System and method of identifying options for employment transfers across different industries

• US 20020055867A1
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rightoptions LLC
• Original Assignee: Rightoptions LLC
• Inventors: Shapiro, Eileen C., Mintz, Steven J., Putnam, Laura T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,036,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063112 Skill-based matching of a person or a group to a task
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/105 Human resources
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1053 Employment or hiring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/2057 Career enhancement or continuing education service

Abstract

In one embodiment, a computerized method of recommending industries for a job seeker'"'"'s job search comprises: in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over a communications network, related to the job seeker'"'"'s present job function and industry; in a second digital computer process, using the job function input to access an industry correlation data structure, stored on a digital storage medium, that correlates, for the job function, a first industry with a set of second industries with respect to which a job function capability of the job function is potentially transferable; in a third digital computer process, determining a set of recommended industries for the job seeker'"'"'s job search by consulting the industry correlation data structure using the industry input; and in a fourth digital computer process, communicating an identification of the set of recommended industries to the user over the communications network.

In another embodiment, an analogous computerized method of recommending industries in which an employer may find a population of potential employees is disclosed.

Claims

1. A computerized method of recommending industries for a job seeker'"'"'s job search, the method comprising:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over a communications network, related to the job seeker'"'"'s present job function and industry;

in a second digital computer process, using the job function input to access an industry correlation data structure, stored on a digital storage medium, that correlates, for the job function, a first industry with a set of second industries with respect to which a job function capability of the job function is potentially transferable;

in a third digital computer process, determining a set of recommended industries for the job seeker'"'"'s job search by consulting the industry correlation data structure using the industry input; and

in a fourth digital computer process, communicating an identification of the set of recommended industries to the user over the communications network.

2. A computerized method of recommending industries in which an employer may find a population of potential employees, the method comprising:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over a communications network, related to the employer'"'"'s industry and to a job function of interest to the employer;

in a second digital computer process, using the job function input to access an industry correlation data structure, stored on a digital storage medium, that correlates, for the job function, a first industry with a set of second industries with respect to which a job function capability of the job function is potentially transferable;

in a third digital computer process, determining a set of recommended industries in which the employer may find a population of qualified potential employees by consulting the industry correlation data structure using the industry input; and

in a fourth digital computer process, communicating an identification of the set of recommended industries to the user over the communications network.

3. A computerized method of identifying industries for potential transfer of a job function capability with respect to a first industry, the method comprising:

a. in a first digital computer process, identifying a job function in the first industry;

b. in a second digital computer process, accessing a database, stored on a digital storage medium, that correlates, for the job function, the first industry with a set of second industries with respect to which the job function capability is potentially transferable; and

c. in a third digital computer process, using the database to identify the second industries.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein using the database to identify the second industries comprises identifying an industry into which a job function capability of a subject is potentially transferable, out of the first industry.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the database quantifies degree of transferability between the first industry and each industry of the set of second industries.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the database is associated with a communications network.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the database is associated with a web server on the World Wide Web.

8. A method according to claim 4, the method further comprising:

in a fourth digital computer process, identifying an enterprise, within at least one of the second industries.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the enterprise potentially has an employment opportunity with respect to an equivalent job function.

10. A method according to claim 4, the method further comprising:

in a fifth digital computer process, providing a user with a transferability rating for a transfer out of the first industry, into an industry of the set of second industries.

11. A method according to claim 4, the method further comprising:

in a sixth digital computer process, providing a user with an explanation of degree of transferability out of the first industry, into an industry of the set of second industries.

12. A method according to claim 4, the method further comprising:

in a seventh digital computer process, providing a user with a direct link, over a communications network, to a job posting source.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the job posting source is a website.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the link is keyed to a destination job posting source based on a user'"'"'s input concerning a job seeker.

15. A method according to claim 4, wherein the method further comprises receiving input from a user over a communications network, and wherein the step of identifying a job function is performed based on such input.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the input is received over the Internet.

17. A method according to claim 15, the method further comprising:

communicating a transferability rating to the user over a communications network, for a transfer out of the first industry, into an industry of the set of second industries.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the list is communicated over the Internet.

19. A method according to claim 15, the method further comprising:

communicating an explanation of degree of transferability to the user over a communications network, for a transfer out of the first industry, into an industry of the set of second industries.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the list is communicated over the Internet.

21. A method according to claim 15, the method further comprising:

communicating a list of the second industries to the user over a communications network.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the list is communicated over the Internet.

23. A method according to claim 21, the method further comprising:

limiting the list according to preferences provided by the user.

24. A method according to claim 21, the method further comprising:

providing the user with further information on at least one of the second industries over the communications network.

25. A method according to claim 21, the method comprising:

providing the user with contact information for a recruiter, over the communications network.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the recruiter specializes in recruiting for an industry of the set of second industries.

27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the recruiter specializes in recruiting for the job function.

