The frequently asked questions below are intended to assist agencies and Human Resources (HR) users in gaining a better understanding of the Structured Resume Review functionality in the USA Staffing system (USAS).
If you have additional questions that are not addressed, please contact your USAS Account Manager.
1. Can the SME instructions be edited?
No, the SME instructions are standardized in the system to ensure that SMEs get the appropriate instructions to conduct the structured resume review.
2. Is there a maximum number of SMEs that can be assigned to a Structured Resume
Review?
No, the system currently only validates the minimum number of SMEs required to evaluate applicants and break ties, based on the assessment configuration. It is highly recommended that you identify and train/calibrate more than the minimum required number of SMEs up front to handle recusal scenarios, reduce the overall burden on all SMEs involved, and maximize the efficiency of the training/calibration process.
3. Will the applicant be the one answering the questions or does the SME answer the
questions when they do their evaluation?
The SMEs respond to the SME Evaluation Items, which serve as the criteria for SME ratings when conducting a Structured Resume Review in USA Staffing. The specialized experience requirements (statements) serve as the basis for the SME Evaluation Items.
4. Can the Structured Resume Review be used to have the SME review transcripts for positive education?
No, USA Staffing also does not allow for any other document, other than the resume, to be sent via the review.
Furthermore, SMEs generally do not have the necessary knowledge to evaluate education, nor is this generally the best use of their time. For these reasons, the Structured Resume Review is not recommended for positions for which an applicant could qualify solely or partially on education.
5. Can SMEs copy and paste content out of the resume into the justification box?
Generally, yes. However, applicants can use a variety of file types to upload their resume to USAJOBS - including image files like a PNG or JPEG. That file is then converted to a PDF, and SMEs use a standard PDF viewer in the side panel. If the applicant's document began as a Word doc, text-based pdf or text file, SMEs should be able to use copy/paste or even Ctrl+F to find text. If they began with some other document type, the SME would likely see a PDF that is basically an image of text and not have copy and paste capability.
6. Why is there an expiration on each resume evaluation?
The expiration date and time exists to prevent hanging evaluation records (for example, if someone started an evaluation and exited the review, and may not be in the office the next day or week). The expiration allows other SMEs to perform the evaluation within the same day without waiting a day or two, thus not hanging up the entire assessment/review for days or weeks.
7. As an SME, if I exit and have not completed the review, will the system pick up where I left off when I log back in?
The system does not save your responses until you select the Submit Evaluation button. Thus, any responses you enter prior to leaving without submitting them first will be lost.
8. Can an SME change their rating (e.g., if the HR Specialist returns the evaluation and the SME realizes they made a mistake)?
Yes, an SME can amend their determination and/or the justification notes on a returned evaluation.
9. Can SME reviewers access information collected in the Assessment Questionnaire text boxes for purposes of the Structured Resume Review (e.g., if information as to where in the resume support for a given rating can be found is collected)?
No, SME reviewers can access only the applicant’s resume.
10. How can I determine when there are no further applicants for a given SME to evaluate?
The only time an SME would not be served an applicant is if there are no more available for them to evaluate. This is determined by looking at the total applicants to be evaluated, subtracting the ones with a final determination, subtracting the ones the user recused themselves from evaluating, and then subtracting the ones (not already excluded by the first 2 rules) where the user has already evaluated the applicant.
11. In a future upgrade, can/will OPM add a section for the SME to sign their SME agreement before reviewing candidates?
Please work with your account manager to document an enhancement request, so we can better understand the use cases.