AU2008100593B4 - Systems and methods for interfacing employers and jobseekers - Google Patents

Description

-1-

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Job Click Pty Ltd Jared Lazarus Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP Margaret Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Telephone No: Facsimile No.

(02) 9777 1111 (02) 9241 4666 Invention Title: SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AND JOBSEEKERS INTERFACING EMPLOYERS The following statement is a full description of this invention, performing it known to us including the best method of File: 58697AUP00 501601705_1.DOC/5845 00 SSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERFACING ;ZEMPLOYERS AND JOBSEEKERS SFIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for interfacing employers and jobseekers, and more particularly to computer implemented technologies for facilitating communication between employers and jobseekers. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for providing a profile-driven web interface 00 that allows employers and jobseekers to engage in preliminary discussions whilst Sretaining a desired level of anonymity. While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to that application, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] Traditionally, the job market has made use of a model whereby employers place advertisements for positions, and jobseekers respond to those advertisements.

However, there are also models whereby jobseekers advertise themselves, and employers initiate contact with promising candidates. Various variations on these two models are also known, often including intermediaries such as employment agencies and the like.

[0004] Although Internet-based employment interfaces have significantly increased capabilities in terms ofjob/talent identification from a wide pool, it may be argued that the degree of liquidity in the job market has not realized its full potential. In particular, there are a number of factors that foster reluctance on the part ofjobseekers to progress mere curiosity from an Internet job-search to more substantive action, such as the provision of a resume or the commencement of preliminary negotiations.

[0005] There is a need for improved systems and methods for interfacing employers and jobseekers.

00 0 8 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION S[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of 'n the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

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[0007] One embodiment provides a method for interfacing employers and jobseekers, the method including the steps of: t receiving data describing an employer, wherein the data is indicative of nonpersonalizing data, personalizing data, and position data; 00 processing the information for defining in a searchable profile repository an employer profile, the employer profile being viewable by a jobseeker as a public profile for making available the non-personalizing data and the position data; receiving data describing a jobseeker, wherein the data is indicative of nonpersonalizing data and personalizing data; processing the information for defining in the searchable profile repository a jobseeker profile, the jobseeker profile being viewable by an employer as a public profile for making available the non-personalizing data; providing a search interface for allowing employers and jobseekers to query the profile repository for identifying and viewing public jobseeker profiles and public employer profiles respectively; and providing an internal communications interface for allowing secure anonymous communication between employers and jobseekers.

[0008] One embodiment provides a method including the steps of: receiving, from an employer, following a search of the repository, a request to advance with respect to a jobseeker profile; communicating data indicative of the request to the relevant jobseeker; and in the event that the jobseeker accepts the request, allowing the jobseeker and employer to communicate via the internal communications channel.

[0009] One embodiment provides a method including the steps of: 00 S(a) receiving, from a jobseeker, following a search of the repository, a request to Sadvance with respect to an employer profile; communicating data indicative of the request to the relevant employer; and in the event that the employer accepts the request, allowing the jobseeker and employer to communicate via the internal communications channel.

[0010] One embodiment provides a method including the steps of: 0 receiving, from an employer, following a search of the repository, a request to advance with respect to a jobseeker profile; and selectively levying to the employer a charge in respect of the request.

[0011] One embodiment provides a method wherein selectively levying the charge includes determining whether the jobseeker accepts the request, and levying the charge only in the case that the jobseeker accepts the request.

[0012] One embodiment provides a method wherein a given jobseeker public profile is viewable at a plurality of privacy tiers, and wherein the public jobseeker profile is viewable by an employer in accordance with a first privacy tier by default, and in accordance with a second privacy tier subject to authorization from the jobseeker.

[0013] One embodiment provides a method wherein a jobseeker selectively makes available to an employer one or more aspects of that jobseeker's personalizing data.

[0014] One embodiment provides a method wherein making available to an employer one or more aspects of that jobseeker's personalizing data includes providing a conventional resume.

