Apparatus and methods for providing career and employment services

• US 20030182171A1
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Career Destination Development LLC
• Original Assignee: Marc Vianello
• Inventors: Vianello, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 7,424,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063112 Skill-based matching of a person or a group to a task
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1053 Employment or hiring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0242 Determining effectiveness of advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising

Abstract

Systems, methods, distributed networks, and computer-readable media are provided that relate to recruiting and employment services. Background information associated with talent-capability attributes is received from talent. Job description information is received from employers. Prospective matches are identified between employers and talent, and employers and talent are given an opportunity to consent to exchange of talent contact information.

Claims

1. A system for collecting and classifying information using a structured information format, said system comprising:

an employment management system configured to provide continuous recruiting and continuous career enhancement by providing a search interface to a plurality of job descriptions and to a plurality of blind ré

sumé

s, wherein employers provide said job descriptions and talent provide talent information corresponding to said blind ré

sumé

s.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein personal contact information corresponding to at least one selected ré

sumé

is provided to said employers after said employers agree to purchase said personal contact information.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said employers are provided an opportunity to purchase personal contact information corresponding to at least one selected ré

sumé

if a selected talent corresponding to said selected ré

sumé

indicates consent.

4. The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said consent is indicated by specifying at least one preferred employer.

5. A method of authorizing information exchange between at least one candidate in a plurality of talent-contributors and at least one employer in a plurality of employers, said candidate having candidate attributes including candidate requirements and said employer having employer requirements, said method comprising:

matching said candidate with said employer based on said candidate requirements and said employer requirements;

receiving a request for interview from at least one of said candidate and said employer; and

determining whether there is mutual consent to said request for interview.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said information exchange occurs in preparation for an interview.

7. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said determining further comprises comparing a preferred employer specification in said candidate attributes with said employer.

8. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said determining further comprises receiving a response to said request for interview from at least one of said candidate and said employer.

9. The method as set forth in claim 5 further comprising receiving payment from said employer for providing contact information for said candidate.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein an a mount of said payment is chosen from a general equivalency diploma amount, a high school amount, a vocational educational training amount, an associate degree amount, a bachelor degree amount, a master degree amount, and a doctorate amount, wherein said doctorate amount is less than or equal to said master degree amount, which is less than or equal to said bachelor degree amount, which is less than or equal to said associate degree amount, which is less than or equal to said vocational educational training amount, which is less than or equal to said high school amount, which is less than or equal to said general equivalency diploma amount.

11. A computer system for coordinating information exchange between at least one candidate in a plurality of talent-contributors and at least one employer in a plurality of employers, said candidate having candidate attributes including candidate requirements and said employer having employer requirements, said computer system comprising:

a comparator operable to match said candidate with said employer based on said candidate requirements and said employer requirements;

an interface operable to receive a request for interview from at least one of said candidate and said employer;

said comparator further operable to determine whether there is mutual consent to said request for interview; and

a payment interface operable to receive payment from said employer based on an occurrence of said mutual consent.

12. The computer system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said comparator is further operable to compare a preferred employer specification in said candidate attributes with said employer.

13. The computer system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said interface is further operable to receive a response to said request for interview from at least one of said candidate and said employer.

14. A distributed network for facilitating interviews between at least one candidate in a plurality of talent-contributors and at least one employer in a plurality of employers, said candidate having candidate attributes including candidate requirements and said employer having employer requirements, said distributed network comprising:

means for managing enterprise database resources;

means for matching said candidate with said employer based on said candidate requirements and said employer requirements;

means for receiving a request for interview from at least one of said candidate and said employer; and

means for determining whether there is mutual consent to said request for interview.

15. The distributed network as recited in claim 14 further comprising means for receiving payment from said employer for providing contact information for said candidate.

16. The distributed network as recited in claim 14, wherein said means for determining whether there is mutual consent further comprises means for comparing a preferred employer specification in said candidate attributes with said employer.

17. The distributed network as recited in claim 14, wherein said determining whether there is mutual consent further comprises means for receiving a response to said request for interview from at least one of said candidate and said employer.

18. A method of receiving information regarding at least one candidate from a plurality of talent-contributors, said candidate having candidate attributes, said method comprising:

receiving personal information associated with said candidate;

receiving experience information regarding said candidate, said experience information relating to skills attributes; and

receiving skills descriptions corresponding to said skills attributes.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said receiving personal information further comprises maintaining records of said personal information.

20. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said personal information includes a name, a physical address, an electronic address, and a minimum compensation requirement of said candidate.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said physical address is maintained in a consistent format.

22. The method as set forth in claim 20 further comprising identifying a nearest metropolitan area to said physical address, wherein said nearest metropolitan area is further designated as a metropolitan statistical area, a primary metropolitan statistical area, or a consolidated metropolitan statistical area.

23. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said candidate attributes include career information regarding at least one past position of said candidate, said career information selected from structured occupational data operable to be matched with employer information pertaining to prospective employers.

24. The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said structured occupational data includes at least one occupational title obtained from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

25. The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said structured occupational data further comprises a reason said candidate is no longer employed in said past position.

26. The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said candidate attributes include industry information regarding said past position of said candidate, said career information selected from structured industry data operable to be matched with said employer information.

27. The method as set forth in claim 26, wherein said industry information further comprises a reason said candidate is no longer employed in said past position.

28. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said candidate attributes include structured industry data comprising classifications identified in the North American Industry Classification System.

