The Home Depot has launched a new tool that allows job applicants to self-schedule in-person interviews as the company works to fill more than 80,000 positions for its busy spring selling season.

Using the tool, which is available 24/7 on any device, candidates who have completed an application for an open job in a Home Depot store or distribution center can easily choose the most convenient interview appointment available. About 80 percent of The Home Depot's candidates have taken advantage of the tool since the pilot began this past November.

"Just as we're continuously evolving to meet the changing expectations of our customers, we're harnessing new technologies to do the same for job seekers," said Tim Hourigan, EVP – Human Resources. "This consumer-like experience helps us hire the best talent to serve our customers."

Candidate Self-Service is the latest in a series of enhancements The Home Depot has made to its application process. Last spring, the company saw a 50 percent increase in candidates after rolling out its 15-minute application, Mobile Apply and Text-to-Apply capabilities.

The Home Depot is also enhancing its onboarding experience this spring with the introduction of PocketGuide for associate training, a mobile application that leverages gamification to help associates learn while they're in the aisles. PocketGuide delivers product knowledge and learning activities to the palm of an associate's hand, significantly reducing backroom training. The application is rolling out to all garden associates for this spring season and will expand to more store departments throughout 2018.

Job seekers can visit careers.homedepot.com/retailjobs for a list of seasonal and permanent opportunities in their area. The time associates accrue during their seasonal assignments generally applies to eligibility for benefits like profit-sharing bonuses and vacation if they transition to a permanent role with The Home Depot.