[0015] One embodiment provides a method wherein an employer selectively makes available to an employer one or more aspects of that employer's personalizing data.

[0016] One embodiment provides a method wherein the employer profile defined at is viewable by the employer as a private profile for making available the nonpersonalizing data, personalizing data, and position data, and wherein the jobseeker profile defined at is viewable by the jobseeker as a private profile for making available the non-personalizing data and personalizing data.

00 0 [0017] One embodiment provides a computer system including: [0018] a web server for delivering a web-based interface to one or more terminals; IND [0019] a database for maintaining data indicative of page data for the web-based interface; [0020] one or more processors for executing software instructions; and [0021] a memory module coupled to the processor, the memory module carrying a set of Sinstructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more 00processors to perform a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

0 S[0022] One embodiment provides a method for interfacing employers and jobseekers, the method including the steps of: receiving data indicative of information describing an employer or jobseeker; processing the information for defining a user profile, wherein the user profile is viewable in accordance with a plurality of privacy tiers; adding the user profile to a profile repository that is configured for maintaining a plurality of further user profiles, each being viewable in accordance with a respective plurality of privacy tiers; receiving, from a client, data indicative of a query of the profile repository for identifying a result set of user profiles; providing, to the client, data indicative of one or more user profiles of the result set, wherein the data is provided for viewing in accordance with a first privacy tier; and subject to authorization provided in respect of a given user profile, providing to the client additional data indicative of that user profile, wherein the additional data is provided for viewing in accordance with a second privacy tier.

[0023] One embodiment provides a method for interfacing employers and jobseekers, the method including the steps of: receiving data indicative of information describing an employer orjobseeker; 00 processing the information for defining a user profile, wherein the user profile Sis viewable in accordance with a plurality of privacy tiers, including at least one n. anonymity tier; c adding the user profile to a profile repository that is configured for maintaining a plurality of further user profiles, each being viewable in accordance with a respective plurality of privacy tiers; receiving, from a client, data indicative of a query of the profile repository for 00 identifying a result set of user profiles; S(e) providing, to the client, data indicative of one or more user profiles of the result set, wherein the data is provided for viewing in accordance with the anonymity tier; and allowing the client to provide a message in respect of the a selected one of the user profiles, wherein the message is communicated in accordance with a anonymitypreserving communications infrastructure.

[0024] One embodiment provides a method for interfacing employers and jobseekers, the method including the steps of: receiving data indicative of information describing an employer or jobseeker; processing the information for defining a user profile, wherein the user profile is viewable in accordance with a plurality of privacy tiers; adding the user profile to a profile repository that is configured for maintaining a plurality of further user profiles, each being viewable in accordance with a respective plurality of privacy tiers; receiving, from a client, data indicative of a query of the profile repository for identifying a result set of user profiles; providing, to the client, data indicative of one or more user profiles of the result set, wherein the data is provided for viewing in accordance with a first privacy tier; receiving from the client a request for additional data in respect of a given user profile; 04/09/08 17:11 SHELSTON IP 4 00262837999#839G N.05 -7- 00 o responsive to the request, providing to the client additional data indicative of that C'I user profile, wherein the additional data is provided for viewing in accordance with a second privacy tier; and levying to the client a charge in respect of the request.

[00251 One embodiment provides a computer system including a processor configured to en perform a method as discussed above.

10026] One embodiment provides a computer program product configured to perform a omethod as discussed above.

00 [00271 One embodiment provides a computer readable medium carrying a set of instructions Nl that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform a method as discussed above.