29. The method as set forth in claim 28, wherein said classifications relate to at least one past position of said candidate.

30. The method as set forth in claim 29, wherein said candidate provides descriptions of accomplishments of said candidate in said past position.

31. The method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising:

storing said personal information about said candidate in a memory; and

providing access to said candidate attributes, said access operable to facilitate generation of reports regarding said plurality of talent-contributors.

32. The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said candidate provides information regarding compensation received by said candidate with respect to said past position.

33. The method as set forth in claim 31, wherein said personal information further comprises self-identification information including at least one of:

race-information regarding said candidate;

gender-information regarding said candidate;

citizenship-information regarding said candidate; and

lawful eligibility to work in at least one country.

34. The method as set forth in claim 33, wherein said self-identification information is received on an optional basis.

35. The method as set forth in claim 33 further comprising providing said self-identification information to prospective employers to enable said prospective employers to comply with job-applicant-reporting requirements.

36. The method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising receiving educational-background information associated with at least one educational institution which said candidate has attended.

37. The method as set forth in claim 36, wherein said educational information further comprises a name of said educational institution, a level of education expected or attained, and at least one field of study.

38. The method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising receiving affiliation information corresponding to affiliations of said candidate, said affiliations including membership in at least one organization in a plurality of occupation-oriented organizations.

39. The method as set forth in claim 38, wherein said occupation-oriented organizations comprise professional associations, trade associations, and labor unions.

40. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said candidate attributes include desired-career information regarding at least one desired-career position.

41. The method as set forth in claim 40, wherein said desired-career information includes a designation of at least one preferred employer.

42. The method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising suggesting possible job descriptions to said candidate based on said candidate attributes.

43. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said skills descriptions relate to language skills, analytical skills, people and communication skills, and mechanical skills of said candidate.

44. The method as set forth in claim 43, wherein said language skills include reading, writing, and speaking.

45. The method as set forth in claim 44, wherein said description of said reading, writing, and speaking skills includes an assessment of proficiency in said skills.

46. The method as set forth in claim 43, wherein said analytical skills, people and communication skills, and mechanical skills correspond to said skills attributes described in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

47. The method as set forth in claim 46, wherein said skills descriptions comprise descriptions of nature, use, and proficiency of skills associated with said skills descriptions.

48. The method as set forth in claim 46, wherein skills associated with said skills descriptions correspond to a skills coding system of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

49. The method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising receiving an identification of licenses and certifications held by said candidate.

50. The method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising receiving a description of professional and personal accomplishments of said candidate.

51. The method as set forth in claim 18 further comprising receiving an indication of an interest level of said candidate in obtaining new employment.

52. A computer system including computer-readable instructions for receiving talent information regarding talent, said talent having talent faculties, said computer system comprising:

at least one memory in which said computer-readable instructions reside;

a processor operable to execute said computer-readable instructions;

a communications adapter operable to receive said talent information from said talent, said communications adapter operative to communicate a portion of said talent information to a plurality of employers;

wherein said communications adapter is configured to receive contact data associated with said talent; and

wherein said communications adapter is further configured to receive background information regarding said talent, said background information including affiliation information corresponding to affiliations of said talent, said affiliations including membership in at least one occupation-oriented organization.

53. The computer system as set forth in claim 52, wherein said contact data includes a name and an E-mail address.

54. The computer system as set forth in claim 52, wherein said background information further comprises self-identification information including at least one of:

information regarding race of said talent;

information regarding gender of said talent;

information regarding citizenship of said talent;

information regarding employment eligibility.

55. The computer system as set forth in claim 54 further comprising a data interface configured to provide said self-identification information to said employers to enable said employers to comply with job applicant reporting requirements.

56. The computer system as set forth in claim 52, wherein said talent faculties further comprise information regarding at least one of past employment, formal education, informal training, and a description of proficiency in a predetermined set of skills.

57. The computer system as set forth in claim 52, wherein said talent faculties further comprise information regarding membership in at least one occupation-oriented organization.

58. The computer system as set forth in claim 52, wherein said communications adapter is further configured to receive desired-position information regarding a career position specified by said talent.

59. The computer system as set forth in claim 58, wherein said desired-position information includes a designation of at least one preferred employer.

60. The computer system as set forth in claim 52, wherein said talent faculties include work experience as embodied in past-employment information, said past-employment information associated with skills attributes, said skills attributes described by skills descriptions.

61. The computer system as set forth in claim 60, wherein said skills descriptions include an assessment of proficiency.

62. A distributed network for providing employers with candidate-information regarding at least one candidate in a plurality of talent-contributors, said candidate having candidate attributes, said distributed network comprising:

means for managing enterprise human resource data;

means for receiving personal information associated with said candidate;

means for receiving career information regarding at least one past career position of said candidate, said career information operable to be matched with employer information pertaining to prospective employers of said candidate, wherein at least a portion of said career information is associated with said enterprise human resource data;

means for receiving experience information regarding said candidate, said experience information associated with experiences gained by said candidate, said experiences relating to skills attributes and said experiences of relevance to said prospective employers;

means for obtaining consent of said candidate to release of said personal information of said candidate to at least one of said prospective employers; and

means for providing said personal information to said at least one of said prospective employers based on said consent.

63. The distributed network as recited in claim 62 further comprising means for providing an interface to said candidate attributes, said interface operable to facilitate generation of reports regarding said plurality of talent-contributors.

