Federal contractors may use data management techniques to manage large applicant pools. This is especially helpful for jobs that attract a high volume of applicants, and allows the employer to set a predetermined number of applicants to be reviewed. For example, the company might have a policy that only the first 50 applicants who expressed interest in the position will be considered, or every fifth person to apply to the position, or all applicants who apply by a certain date. The company can also consider the first 50, and if there is no viable candidate from that batch, move on to the next 50 applicants. The operative word here is the term "considered." Data management techniques are not dependent on an assessment of qualifications. They are facially neutral and only those applications that fall within the stated parameters are reviewed. If your recruiter reviewed the next 5 applicants, then they have been considered. So, you might want to hold off on reviewing the next batch of applicants until you have dispositioned the applicants in the first batch sent to the hiring manager, or otherwise risk having applicants from both batches included in your applicant pool.

You can use this OFCCP audit checklist to ensure you're doing what is required to maintain OFCCP's regulations including VEVRAA, Section 503, and EO 11246. Or request a demo to streamline your compliance and recruiting efforts.