Most of the 350,000 job applications the State of South Carolina receives each year begin with a search on the state’s internet job page, which receives a whopping 1.5 million visits per year. Now the process of seeking and applying for state jobs is about to get a whole lot easier.
This morning the Budget and Control Board’s Office of Human Resources unveiled a new jobs page, www.jobs.sc.gov, which includes many of the improvements that applicants and agencies have long requested. Enhancements include:
• Elimination of the need to submit a paper application. Job seekers will be able to create a permanent resume and online application, ready to fire off any time they see an interesting position.
• Electronic confirmation that an application has been received, eliminating the need for a follow-up call.
• The ability to join a pool to be considered for future vacancies at a specific agency.
• Automatic notification of the status of the agency’s job search and when the position has been filled. Many applicants have complained that they never know if they are still in the running for a job.
“These changes are going to save a tremendous amount of time for people seeking state jobs and will make it easier for agencies to find highly-qualified candidates,” said state Human Resources Director Sam Wilkins. “In designing this system, we have listened carefully to the needs of employers and potential employees.”
State agencies hire about 6,000 people per year, up from about 4,500 in 2003. Much of the growth is spurred by agencies seeking to replace retiring workers. About one of every three state employees is expected to become retirement eligible in the next five years.
The site uses software developed by NEOGOV, a leader in the rapidly expanding market for public sector recruitment, selection, and applicant tracking systems.
About the Office of Human Resources
The Budget and Control Board’s Office of Human Resources works with state agencies to make South Carolina state government an employer of choice. OHR provides consulting, training, recruitment and other personnel services for state agencies.