[0027a] One embodiment provides a web-based interface for interfacing employers and jobseekers, the interface including: means for allowing users, in the form of employers and jobseekers, to advertise themselves anonymously via employer public profiles and jobseeker public profiles respectively; an internal communications interface for allowing secure anonymous communication between employers and jobseekers, wherein a request/response procedure is performed prior to an employer and jobseeker being able to communicate via the internal communications interface, such that: in the event that a jobseeker wishes to communicate with an employer, the jobseeker provides a request to advance in relation to the employer's public profile, data indicative of the request to advance is communicated to the employer and, in the event that the employer accepts the request, the jobseeker and employer are able communicate via the internal communications interface; and/or in the event that an employer wishes to communicate with a jobseckcr, the employer provides a request to advance in relation to the jobseeker's public profile, data indicative of the request to advance is communicated to the jobseeker and, in the event that the jobseeker accepts the request, the jobseeker and employer are able communicate via the internal communications interface.

COMS ID No: ARCS-204911 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:53 Date 2008-09-04 04/09/09 17:11 SHELSTON IP 4 00262837999#8396 N0.085 D06 -7a 00 o [00281 The term "employer" should be afforded a broad interpretation. It is by no means 0 C-i necessary that an employer be engaged in any actual employment Rather, an employer is a Sparty that has an interest in identifying jobseekers. For example, in some embodiments an J employer is defined in physical terms by an employment agency or the like that identifies o candidate jobseekers on behalf of another party.

100291 The term "jobseeker" should also be afforded a broad interpretation. In particular, <there is no requisite that ajobseeker be actively seeking employment opportunities. Rather, o a jobseeker may be any person wishing to create a jobseeker profile. It will be appreciated 0 that a jobseeker profile may be created purely out of curiosity.

00 S[0030] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

COMS ID No: ARCS-204911 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:53 Date 2008-09-04 00 [0031] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives S"first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that n different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply IND that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0032] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms Scomprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term 00 Scomprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a method according to one embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 3A illustrates a method according to cone embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 3B illustrates a method according to cone embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5J illustrate exemplary web pages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0039] Described herein are systems and methods for interfacing employers and jobseekers. In overview, various embodiments provide software, hardware and methodologies underlying a profile-driven web delivered interface that allows employers and jobseekers to advertise and/or search data maintained in user profiles.

00 O Some embodiments allow an employer and jobseeker to subsequently consensually Sengage in preliminary discussions, whilst retaining a desired level of anonymity.

OVERVIEW OF PROFILE-DRIVEN EMPLOYMENT INTERFACE [0040] FIG. I illustrates a method 100 according to one embodiment, this method Sgenerally illustrating operations and functionalities within a profile-driven employment SIT infrastructure in accordance with one embodiment.

[0041] Step 101 includes receiving data describing an employer, this data being 00 0indicative of non-personalizing data, personalizing data, and position data. Step 102 includes processing the information for defining in a searchable profile repository 104 an employer profile, the employer profile being viewable by a jobseeker as a public profile for making available the non-personalizing data and the position data.

[00421 Position data describes none or more employment opportunities with the employer. These are indicative of non-personalizing data, and optionally indicative of personalizing data. However, it will be appreciated on the basis of discussion herein that an employment opportunity is able to be described on the basis of nonpersonalizing data alone.

[0043] Steps 101 and 102 occur on a continuing basis as more employers register to create employer profiles. Additional position data may be added over time so as to describe additional opportunities that arise. Likewise, position data may be removed over time.

[0044] Step 111 includes receiving data describing a jobseeker, this data also being indicative of non-personalizing data and personalizing data. Step 112 includes processing the information for defining in repository 104 a jobseeker profile, this profile being viewable by an employer as a public profile for making available the nonpersonalizing data.

[0045] In the context of the present specification, "non-personalizing data" are details that describe a party (such as a person, entity, group, or the like) without revealing the actual identity of the party. For example, in the context of an employer, nonpersonalizing data might include the industry in which the employer operates, the number of employees, the location, and so on. A party is able to share nonoO 00 0 personalizing information whilst remaining anonymous (it is assumed that the use of an avatar or other user identifier allows anonymity to be maintained). "Personalizing ndata", on the other hand, allow identification of a party. Examples include actual IN names of people and/or businesses, addresses, contact information (including email addresses), and so on.

