Visitors to the U-M Jobs Web site ( www.UMjobs.org) today will find more than a fresh look to the site, now called Careers at Michigan. Job seekers also will begin managing the entire job search and application process electronically for regular (non-temporary) staff positions.

“The new system automates the processes of posting and applying for jobs, creating the opportunity to be virtually paperless,” says Jan Mulcrone, U-M Health System Human Resources director and manager of the project. “The potential for improvements in efficiency are staggering for an employer our size when you consider that we receive more than 89,000 job applications per year, and currently that’s all done on paper. Of equal importance, we will improve the quality of our early interaction with job applicants.”

In addition to the automation that job seekers will experience, the system delivers electronic applicant resumes immediately to the hiring team, and facilitates e-mail correspondence during the selection and hiring process. “Even more importantly,” Mulcrone says, “we expect to improve capabilities for reporting data and analyzing employment trends, as well as accelerate the process of new employees joining our community.”

This means current systems will work together in new ways, says Judy Aldrich, project manager for Michigan Administrative Information Services. “For instance, the new system searches job opportunities several ways, including searching by career family. And automated e-mail messages connect Wolverine Access to the employment process by allowing newly hired employees to select a uniqname and password before they start work, and begin using it immediately for tasks like reviewing and choosing benefit options through eBenefits.”

Any visitor to the new site can search career opportunities at the University, but submitting an application requires an e-mail account to allow ongoing communication. Prospective employees register using personal
e-mail addresses, and current staff members can log in using their uniqname and UMICH (Kerberos) password when using the new system to create a personal profile and consider career development opportunities.

Associate Vice President for Human Resources Laurita Thomas calls the launch of the new system an achievement of collaboration. “Human Resources & Affirmative Action, Health System Human Resources and Michigan Administrative Information Services co-led a cross-functional team working with a network of unit liaisons from across the University to bring us to today’s implementation,” Thomas says. “The result is a site that combines the efficiency of commercial applicant management software with our own Web site design for a more seamless experience.”

To learn more, visit www.umich.edu/~hraa/ams.htm. Or, view the Careers at Michigan site at www.UMjobs.org.