28. A method according to claim 21, the method further comprising:

communicating to the user, over the communications network, a list of at least one enterprise within at least one of the second industries.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the at least one enterprise potentially has an employment opportunity with respect to an equivalent job function.

30. A method according to claim 29, the method further comprising:

providing the user with further information on an enterprise from the list of at least one enterprise, over the communications network.

31. A method according to claim 29, the method further comprising:

providing the user with information on an employment contact at an enterprise from the list of at least one enterprise, over the communications network.

32. A method according to claim 29, wherein the list of at least one enterprise is communicated over the Internet.

33. A method according to claim 29, wherein the list of at least one enterprise is restricted based upon size of company with which a job seeker has experience.

34. A method according to claim 3, wherein using the database to identify the second industries comprises identifying an industry out of which a job function capability is potentially transferable, into the first industry.

35. A method according to claim 34, the method further comprising:

in an eighth digital computer process, providing a user with a transferability rating for a transfer into the first industry, out of an industry of the set of second industries.

36. A method according to claim 34, the method further comprising:

in a ninth digital computer process, providing a user with an explanation of degree of transferability into the first industry, out of an industry of the set of second industries.

37. A method according to claim 34, wherein the database quantifies degree of transferability between the first industry and each industry of the set of second industries.

38. A method according to claim 34, wherein the database is associated with a communications network.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the database is associated with a web server on the World Wide Web.

40. A method according to claim 34, the method further comprising:

in a tenth digital computer process, providing the user with a direct link, over a communications network, to a resume posting source.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein the resume posting source is a website.

42. A method according to claim 40, wherein the link is keyed to a destination resume posting source based on a user'"'"'s input concerning a position to be filled.

43. A method according to claim 34, the method further comprising:

in an eleventh digital computer process, identifying an enterprise within at least one of the second industries.

44. A method according to claim 43, the method further comprising:

in a twelfth digital computer process, providing the user with information on an employment contact at the enterprise.

45. A method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises receiving input from a user over a communications network, and wherein identifying a job function is performed based on such input.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein the input is received over the Internet.

47. A method according to claim 45, the method further comprising:

communicating a transferability rating to the user over a communications network, for a transfer into the first industry, out of an industry of the set of second industries.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the list is communicated over the Internet.

49. A method according to claim 45, the method further comprising:

communicating an explanation of degree of transferability to the user over a communications network, for a transfer into the first industry, out of an industry of the set of second industries.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the list is communicated over the Internet.

51. A method according to claim 45, the method further comprising:

communicating a list of the second industries to the user over a communications network.

52. A method according to claim 51, wherein the list is communicated over the Internet.

53. A method according to claim 51, the method further comprising:

limiting the list according to preferences provided by the user.

54. A method according to claim 53, wherein the preferences include a desired skill set.

55. A method according to claim 51, the method further comprising:

providing the user with further information on at least one of the second industries over the communications network.

56. A method according to claim 51, the method comprising:

providing the user with contact information for a recruiter, over the communications network.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein the recruiter specializes in recruiting for an industry of the set of second industries.

58. A method according to claim 56, wherein the recruiter specializes in recruiting for the job function.

59. A method according to claim 51, the method further comprising:

communicating to the user, over the communications network, a list of at least one enterprise within at least one of the second industries.

60. A method according to claim 59, the method further comprising:

providing the user with information on an employment contact at an enterprise from the list of at least one enterprise, over the communications network.

61. A method according to claim 59, the method comprising:

providing the user with further information on an enterprise from the list of at least one enterprise, over the communications network.

62. A method according to claim 59, wherein the list of at least one enterprise is communicated over the Internet.

63. A method for maintaining a database on a digital storage medium, for use in identifying employment options, the method comprising:

providing a database on a digital storage medium, for a job function in a first industry, that correlates the first industry with a set of second industries with respect to which a job function capability of the job function is potentially transferable; and

in a digital computer process, updating the database'"'"'s correlation of industries based upon feedback information provided by users who have used industry correlation information from the database.

64. A method according to claim 63, wherein updating the database'"'"'s correlation is performed using a preference analysis technique.

65. A method according to claim 64, wherein updating the database'"'"'s correlation is performed using collaborative filtering.

66. A method according to claim 64, wherein updating the database'"'"'s correlation is performed using a preference matrix.

67. A method according to claim 66, wherein rows and columns of the preference matrix correspond to rows and columns in an industry transferability data structure.

69. A method according to claim 68, wherein the educational background input comprises a major subject area of study.

70. A method according to claim 68, wherein the educational background input comprises a class taken by the job seeker.

71. A method according to claim 68, wherein the educational background input comprises a degree obtained by the job seeker.

72. A method according to claim 71, wherein the educational background input comprises a certification obtained by the job seeker.

