WO2001039078A1

WO2001039078A1 - System and method for recruiting employees and finding employment for same

Info

Publication number: WO2001039078A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/032093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Denise Rolleri; Maureen Sarcewicz; Colleen Sarcewicz; Stuart Pattison; Peter Rolleri; Rob Schnorr; Paul B. Harlacher
Original assignee: Medical Jobspot.Com, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-11-24
Filing date: 2000-11-22
Publication date: 2001-05-31
Also published as: AU1791101A

Abstract

An interactive internet-based system (Fig. 1) for recruiting employees and finding employment that includes an entry screen (Fig. 2), an employer site (14), a job seeker site (16), an administrator site (60), and a tracker (5). The employer site (14), the job seeker site (16), and the administrator site (60) are linked to a job posting and job seeker database (40) which centrally store information for job postings and job seekers. The entry screen (Fig. 2) includes a first pictorial montage for employers and a second pictorial montage for job seekers. The employer site (14) is linked to a log in page (24), a resume search page (150), a job posting page (159), a view jobs page (142), and a contact page (26). The job seeker site (16) is linked to a log in page (34), a profile modification page (54), a resume page (55), a view jobs page (164), and a contact page (127).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECRUITING EMPLOYEES AND FINDING EMPLOYMENT FOR SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/167,531 filed November 24, 1999.

This invention relates to a system for recruiting employees and finding employment, and, more particularly, to an interactive internet-based website application for recruiting employees and finding employment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Internet has emerged as a useful tool of commerce in nearly every area of business today. In the field of job placement and recruiting companies sometimes use Internet sites such as bulletin boards and web pages to post job listings and recruit new employees through advertising. However, such approaches are very limited in the ability to reach large numbers of potential employees since whether or not the sites are found on the vast internet is, at best, a hit and miss possibility. Further, bulletin boards are cumbersome and hard to maintain for both employers and employees and feature little or nothing besides posting basic information. In an apparent attempt to improve upon other Internet based applications, applications offering some forms of resume screening and monitoring of employment advertisements have been proposed. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,978,768 to McGovern, et al. entitled "Computerized lob Search System and Method for Posting and Searching Job Openings Via a Computer Network." Unfortunately, such systems are limited in that they require a software application that resides on a computer owned and operated by a user. A further drawback of such a system is that it depends upon the local computer operating system to perform almost all tasks. That is, the system requires specific, dedicated software programs that must reside on each user's computer, apart from software required to access the Internet. Still a further drawback of such a system is that it requires resumes to be uploaded via e-mail or transmitted by facsimile, rather than entered in real time and directly through an Internet connection. Such indirect inputs can result in delays in posting the resumes. As still a further drawback, such systems store job summaries separately from job details. Only a portion of the information about a position resides in a single location accessible via computer network. A more detailed portion of the position information is maintained by each employer using the system on their separate computers. Thus, maintenance of detailed position information is more likely to be non-uniform and subject to variations in quality control depending on the individual users. Further, with the data being stored in such a widely distributed manner, searching through complete details of job descriptions is virtually impossible since each employer's computer must be separately accessed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an interactive internet-based site application for recruiting employees and finding employment. The invention provides an interactive internet-based system for recruiting employees and finding employment including an entry screen, an employer site, and a job seeker site. The entry screen includes a first pictorial montage for employers and a second pictorial montage for job seekers. An employer can be any person or entity that hires job seekers, including, for example, institutions, corporations, companies, partnerships, clinics, individuals, agencies and others needing workers. Both employers and job seekers can be users of the system website.

Users use a pointing device to select one of the montages to access informational or infonnation submission screens. The employer montages and job seeker montage are linked to pages to review the features and benefits of the system, a page to register, a page for directions to the site, and a page to enter the site if they are already registered. The employer entrance site is linked to a log in page, a resume search page, a job posting page, a view jobs page, and a contact page. The job seeker entrance site is linked to a log in page, a profile modification page, a resume page, a view jobs page and a contact page. A job position and job seeker database for centrally storing job postings and job seeker information for a plurality of employers and job seekers is accessible through an administrative site. It is one object of the invention to provide an improved job placement system that will allow employers to: a) view all job seeker resume information; b) add job openings or postings that can be viewed by job seekers; c) modify or delete the employer's postings; d) view all of their own postings; e) optionally view consultant's resumes and qualifications; f) optionally run banner advertisements throughout a website; g) optionally conduct on-line interviews; and h) optionally provide on-line orientation.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved job placement system that will allow job seekers to: a) view all job openings or postings for a plurality of employers as stored in a central database; b) view all job openings or postings by professional expertise; c) view ail job openings or postings by geographical location; d) view a listing of job postings meeting custom search criteria, such as, for example, state and professional expertise; e) view all employers; f) view facility profiles; g) optionally participate in on-line interview; and h) optionally participate in on-line orientation.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved job placement system that will allow job seekers and/or employers to initiate further contact with each other using e-mail, telephone, facsimile or quick contact through the website.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an exemplary website map for a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary entry web page for a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 3 A and 3B are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page whereon the employer features and benefits of the web site are listed in detail for the user.

