WO2009133565A2

WO2009133565A2 - Collaborative career management portal

Info

Publication number: WO2009133565A2
Application number: PCT/IN2008/000338
Authority: WO
Inventors: Janardana Venkateshappa Hosur
Original assignee: Hirecraft Software Pvt. Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-04-28
Filing date: 2008-05-28
Publication date: 2009-11-05
Also published as: WO2009133565A9

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for collaboratively managing careers on a career portal. A first candidate selects a career consultancy from multiple career consultancies on the career portal. The selected career consultancy and the unselected career consultancies are referred to as a first career consultancy and second career consultancies respectively. On submission of profile information, the first career consultancy assigns a first career advisor to the first candidate. The profile information of the first candidate and profile information of second candidates is matched with a job order received from an employer. A request is triggered to the first career advisor and second career advisors regarding the matched profile information. The employer may recruit one or more interested first candidate and interested second candidates. The first career consultancy shares revenue with the second career consultancies on recruitment and instatement of one or more of the second candidates.

Description

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:-

COLLABORATIVE CAREER MANAGEMENT PORTAL

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application 1038/CHE/2008 titled "Collaborative Career Management Portal", filed on April 28, 2008 in the Indian Patent Office.

BACKGROUND

This invention, in general, relates to an internet based employment recruitment system. More particularly, this invention relates to collaboratively managing careers on a career portal.

Job markets include job seekers, recruiters as well as intermediaries or job brokers who bring the job seekers and recruiters together. Job brokers may be individuals or organizations such as placement agencies, job brokerage firms, or job portals for posting resumes. The role of a recruiter is to find individuals that meet the specific job requirements of an organization. There are multiple recruiters employed within companies, with a role of fulfilling job requirements of the organization. In addition, there are job boards that help make recruiters and job seekers visible to each other by posting the jobs of recruiters and the resumes of job seekers^ and enabling both parties to search for suitable matches.

The traditional brokering mechanisms and processes may not be effective. Several job seekers may find the traditional brokering mechanisms time consuming and frustrating. The traditional brokering mechanisms may not be credible and accountable. Job seekers seeking a new job are often frustrated by the lack of responsiveness of recruiters. The lack of responsiveness often occurs if a resume of a job seeker is with a wrong job broker or due to the job broker's inability to reach for better opportunities. The traditional job boards allow job seekers to post the resume and expect recruiters to match the resume with a right job. The recruiters need to find the appropriate resume from among the resumes posted on the job board.

Job seekers may need to find a job broker within their domain of expertise. Therefore, there is a need for a platform that enables job seekers to select appropriate job brokers who in turn have collaboration with other job brokers in the job market. Moreover, if a job brokerage firm enables placement of job seekers associated with other job brokerage firms, there is a need for compensating those job brokerage firms by the job brokerage firm that enabled the placement. Therefore, there is a need for collaboratively managing careers on a career portal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The computer implemented method and system disclosed herein address the above stated need for collaboratively managing careers on a career portal. The career portal comprises a network of multiple career consultancies. A first candidate selects a career consultancy from the multiple career consultancies on the career portal. The selected career consultancy is herein referred to as a first career consultancy and the other unselected career consultancies on the network are herein referred to as second career consultancies. The first candidate submits profile information to the first career consultancy on the career portal. The first career consultancy assigns the first candidate to a first career advisor based on domain expertise of the first candidate and domain expertise of the first career advisor.

The first career advisor verifies the profile information of the first candidate and may make necessary corrections to the profile information submitted by the first candidate. The first career advisor then determines accessibility of predefined portions of the profile information of the first candidate to an employer and one or more of the second career consultancies. The first career consultancy receives a job order from an employer. The profile information of the first candidate and profile information of second candidates associated with the second career consultancies are matched with the job order. The matching is performed on the career portal.

A request is triggered to the first career advisor regarding the matched first candidate and to the second career advisors associated with the second career consultancies regarding the matched second candidates. The first career advisor determines interest of the matched first candidate in the job order. The second career advisors determine interest of the matched second candidates in the job order. The profile information of the interested first candidate and the interested second candidates are transferred to the employer. The employer processes the profile information of the interested first candidate and interested second candidates to recruit one or more of the interested first candidate and the interested second candidates. The status of the profile information of the first candidate is tracked at different stages of the career management.

On recruitment and instatement of the recruited candidates, the first career consultancy obtains revenue from the employer. The first career consultancy shares the obtained revenue with the second career consultancies on the recruitment and instatement of the second candidates. The career portal thereby enables collaborative management of careers. The career portal also enables revenue sharing between the first career consultancy and second career consultancies when the profile information of second candidates associated with the second career consultancies is managed by the first career consultancy and vice versa. The career portal further enables management of contractual candidates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer implemented method of collaboratively managing careers on a career portal.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computer implemented system for collaboratively managing careers on a career portal.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a flowchart describing the steps involved in collaboratively managing the first candidate and the second candidates on the career portal for permanent placement.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a flowchart describing the steps involved in managing consultants for contract staffing by a career consultancy on the career portal.

FIGS. 5A-5C exemplarily illustrates a screen shot of a registration webpage on the career portal. FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a screen shot of a webpage for updating profile information by a first candidate.

FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a screen shot of a webpage for viewing status of the profile information by a first candidate.

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a job order form utilized by the first career consultancy on receiving a job order from an employer.