73. A method according to claim 68, further comprising:

consulting a plurality of data structures, each data structure correlating, for a given job function, educational background with a set of industries.

68. A method of recommending industries for a job seeker'"'"'s job search, the method comprising:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over a communications network, related to the job seeker'"'"'s educational background;

in a second digital computer process, determining a set of recommended industries for the job seeker'"'"'s job search by consulting a data structure correlating educational background with a set of industries, using the educational background input; and

in a third digital computer process, communicating an identification of the set of recommended industries to the user over the communications network.

74. A method of recommending educational backgrounds from which an employer may find a population of potential employees, the method comprising:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over a communications network, related to the employer'"'"'s industry and to a job function of interest to the employer;

in a second digital computer process, determining a set of educational backgrounds from which the employer may find a population of qualified potential employees, by accessing a data structure correlating the employer'"'"'s industry with a set of educational backgrounds using the job function and industry input; and

in a third digital computer process, communicating an identification of the set of educational backgrounds to the user over the communications network.

75. A method according to claim 74, wherein the set of educational backgrounds comprises a set of major subject areas of study.

76. A method according to claim 74, wherein the set of educational backgrounds comprises a set of classes taken.

77. A method according to claim 74, wherein the set of educational backgrounds comprises a set of degrees obtained.

78. A method according to claim 74, wherein the set of educational backgrounds comprises a set of certifications obtained.

79. A method according to claim 74, the method further comprising:

in a fourth digital computer process, providing to the user a list of educational institutions providing educational backgrounds from the set of educational backgrounds.

80. A method of identifying industries for potential transfer of a job function capability with respect to a first industry, the method comprising:

a. in a first digital computer process, identifying a job function in the first industry; and

b. in a second digital computer process, using a symbolic representation of a job transfer between the first industry and a second industry, of a set of second industries with respect to which the job function capability is potentially transferable, to access a database on a digital storage medium that correlates, for the job function, the first industry with the set of second industries.

81. A method according to claim 80, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a job function symbol.

82. A method according to claim 80, wherein the symbolic representation comprises an industry symbol.

83. A method according to claim 80, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a transfer operator.

84. A method according to claim 80, wherein using the symbolic representation comprises accessing a transferability rating for a transfer between the first industry and the second industry.

85. A method according to claim 80, wherein using the symbolic representation comprises accessing text of an explanation of degree of transferability for a transfer between the first industry and the second industry.

86. A method according to claim 80, further comprising:

using the symbolic representation as an input language for a query to the database.

87. A method according to claim 80, further comprising:

automatically generating the symbolic representation based upon input provided by a user.

88. A method of identifying industries for potential transfer of a job function capability with respect to a first industry, the method comprising:

a. in a first digital computer process, identifying a job function in the first industry; and

b. in a second digital computer process, using a symbolic representation that categorizes a subject of a user'"'"'s job transferability query to access a database, on a digital storage medium, that correlates, for the job function, the first industry with a set of second industries with respect to which the job function capability is potentially transferable.

89. A method according to claim 88, wherein the subject is a job seeker.

90. A method according to claim 89, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a job function symbol and an industry symbol.

91. A method according to claim 89, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a symbol chosen from the group consisting of:

an educational background symbol, a geographical location symbol, a company size symbol, and a hierarchical position symbol.

92. A method according to claim 89, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a symbol representing the subject'"'"'s preferences.

93. A method according to claim 88, wherein the subject is the target population of an employer'"'"'s search for potential employees.

94. A method according to claim 93, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a job function symbol and an industry symbol.

95. A method according to claim 93, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a symbol chosen from the group consisting of:

an educational background symbol, a geographical location symbol, a company size symbol, and a hierarchical position symbol.

96. A method according to claim 93, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a symbol representing the subject'"'"'s preferences.

97. A method according to claim 88, wherein the subject is represented using symbols representing experience in more than one industry.

98. A method according to claim 88, wherein using the symbolic representation comprises accessing a row of transferability ratings from a transferability matrix.

99. A method according to claim 88, wherein using the symbolic representation comprises accessing text of explanations of degree of transferability corresponding to a row of a transferability matrix.

100. A method according to claim 88, further comprising:

using the symbolic representation as an input language for a query to the database.

101. A method according to claim 88, further comprising:

automatically generating the symbolic representation based upon input provided by a user.

102. A method according to claim 88, wherein the symbolic representation is also used as an element in symbolically representing a job transfer between the first industry and the second industry.

103. A method of recommending industries in which an employer may find a population of potential employees, the method comprising:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over a communications network, related to a desired skill set of interest to the employer;

in a second digital computer process, using the desired skill set input to access a data structure that correlates skill sets with industries;

in a third digital computer process, determining a set of recommended industries in which the employer may find a population of qualified potential employees by consulting the correlating data structure using the desired skill set input; and

in a fourth digital computer process, communicating an identification of the set of recommended industries to the user over the communications network.