N [0046] It will be appreciated that the distinction between "non-personalizing data" and 0 "personalizing data" is not necessarily black and white. The precise definition varies 0 0between embodiments insofar as the distinguishing boundary is concerned. In O0 particular, a grey area exists in respect of "indirectly personalizing data", being details Sfrom which identity might be inferred. Examples include, in the context ofa jobseeker, past and present employer details. A jobseeker's identity might be inferred from such details subject to further investigations. These are contrasted with "directly personalizing data", being details from which identity is made explicitly known. A simple example is a jobseeker's name. In some embodiments, indirectly personalizing data are regarded as personalizing data, whereas in other embodiments they are regarded as non-personalizing data. In a further embodiment, a user is able to exercise discretion as to whether indirectly personalizing data are made available via a public profile.

[0047] In some embodiments, data describing a jobseeker or employer is not expressly provided in terms of personalizing data and non-personalizing data. Rather, a set of details are collected, and a computer system is responsible for processing those details on the basis of a predetermined rule set for identifying aspects of both personalizing data and non-personalizing data. For example, in some embodiments a standardized web-form is used for the purpose of collecting details from a user, and the process of separation into personalizing data and non-personalizing data is performed in the background and hidden from the user. However, in other embodiments a user is able exercise control over the content of non-personalizing data. For example, in one embodiment proposed personalizing data is presented to a user as a proposed public profile, and the user is able to review and selectively modify that data prior to approving the public profile.

00 [0048] A profile (jobseeker/employer) is "made available' in the sense that it is able to Sbe identified and viewed by a user, for example a user of a client terminal that is in n. communication with repository 104 via a web-portal. Matters of web-based and other IDforms of information delivery are discussed further below in the section entitled "System Level Overview".

[0049] In the present embodiments, each profile defined in repository 104 is Srepresentable to a client based on a plurality of views, with the views providing 0differing combinations of personalizing and non-personalizing data. For example, 00 Ssome embodiments make use of a public profile and a private profile. The latter is C' viewable by the profile creator, whereas the former is viewable by other users, in the case of an employer profile being jobseeker users. The public and private profiles are simply "views" of a single profile. For example, a single record is created, this record including both personalizing data and non-personalizing data, and a page display framework (such as an ASP.net framework) is used to generate a page view for displaying appropriate data in a given situation.

[0050] The personal and private profiles define two "privacy tiers" in accordance with which a profile is viewable. In some embodiments, a profile is viewable in accordance with a greater number of privacy tiers. In some such cases a profile creator exercises influence over the privacy tier with which another user is able to view his/her profile.

This may be include a global designation all other user, or all other users having particular characteristic are designated viewing privileges at as a specified privacy tier), or at an individual level (a user grants viewing privileges at a specified privacy tier to another individual user on a case-by-case basis, for example in response to a request from the other user).

[0051] The use of privacy tiers is particularly significant in the sense that a user is able to proactively monitor his/her anonymity in the context of employment negotiations.

For example, according to one embodiment a situation may arise where a jobseeker grants a higher level of viewing privileges to an employer the employer is able to view the jobseeker's profile in accordance with a privacy tier at which a greater level of personalizing information is available) subject to (or subsequent) the employer granting similar privileges to the jobseeker. That is, in one example, a jobseeker 00 0 selectively reveals personalizing information to an employer who has already revealed Spersonalizing information to that jobseeker.

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n[0052] For the purposes of the present disclosure, it is assumed that a user who creates an employer profile, and subsequently logs in to an account corresponding to that employer profile, is the employer described by that profile. Likewise, it is assumed that a user who creates a jobseeker profile, and subsequently logs in to an account Scorresponding to that jobseeker profile is the jobseeker described by that profile.

However, it is appreciated that such assumptions might not be in all cases accurate in oO Spractice, as users may at times (maliciously or otherwise) access accounts that describe other users.