FIG. 9A exemplarily illustrates a screen shot of a webpage for searching for profile information to match with a job order received from an employer.

FIGS. 9B-9C exemplarily illustrate screen shots of webpages for tracking status of profile information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer implemented method of collaboratively managing careers on a career portal 205. The career portal 205 comprises a network of multiple career consultancies 204. The career portal 205 may be a web portal linking job seekers with the career consultancies 204. The career consultancies 204 register on the career portal 205 and subscribe to the career portal 205. A job seeker may be a direct applicant registered onto the career portal 205 for seeking a job and associating a career consultancy to manage the applicant's profile information. The job seeker may also be an employee or a consultant registered with a career consultancy, ready to be placed by an employer on direct contract or whose profile information is ready to be shared with another career consultancy for placement by an employer as an indirect contract. If the employee or consultant has not registered on the career portal 205 directly, the registration of the employee or consultant may be done by the career consultancy associated with the employee or consultant for contract staffing. Furthermore, the employee or consultant may register on the career portal 205 on behalf of the career consultancy employing the employee or the consultant. As used herein, the job seeker is referred to as a "candidate". A placement agency, a placement consultancy, a direct employer, a staffing consultancy, etc. will herein be referred to as a "career, consultancy".

The candidates and the career consultancies 204 may access the career portal 205 via a web interface or a local user interface using an internet capable computing device. A first candidate 201 may register with the career portal 205. A screen shot of a registration webpage on the career portal 205 is exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C. The first candidate 201 may create a user identifier (ID) and a password for accessing the career portal 205. A career consultancy subscribing to the career portal 205 may trade profile information of candidates registered with the career consultancy, with other career consultancies subscribing to the career portal 205.

The first candidate 201 selects 101 a career consultancy 204a from the career consultancies 204 on the career portal 205. As used herein, the selected career consultancy is referred to as "first career consultancy" and the other unselected career consultancies on the network are referred to as "second career consultancies". The first candidate 201 may submit profile information to the first career consultancy 204a on the career portal 205. The profile information submitted by the first candidate 201 is stored in an information database 203j. The profile information submitted by the first candidate 201 may comprise name, contact information, current location, preferred location, verification information such as passport information, visa information, social security number (SSN), personal account number (PAN), driving license number, nationality information, scanned copies of educational certificates, and photograph of the first candidate 201. The profile information may also comprise career information including current role in current organization, type of industry, career objectives, career summary, work experience in the form of a detailed table with one entry for type of project, type of job, type of employer, current rate of compensation with the supported currency, expected rate of compensation with the supported currency, and availability information such as "not available for change", "available for change immediately", or "available for change after a period of time". The profile information may further comprise additional information such as custom title and description format. The profile information may further comprise certification information, assessment information, and information on awards won along with attached scanned copies of certificates. The assessment information may include title of the assessment, score, assessment document, comparative grade point average (CGPA), etc. The profile information may further comprise a section for storing information to be hidden to the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The section may store information comprising salary details, current employer name, employment history, and contact details. The first candidate 201 may update the profile information on the career portal 205 at different stages of the career management. A screen shot of the webpage for updating profile information by a first candidate 201 is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 6.

The profile information of the first candidate 201 is tagged to the first career consultancy 204a. The status of the profile information submitted by the first candidate 201 is maintained on the career portal 205. FIG. 9B-9C exemplarily illustrates screen shots of webpages for tracking status of profile information. Prior to assignment of the first candidate 201 to a career advisor of the first career consultancy 204a, the status of the profile information may be marked as "Unassigned". Candidates may only submit the profile information to a career consultancy subscribing to the career portal 205. Candidates may not directly submit the profile information to an employer subscribing to the career portal 205. The employer may only use the profile information of the candidates listed under a career consultancy subscribing to the career portal 205. The employer may contact the career consultancy selected by a candidate for processing and recruiting the candidate. On selecting the first career consultancy 204a, the information of the first career consultancy 204a may be entered in the profile information of the first candidate 201.

A designated manager of the first career consultancy 204a may view the profile information submitted by the first candidate 201. The first career consultancy 204a retrieves the information on the domain of expertise of the first candidate 201 from the profile information. The designated manager of the first career consultancy 204a may then assign 102 the first candidate 201 to a career advisor based on the domain of expertise of the first candidate 201 and the domain of expertise of the career advisor. The career advisor assigned to the first candidate 201 by the designated manager of the first career consultancy 204a is herein called a "first career advisor". The first career advisor may be an internal executive of the first career consultancy 204a assigned to manage the recruitment process of the first candidate 201. On assigning the first candidate 201 to the first career advisor, an electronic mail (email) comprising a greeting note may be sent to the first candidate 201. The email may also comprise the name and contact information of the first career advisor assigned to the first candidate 201. The status of the profile information may then be updated to "Assigned". The information of the assigned first career advisor may also be entered in the profile information.

The designated manager may also reject the first candidate's 201 profile information based on predefined criteria. For example, the designated manager may reject the profile information if the first career consultancy 204a cannot manage the profile information or is unable to assign a career advisor based on the domain of expertise of the first candidate 201. The designated manager may also reject the profile information if the first candidate 201 may potentially be a low revenue source for the first career consultancy 204a. Furthermore, the first career advisor may also reject the first candidate 201 during the recruitment process. If the first candidate 201 is rejected, the status of the profile information is then updated to "Unassigned". An email from the career portal 205 requesting the rejected candidate to choose an alternate career consultancy may then be sent to the rejected candidate.