Figures 3C, 3D and 3F are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page whereon the directions for the web site are listed in detail for the user.

Figures 3G and 3H, are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page showing an example of a facility registration page.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary display for O ging onto a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4A shows an example of an invalid login page.

Figure 5 A shows a web page illustrating job ..r.eker features and benefits of a web site constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figures 5B, 5C and 5D are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page showing directions for the web site in detail for the user.

Figures 5E and 5F are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page showing a job seeker registration page. Figure 6 shows an exemplary display of a job posting addition form for a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6A shows an exemplary display of a specific job posting for a system made in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7A shows an exemplary display of a list of facility profiled.

Figure 7B shows an exemplary display of a facility profile. Figure 8A shows an exemplary page for viewing job postings. Figure 8B shows an exemplary page for viewing, modifying and/or deleting job postings. Figure 8C shows an exemplary display of a job posting deletion confirmation screen for a system made in accordance with the present invention in more detail.

Figure 8D shows an exemplary display of a job posting modification confirmation screen.

Figure 9 shows an exemplary screen for viewing job seeker resumes by an employer used in a system made in accordance with the presenc invention.

Figure 10 shows an exemplary display of a listing of available job seekers screen for a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 11 shows an exemplary display of a specific job seeker screen for a system made in accordance with the present invention. Figure 12 shows an example of a screen for direct e-mail contact with a job seeker with e-mail tracking.

Figure 13 shows an exemplary display of an entry point search menu screen for ob seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention. Figure 14 shows an exemplary display of a job seeker profile setup screen for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 15 shows an exemplary display of a job seeker profile confirmation screen for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 16 shows an exemplary display of a job seeker profile modification confirmation screen for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 17 shows an exemplary display of a job seeker profile deletion confirmation screen for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 18 shows an exemplary display of a listing of available job postings based on search criteria screen as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention. Figure 19 shows an exemplary display of details of a specific job posting as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 20 shows a conceptual block diagram illustrating the site tracking capabilities of the system constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 21 shows a page illustrating a view resume area. Figures 22A and 22B are intended to be read as a single drawing pieced together vertically to show a page illustrating an accounts area page as may be accessed through the administrator entry link. Figure 23 shows a page illustrating a view accounts area page as may be accessed through the administrator entry link to view accounts.

Figure 24 shows a page illustrating an add users area page as may be accessed through the administrator entry link. Figure 25 shows a page illustrating a view users area page as may be accessed through the administrator entry link.

Figure 26 shows a page illustrating an add resume area page as may be accessed through the administrator entry link.

Figure 27 shows a page illustrating a modify resume area page as may be accessed through the administrator entry link.

Figure 28 shows a page illustrating a view resume area page as may be accessed through the administrator entry link.

Figure 29 shows a block diagram of the virtual interview and on-line orientation features of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described herein with reference to some examples relating to medical professions and employers. However it will be understood that these examples are provided only to illustrate the teachings of the invention and that the invention is not so limited. Referring now to Figure 1, an exemplary website map for an interactive internet-based site application for recruiting employees and finding employment system made in accordance with the present invention is shown. The website map includes a homepage 10 including entry points or links into a plurality of related Internet based sites. In one example of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention, the home page 10 branches into system entries, including a, employer entry 14, and a job seeker entry 16. An administrator entry 60 is available only to a system administrator. A job position and candidate database for centrally storing job postings and candidate information for a plurality of employer institutions and candidates is accessible through the administrator site. The employer entry 14 is linked to a page to review the features and benefits of the system 20, a page for directions to the site 22, a page to register 23, and a page to enter the site and log in 24 if they are already registered. After properly filling in the log in page 24, links may be made to a resume search page 150, a job posting page 159, a view jobs page 142, and a contact page 26. The resume search page 150 has further links to a page for viewing resume details 154 that is linked to a page for contacting a job seeker 156. The view jobs page 142 may further be linked to access an employer page to modify a job posting 148 that is also linked to an employer page to delete a job posting 146. The job seeker entry 16 is similarly linked to a job seeker page to review the features and benefits of the system 17, a job seeker page for directions to the site 18, a job seeker page to register 19, and ajob seeker page to enter the site and log in 34 if they are already registered. After properly filling in the job seeker log in page 34, links may be made to a view/modify profile page 54, view/modify resume page 55, a search job postings page 164, a view facilities page 179, a view jobs page 142, and ajob seeker contact page 127.

