Method and system for providing search assistance via a communications network

• US 8,548,928 B1
• Filed: 04/08/2002
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Internet Employment Linkage
• Original Assignee: Internet Employment Linkage
• Inventors: Ikenberry, John P., Hibel, Andrew W., Blessner, Eric D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOYCE, ANDRE D
• Application Number:
  US10/118,095
• Time in Patent Office: 4,194 Days
• Field of Search: 705/8, 705/321
• US Class Current: 705/321
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1053 Employment or hiring

Abstract

A system and method for providing search assistance over a communications network to an employer or a job seeker advertising positions at or applying to positions at higher education learning institutions. The method enables an employer to submit information about their open positions into categorized online system accessible to persons looking for employment in higher education. The categories are specially selected to reflect current market conditions in higher education. Employers utilize a specialized posting system to make their postings. Postings are viewed and polished prior to being made available to job seekers to ensure proper categorization, content, and completeness.

Job seekers may view posted positions by entering search criteria into a search engine to produce a list of jobs matching the criteria. Job seekers may also browse listed positions by clicking through a series of categories that describe an academic discipline or administrative department. The system and method also provides tools which allow the job seeker to upload resumes, curriculum vitae, cover letters, and other relevant documents and connects the job seeker to a docketing system to schedule events related to the job seeking campaign.

Claims

1. System for posting open positions for a plurality of unrelated employers in higher education and facilitating searching the open positions based on criteria specific to higher education and applying for positions over a communications network, the system comprising:

an employer section wherein a higher education institution submits an institutional profile that is available to a plurality of job seekers and wherein the higher education institution posts at least one open position by entering data into a series of online forms, the forms having one or more fields based on criteria specific to higher education positions;

the employer section also having a means for allowing the higher education institution to input links to one or more web sites providing additional information about the higher education institution;

the system also automatically generating a user statistics report and emailing the user statistics report at least twice a month to a plurality of persons designated by the higher education institution;

a position seeking section, wherein a job seeker builds an electronic resume by inputting data into a plurality of online forms, the forms having one or more fields tailored to higher education experience;

means for docketing a plurality of calendar dates set by the job seeker, wherein the calendar dates are generated automatically when the job seeker applies for an open position, wherein the docketing means automatically notifies the job seeker on the set calendar dates to perform future actions including follow-up which enables the job seeker proactively manage the job seeking campaign;

the position seeking section also having a means for saving and retrieving a plurality of job-related documents tailored to higher education that may be retrieved online by the job seeker, wherein the plurality of job-related documents is comprised of one or more of the following;

a resume, a cover letter, an open position listing, and a curriculum vitae, wherein the position seeking section includes a means for attaching one or more of the plurality of job-related documents to an electronic mailing system, wherein open positions based on criteria selected by the job seeker are attached to an email periodically sent to the job seeker.