64. The distributed network as recited in claim 63, wherein said personal information further comprises self-identification information including at least one of:

information regarding race of said candidate;

information regarding gender of said candidate;

information regarding citizenship of said candidate; and

lawful eligibility to work in at least one country.

65. The method according to claim 64, wherein said self-identification information is received on an optional basis.

66. The distributed network as recited in claim 64 further comprising means for providing said self-identification information to said prospective employers to enable said prospective employers to comply with job applicant reporting requirements, wherein said self-identification information is provided to said prospective employers after said prospective employers have made hiring decisions regarding said candidate, whereby said self-identification information cannot be used impermissibly by said prospective employers to discriminate against said candidate.

67. The distributed network as recited in claim 62 wherein said experience information is categorized based on a data dictionary of job descriptions.

68. The distributed network as recited in claim 62, wherein said candidate attributes include at least one desired career position.

69. The distributed network a recited in claim 62, wherein said candidate attributes further include a designation of at least one preferred employer.

70. A method of receiving information regarding an employer including employer profile information and at least one job description, said job description having job parameters corresponding to candidate attributes of a desired candidate, said method comprising:

receiving desired experience information regarding said desired candidate, said desired experience information relating to a structured set of desired skills attributes; and

receiving desired skills descriptions corresponding to said desired skills attributes.

71. The method as set forth in claim 70 further comprising:

receiving a multiple-division indication regarding an existence of multiple divisions associated with said employer;

receiving geographical information associated with at least one of said multiple divisions;

receiving user information regarding at least one employer-user to be associated with an employer account corresponding to said employer; and

for each of said at least one employer-user receiving access scope information, said access scope information specifying a scope of access associated with said at least one employer-user.

72. The method as set forth in claim 71, wherein a division in said multiple divisions is further divided into successively smaller divisions.

73. The method as set forth in claim 70, wherein said employer profile information includes employer name, phone number, physical address, billing information, and administrative user information.

74. The method as set forth in claim 71, wherein said geographical information is maintained in a consistent format.

75. The method as set forth in claim 71, wherein receiving said geographical information further comprises identifying a nearest metropolitan area associated with a geographical location associated with said multiple divisions of said employer, wherein said nearest metropolitan area is further designated as a metropolitan statistical area, a primary metropolitan statistical area, or a consolidated metropolitan statistical area.

76. The method as set forth in claim 71, wherein said job description is associated with a division within said multiple divisions.

77. The method as set forth in claim 70, wherein said job description further comprises:

a confidential maximum compensation said employer has allocated for a job;

a number of total employment positions associated with said job description; and

a number of open employment positions associated with said number of total employment positions.

78. The method as set forth in claim 70, wherein said employer profile information includes structured industry data operable to be matched with career information pertaining to prospective employees.

79. The method as set forth in claim 78, wherein said structured industry data includes classifications identified in the North American Industry Classification System.

80. The method as set forth in claim 70, wherein said job description further comprises:

a Federal Employment Records Information requirement indication regarding whether said job description is associated with an employment position for which self-identification information should be maintained.

81. The method as set forth in claim 70, wherein said job description further comprises a regulated job requirements indication regarding whether said job description is associated with an employment position for which said candidate attributes are subject to government regulation.

82. The method as set forth in claim 70, wherein said job description further comprises a narrative description of functions to be performed in a job associated with said job description.

83. The method as set forth in claim 70, wherein said job description further comprises benefit descriptions and compensation figures offered by said employer in connection with a job associated with said job description, wherein said compensation figures include a maximum compensation amount.

84. The method as set forth in claim 83, wherein said maximum compensation amount is confidential.

85. The method as set forth in claim 81, wherein said government regulation includes a restriction pertaining to citizenship.

86. The method as set forth in claim 71, wherein said employer profile information includes information regarding organizations with which said employer is affiliated.

87. A computer system for receiving employer information regarding an employer having at least one division, said computer system comprising:

a check box operable to receive a multiple-division indication regarding an existence of multiple divisions associated with said employer;

a geographical interface configured to receive geographical information associated with at least one of said multiple divisions associated with said employer; and

a user interface operable to receive user information regarding at least one employer-user to be associated with an employer account corresponding to said employer, wherein said user interface is operable to receive access scope information for said employer-user, said access scope information specifying a scope of access associated with said employer-user.

88. The computer system as set forth in claim 87, wherein said geographical interface is further configured to receive said geographical information by identifying a nearest metropolitan area associated with said multiple divisions.

89. The computer system as set forth in claim 87 further comprising a structured form operable to receive at least one job description associated with said division.

90. The computer system as set forth in claim 89, wherein said structured form further comprises:

a first numerical input cell operable to receive a number corresponding to a maximum allocated compensation for said job description;

a second numerical input cell operable to receive a number of total employment positions associated with said job description; and

a third numerical input cell operable to receive a number of open employment positions associated with said number of total employment positions.

91. A distributed network for receiving employer profile information regarding an employer having at least one business unit, said distributed network comprising:

means for maintaining enterprise human resource information;

means for receiving a multiple-division indication regarding an existence of multiple divisions associated with said employer;

means for receiving geographical information associated with at least one of said multiple divisions;

means for receiving user information regarding at least one employer-user to be associated with an employer account corresponding to said employer;

means for receiving access scope information for each of said at least one employer-user, said access scope information specifying a scope of access associated with said at least one employer-user.

92. The distributed network as recited in claim 91, wherein said geographical information is maintained in a consistent format.

93. The distributed network as recited in claim 91, wherein said means for receiving said geographical information further comprises means for identifying a nearest metropolitan area associated with a geographical location associated with said multiple divisions of said employer.