On assignment of the first career advisor to the first candidate 201, the first career advisor may contact the first candidate 201. The first career advisor verifies the profile information with the first candidate 201. The first career advisor determines accessibility of predefined portions of the profile information of the first candidate 201 to an employer and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The first career advisor may then conceal a predefined portion in the profile information from being viewed by employers and the second consultancies 204b and 204c. For example, the first career advisor may conceal confidential information such as the contact information section in the profile information. A code of the first career consultancy 204a may be displayed in the concealed section. The first career advisor then assesses the profile information. Content on the profile information may be edited either by the first candidate 201 or by the first career advisor. The career portal 205 comprises an audit trail of the profile information. The audit trail keeps a record of the edited information of the first candidate 201. Furthermore, the first career advisor may verify the availability of the first candidate 201, the expected rate of compensation, the preferred rate of compensation, the preferences of the first candidate 201, etc. The availability of the first candidate 201 is the information on whether the first candidate 201 is ready for a change in job. If the first candidate 201 is available, the status of the profile information may be updated to "Available".

The profile information may be updated to ensure the profile information is well categorized and the information submitted by the first candidate 201 is complete. On completion of verification of the profile information by the first career advisor, the status of the profile information is then updated to "Verified". The updated profile information may then be used by the first career consultancy 204a. The profile information may be viewed on the career portal 205 by employers and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The contact information of the first candidate 201 may be concealed from the employer and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The viewable profile information on the career portal 205 may be of the status "Assigned", "Verified", and "Available".

The first career consultancy 204a may search for the profile information on the career portal 205. The profile infoπnation of the first candidate 201 and profile information of second candidates 202 linked with the second career consultancies 204b and 204c may be retrieved from the information database 203j. Therefore, the profile information of the second candidates 202 may also be shown to the first career consultancy 204a. The profile information meeting predefined criteria may be viewed by the first career consultancy 204a. For example, the first career consultancy 204a may only view profile information with a status "Available", "Verified", or "Assigned".

The first career consultancy 204a may be unable to view profile information of the second candidates 202 blocked by the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. For example, a competing career consultancy may block profile information of a candidate associated with the competing career consultancy from being viewed by the first career consultancy 204a. The first career consultancy 204a may then be unable to view the profile information of the second candidates 202. The first career consultancy 204a receives a job order from an employer. The first career consultancy 204a fills out a job order form on receiving the job order from the employer. The job order form utilized by the first career consultancy 204a is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8.

The first career consultancy 204a matches 103 the verified profile information of the first candidate 201 and profile information of the second candidates 202 associated with the second career consultancies 204b and 204c with the job order. The matching of the profile information is performed on the career portal 205. FIG. 9A exemplarily illustrates a screen shot of the webpage for searching for the profile information to match with the job order received from the employer. The first career consultancy 204a may utilize keywords such as, function, role of a candidate, skills of a candidate, industry type, employment type, experience of a candidate, location of a candidate, present salary, expected salary, and billing rate in case of a contractual job. The first career consultancy 204a then tags the matched profile information to the job order. Tagging matching profile information of the first candidate and the second candidates to the job order is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9B. Contact information in profile information of the second candidates 202 may be concealed from the first career consultancy 204a prior to approval of a request stating a positive interest regarding the job order by second career advisors or the second candidates 202.

The career portal 205 triggers 104 a request to the first career advisor and the second career advisors. The second career advisors are associated with the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The request regarding the matched first candidate 201 is triggered to the first career advisor and the request regarding the matched second candidates 202 is triggered to the second career advisors. The first career advisor determines 105 interest of the matched first candidate 201 in the job order. The first career advisor may directly contact the first candidate 201 for determining the interest of the first candidate 201. In case the first candidate

201 is interested in the job order, the status of the profile information may be updated to "Interested". In case the first candidate 201 is not interested in the job order the status of the profile information may be updated to "Rejected". The second career advisors determine 105 interest of the matched second candidates

202 in the job order.

The name of the employer may not be disclosed to the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202. But a brief profile of the employer may be displayed to the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202. For example, the type of employer and field of business of the employer may be displayed in the brief profile of the employer to the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202.

The first career consultancy 204a transfers a professional fee proposal and terms and conditions of an agreement between the first career consultancy 204a and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c to the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The agreement may be signed on the career portal 205. The career portal 205 may act as a regulator. The professional fee includes the predefined amount of the revenue obtained from the employer to be shared by the first career consultancy 204a with the second career consultancies 204b and 204c on recruitment and instatement of the recruited second candidates 202 with the employer. The professional fee, the terms, and the conditions of the agreement may not be corrected after the second career consultancies 204b and 204c accept the professional fee and the terms and the conditions of the agreement. The first career consultancy 204a and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c may be bound by the terms and the conditions of the agreement signed on the career portal 205.

The contact information of the interested second candidates 202 may be displayed to the first career consultancy 204a on acceptance of the professional fee and the terms and the conditions of the agreement. In case the second career consultancies 204b and 204c do not respond to the request within a predefined period of time, the contact information of the second candidates 202 associated with the second career consultancies 204b and 204c may be automatically displayed to the first career consultancy 204a. For example, if a second career consultancy does not respond to the request within 72 hours, the contact information of the second candidates 202 may be automatically displayed to the first career consultancy 204a. The first career consultancy 204a may then be authorized to contact the second candidates 202 directly and determine the interest of the second candidates 202. The first career consultancy 204a may then complete a screening process with the interested first candidate 201 and the interested second candidates 202. The first career consultancy 204a may then further schedule interviews for the interested first candidate 201 and the interested second candidates 202 with the employer.