The administrator entry 60 is linked to a plurality of administrator pages including a page to add an account 62, a page to view accounts 64, a page to add job postings 70, a page to view job postings 72, a page to add a user 78, a page to view users 79, a page to add a resume 84, and a page to view resumes 86. The page to view accounts 64 may further be linked to access a page to modify accounts 66 and a page to delete an account 68. The page to view job postings 72 may further be linked to access a page to modify ajob posting 74 and a page to delete job posting 74. Through tracker 5, the system tracks how many times a user logs in, their last login, how many times a resume is updated and how many times it is viewed; how many times ajob posting is viewed and when it was updated. Tracker 5 may be implementerd in software residing on an administrative computer or server, for example.

An optional banner advertising database 28 includes banner advertisements from a plurality of employers for inclusion on web pages related to the job placement system. In one embodiment of the invention, an optional consultant database 52 comprising information on a plurality of available consultants is included in the system. The job position and job seeker database 40, the banner advertising database 28, and the consultant database 52 may all be accessed by an administrator.

Referring now to Figure 2, an exemplary entry web page for a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown. This is by way of example only for teaching purposes. It will be understood that the system of the invention is by no means limited to the medical field, but is applicable to any profession or work. The entry screen 10 includes a first pictorial montage comprising the entry for employers 14 and a second pictorial montage comprising the entry for job seekers 16. As described above, the pictorial montage comprising the entry for employers 14 comprises links to the page to review the features and benefits of the system 20, the page for directions to the site 22, the page to register 23, and the page to enter the site and log in 24 if they are already registered. As discussed above, both employers and job seekers can. be users of the system website. Users use a pointing device to select one of the montages to access informational or information submission screens. As further indicated above, an employer can be any person or entity that hires job seekers, including, for example, institutions, corporations, companies, partnerships, clinics, individuals, agencies and others needing workers.

The second pictorial montage comprising the entry for job seekers 1 comprises links to the job seeker page to review the features and benefits of the system 17, the job seeker page for directions to the site 18, the job seeker page to register 19, and the job seeker page to enter the site and log in 34 if they are already registered. In use, if the user selects the link to a page to review the employer features and benefits of the system 20, the link will bring up a page 20A as represented by Figures

3 A and 3B that are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page. Thereon the employer features and benefits of the web site are listed in detail for the user.

In use, if the user selects the link to a page for employer directions to the site 22, the link will bring up a page 22A as represented by Figures 3C, 3D and 3F that are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page. Thereon the directions for the web site are listed in detail for the user. Referring now to Figures 3G and 3H, that are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page, an example of a facility registration page 23A is shown. In use, if the user selects the link to page to register 23, the link will bring up a registration page 23 A. The employer user must type in the requested contact information in the blanks provided including the facility 2300, contact first name 2302, contact last name 2304, address, including city 2306, state 2308, and zip code 2330. Other requested fields in this example include an e-mail address 2312, telephone number 2314 and facsimile number 2316. When the use has completed the facility registration fields they may be submitted by activating a submit button 2318.

Referring now to Figure 4 an exemplary display 100 for logging onto a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown. In use, if the user selects a page to enter the site and log in 24 if they are already registered, the link will bring up a page

24A. A login entry 306 including password entry 308 is provided for users if they have previously been assigned a login name and password. The login process is completed by selecting an enter button 310. If an invalid password or user name are entered, an invalid login page is presented to the user as represented by Figure 4A. The invalid login page of Figure 4A allows the user to try again, obtain an e-mail reminder or seek help by activating the appropriate screen button. A substantially similar screen is presented to the job seeker user when the job seeker user activates the portion of the montage representing the job seeker entry 34.