94. The distributed network as recited in claim 91 further comprising means for receiving at least one job description associated with said at least one business unit.

95. The distributed network as recited in claim 94, wherein said means for receiving at least one job description further comprises:

means for receiving a number of total employment positions associated with said job description; and

means for receiving a number of open employment positions associated with said number of total employment positions.

96. A method of searching a plurality of job descriptions, said method performed by a talent-user, and said method comprising:

accessing a talent profile associated with said talent-user, said talent profile including talent-threshold requirements;

identifying target job descriptions associated with prospective employers based on said talent profile, said target job descriptions having job-threshold requirements;

comparing said talent profile with said job-threshold requirements, whereby a threshold comparison results; and

determining whether at least one of said target job descriptions is compatible with said talent profile, based on said threshold comparison.

97. A method of searching a plurality of job descriptions, said method performed by a talent-user, and said method comprising:

receiving search parameters from said talent-user;

identifying target job descriptions associated with prospective employers based on said search parameters, said target job descriptions having job-threshold requirements;

comparing at least one talent profile with said job-threshold requirements, whereby a threshold comparison results; and

determining whether at least one of said target job descriptions is compatible with said talent profile, based on said threshold comparison.

98. The method as set forth in claim 97 further comprising:

receiving from said talent-user an indication regarding whether to perform a foreign search for said target job descriptions located outside of a specified geographic location; and

providing job description information corresponding to said target job descriptions that occur outside of a primary location country associated with said talent-user.

99. The method as set forth in claim 97, wherein said search parameters include a minimum compensation requirement.

100. The method as set forth in claim 97 further comprising:

receiving a request for interview with a target employer from said talent-user; and

transmitting said request for interview to said target employer.

101. The method as set forth in claim 100 further comprising:

receiving a request-acceptance indication from said target employer regarding whether said target employer accepts said request for interview; and

providing a questionnaire to said target employer regarding said request-acceptance indication based on a negative value of said request-acceptance indication.

102. The method as set forth in claim 101 further comprising:

inactivating an account associated with said target employer based on a failure to respond to said questionnaire; and

reactivating said account based on a subsequent response to said questionnaire.

103. The method as set forth in claim 102 further comprising:

reactivating said account based on passage of a predetermined period of time.

104. The method as set forth in claim 97, wherein said search parameters further include at least one search timing parameter, including:

a start time and a search frequency.

105. The method as set forth in claim 104, wherein said search frequency is once per day.

106. The method as set forth in claim 97 further comprising providing said talent-user with an opportunity to modify said search parameters and said talent profile if said threshold comparison indicates that said talent profile does not match said job-threshold requirements.

107. The method as set forth in claim 97 further comprising providing said talent-user with a list of job descriptions for which said talent profile matches said job-threshold requirements.

108. The method as set forth in claim 107, wherein said list of job descriptions is ordered by compensation offered in connection with a particular job.

109. The method as set forth in claim 108, wherein said list of job descriptions is further ordered by geographic proximity to a geographic location specified in said search parameters.

110. A data processing apparatus for searching a plurality of job descriptions, said apparatus operable to communicate with a talent-user, said apparatus comprising:

an application server configured to provide a user interface operative to receive an instruction to search from said talent-user, said user interface further operative to receive search parameters from said talent-user;

at least one memory operable to store and provide access to a talent profile associated with said talent-user, said talent profile including talent-threshold requirements;

a search engine configured to access said talent profile and said search parameters;

a filter operable to identify target job descriptions based on said search parameters, said target job descriptions having job-threshold requirements; and

a comparator, coupled with said search engine, operable to compare said talent profile to said job-threshold requirements, whereby a threshold comparison results.

111. The apparatus as set forth in claim 110, wherein said comparator is a processor programmed to compare sets of data having a consistent nomenclature.

112. The apparatus as set forth in claim 110, wherein said talent-threshold requirements further include a minimum compensation requirement.

113. The apparatus as set forth in claim 110 further comprising:

an input form configured to receive a request for interview with a target employer from said talent-user; and

a message processor programmed to transmit said request for interview to said target employer.

114. The apparatus as set forth in claim 113, wherein said message processor is further programmed to receive a request-declined indication from said target employer regarding whether said target employer accepts said request for interview, and wherein said message processor is further programmed to provide a questionnaire to said target employer regarding said request-declined indication.

115. The apparatus as set forth in claim 114 further comprising a processor programmed to inactivate an account associated with said target employer based on a failure to respond to said questionnaire, wherein said processor is further programmed to reactivate said account based on a subsequent response to said questionnaire.

116. The apparatus as set forth in claim 115, wherein said processor is further programmed to reactivate said account based on passage of a predetermined period of time.

117. The apparatus set forth in claim 110, wherein said instruction to search further includes at least one search timing parameter, including at least one of:

a start time and a search frequency.

118. The apparatus set forth in claim 117, wherein said search frequency is once per day.

119. The apparatus as set forth in claim 110, wherein said user interface is further operable to provide said talent-user with an opportunity to modify talent compensation requirements if said threshold comparison indicates that talent compensation requirements do not match said job-threshold requirements.

120. The apparatus as set forth in claim 110, wherein said user interface is further operable to provide said talent-user with a list of job descriptions for which said search parameters match said job-threshold requirements.

121. The apparatus as set forth in claim 120, wherein said list of job descriptions are ordered by compensation offered in connection with a particular job.