[0053] The present infrastructure provides a search interface for allowing employers and jobseekers to query the profile repository for identifying and viewing public jobseeker profiles and public employer profiles respectively. To this end, step 121 includes receiving data indicative of a query of repository 104. Such a query may be submitted by either an employer a user logged in to an account corresponding to an employer profile) or a jobseeker a user logged in to an account corresponding to a jobseeker profile). In the case of an employer, the query seeks out jobseeker profiles based on search criteria such as qualifications, location, desired role, and so on. In the case of a jobseeker, the query seeks out employer profiles based on search criteria which are generally directed towards aspects of position data, such as nature of role, salary range, and so on.

[0054] Step 122 includes processing the received query to identify a result set of profiles that meet the search criteria in accordance with a predetermined search protocol. To this end, it will be appreciated that a multitude of appropriate search protocols exist (including those offered by existing job advertisement websites), and the present disclosure should not be limited to any particular search protocol.

[0055] Step 123 includes providing, to the user, data indicative of the result set. The public profiles corresponding to the result set are then able to be browsed by the user.

Step 124 includes various other steps performed following the query/response process of steps 121 to 123, and some of these are discussed in greater detail further below.

00 [0056] The present infrastructure also provides an internal communications interface 1for allowing secure anonymous communication between employers and jobseekers. To n. this end, step 125 includes receiving a message from an employer or jobseeker for IDdelivery to a jobseeker or employer, and step 126 includes delivering that message. In some embodiments the ability to make use of the internal communications interface is Sdependent on activity at step 124, as discussed further below.

O [0057] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the interfacial relationship between employers and jobseekers. In overview, employers 1 to n have respective employer profiles 1 to 00 O n, these profiles allowing the physical employers to remain selectively veiled behind an abstraction barrier. Likewise, jobseekers 1 to n have respective jobseeker profiles 1 to n, selectively veiling the physical jobseekers behind an abstraction barrier. The profiles provide jobseekers and employers with access to the internal communications interface.

[0058] In broad terms, the communications interface includes a profile-to-profile messaging system. That is, a user logged in to an account corresponding to a profile submits a message in relation to another user's profile (for example being a profile identified via the search interface), and that message is then associated with the other user's account. In this manner, the next time the other user logs in, the message is able to be read and a response optionally submitted. In some embodiments the profile-toprofile messaging system is extended to allow modified email communication. That is, a user is able to submit, review, and respond to messages by way of a pre-existing email account. However, the messages are communicated via the internal communications interface such that neither party becomes aware of the other party's email address.

CONTACT REQUESTS [0059] In some embodiments, a request/response mechanism is necessary prior to an employer and jobseeker being able to communicate via the internal communications mechanism. The mechanism presently discussed includes a process whereby a jobseeker and employer add one another as "contacts" (although no inferences should be drawn from the use of this term, which is descriptive and interchangeable), thereby confirming a mutual willingness to communicate. In broad terms, a request to add a 00

O

0 jobseeker/employer as a contact is a request to "advance" in relation to that Sjobseeker/employer.

[0060] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary contact request/approval procedure. This c procedure is described by reference to jobseeker side events (events performed by a jobseeker logged in to his/her respective profile), employer side events (events 0 performed by an employer logged in to his/her respective profile), and server side O events (automated events performed at a server in response to employer side or Sjobseeker side events.

oO O [0061] Step 401 includes an employer placing a contact request in respect of a specified jobseeker. For example, the employer logs in, performs a search, identifies the jobseeker, and selects an "add as contact" option. At step 402 data indicative of the request is added to the relevant jobseeker profile, such that the request is identified to the jobseeker when he/she next logs in or accesses his/her personal profile. In some embodiments email/SMS/other notifications are also provided to the jobseeker.