Referring again briefly to Figure 2, in use, if a job seeker user selects the link to a page to review the job seeker features and benefits of the system 17, the link will bring up a page 17A as represented by Figure 5 A. Thereon the job seeker features and benefits of the web site are listed in detail for the user.

In use, if the job seeker user selects the link to a page for job seeker directions to the site 22, the link will bring up a page 22A as represented by Figures 5B, 5C and 5D that are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page. Thereon the directions for the v/eb site are listed in detail for the user. In use, if the job seeker user selects the link to page to register 19, the link will bring up ajob seeker registration page 19A as represented by Figures 5E and 5F that are intended to be pieced together lengthwise in order to form a single web page. As in the case of an employer, ajob seeker user must type in the requested contact information in the blanks provided including a, username, a user password, profession, first name, contact last name, address, including city, state, and zip code. Other requested fields in this example include an e-mail address, telephone number and facsimile number. When the use has completed the facility registration fields they may be submitted by activating a submit button. Referring now to Figure 14, an exemplary display of a job seeker profile setup screen for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown. The job seeker profile screen includes a form to be filled in by ajob seeker including information such as, for example, a unique user name, a password, ajob title, name, address and contact information. As described above with reference to Figure 2, from the profile setup screen 162 ajob seeker can submit a personal profile by selecting the submit button 122 to access a submission confirmation screen 172.

Referring now to Figure 6, an exemplary display of a screen for adding ajob posting for a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown. An employer fills in details pertinent to the job to be added, as well as selecting information from predetermined menus. The job posting screen includes information specific to a job posting including, for example, an indication whether the job posting is active, the professional expertise needed, the type of position, job title, location, region, job description, job requirements, benefits package, salary, other information, the name of the employer, employer address and other contact information including telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and e-mail address. Comments may also be included by the user in a comment window 622. The user may also select an option to display or not display salary by marking the appropriate indicator at 612. When the job addition form screen is filled out by the user, it is submitted to the system database by activating the submit button 624. Also provided, on this screen and on other employer screens, are buttons to activate a search for resumes button 630, to add ajob posting button 632, to view ajob posting button 634 and to contact the web site administration button 636. The user may log out of the system by activating log out button 638. Referring now to Figure 6 A, an exemplary display of a screen 144 including a specific job posting for a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown in more detail. The specific job posting screen 144 includes information specific to a selected job posting including, for example, a JOB ID, the profession needed, the type of position, experience required, other requirements, the name of the employer, employer address and other contact information including telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and e-mail address. A contact-now button 145 is available to launch the contact-now e-mail screen 156 (see Fig. 12). A space for comments 147 is also provided for the user for posting against the job posting. A similar detail screen is available for each job posting in the database.

Referring now to Figure 7A, an exemplary display of a list of facility profiled is there shown. A user may follow links 701 to any of the listed facilities to view their respective profiles.

Referring now to figure 7B, an exemplary display of a facility profile for an employer is there shown. A facility description page is available for each facility in the database. The facility description page advantageously includes facility information 700, a listing of job postings for the facility 702 and a plurality of detail buttons 704. The user may view details of any job posting by activating the detail button 704. Further, The facility description page can include a graphic, hyperlink to the employer's web site, and other miscellaneous links. The facility description page is preferably set up by the administrator and can be viewed by job candidates that search the job posting section. Referring now to Figure 8A, an exemplary page for viewing job postings is shown. In one example, a user may access the view posts area screen through the employer link 142 or the view job postings link 164. A detailed job posting page may be accessed by activating details button 804. Referring now to Figure 8B, an exemplary page for viewing, modifying and/or deleting job postings is shown. In one example, an administrative user may access the view posts area screen through the administrator links, like view job postings 72. A modify job posting page may be accessed by activating modify button 800. Similarly a delete button 802 is provided for deleting unwanted job postings. Note that in a preferred embodiment of the system of the invention, an administrator may modify or delete job postings for multiple employers, but a particular employer may only modify or delete its own job postings.