122. The apparatus as set forth in claim 121, wherein said list of job descriptions are further ordered by geographic proximity to a geographical location specified in said search parameters.

123. A network for searching a plurality of job descriptions, said network operable to receive talent-information from a talent-user, said network comprising:

means for managing enterprise human resource data;

means for receiving job search parameters from said talent-user;

means for storing at least one set of job search parameters associated with an ideal job for said talent-user;

means for accessing said set of job search parameters and a talent profile associated with said ideal job, said talent profile including a minimum compensation requirement;

means for identifying target job descriptions, based on said set of job search parameters and said talent profile, said target job descriptions having a maximum compensation allowance associated with an employer; and

means for comparing said minimum compensation requirement of said talent-user to said maximum compensation allowance of said employer, whereby a compensation comparison results, and wherein said means for comparing determines whether said talent profile is compatible with at least one of said target job descriptions.

124. The network as recited in claim 123, wherein at least one of said job search parameters is a geographic location.

125. The network as recited in claim 123 further comprising:

means for receiving a request for interview with said employer from said talent-user; and

means for transmitting said request for interview to said employer.

126. The network as recited in claim 125 further comprising:

means for receiving a request-acceptance indication from said employer regarding whether said employer accepts said request for interview; and

means for providing a questionnaire to said employer regarding said request-acceptance indication.

127. The network as recited in claim 126 further comprising means for notifying said employer that an account associated with said employer has been inactivated until said employer responds to said questionnaire.

128. The network as recited in claim 123, wherein said job search parameters include at least one search timing parameter, including a start time and a search frequency.

129. The network as recited in claim 128, wherein said search frequency is once per day.

130. The network as recited in claim 123 further comprising means for providing said talent-user with a list of job descriptions for which said minimum compensation requirement and said job search parameters match maximum compensation allowance.

131. The network as recited in claim 130, wherein said list of job descriptions are ordered by compensation offered and geographic proximity to a location specified in said job search parameters.

132. A method of searching for talent by searching talent information in a plurality of talent profiles, said method initiated by an employer-user associated with an employer, said method comprising:

receiving search parameters from said employer-user;

accessing a job description associated with said employer-user, said job description, including job-threshold requirements;

identifying target talent profiles associated with prospective talent and consistent with said search parameters from among said plurality of talent profiles, said target talent profiles having associated talent-threshold requirements;

comparing said talent-threshold requirements with said job-threshold requirements, whereby a threshold comparison is produced; and

determining whether at least one of said target talent profiles is compatible with said job-threshold requirements, based on said threshold comparison, whereby at least one compatible talent ré

sumé

is identified.

133. The method as set forth in claim 132 further comprising providing said employer-user with an opportunity to modify said job threshold requirements if said threshold comparison indicates that said job-threshold requirements do not match said talent-threshold requirements.

134. The method as set forth in claim 132, wherein said search parameters further include desired candidate parameters associated with a desired candidate.

135. The method as set forth in claim 134, wherein said search parameters correspond to a predetermined job description associated with said employer.

136. The method as set forth in claim 135, wherein said predetermined job description is associated with an occupational title consistent with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

137. The method as set forth in claim 136, wherein said employer specifies a required term of experience associated with said occupational title.

138. The method as set forth in claim 132, wherein said job-threshold requirements further include a maximum allocated compensation amount.

139. The method as set forth in claim 132, wherein said search parameters include at least one skills description consistent with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

140. The method as set forth in claim 139, wherein said search parameters include a required level of proficiency associated with said skills description.

141. The method as set forth in claim 132, wherein said search parameters include at least one industry identification consistent with the North American Industry Classification System, said industry identification associated with an industry.

142. The method as set forth in claim 141, wherein said employer specifies a required term of experience within said industry.

143. The method as set forth in claim 132 further comprising:

determining whether said talent information associated with said compatible talent ré

sumé

includes a designation of said employer as a preferred employer, whereby a preferred employer determination results; and

based on an affirmative result of said preferred employer determination, providing contact information to said employer regarding said target talent profiles.

144. The method as set forth in claim 143, wherein based on a negative result of said preferred employer determination, said employer is afforded an opportunity to communicate a request for interview to said talent associated with said compatible talent ré

sumé

.

145. The method as set forth in claim 144 further comprising:

determining whether said talent accepts said request for interview, whereby a talent acceptance determination results;

based on a negative result of said talent acceptance determination, providing a questionnaire to said talent; and

based on one of a response and a lack of a response to said questionnaire, providing feedback to said employer-user.

146. The method as set forth in claim 132 further comprising:

receiving from said employer-user an indication regarding whether to perform a foreign search for said talent located outside of a specified geographic location; and

providing talent profile information corresponding to said talent that resides outside of a primary location country associated with said employer, wherein said talent has legal authorization to work in said primary location country.

147. The method as set forth in claim 132, wherein said search parameters further includes at least one search timing parameter, including a start time and a search frequency.

148. The method as set forth in claim 147, wherein said search frequency is once per day.

149. A computer system for facilitating searching talent having associated talent descriptions in a plurality of talent profiles, said computer system configured to receive input from an employer-user associated with an employer, said employer searching in a primary location country, and said computer system comprising:

an application server operable to provide a user interface operative to receive an instruction to search from said employer-user;

a memory operative to store search parameters associated with a desired candidate;

a comparator operative to compare said search parameters and associated job-threshold requirements, wherein target talent ré

sumé

s are identified based on said search parameters and said plurality of talent profiles, said target talent ré

sumé

s having associated talent-threshold requirements;

wherein said talent-threshold requirements are compared to said job-threshold requirements, whereby a threshold comparison results; and

wherein it is determined whether at least one of said target talent ré

sumé

s is compatible with said job-threshold requirements, based on said threshold comparison, whereby at least one compatible talent ré

sumé

is identified.