The employer then processes 106 the profile information of the interested first candidate 201 and the interested second candidates 202. The first career consultancy 204a may track the status of the first candidate 201 at different stages of the career management. The second career consultancies 204b and 204c may then track the status of the second candidates 202 at the different stages of the career management. The status of the profile information is then updated on the career portal 205. For example, if a candidate is recruited by the employer, the status of the candidate may automatically be updated to "Selected". If the candidate is dropped by the employer, the status of the candidate may be updated to "Dropped". The first candidate 201 may be authorized to select an alternate career consultancy from the career portal 205 at any stage and transfer the profile information to the selected career consultancy. For example, if a candidate does not wish to continue with a career consultancy, the candidate may select an alternate career consultancy. The first career consultancy 204a may remain a beneficiary of all activities before the transfer. The first career consultancy 204a may not be a beneficiary of activities after the transfer. The new career consultancy will be the beneficiary to the activities performed after the transfer. A screen shot of the webpage for the first candidate 201 to view status of the profile information is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 7. The status of the profile information may be updated at different stages of the career management and may be reflected on the webpage illustrated in FIG 7.

The career portal 205 maintains the activity history of the candidates registered to the career portal 205. The activity history is stored in the information database 203j. The activity history of the first candidate 201 may be displayed to the first career consultancy 204a and the first candidate 201 on the career portal 205. The activity history of a second candidate may be displayed to the second career consultancy associated with the second candidate. The activity history of a second candidate may also be displayed to the second candidate. The activity history may also be displayed on a personalized webpage, a software tool, or a rich local client. The status of the first candidate 201 may also be updated on the activity history of the first candidate 201 and the status of the second candidate on the activity history of the second candidate. The status of the first candidate 201 during the recruitment process may be determined by contacting the first candidate 201 and the status of the second candidates 202 are determined by contacting the second candidates 202. Furthermore, the employer may process the first candidate 201 through multiple stages in the recruitment process such as screening, interviewing, offer negotiation process etc. The recruitment process is completed once the employer processes the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 and recruits or drops one or more of the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202.

The employer recruits one or more of the interested first candidate 201 and the interested second candidates 202. If the recruited first candidate 201 and the recruited second candidates 202 are instated with the employer, the employer generates revenue. The status of the recruited candidates may then be updated to "Joined". The first career consultancy 204a may then raise an invoice with the consultancy charges to the employer based on the terms, and the conditions of the agreement to the employer. For example, the invoice may be for a one time fee to be paid by the employer in case of a permanent job. If one or more jobs of the first candidate 201 or second candidates 202 are contractual jobs, the employer may pay the consultancy charges on a recurring basis and the first career consultancy 204a may track the consultancy charge receivables from the employer. For example, the employer may pay the consulting charges to the first career consultancy 204a on a monthly basis. The consultancy charge may be a predefined rate to be compensated by the employer to the first career consultancy 204a. The predefined rate may be a percentage of the annual gross salary of the recruited candidate based on whether the job is a contractual job, temporary job, or a permanent job. The predefined rate may be an hourly fee, a daily fee, a monthly fee, or a one time fee. For example, the predefined rate may be 1.25% of the annual gross salary for permanent placement. The invoice is then transferred to the employer. The status of the profile information of the first candidate 201 is tracked at different stages of the career management. In case of contract staffing, the predefined rate may be charges for managing a second candidate of a second career consultancy, through contract assignment by the employer. The first career consultancy 204a then compensates the predefined rate to the second consultancy. The predefined rate may be based on billing frequency agreed on using the profile information of the second candidate of the second career consultancy 204b and 204c.

The first career consultancy 204a then obtains the predefined rate from the employer based on the invoice. The first career consultancy 204a shares 107 revenue obtained from the employer on recruitment and instatement of the second candidates 202 with the employer. The predefined amount may be an amount agreed upon by the first career consultancy 204a and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c on requesting the profile information of the second candidates 202 by the first career consultancy 204a. For example, if a second candidate is recruited and instated with the employer, the first career consultancy 204a may share 15% of the revenue obtained from the employer with the second career consultancy. The revenue may be shared within 30 days from the date of instatement of the second candidate with the employer. The employer may even take a refund of the shared revenue if the second candidate leaves the employer within 90 days from the date instatement of the second candidate with the employer. A reason for leaving the employer may not be considered valid for refunding the shared revenue to the employer by the first career consultancy 204a. The status of the second candidate may then be updated to "Success". Transaction between the first career consultancy 204a and the employer may then be closed.

An employer, registered on the career portal 205, may also directly search for profile information of candidates registered on the career portal 205 and recruit the candidate. The candidates may be associated with the first career consultancy 204a or the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The career consultancy associated with the candidate obtains a predefined amount of the revenue generated by the employer on recruitment and instatement of the candidate.