Referring now to Figure 8C, an exemplary display of a job posting deletion confirmation screen 14ό for a system made in accordance with the present inveπtioή.ln more detail. The job posting deletion confirmation screen 146 also includes information specific to a selected job posting including, for example, a JOB ID, the profession needed, the type of position, experience required, other requirements, the name of the employer, employer address and other contact information including telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and e-mail address. A back button is also provided. Using the deletion confirmation screen, a user can verify information of a job posting to be deleted before irretrievably deleting the posting. Referring now to Figure 8D, an exemplary display of a job posting modification confirmation screen 148 for a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown in more detail. The job posting modification confirmation screen 148 also includes information specific to a selected job posting including, for example, a JOB ID, the profession needed, the type of position, experience required, other requirements, the name of the employer, employer address and other contact information including telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and e-mail address. A back button is also provided. Using the modification confirmation screen, a user can verify modified information of a job posting.

Referring now to Figure 9, an exemplary screen for viewing employee resumes by an employer used in a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown in more detail. The user has the options of selecting a view all button 420, marking at least one predetermined search criteria 422, selecting a professional expertise using drop down list button 424, and selecting a state using drop down list button 426. A first search button 428 applies the user selected search criteria to resumes stored in the job database 40. A second search button 430 is programmed to display updated or new resumes posted within a prior recent time period, such as resumes posted or updated within the previous week.

Referring now to Figure 10, an exemplary display of a listing of available job seekers screen for a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown. The screen listing available job seekers includes job seeker information such as an identification number for the technician (TECH ID), specialty identification, certification information, licensing information and an action button for each job seeker 1010. The action button can be used to view more detail about each job seeker in a related screen. Referring now to Figure 11 , an exemplary display of a specific job seeker screen 154 for a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown in more detail. The view of specific job seeker screen 154 includes information on the specific job seeker selected by activated an associated detail button 1010 as shown in Figure 10. In one example embodiment, information shown on the screen may include the job seeker's profession, degrees, certifications, experience, licensing, current employer, availability, type of employment sought, willingness to travel, willingness to relocate, language skills, name and address. Other information may be included as appropriate. Screen 154 may also include a favorites button 130 that the user may activate to store the page location in a list of frequently accessed user pages. A contact button 134 and back button 132 can also be included as described above.

Referring now to Figure 12 an example of a screen 156 for direct e-mail contact with a job seeker is shown. The e-mail screen may be a standard e-mail screen that automatically includes the e-mail information of the user as well as the e-mail address of a designee. If a contact button or e-mail link is activated by the employer from an employer oriented screen the addressee will be a selected job seeker as selected from a detailed job seeker screen. If a contact button is activated by ajob seeker from a job posting screen the addressee will be a selected employer as selected from a detailed job posting or other appropriate screen. While not shown, a similar screen may be accessed by ajob seeker to contact an employer in a substantially similar manner.

Another feature of the system of the invention is contact tracking of e-mail 157. The contact tracking logs or notes substantially every contact between an employer and ajob seeker into an e-mail tracking database 161. The tracking information stored in the database preferably includes the date of the contacts, the recipient, the sender and any other information deemed appropriate for tracking. The e-mail tracking information may be advantageously used to gather statistics and document contacts. This information may also be useful for marketing and advertising purposes. Referring now to Figure 13, an exemplary display of a search menu screen for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown. The search menu screen includes a view all button 1302 that may be activated to display all job postings in the database. Further included is a geographical region search button 1306 that works in cooperation with a drop down menu 1306. Ajob seeker may select a region from a drop down list stored in the drop down menu 1306 and activation of the search button 1302 will run a program that screens job postings according to the region selected. A professional expertise drop down menu 1310 is included as a search criteria as well as a state selection drop down menu 1312. Search button 1314 may be activated by the user to filter job posting search hits based on state, professional expertise or both. Another feature included is a link to view all job postings by facilities 1316. A user may view job postings organized according to facility by clicking or otherwise activating link 1316.

Referring now to Figure 15, an exemplary display of a job seeker profile confirmation screen 172 for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention. The job seeker profile confirmation screen 172 includes information as submitted on the job seeker profile setup screen described above. Referring now to Figure 16, an exemplary display of a job seeker profile modification confirmation screen for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention. The job seeker profile modification confirmation screen 174 includes information as submitted or modified by the job seeker on, for example, a profile setup screen as described above.

Referring now to Figure 17, an exemplary display of ajob seeker profile deletion confirmation screen 176 for job seekers as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention in more detail. The job seeker profile deletion confirmation screen 174 includes information as submitted or modified by the job seeker on, for example, a profile setup screen as described above. The deletion screen can be accessed from delete button 126.

Referring now to Figure 18, an exemplary display of a listing of available job postings 164 based on search criteria screen as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown. Each job listing 1812 includes an associated detail button 1810 that can be activated to access and display details of a selected job posting.