150. The computer system as set forth in claim 149 further comprising:

a message processor operative to afford said employer-user an opportunity to express a request for interview to said talent associated with said target talent ré

sumé

s.

151. The computer system as set forth in claim 149, wherein said job-threshold requirements further include a maximum allocated compensation amount.

152. The computer system as set forth in claim 151, wherein said talent-threshold requirements further include a minimum required compensation amount.

153. The computer system as set forth in claim 149 further comprising:

preconfigured logic configured to determine whether compatible talent information that is associated with said compatible talent ré

sumé

includes a designation of said employer as a preferred employer, whereby a preferred employer determination results; and

wherein contact information associated with said compatible talent ré

sumé

is provided to said employer-user, based on an affirmative result of said preferred employer determination.

154. The computer system as set forth in claim 153, wherein based on a negative result of said preferred employer determination, said employer-user is afforded an opportunity to express a request for interview to said talent that is associated with said compatible talent ré

sumé

.

155. The computer system as set forth in claim 154, wherein said preconfigured logic is further configured to determine whether said talent accepts said request for interview, whereby a talent acceptance determination results;

wherein based on a negative result of said talent acceptance determination, a questionnaire is provided to said talent; and

based on one of a response and a lack of said response, feedback is provided to said employer-user.

156. The computer system as set forth in claim 149, wherein said user interface further includes a check box configured to receive from said employer-user a foreign search indication regarding whether to perform a foreign search for said talent that resides outside said primary location country;

and

based on an affirmative state of said foreign search indication, providing blind ré

sumé

s corresponding to said talent that resides outside of said primary location country, wherein said talent has legal authorization to work in said primary location country.

157. A distributed network of searching for talent by searching a plurality of talent profiles, said distributed network initiated by an employer-user associated with an employer, said employer searching in a primary location country, said distributed network comprising:

means for receiving an instruction to search from said employer-user;

means for receiving search parameters from said employer-user, said search parameters including an identification of job-threshold requirements;

means for identifying target talent ré

sumé

s, based on said search parameters and said plurality of talent profiles, said target talent ré

sumé

s having associated talent-threshold requirements;

means for comparing said talent-threshold requirements with said job-threshold requirements, whereby a threshold comparison results; and

means for determining whether at least one of said target talent ré

sumé

s is compatible with said job-threshold requirements, based on said threshold comparison, whereby at least one compatible talent ré

sumé

is identified.

158. The distributed network as recited in claim 157, wherein said search parameters further include desired candidate parameters associated with a desired candidate.

159. The distributed network as recited in claim 158, wherein said search parameters correspond to a predetermined job description associated with said employer.

160. The distributed network as recited in claim 157, wherein said job-threshold requirements further include a maximum allocated compensation amount.

161. The distributed network as recited in claim 157 further comprising:

means for determining whether compatible talent information associated with said compatible talent ré

sumé

includes a designation of said employer as a preferred employer, whereby a preferred employer determination results; and

means for providing contact information to said employer regarding said target talent ré

sumé

s, based on an affirmative result of said preferred employer determination.

162. The distributed network as recited in claim 161, wherein based on a negative result of said preferred employer determination, said employer is afforded an opportunity to communicate a request for interview to said talent associated with said compatible talent ré

sumé

.

163. The distributed network as recited in claim 162 further comprising:

means for determining whether said talent accepts said request for interview, whereby a talent acceptance determination results;

means for providing a questionnaire to said talent, based on a negative result of said talent acceptance determination; and

means for providing feedback to said employer-user, based on one of a response and a lack of a response to said questionnaire.

164. The distributed network as recited in claim 157 further comprising:

means for receiving from said employer-user a foreign search indication regarding whether to perform a foreign search for said talent; and

means for providing blind ré

sumé

s corresponding to said talent that resides outside of said primary location country, based on an affirmative state of said foreign search indication, wherein said talent has legal authorization to work in said primary location country.

165. A method of promoting a career site, said method comprising:

receiving talent information from a plurality of talent regarding qualifications of said talent for performing predetermined activities, said talent information including affiliation information, said affiliation information corresponding to at least one association, wherein said at least one association is in compliance with a career site affiliate policy;

receiving employer information from a plurality of employers, said employer information including employer affiliation information, said employer affiliation information corresponding to at least one employer-related association, wherein said employer-related association is in compliance with said career site affiliate policy;

matching said talent information with said employer information; and

paying a commission to said at least one association based on said matching of said talent with said employer information.

166. The method as set forth in claim 165, wherein said at least one association includes at least one of professional associations, trade associations, labor unions and educational institutions.

167. The method as set forth in claim 165, wherein said employer information further includes job-threshold requirements and said talent information includes talent-threshold requirements, and wherein said matching further comprises:

based on a comparison of said talent-threshold requirements and said job-threshold requirements, matching said talent with said employer information when said employer information is compatible with said talent-threshold requirements.