[0062] At step 403, the jobseeker selectively accepts the contact request (or alternately rejects the request). On the assumption that the request is accepted, the jobseeker is added as a contact to the employer's profile at 404. Subsequently, at 405, the employer is able to send a message to the jobseeker, this message being delivered at 406 and read at 407(and a reply optionally submitted).

[0063] FIG. 4B illustrates another exemplary contact request/approval procedure, this time for a situation where the jobseeker is instigator. Step 411 includes the jobseeker placing a contact request in respect of a specified employer. For example, the jobseeker logs in, performs a search, identifies the employer, and selects an "add as contact" option. At step 412 data indicative of the request is added to the relevant employer profile, such that the request is identified to the employer when he/she next logs in or accesses his/her personal profile. In some embodiments email/SMS/other notifications are also provided to the jobseeker.

[0064] At step 413, the employer selectively accepts the contact request (or alternately rejects the request). On the assumption that the request is accepted, the employer is added as a contact to the jobseeker's profile at 414. Subsequently, at 415, the 00 O jobseeker is able to send a message to the employer, this message being delivered at S416 and read at 417 (and a reply optionally submitted).

[0065] The present mechanism is particularly useful in reducing unsolicited/unwanted N communications. Furthermore, it allows an initial jobseeker/employer interaction to occur prior to time being consumed in correspondence.

[0066] Various monetization models are applied across embodiments. One particularly significant model includes levying a charge to an employer upon the 00 making of a contact request in respect of a jobseeker, or alternately upon the approval Sof that request by the jobseeker. In some cases, an employer is additionally levied a charge for accepting a jobseeker's contact request. In this manner, employers are levied charges (which are optionally of low value) in consideration for being put in contact with potential candidates for positions they are offering.

[0067] Other monetization models are also applied in further embodiments, some including the levying of a charge to an employer for each jobseeker public profile that is viewed.

SYSTEM-LEVEL OVERVIEW [0068] In the present embodiments, the method of FIG. I is implemented by way of a server, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In overview, a web server 302 provides a web interface 303. This web interface is accessed by the parties by way of client terminals 304. In overview, users access interface 303 over the Internet by way of client terminals 304, which in various embodiments include the likes of personal computers, PDAs, cellular telephones, gaming consoles, and other Internet enabled devices.

[0069] Server 303 includes a processor 305 coupled to a memory module 306 and a communications interface 307, such as an Internet connection, modem, Ethernet port, wireless network card, serial port, or the like. In other embodiments distributed resources are used. For example, in one embodiment server 302 includes a plurality of distributed servers having respective storage, processing and communications resources. Memory module 306 includes software instructions 308, which are executable on processor 305.

00 [0070] Server 302 is coupled to a database 310 (in some embodiments being analogous to Srepository 104), which in some embodiments includes a plurality of distributed storage n, locations. In further embodiments the database leverages memory module 306.

NODatabase 310 maintains a data indicative of employer profiles and jobseeker profiles (including data for allowing the viewing of both public and private profiles).

[0071] In some embodiments web interface 303 includes a website. The term "website" Sshould be read broadly to cover substantially any source of information accessible over the Internet or another communications network (such as WAN, LAN or WLAN) via a 00 Sbrowser application running on a client terminal. In some embodiments, a website is a (i source of information made available by a server and accessible over the Internet by a web-browser application running on a client terminal. The web-browser application downloads code, such as HTML code, from the server. This code is executable through the web-browser on the client terminal for providing a graphical and often interactive representation of the website on the client terminal. By way of the webbrowser application, a user of the client terminal is able to navigate between and throughout various web pages provided by the website, and access various functionalities that are provided.

[0072] Although some embodiments make use of a website/browser-based implementation, in other embodiments proprietary software methods are implemented as an alternative. For example, in such embodiments client terminals 304 maintain software instructions for a computer program product that essentially provides access to a portal via which criterion response data and the like is able to be submitted over a network (typically the Internet) to a central location server 302) for the purpose of bidirectional matching.