Referring now to Figure 19, an exemplary display of details of a specific job posting 168 as used in a system made in accordance with the present invention is shown in more detail. The specific job posting display includes substantially all of the information submitted by an employer as restricted by employer options such as whether or not to display salary. Back button 132, favorites button 130 and contact button 134 operate substantially similarly to similar buttons described above. Referring now to Figure 20, a conceptual block diagram is shown illustrating the site tracking capabilities of the system constructed in accordance with the present invention. Software for tracking results 2002 receives tracking information from various sites including profile sites for facilities and resumes as well as job postings. The system tracks how many times a user logs in, their last login, how many times a resume is updated and how many times it is viewed; how many times ajob posting and profile site are viewed and when they were updated. The tracking information stored in the database preferably includes any other information deemed appropriate for tracking. The site tracking information may be advantageously used to gather statistics and document site activity. This information may also be useful for marketing and advertising purposes. It is also believed to be useful for planning purposes.

Referring now to Figure 21 , a page is shown illustrating a view resume area page 86A as may be accessed through the administrator entry link 86. The page includes a plurality of modify buttons 2102 and delete buttons 2104. The modify buttons are activated to access a page for displaying resume information to be modified. The delete button is activated to delete unwanted resumes.

Referring now to Figures 22A and 22B that are intended to be read as a single drawing pieced together vertically, a page is shown illustrating an accounts area page 62 A as may be accessed through the administrator entry link to add an account 62. Links are also provided to view an account 64A corresponding to the administrator entry link 64 as shown in Figure 1. Account information specified is entered into the account fields 2202 as indicated by the indicia thereon. Referring now to Figure 23, a page is shown illustrating a view accounts area page 64A as may be accessed through the administrator entry link to view accounts 64 as shown in Figure 1. The page includes a plurality of modify buttons 2302 and delete buttons 2304. The modify buttons are activated to access a page for displaying account information to be modified. The delete button is activated to delete unwanted accounts. Referring now to Figure 24, a page is shown illustrating an add users area page 78A as may be accessed through the administrator entry link to add users 78 as shown in Figure 1. User information specified is entered into the user fields 2402 as indicated by the indicia thereon. A submit button 2404 is activated to post entered information. Referring now to Figure 25, a page is shown illustrating a view users area page

79A as may be accessed through the administrator entry link to view users 79 as shown in Figure 1. The page includes a plurality of modify buttons 2502 and delete buttons 2504. The modify buttons are activated to access a page for displaying user information to be modified. The delete button is activated to delete unwanted users. Referring now to Figure 26, a page is shown illustrating an add resume area page

84A as may be accessed through the administrator entry link to add users 84 as shown in Figure 1. In some preferred embodiments of the invention, a substantially similar page may be accessed by job candidates to directly input their resume information. A drop down menu 2604 is used to indicate whether the displayed resume is active or inactive. Resume information specified is entered into the resume fields 2602 as indicated by the indicia thereon. A submit button 2606 is activated to post entered information. Referring now to Figure 27, a page is shown illustrating a modify resume area page 86A as may be accessed through the administrator entry link to modify resumes 86 as shown in Figure 1. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a substantially similar page may be accessed by job candidates to directly input their resume information as through job seeker link 55. Substantially the same fields are shown in Figure 27 as have been presented for completing in figure 26.

Referring now to Figure 28, a page is shown illustrating a view resume area page

55 A as may be accessed through the through job seeker link 55, administrator entry link to add view resumes 86 or the employer view resume link 154 as shown in Figure 1. Resume information for ajob seeker 2802 appears on the view resume area page 55A.

Such a page is available for each resume in the database.

Referring now to Figure 29, a block diagram of the virtual interview and on-line orientation features of the invention are shown. The virtual interview 2902 is a method for job seekers and employers to converse directly online and in real time. It may be in the form of a chat room where the two parties agree to meet at the same time to have their discussion via a private online chat, private ICQ, or other private online real-time communication method.

On-line Orientation 2904 is a software implemented method for employers to conduct an online orientation of new employees. They can use the virtual interview technology to converse with each other. Employers can provide any required tests online for new employees to take. Employers can have a web site that has detailed pictures and graphics about their facility and the particular department where the new employee will work. Online orientation may be provided via a unique combination of online training and testing, online virtual facility tours, online real-time communication methods and other similar technologies, including but not limited to streaming audio and video. The idea is to save time for both sides and to ease the stresses of relocating.