168. The method as set forth in claim 165, wherein said at least one association publishes an association newsletter, and wherein said career site affiliate policy requires certain actions to be carried out by said at least one association in order for said at least one association to remain in good standing with said career site, said certain actions including:

publicly endorsing said career site;

permitting use of a name of said at least one association in connection with advertisements of said career site;

promoting said career site to members of said at least one association in connection with an association member employment program;

providing said career site with advertising space in said association newsletter; and

posting jobs associated with said at least one association to said career site.

169. The method as set forth in claim 165, wherein said commission is a fixed amount or a percentage of a fee associated with a transaction.

170. A computer system used in connection with promoting a career site, said computer system comprising:

a server operable to provide an on-line user interface operable to receive talent information from a plurality of talent regarding qualifications of said talent for performing predetermined activities, and from employers regarding job descriptions said talent information including affiliation information, said affiliation information associated with at least one association, wherein said association is in compliance with a career site affiliate policy of said career site;

an input processor configured to receive said job descriptions from a plurality of employers;

a comparator for matching said talent with said job descriptions; and

a payment processor configured to pay a commission to said association based on said matching.

171. The computer system as set forth in claim 170, wherein said job descriptions include job-threshold requirements and said talent information includes talent-threshold requirements, and wherein said comparator matches said talent with said job descriptions, based on a comparison of said talent-threshold requirements and said job-threshold requirements.

172. The computer system as set forth in claim 170, wherein said association publishes an association newsletter, and wherein said career site affiliate policy requires certain actions to be carried out by said association in order for said association to remain in good standing with said career site, said certain actions including:

publicly endorsing said career site;

permitting use of a name of said association in connection with advertisements of said career site;

promoting said career site to members of said association in connection with an association member employment program;

providing said career site with advertising space in at least one issue of a newsletter said association; and

posting jobs associated with said association to said career site.

173. A distributed network for promoting a career site, said distributed network comprising:

means for managing enterprise human resource data;

means for receiving talent information from talent regarding qualifications of talent for performing predetermined activities, said talent information including affiliation information, said affiliation information associated with at least one association, wherein said at least one association is in compliance with a career site affiliate policy;

means for receiving job descriptions from a plurality of employers;

means for matching said talent with said job descriptions; and

means for paying a commission to said at least one association based on said matching.

174. The distributed network as recited in claim 173, wherein said job descriptions further include job-threshold requirements and said talent information includes talent-threshold requirements, and wherein said matching further comprises:

based on a comparison of said talent-threshold requirements and said job-threshold requirements, matching said talent with said job descriptions when said job descriptions are compatible with said talent-threshold requirements.

175. The distributed network as set forth in claim 174, wherein said at least one association publishes an association newsletter, and wherein said career site affiliate policy requires certain actions to be carried out by said at least one association in order for said at least one association to remain in good standing with said career site, said certain actions including:

publicly endorsing said career site;

permitting use of a name of said at least one association in connection with advertisements of said career site;

promoting said career site to members of said at least one association in connection with an association member employment program;

providing said career site with advertising space in said association newsletter; and

posting jobs associated with said at least one association to said career site.

176. A method for compensating at least one wholesaler for marketing a career site according to a career site wholesaler policy, said method comprising:

establishing at least one wholesaler account associated with said career site;

receiving job descriptions from employers, said employers associated with at least one association, said said association assigned to said wholesaler account;

receiving talent-information from talent, said talent associated with said association;

matching said talent with said job descriptions; and

paying a commission to said wholesaler based on said matching.

177. The method as set forth in claim 176, wherein said association includes at least one of a professional association, a trade association, a labor union, and a educational institution.

178. The method as set forth in claim 176, wherein said job descriptions further include job-threshold requirements and said talent-information includes talent-threshold requirements, and wherein said matching further comprises:

based on a comparison of said talent-threshold requirements and said job-threshold requirements, matching said talent with said job descriptions when said job descriptions are compatible with said talent-threshold requirements.

179. The method as set forth in claim 176, wherein said career site wholesaler policy requires certain actions to be carried out by said wholesaler in order for said wholesaler to remain in good standing with said career site, said certain actions including at least one of:

publicly endorsing said career site;

permitting use of a name of said wholesaler in connection with advertisements of said career site;

promoting said career site to said employers associated with said wholesaler;

assisting said employers in listing employer jobs associated with said employers;

posting wholesaler internal jobs associated with said wholesaler to said career site; and

linking a website associated with said wholesaler to said career site.

180. The method as set forth in claim 176, wherein said commission is a flat amount or a percentage amount.

181. A computer system for automating a process of compensating at least one wholesaler for promoting a career site, said computer system comprising:

a database containing wholesaler-information regarding at least one wholesaler account associated with said career site;

an interface operative to receive job descriptions from employers, said employers associated with at least one association, said association assigned to said wholesaler account;

wherein said interface is further operative to receive talent information from talent, said talent associated with at least one organization, said organization assigned to said wholesaler account;

matching said talent with said job descriptions; and

paying a commission to said wholesaler based on said matching.

182. A distributed network for compensating at least one wholesaler for promoting a career site, said distributed network comprising:

means for maintaining enterprise human resource data;

means for establishing at least one wholesaler account associated with said career site;

means for receiving job descriptions from employers, said employers being associated with at least one association, said association assigned to said wholesaler account;

means for receiving talent information from talent, said talent being associated with at least one organization, said organization assigned to said wholesaler account;

means for matching said talent with said job descriptions; and

means for paying a commission to said wholesaler based on said matching.