The first career consultancy 204a may close transactions with the first candidate 201 on reception of revenue from the employer on instatement of the first candidate 201 with the employer. The second career consultancies 204b and 204c may close transactions with the second candidates 202 on reception of revenue shared by the first career consultancy 204a on instatement of the second candidate with the employer. The profile information of the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 may no longer be viewable on the career portal 205 once the first career consultancy 204a and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c close the transactions with the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202. The profile information of the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 may not be matched with job orders on the career portal 205 until the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 wish to look for a job opportunity.

The computer implemented method disclosed herein further comprises management of contractual candidates. The first career consultancy 204a may hire contractual candidates for contract staffing and post profile .information of the hired candidates on the career portal 205. The contractual candidates may be hired on an hourly, daily, or monthly contract basis. The contractual candidates may be internal consultants or independent consultants hired exclusively by the first career consultancy 204a. As used herein, the internal consultants, consultants for contract staffing, and the independent consultants are referred to as "contractual candidates". The first career consultancy 204a assigns a career advisor to each of the contractual candidates. The career advisor assigned to each of the contractual candidates aims at identifying a right contract assignment for the contractual candidates.

Consider an example where the first career consultancy 204a receives a job order for a contract position from an employer. The profile, information of the contractual candidates is matched with the job order received from the employer. The first career consultancy 204a tags the profile information of the matched contractual candidates with the job order. The first career consultancy 204a transfers the matched profile information along with consultancy charges to the employer.

The consultancy charges comprise a predefined rate to be compensated by the employer on recruitment and instatement of the contractual candidate. The employer processes the profile information of the contractual candidates to recruit one or more of the contractual candidates for the contract position. The employer generates revenue on recruitment of the contractual candidates. The first career consultancy 204a obtains the predefined amount of revenue generated by the employer based on the predefined rate on the recruitment and instatement of the contractual candidates with the employer. The predefined amount may be a one time payment or may be a recurring amount. The contractual candidates may be compensated directly by the employer or indirectly through the first career consultancy 204a hiring the contractual candidates.

Consider an example where a second career consultancy receives a job order for a contract position from an employer. The second career consultancy searches for profile information matching with the job order on the career portal. The profile information of the contractual candidate matches with the job order. The second career consultancy tags the matched profile information of the contractual candidate to the job order and quotes a predefined rate to the first career consultancy 204a. If the first career consultancy 204a accepts the quoted predefined rate, the first career consultancy 204a transfers complete profile information of the contractual candidate to the second career consultancy.

The employer then processes the profile information of the contractual candidate to recruit the contractual candidate for the contract position. The employer generates revenue on recruitment of the contractual candidate. The second career consultancy then shares revenue obtained from the employer with the first career consultancy 204a based on the predefined rate.

Consider an example of a contractual candidate, Tony, being employed by a career consultancy, for example, career consultancy "A", registered with the career portal 205. Tony may be hired by employers directly through career consultancy "A" on an hourly, daily, or monthly contract basis. Tony may also be hired indirectly by employers through another career consultancy, for example career consultancy "B", registered with the career portal 205. Career consultancy "A" assigns Tony to a career advisor, for example Susan. Susan posts Tony's profile on the career portal 205. Susan aims at identifying a right contract assignment for Tony. Susan assigns the identified contract assignment to Tony on completion of every preceding contractual assignment assigned to Tony.

Consider the career consultancy "B" receiving a job order for a contract position from an employer. The job order is for a contract assignment with the employer. Career consultancy "B" matches the job order with contractual candidates registered on the career portal 205. Career consultancy "B" finds a match of the job order with Tony's profile. Career consultancy "B" tags Tony's profile to the job order. A request is automatically triggered to Susan regarding Tony's profile. The request further comprises a billing rate. Susan may accept or reject the request. If Susan accepts the request, Tony's original resume may be displayed to career consultancy "B". The original resume may comprise Tony's contact information. Career consultancy "B" transfers the job order tagged with Tony's profile along with the consultancy charges to the employer. The employer then processes Tony's profile to recruit Tony. The employer generates revenue on recruitment of Tony. Career consultancy "A" then collects the billing rate from career consultancy "B. Tony may be compensated directly by the employer or indirectly through career consultancy "A" hiring Tony.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computer implemented system for collaboratively

« managing careers on a career portal 205. The system comprises the career portal 205 and a career management server 203 connected via a network 206. The career management server 203 comprises a consultancy selection module 203a, an assignment module 203b, an information verification module 203c, a job order reception module 203d, a matching module 203e, a requisition module 203f, a processing engine 203g, a revenue sharing module 203h, an updation module 203i, an information database 203j, a registration module 203k, a transaction tracking module 2031, and a contractual candidate management module 203m.

A first candidate 201 linked to the first career consultancy 204a and second candidates 202 linked to second career consultancies 204b and 204c may access the career portal 205 using computing devices. The first career consultancy 204a and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c subscribe to the career portal 205. The registration module 203k registers the first career consultancy 204a and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c on the career portal 205. The first candidate 201 logs on to the career portal 205 and may register with the career portal 205. The registration module 203k registers the first candidate 201 and second candidates 202 with the career portal 205. The consultancy selection module 203a enables the first candidate 201 to select a career consultancy from the career consultancies 204 in the career portal 205. The first candidate 201 may submit profile information to the first career consultancy 204a on the career portal 205. The transaction tracking module 2031 tracks the status of the profile information of the first candidate 201 at different stages of the career management. The updation module 203i maintains status of the profile information submitted by the first candidate 201. The updation module 203i may mark the status of the profile information as "Unassigned" when the profile information is not assigned to a career advisor. Furthermore, the updation module 203i enables updation of the profile information by the first candidate 201.

