and Employment Center at 254-8370 or employment_svcs@cornell.edu.