183. A method for compensating at least one retailer for marketing a career site according to a career site marketing policy, said method comprising:

establishing at least one retailer account associated with said career site;

receiving employer account information associated with at least one employer account from at least one of said retailer and a secondary recruited retailer associated with said retailer, said employer account assigned to said retailer, said employer account information including job descriptions;

receiving talent-information from talent;

matching said talent with said job descriptions; and

paying a commission to said retailer based on said matching.

184. The method as set forth in claim 183, wherein said retailer is compensated for recruiting said secondary recruited retailer by way of a multi-level-marketing system and wherein said secondary recruited retailer provides employer information regarding employers not subject to a preexisting commission agreement.

185. The method as set forth in claim 184, wherein said multi-level-marketing system includes successive levels consistent with local law.

186. A computer system for facilitating compensation of at least one retailer for marketing a career site according to a career site marketing policy, said computer system comprising:

a database containing information regarding at least one retailer account associated with said career site;

an interface operable to receive employer account information associated with at least one employer account from at least one of said retailer and a secondary recruited retailer associated with said retailer, said employer account assigned to said retailer, said employer account information including job descriptions; and

a payment processor operable to pay a commission to said retailer based on matching said job descriptions with a job candidate.

187. The computer system as set forth in claim 186, wherein said retailer is further compensated for recruiting said secondary recruited retailer by way of a multi-level-marketing system.

188. A distributed network for providing payments to at least one retailer for marketing a career site according to a career site marketing policy, said distributed network comprising:

an enterprise database management system;

international payment system architecture;

means for establishing at least one retailer account associated with said career site;

means for receiving employer account information associated with at least one employer account from at least one of said retailer and a secondary recruited retailer associated with said retailer, said employer account assigned to said retailer, said employer account information including job descriptions;

means for receiving talent-information from talent;

means for matching said talent with said job descriptions, said means for matching providing matching results; and

means for paying a commission to said retailer based on said matching results.

189. The distributed network as set forth in claim 188, wherein said means for paying further comprises:

means for further compensating said retailer for recruiting said secondary recruited retailer by way of a multi-level-marketing system.

190. A computer-readable medium containing instructions capable of causing a processor to perform a process for operating a career site, said career site including a talent database of talent ré

sumé

s corresponding to a plurality of talent candidates and a database of job descriptions, said instructions comprising;

instructions operative to receive personal information associated with said talent ré

sumé

s, said personal information including contact information;

instructions operative to receive career information regarding at least one desired career position of a candidate in said plurality of talent candidates, said career information formatted as structured data consistent with a format of said database of job descriptions;

instructions operative to receive experience information regarding said candidate, said experience information of relevance to prospective employers;

instructions operative to receive at least one command to search from a talent-user;

instructions operative to access desired job parameters associated with a desired job of said talent-user, and to access a talent profile, said talent profile including talent-threshold requirements;

instructions operative to identify target job descriptions, based on said desired job parameters and said talent profile, said target job descriptions having job-threshold requirements; and

instructions operative to compare said talent-threshold requirements to said job-threshold requirements, whereby a threshold comparison results;

instructions operative to determine whether at least one of said target job descriptions is compatible with said talent-threshold requirements, based on said threshold comparison, whereby at least one matched job-listing and candidate pair results;

instructions operative to establish at least one marketer account associated with a marketer of said career site; and

instructions operative to effect payment of a commission to said marketer based on an occurrence of said matched job-listing and candidate pair.

191. A distribution medium containing instructions capable of causing a processor to perform a process for operating computer system, said computer system including a talent database of talent ré

sumé

s corresponding to a plurality of talent candidates and a database of job descriptions, said instructions comprising;

instructions operative to receive personal information associated with said talent ré

sumé

s, said personal information including contact information;

instructions operative to receive position information regarding at least one position associated with an employer instructions operative to receive experience information regarding a candidate;

instructions operative to receive a command to search from an initiating party;

instructions operative to match said target job descriptions with said talent ré

sumé

s, based on a threshold comparison; and

instructions operative to effect payment of a commission to a marketer based only on an occurrence of said match.

192. A method of providing employment services to at least one candidate in a plurality of talent-contributors, said method comprising:

receiving information from said candidate;

receiving job description information associated with at least one job, wherein said job description information comprises at least one benefit identification associated with a benefit provided in connection with said job; and

providing said candidate with said benefit identification.

193. The method as set forth in claim 192, wherein said benefit is chosen from incentive pay, health insurance, retirement account, dental insurance, continuing education, signing bonus, pension, on-site daycare, flex-time, free parking, relocation, paid vacation, and differential shift pay.

194. A computer system for providing employment services to at least one candidate in a plurality of talent-contributors, said computer system comprising:

a first interface operable to receive information from said candidate;

a second interface operable to receive job description information associated with at least one job, wherein said job description information comprises at least one benefit identification associated with a benefit provided in connection with said job; and

an output device operable to provide at least one benefit indicator to said candidate, said benefit indicator associated with said benefit identification.

195. The computer system as set forth in claim 194, wherein said benefit indicator comprises a graphical icon.

197. The computer system as set forth in claim 194, wherein said benefit indicator is provided in the form of an image object formatted in a page using the Hypertext Markup Language.

196. A distributed network for providing employment services to at least one candidate in a plurality of talent-contributors, said distributed network comprising:

means for managing enterprise data associated with an employer;

candidate means for receiving candidate information from said candidate;

job means for receiving job description information associated with at least one job, wherein said job description information comprises at least one benefit identification associated with a benefit provided in connection with said job; and

means for providing at least one benefit indicator to said candidate, said benefit indicator associated with said benefit identification.