[0073] In general terms, each terminal 304 includes a processor 311 coupled to a memory module 313 and a communications interface 312, such as an internet connection, modem, Ethernet port, serial port, or the like. Memory module 313 includes software instructions 314, which are executable on processor 311. These software instructions allow terminal 304 to execute a software application, such as a proprietary application or web browser application and thereby render on-screen a user interface and allow communication with server 302. This user interface allows for the creation, viewing 00 and administration of profiles, access to the internal communications interface, and Svarious other functionalities.

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EXEMPLARY WEB INTERFACE [0074] FIG. 5A to 5J illustrate exemplary web pages according to one embodiment.

Cc These are provided for the purpose of illustrating various features and functionalities in a relatively general sense, and should not be regarded as limiting. It will be 0appreciated that various forms of web page are used in commercial embodiments, 00oO ranging significantly in terms of complexity and sophistication.

[0075] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary entry page. For example, a user navigates to this page in response to entering a specified HTTP identifier in a web browser application, such as www.exampleHTTPidentifier.com. This page provides a user with options to log on as an employer or jobseeker (based on an existing profile) or alternately create a new profile as an employer or jobseeker.

[0076] FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary employer registration page, including a plurality of data capture prompts and information collection fields. This may take the form of a single web-based information collection form, or a plurality of such forms distributed across a corresponding plurality of pages. The general approach presently considered is a question/answer methodology. For example, a data capture prompts asks "what is the size of your organization" and the information collection field includes a drop-down-menu providing a plurality of possible responses to that question. A user submits the required information and, optionally subject to a data validation process, an employer profile is defined.

[0077] FIG. 5C illustrates an employer private profile page. This page shows an employer's profile details, including both private and public details. In some embodiments the public details are provided in a form corresponding to the public profile viewable by a jobseeker. The employer is permitted to modify this in accordance with a specified process. In one such embodiment, non-public details are shown to the employer separately, and these may also be updated/corrected. Similarly, position data are shown. The right-hand-side of the page provides a number of options, including profile modification options (for updating/correcting public and/or nonpublic details), position modification options (for adding, removing and/or modifying 00 position data). Page area is also devoted to jobseeker contacts and jobseeker requests.

SThe page also provides access to the employer's inbox and the communications n. interface.

c' [0078] FIG. 5D illustrates en exemplary employer job details collection page. This is, in effect, another web-form which allows an employer to submit job details describing a particular employment opportunity, presently being in terms of non-personalizing data.

00 [0079] FIG. SE illustrates an exemplary results page, showing details of the query submitted, and a plurality of results that are deemed to meet that query in accordance with a predetermined searching protocol that is implemented. Each result is expressed in terms of a jobseeker ID and a summary of public details a selection of nonpersonalizing data from the jobseeker's profile). Each result is hyperlinked to provide selective access to a view of the jobseeker's public profile, such as that shown in FIG.

This page shows public details for the jobseeker, and provides an option to add the jobseeker as a contact (assuming this has not already occurred). Where the employer has already added the jobseeker as a contact (or vice versa) and the request process completed with approval, an option is provided to contact the jobseeker via the internal communications interface. An option to return to the result set is also provided.

[0080] FIG. 5G illustrates a jobseeker registration page, this again including one or more web forms as discussed above. FIG. 5H illustrates a jobseeker private profile page, and similar considerations apply to this page as with an employer private profile page, as discussed above.

[0081] FIG. 51 illustrates an exemplary result set for a jobseeker's search. In the present example, a summary ofjob details is provided, rather than employers. Multiple positions for a single employer may be provided in the result set. These are each hyperlinked to a view of the relevant employer's public profile (see FIG. 5J), this view including additional details for the selected position, and summary data for other positions offered by the relevant employer.