The assignment module 203 b assigns the first candidate 201 to a first career advisor based on the domain of expertise of the first candidate 201 and the domain of expertise of the first career advisor. The updation module 203i may then update the status of the profile information to "Assigned". A designated manager of the first career consultancy 204a may also reject the first candidate's 201 profile information based on predefined criteria. If the first candidate 201 is rejected, the updation module 203i may then update the status of the profile information as "Unassigned". The career management server 203 may then send an email to the rejected candidate requesting the rejected candidate to choose an alternate career consultancy.

The information verification module 203c verifies the profile information with the first candidate 201. The first career advisor determines accessibility of predefined portions of the profile information of the first candidate 201 to an employer and the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The updation module 203i then updates the status of the profile information to "Verified". The career management server 203 determines availability of the first candidate 201. If the first candidate 201 is available, the updation module 203i updates the status of the profile information to "Available". The career management server 203 enables viewing the profile information on the career portal 205. The profile information with the status "Assigned", "Verified", and "Available" may only be viewed on the career portal 205.

The profile information may be searched on the career portal 205. The career management server 203 may retrieve the profile infonnation of the first candidate 201 and profile information of second candidates 202 linked with the second career consultancies 204b and 204c subscribing to the career portal 205 from the information database 203j. The profile information meeting predefined criteria may only be viewable by the first career consultancy 204a. The job order reception module 203d receives a job order from an employer. The first career consultancy 204a fills out a job order form on receiving the job order from the employer. The matching module 203e matches the verified profile information of the first candidate 201 and profile information of the second candidates 202 associated with the second career consultancies 204b and 204c with the job order. The first career consultancy 204a then tags the matched profile information to the job order.

The requisition module 203f triggers a request and transfers the request to the first career advisor and second career advisors associated with the second career consultancies 204b and 204c. The request triggered to the first career advisor may be regarding the matched first candidate 201 and the request triggered to the second career advisors may be regarding the matched second candidates 202. The first career advisor determines interest of the matched first candidate 201 in the job order. The first career advisor may directly contact the first candidate 201 for determining the interest of the first candidate 201. The second career advisors determine interest of the matched second candidates 202 in the job order. In case the matched first candidate 201 and the matched second candidates 202 are interested in the job order, the updation module 203i updates the status of the profile information to "Interested". In case the matched first candidate 201 and the matched second candidates 202 are not interested in the job order, the updation module 203i updates the status of the profile information to "Rejected". The concealed section of the second candidates 202 may be displayed to the first career consultancy 204a after the second candidates 202 or the second career consultancies 204b and 204c accept the request. In case the second candidates 202 do not respond to the request within a predefined period of time, the contact information of the second candidate or the second career consultancies 204b and 204c may automatically be displayed to the first career consultancy 204a. The first career consultancy 204a may then be authorized to contact the second candidates 202 directly and determine whether the second candidates 202 are interested in the job order. In case of the matched profile information of the first candidate 201, the first career consultancy 204a may directly contact the first candidate 201 for determining whether the first candidate 201 is interested in the job order.

The processing engine 203g then processes the profile information of the interested first candidate 201 and the interested second candidates 202. The transaction tracking module 2031 tracks the status of the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 at different stages of the career management. The updation module 203i updates the status of the profile information based on the selection of the first candidate 201 or second candidates 202 as "Selected" or "Dropped". The career management server 203 may further maintain an activity history of the candidates registered to the career portal 205. The activity history of the candidates is stored in the information database 203j. The status of the first candidate 201 during the different stages of the career management is determined by contacting the first candidate 201 and the status of the second candidates 202 are determined by contacting the second candidates 202. The recruitment process is completed once the employer processes the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 and recruits or drops the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202.

If the employer recruits one or more of the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 and the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 are instated with the employer, the employer generates revenue. On instatement of the recruited candidates with the employer, the updation module 203i updates the status of the candidates to "Joined". The first career consultancy 204a may then raise an invoice with the consultancy charges to the employer based on the terms, and the conditions of the agreement. The career management server 203 transfers the invoice to the employer. The first career consultancy 204a then obtains a predefined amount of the revenue generated by the employer based on the invoice. The revenue sharing module 203h enables sharing of a predefined amount of the generated revenue with the second career consultancy on recruitment and instatement of one or more second candidates 202 with the employer. The updation module 203i then updates the status of the second candidates 202 as "Success". Transaction between the first career consultancy 204a and the employer may then be closed. The contractual candidate management module 203m enables management of contractual candidates hired by the first career consultancy 204a. The career portal 205 implemented on the career management server 203 thereby enables collaborative management of careers.

