Applying via social media?

[bippity]

Most postings for federal appointment seem to use USAJobs to accept applications.  Some agencies have their own in-house portal for applications.  Back in the olden days, applications had to be submitted in hard copy.  A few postings show up every once in a while that still require this.  Some applications are required to be emailed to the agency.

But why / how can a federal agency legally require applicants to use a social media company to apply?  I am not an HR person, and so am unclear on what rules agencies are required to follow for applications.  But I am surprised to see job announcements on USAJobs.gov that require applicants to apply using LinkedIn.  And despite the application being submitted via social media, there is a note to not include photos... which many people have on LinkedIn.


Under How to Apply:
[Agency] is not accepting applications via USAJOBS for this posting.



To apply for this position, you must submit your resume via LinkedIn at the following link: LinkedIn Announcement



If you have questions about this job, please contact the HR Office representative listed in the "Agency Contact Info" section of this vacancy announcement. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please refer to the How to Apply section above and explore the Federal Application Process information on the USAJobs website.



Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.



Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

[tom b]

I cannot imagine that an Agency would allow an application through any means other than USAJOBS. Is it possible that the announcement has been hacked? Anyone contemplating applying should contact the HR person listed in the announcement.

Applications go into a Privacy Act System of Records, I am pretty sure. A PA SOR must be described in an annual System of Records Notice published by the Agency that maintains the records. Linked In is not an Article II Agency (the ones to whom the PA applies), so what are the safeguards? How does an applicant challenge an apparent prohibited personnel practice if a social media company maintains the files? Will Linked In respond to a Privacy Act request to inspect, amend, etc.? Will it answer an inquiry from the Office of Special Counsel?

I long for the good old days of mail. But algorithms rule the world now. This one just looks fishy.

Respectfully, Tom B

[bippity]

The announcements are on USAJobs, but direct applicants to LinkedIn. So unlikely to have been hacked.

And on an even more interesting note, I just checked a bunch of their current announcements. Only the attorney jobs are requiring application via LinkedIn. All the others allow applying via USAJobs, including the intern position for the same area as one of the atty jobs. So, for some reason, this agency is singling out attorneys for applying on social media.

www.usajobs.gov/job/635411600
www.usajobs.gov/job/610567900
www.usajobs.gov/job/614210200

[prescient]

Feb 7, 2022 20:24:14 GMT -5 tom b said:

I cannot imagine that an Agency would allow an application through any means other than USAJOBS. Is it possible that the announcement has been hacked? Anyone contemplating applying should contact the HR person listed in the announcement.

Applications go into a Privacy Act System of Records, I am pretty sure. A PA SOR must be described in an annual System of Records Notice published by the Agency that maintains the records. Linked In is not an Article II Agency (the ones to whom the PA applies), so what are the safeguards? How does an applicant challenge an apparent prohibited personnel practice if a social media company maintains the files? Will Linked In respond to a Privacy Act request to inspect, amend, etc.? Will it answer an inquiry from the Office of Special Counsel?

I long for the good old days of mail. But algorithms rule the world now. This one just looks fishy.

Respectfully, Tom B

When I was hired, I responded to an agency job posting listed on a law school’s job board. I didn’t use usajobs

[natethegreat]

Feb 7, 2022 20:48:38 GMT -5 bippity said:

The announcements are on USAJobs, but direct applicants to LinkedIn. So unlikely to have been hacked.

And on an even more interesting note, I just checked a bunch of their current announcements. Only the attorney jobs are requiring application via LinkedIn. All the others allow applying via USAJobs, including the intern position for the same area as one of the atty jobs. So, for some reason, this agency is singling out attorneys for applying on social media.

www.usajobs.gov/job/635411600
www.usajobs.gov/job/610567900
www.usajobs.gov/job/614210200

I wonder if that is because all attorney positions are excepted service and from my understanding, agencies have pretty wide latitude when it comes to how they advertise excepted service positions as compared to competitive service.

www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/excepted-service/

[cookie]

I deactivated my LinkedIn account when a claimant reached out to me and wanted to communicate about their pending claim. I never found much value in LinkedIn and it seemed like the best decision just to leave. I am job searching and would reach out to the HR manager in the event a posting asked for applications via that website.

[foghorn]

You could also ask the contact person if you are interested in the job. Most DOJ jobs are by direct email, often to the hiring Branch Chief! Kudos to them.

[montyburns]

Wow, this is ridiculous. I hope someone sues them or something.

Linked In has become/is a cesspool. Might as well make you apply through FB.

Very sad

[foghorn]