[0082] As noted above, the present pages are provided as general examples only, and should not be regarded as limiting. It will be appreciated that a multitude of page 00 0 designs including different layouts and additional/less functionalities are able to be Sprovided within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

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CONCLUSIONS

(Ni [0083] It will be appreciated that the disclosure above provides various novel and Cc inventive systems and methods for interfacing employers and jobseekers. In particular, t the use of a profile-driven web interface as described herein provides various significant advantages as compared with known approaches to facilitating 00 employment-related interactions.

,,[0084] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining", analyzing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities.

[0085] In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors.

[0086] The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. Each processor may include one or more ofa CPU, a graphics processing unit, and a programmable DSP unit. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM. A bus subsystem may be included for communicating between the components. The processing system further may be a distributed processing system 00

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O with processors coupled by a network. If the processing system requires a display, such a display may be included, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray n tube (CRT) display. If manual data entry is required, the processing system also includes an input device such as one or more of an alphanumeric input unit such as a keyboard, a pointing control device such as a mouse, and so forth. The term memory unit as used herein, if clear from the context and unless explicitly stated otherwise, also encompasses a storage system such as a disk drive unit. The processing system in _some configurations may include a sound output device, and a network interface 0 device. The memory subsystem thus includes a computer-readable carrier medium that carries computer-readable code software) including a set of instructions to cause performing, when executed by one or more processors, one of more of the methods described herein. Note that when the method includes several elements, several steps, no ordering of such elements is implied, unless specifically stated. The software may reside in the hard disk, or may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the RAM and/or within the processor during execution thereof by the computer system.

Thus, the memory and the processor also constitute computer-readable carrier medium carrying computer-readable code.

[0087] Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product.

[0088] In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a user machine in server-user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-topeer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a personal computer a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

[0089] Note that while some diagrams only show a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or 00 0 O described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any n collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of IN instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

[0090] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of Oa computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, a computer Oprogram that is for execution on one or more processors, one or more processors

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that are part of web server arrangement. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled 00 in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an C, apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium, a computer program product.

The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause the processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium.

[0091] The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions.

The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, 22 00

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O including the wires that comprise a bus subsystem. Transmission media also may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and n infrared data communications. For example, the term "carrier medium" shall Iaccordingly be taken to included, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, a computer product embodied in optical and magnetic media; a medium bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of one or more processors and representing a set of instructions that, when executed, implement a method; a carrier _wave bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of the one or 0 more processors and representing the set of instructions a propagated signal and representing the set of instructions; and a transmission medium in a network bearing a (Ni propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of the one or more processors and representing the set of instructions.

[0092] It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein.

The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system.

[0093] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0094] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped 00

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O together in a single embodiment, FIG., or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the t various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted I, as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into _this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate 0 embodiment of this invention.

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(N [0095] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0096] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[0097] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0098] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the 00 scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to Sdevices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of n. device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B Iwhich may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more Selements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact t with each other.

[0099] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred 00 Sembodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and N further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted fiom the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks.

Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (4)

1. 2. A web-based interface according to claim 1 wherein a user's private profiles is configured to display data indicative of one or more requests to advance that are awaiting approval by the userI.
2. 3. A web-based interface according to claim 1 wherein a user's private profiles is configured to display data indicative of one or more contacts, being other users in respect of which requests to advance have been approved.
3. 4. A web-based interface according to any preceding claim wherein a given jobseeker public profile is viewable at a plurality of privacy tiers, and wherein the public jobseeker profile is viewable by an employer in accordance with a first privacy tier by default, and in accordance with a second privacy tier subject to authorisation from the jobseeker. COMS ID No: ARCS-204911 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:53 Date 2008-09-04 04/09/08 17:11 SHELSTON IP 4 00262837999#8396 NO.085
4. 26- 00 5. A web-based interface according to any preceding claim including means for selectively o levying a charge to an employer in respect of a request to advance provided by that jobseeker. c0 o ci COMS ID No: ARCS-204911 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:53 Date 2008-09-04