At what stage can categories be merged in the hiring process?

The merging of categories in the hiring process is permitted before certifying if there are fewer than three candidates available in each category. This is significant because it allows the hiring authority more flexibility in moving forward with the recruitment process, particularly when faced with limited candidate pools. The main intent behind this policy is to ensure that there are enough qualified candidates to proceed with the selection process rather than being stalled by the existence of too few candidates in specific categories.

When there are fewer than three candidates in a category, merging can help create a more competitive pool by allowing candidates from different categories to be considered together, which can streamline the hiring process and improve the chances of filling a position effectively. This practice is advantageous for ensuring that the selection process remains viable and responsive to the organization's needs.

In other contexts, like merging after the Certificate of Eligibles is issued, it would be too late to address the candidate pool effectively. Similarly, merging during the interview phase would restrict any necessary adjustments to the candidate categories before interviews are conducted, which does not align with maximizing candidate availability for the organization. Therefore, the timing of category merging is crucial, with the best opportunity being before the certifying process in the presence of limited candidates.