FIGS.3A-3D illustrate a flowchart describing the steps involved in collaboratively managing the first candidate 201 and the second candidates 202 on the career portal 205 for permanent placement. Initially a candidate, for example, a candidate "A" logs on to the career portal 205 and creates a user ID and a password. Candidate "A" uses the user ID and password for accessing the career portal 205. Multiple career consultancies subscribe to the career portal 205. Candidate "A" selects 301 a career consultancy from the career consultancies 204 on the career portal 205. Candidate "A" submits 302 a profile to the selected career consultancy e.g. career consultancy "A". The profile comprises a public information section and a contact information section. The public information section comprises personal information, educational information, etc. Career consultancy "A" searches 303 for a career advisor for assigning the profile. Career consultancy "A" may assign a career advisor based on domain of expertise of candidate "A" and the career advisor. If career consultancy "A" finds 304 a career advisor for the profile, career consultancy "A" assigns 305 career advisor "A" to candidate "A". If career consultancy "A" does not find 304 a career advisor, candidate "A" may select 301 an alternate career consultancy. On assignment of career advisor "A", the career advisor contacts candidate "A" and verifies 306 the profile. The career advisor determines accessibility of the contact information section in the profile. Career consultancy "A" receives 307 a job order from an employer. The job order is matched 308 with profiles of candidates registered on the career portal 205. A match is found 309 of the job order with the profile of candidate "A" associated with career consultancy "A" and candidate "B" associated with career consultancy "B". A request is triggered 310 to the career advisor "A" and career advisor "B" regarding the found match. Career advisor "B" is assigned to candidate "B" on selection of the career consultancy "B". Career advisor "A" determines 311 interest of candidate "A" in the job order and career advisor "B" determines interest of candidate "B" in the job order. If candidate "A" and candidate "B" are interested 312 in the job order, the employer processes 313 the profiles of candidate "A" and candidate "B" to recruit candidate "A" and/or candidate "B".

The employer generates 314 revenue on the recruitment of candidate "A" and/or candidate "B". If candidate "A" is instated 315 with the employer, career consultancy "A" obtains 317 a predefined amount of the revenue generated by the employer. If candidate "A" is not instated 315 with the employer, the career advisor matches 308 the profile of candidate "A" with an alternate job order. If candidate "B" is instated 316 with the employer, career consultancy "A" obtains 318 a predefined amount of revenue generated by the employer. The career consultancy "A" shares 319 the revenue obtained from the employer with career consultancy "B". The career advisor may then close transactions with candidate "A" until candidate "A" wishes to look for a new job via the career portal 205.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a flowchart describing the steps involved in managing consultants for contract staffing by a career consultancy on the career portal 205. Initially a first career consultancy 204a, for example, career consultancy "A" employs 401 a contractual candidate, candidate "C". Career consultancy "A" assigns 402 candidate "C" to a career advisor, career advisor "A". Career consultancy "A" posts 403 a profile of candidate "C" on the career portal 205. A second career consultancy, for example, career consultancy "B" receives 404 a job order from an employer. If the job order matches 405 with the profile of candidate "C", Career consultancy "B" tags 406 the profile with the job order. Furthermore, career consultancy "B" quotes a billing rate to career consultancy "A".

If the career consultancy "A" accepts 407 billing rate quoted by career consultancy "B", career consultancy "A" transfers 408 a complete profile of candidate "C" to career consultancy "B" for the contract position. The employer processes 409 the complete profile of candidate "C" to recruit candidate "C" on a contractual basis. The employer generates 410 revenue on recruitment of candidate "C". If candidate "C" is instated 411 with the employer, career consultancy "B" obtains 412 a predefined amount of the revenue generated by the employer. The predefined amount obtained from the employer may be a one time payment or may be a recurring amount. The career consultancy "A" then collects 413 the accepted billing rate from career consultancy "B".

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithms described herein may be implemented in a computer readable medium appropriately programmed for general purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor, for e.g., one or more microprocessors will receive instructions from a memory or like device, and execute those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by those instructions. Further,

» programs that implement such methods and algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media, for e.g., computer readable media in a number of manners. In one embodiment, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of various embodiments. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. A 'processor' means any one or more microprocessors, Central Processing Unit (CPU) devices, computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors or like devices. The term 'computer-readable medium' refers to any medium that participates in providing data, for example instructions that may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Nonvolatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory volatile media include Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. In general, the computer-readable programs may be implemented in any programming language. Some examples of languages that can be used include C, C++, C#, JAVA, VB.NET, ASP.NET, or Java Script with HTML. The software programs may be stored on or in one or more mediums as an object code. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium comprises computer parsable codes for the implementation of the processes of various embodiments. Where databases are described such as the information database 203j, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those described herein. Further, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed databases could be used to store and manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a database can be used to implement various processes, such as the described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such a database.

The present invention can be configured to work in a network environment including a computer that is in communication, via a communications network, with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the Internet, Local Area Network (LAN)₅ Wide Area Network (WAN) or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of communications means. Each of the devices may comprise computers, such as those based on the Intel^® processors, AMD^® processors, Sun^® processors, IBM^® processors etc., that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any number and type of machines may be in communication with the computer.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present method and system disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