Reasonable modifications and variations are possible from the foregoing disclosure without departing from either the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An interactive internet-based system for users including employers andjob seekers, the system comprising: an employer site; ajob seeker site; an administrator site; wherein the employer site, the job seeker site and the administrator site are linked to ajob posting andjob seeker database for centrally storing job postings andjob seeker resumes for a plurality of employers and job seekers; and a plurality of job posting pages are available for displaying job postings from the database; a plurality of resume pages are available for displaying resumes from the database, wherein the job posting pages and resume pages are accessible from each of the employer site, the job seeker site and the administrator site; and wherein activity for accessing any of the job postings and resumes is tracked by a tracking means.

2. An interactive internet-based system for users including employers andjob seekers, the system comprising: an employer site; ajob seeker site; wherein the employer site and the job seeker site are linked to ajob posting and ob seeker database for centrally storing job postings and job seeker resumes for a plurality of employers andjob seekers; and a plurality of job posting pages are available for displaying job postings from the database; a plurality of resume pages are available for displaying resumes from the database, wherein the job posting pages and resume pages are accessible from each of the employer site and the job seeker site; and wherein activity for accessing any of the job postings and resumes is tracked by a tracking means.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the tracker records the number of times a user logs in, their last login, how many times a resume is updated and how many times it is viewed; and counting the number of times a job posting is viewed and when it was updated.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the employer site further comprises an electronic mail contact function for e-mailing selected job seekers and an e-mail tracker for tracking contact information from the electronic mail contacts between job seekers and employers.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the job seeker site further comprises an electronic mail contact function for e-mailing selected employers and an e-mail tracker for tracking information from the electronic mail contacts between job seekers and employers.

6. The system of claim 1 further including a banner advertising database accessible by at least the administrator site.

7. The system of claim 1 further including a facility profile available for each employer.

8. The system of claim 1 further including ajob seeker profile available for each job seeker.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the employer site is linked to a screen for modifying selected job postings of an employer user.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the employer site is further linked to a modification confirmation screen.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the employer site is further linked to a deletion button for deleting job postings.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the deletion button is further linked to a delete confirmation screen.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the job seeker site is linked to a screen for modifying ajob seeker resume.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the job seeker site is further linked to a resume modification confirmation screen.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the job seeker site is further linked to a resume deletion button.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the job seeker site is further linked to a profile delete confirmation screen.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the employer site is further linked to a search screen for selecting search criteria for a search of job seeker information.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the search screen applies a filter on the job position and job seeker database according to the search criteria to the search of job seeker information in response to activating ajob seeker search submit button.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the job seeker site is further linked to ajob posting search screen for selecting search criteria for a search of job posting information.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the job posting search screen applies a filter on the job position andjob seeker database according to the search criteria to the search of job posting information in response to activating ajob posting search submit button.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the job posting search provides a list of job postings and wherein each job posting includes an associated job posting detail button.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein activating ajob posting detail button brings up a detailed display for the selected job posting.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein the job seeker search provides a list of job seekers and wherein each job seeker includes an associated job seeker detail button.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein activating ajob seeker detail button brings up a detailed display for the selected job seeker.

25. The system of claim 1 further including means for conducting a virtual interview.

26. The system of claim 1 further including means for conducting on-line orientation.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein the job seeker site is also linked to a profile setup screen.

28. The system of claim 1 wherein the employer site is also linked to a job posting addition screen.

29. The system of claim 1 wherein a primary screen provides access to the login screen and wherein the primary screen includes a links to informational screens and account setup screens.

30. An interactive internet-based system for recruiting employees and finding employment system comprising: an entry screen; an employer site; ajob seeker site; wherein the entry screen includes a first pictorial montage for employers and a second pictorial montage for job seekers, wherein users use a pointing device to select one of the montages to access informational or information submission screens; wherein the employer site is linked to a page for setting up account information, a page for modifying account information, ajob position andjob seeker database and a login page; wherein thejob seeker site is further linked to ajob seeker setup page, a profile modification page and the login page; and ajob posting andjob seeker database for centrally storing job postings andjob seeker information for a plurality of employers andjob seekers, wherein thejob position andjob seeker database is accessible through either or both of the job seeker site and the employer site; and a tracker for tracking activity resulting from users accessing any job posting or er sites.