Claims

5. CLAIMSI claim:

1. A computer implemented method of collaboratively managing careers on a career portal, comprising the steps of:

selecting a career consultancy from a plurality of career consultancies on said career portal by a first candidate, wherein said first candidate submits profile information to said selected career consultancy, wherein the selected career consultancy is a first career consultancy and said unselected career consultancies on the career portal are second career consultancies;

assigning the first candidate to a first career advisor by said first career consultancy;

matching said profile information of the first candidate and profile information of second candidates with a job order received from an employer, wherein said second candidates are associated with said second career consultancies on the career portal;

triggering a request to said first career advisor and second career advisors regarding said matched first candidate and said matched second candidates respectively, wherein said second career advisors are associated with the second career consultancies;

determining interest of the matched first candidate and the matched second candidates in said job order by the first career advisor and the second career advisors respectively; processing the profile information of said interested first candidate and said interested second candidates by said employer to recruit one or more of the interested first candidate and the interested second candidates; and

sharing revenue obtained from the employer by the first career consultancy with the second career consultancies on said recruitment and instatement of one or more of the interested second candidates with the employer;

whereby said careers are collaboratively managed on the career portal.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising a step of registering the first candidate, the second candidates, the first career consultancy, and the second career consultancies on the career portal.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first career advisor verifies the profile information of the first candidate.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein said matched profile information of the first candidate and said matched profile information of the second candidates are tagged to the job order by the first career consultancy.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein said step of assigning the first career advisor is based on domain of expertise of the first candidate and domain of expertise of the first career advisor.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first career advisor determines accessibility of predefined portions of the profile information of the first candidate to the employer and one or more of the second career consultancies.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein said predefined portions of the profile information of the first candidate are accessible to the second career consultancies and the employer on approval by one of the first candidate and the first career advisor.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising a step of managing contractual candidates, wherein said contractual candidates are hired by the first career consultancy, wherein said management comprises the steps of:

receiving a job order for a contract position by the first career consultancy from the employer;

matching profile information of the contractual candidates with said job order for said contract position;

transferring said matched profile information of the contractual candidates to the employer;

processing the matched profile information by the employer to recruit one or more of the contractual candidates for the contract position; and

obtaining a predefined amount of revenue generated by the employer on said recruitment and instatement of the contractual candidates with the employer.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising a step of managing contractual candidates, wherein said contractual candidates are hired by the first career consultancy, wherein said management comprises the steps of: posting profile information of the contractual candidates on the career portal;

receiving a job order for a contract position by a second career consultancy from the employer;

searching on the career portal for profile information matching with said job order for said contract position by said second career consultancy;

tagging said matched profile information of the contractual candidates to the job order by the second career consultancy and quoting a predefined rate to the first career consultancy;

transferring complete profile information of the contractual candidates to the second career consultancy on acceptance of said quoted predefined rate by the first career consultancy;

processing said transferred profile information of the contractual candidates by the employer to recruit one or more of the contractual candidates for the contract position; and

sharing revenue obtained from the employer by the second career consultancy with the first career consultancy based on the predefined rate on said recruitment and instatement of one or more of the contractual candidates with the employer.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising a step of updating the profile information on the career portal by the first candidate.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising a step of tracking status of the profile information of the first candidate at different stages of said career management by the first career consultancy.

12. A computer implemented system for collaboratively managing careers on a career portal, comprising:

said career portal for submission of profile information by a first candidate and second candidates;

a career management server, comprising:

a consultancy selection module for enabling selection of a career consultancy from a plurality of career consultancies on the career portal by said first candidate, wherein said selected career consultancy is a first career consultancy and unselected career consultancies on the career portal are second career consultancies;

an assignment module for assigning the first candidate to a first career advisor;

a matching module for matching said profile information of the first candidate and profile information of said second candidates with a job order received from an employer;

a requisition module for triggering a request to said first career advisor and second career advisors regarding said matched first candidate and said matched second candidates respectively;

a processing engine for processing the profile information of interested first candidate and said profile information of interested second candidates by said employer to recruit one or more of said interested first candidate and said interested second candidates; and

a revenue sharing module for enabling said first career consultancy to share revenue obtained from the employer with said second career consultancies on said recruitment and instatement of one or more of the interested second candidates with the employer.

13. The computer implemented system of claim 12, wherein said career management server further comprises a job order reception module for receiving the job order from the employer.

14. The computer implemented system of claim 12, wherein said career management server further comprises an information verification module for verifying the profile information of the first candidate.

15. The computer implemented system of claim 12, wherein said career management server further comprises an updation module for updating status of the profile information of the first candidate at different stages of said career management, wherein said updation module updates the profile information of the first candidate and the second candidates.

16. The computer implemented system of claim 12, wherein said career management server further comprises a contractual candidate management module for enabling management of contractual candidates hired by the first career consultancy.

17. The computer implemented system of claim 12, wherein said career management server further comprises an information database for storing the profile information of the first candidate and the profile information of the second candidates.

18. The computer implemented system of claim 12, wherein said career management server further comprises a registration module for registering the first candidate, the second candidates, the first career consultancy, and the second career consultancies on the career portal.

19. The computer implemented system of claim 12, wherein said career management server further comprises a transaction tracking module for tracking status of the profile information of the first candidate and the second candidates at different stages of said career management.

20. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium, wherein said computer program product comprises:

a first computer parsable program code for enabling selection of a career consultancy from a plurality of career consultancies on a career portal by a first candidate, wherein said selected career consultancy is a first career consultancy and unselected career consultancies on said career portal are second career consultancies;

a second computer parsable program code for assigning said first candidate to a first career advisor by said first career consultancy;

a third computer parsable program code for matching profile information of the first candidate and profile information of second candidates with a job order received from an employer;

a fourth computer parsable program code for triggering a request to said first career advisor and second career advisors regarding said matched first candidate and said matched second candidates respectively; and a fifth computer parsable program code for enabling said first career consultancy to share revenue obtained from said employer with said second career consultancies on recruitment and instatement of said second candidates.

6. DATE AND SIGNATURE

Applicant