Patent Application
20230214778
The present invention relates generally to automated management of virtual interviews between job providers and qualified job seekers, and more specifically to a computer implemented method for automatically implementing, activating, and managing this job interview process dynamically and in real-time.
Traditionally, employers or other job providers seeking to fill a job for a business post the job to seek recruits, accept applications for the job from job seekers, review the applications to determine qualifications and suitability for the job, interview the qualified job seekers, then make a hiring decision. The job may be posted on the business's website, on social media, on job bulletin boards, through the use of recruiters, and/or simply by posting a help wanted sign on a window of the business. The applications submitted by the job seekers may be forms provided by the employer, may include a resume of the job seeker, or the job seeker may simply respond in person to a help wanted sign at the business. The job provider can then perform an initial evaluation of each job seeker's qualifications and suitability for the job and workplace based on the application and resume. The job provider may then interview the qualified job seekers to further determine the qualifications and suitability of each job seeker and to compare the job seekers for a best fit. These interviews may be in person, by video conference, by teleconference, or other means of two-way communications. The job seeker also has the opportunity in this interview process to determine whether the job provider and job are a good personal fit. After this interview process, the job provider can then make a hiring decision and provide a job offer to the preferred job seeker(s).
The illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system, and/or computer usable program product for automatically managing virtual real-time online interviews between a job provider and qualified job seekers, including receiving, from a first computer system of a job provider representative, a request to automatically enable virtual real-time online interviews for a job listing with predetermined criteria between the job provider representative and job seekers having qualifications meeting the predetermined criteria; responsive to receipt of the job provider interview request, automatically posting the job listing online; responsive to a job seeker requesting, from a second computer system, an online interview for the posted job listing, automatically determining whether qualifications of the job seeker meet the predetermined criteria; responsive to a positive determination, automatically placing the job seeker in a queue for interviewing with the job provider representative regarding the job listing; receiving a request, from the first computer system of the job provider representative, to activate a virtual real-time online interview session between an interviewer computer system and the second computer system of the job seeker in the queue; and responsive to receipt of the activation request, activating an audio and visual connection between the interviewer computer system and the second computer system of the job seeker to conduct the virtual real-time online interview session.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Embodiment of the invention itself, further objectives and advantages thereof, as well as a preferred mode of use, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Processes and devices may be implemented and utilized for automatically implementing, activating, and managing virtual interviews between job providers and qualified job seekers dynamically and in real-time. These processes and apparatuses may be implemented and utilized as will be explained with reference to the various embodiments below. In at least one embodiment, a system and method of automatically managing virtual real-time online interviews between a job provider and qualified job seekers. In at least one embodiment, the system and method automatically evaluates job seekers in accordance with job provider qualifications and enables qualified job seekers to enter an interview queue. The system and method allow an interviewer to activate an audio and visual connection between an interviewer computer system and a computer system of the job seeker to conduct the virtual real-time online interview session. The system and method provide many technical capabilities including automated qualification vetting, enabling requests for interview session activation, tracking a queue of job seekers, and prompt activation of the audio and visual connection between remote machines to conduct a virtual interview session. The system and method through technology assist in expediting interviewing and hiring of qualified candidates. The system and method can be implemented in using specific network connections and configurations of data processing systems as also described below.
In data processing system 100 there is a computer system/server 112, which is operational with numerous other computing system environments, peripherals, or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/server 112 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
Computer system/server 112 may be described in the general context of computer system-performable instructions, such as program modules, being processed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server 112 may be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices. For example, the present invention may be implemented in a cloud computing environment, distributed or otherwise, which may be virtualized such as with the use of a hypervisor managing multiple nodes including virtual processors, virtual memory, etc.
As shown in
Bus 118 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.
Computer system/server 112 typically includes a variety of non-transitory computer system usable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server 112, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.
System memory 128 can include non-transitory computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 130 and/or cache memory 132. Computer system/server 112 may further include other non-transitory removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example, storage system 134 can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a USB interface for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic chip (e.g., a “flash drive”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus 118 by one or more data media interfaces. Memory 128 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of the embodiments. Memory 128 may also include data that will be processed by a program product.
Program/utility 140, having a set (at least one) of program modules 142, may be stored in memory 128 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 142 generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of the embodiments. For example, a program module may be software for automatically implementing and managing virtual interviews between job providers and qualified job seekers dynamically and in real-time.
Computer system/server 112 may also communicate with one or more external devices 114 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 124, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server 112; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 112 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces 122 through wired connections or wireless connections. Still yet, computer system/server 112 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 120. As depicted, network adapter 120 communicates with the other components of computer system/server 112 via bus 118. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 112. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, tape drives, RAID systems, redundant processing units, data archival storage systems, external disk drive arrays, etc.
Server 220 and client 240 are coupled to network 210 along with storage unit 230. In addition, laptop 250 and facility 280 (such as a home or business) are coupled to network 210 including wirelessly such as through a network router 253. A mobile device 260 such as a mobile phone may be coupled to network 210 through a cell tower 262. Data processing systems, such as server 220, client 240, laptop 250, mobile device 260 and facility 280 contain data and have software applications including software tools processing thereon. Other types of data processing systems such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, tablets and netbooks may be coupled to network 210.
Server 220 may include software application 224 and data 226 for automatically implementing and managing virtual interviews between job providers and qualified job seekers dynamically and in real-time or other software applications and data in accordance with embodiments described herein. Storage 230 may contain software application 234 and a content source such as data 236 for automatically implementing and managing virtual interviews between job providers and qualified job seekers dynamically and in real-time. Other software and content may be stored on storage 230 for sharing among various computer or other data processing devices. Client 240 may include software application 244 and data 246. Laptop 250 and mobile device 260 may also include software applications 254 and 264 and data 256 and 266. Facility 280 may include software applications 284 and data 286 on local data processing equipment. Other types of data processing systems coupled to network 210 may also include software applications. Software applications could include a web browser, email, or other software application for automatically implementing and managing virtual interviews between job providers and qualified job seekers dynamically and in real-time.
Server 220, storage unit 230, client 240, laptop 250, mobile device 260, and facility 280 and other data processing devices may couple to network 210 using wired connections, wireless communication protocols, or other suitable data connectivity. Client 240 may be, for example, a personal computer or a network computer.
In the depicted example, server 220 may provide data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to client 240 and laptop 250. Server 220 may be a single computer system or a set of multiple computer systems working together to provide services in a client server environment. Client 240 and laptop 250 may be clients to server 220 in this example. Client 240, laptop 250, mobile device 260 and facility 280 or some combination thereof, may include their own data, boot files, operating system images, and applications. Data processing environment 200 may include additional servers, clients, and other devices that are not shown.
In the depicted example, data processing environment 200 may be the Internet. Network 210 may represent a collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and other protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of data communication links between major nodes or host computers, including thousands of commercial, governmental, educational, and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, data processing environment 200 also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
Among other uses, data processing environment 200 may be used for implementing a client server environment in which the embodiments may be implemented. A client server environment enables software applications and data to be distributed across a network such that an application functions by using the interactivity between a client data processing system and a server data processing system. Data processing environment 200 may also employ a service oriented architecture where interoperable software components distributed across a network may be packaged together as coherent business applications.
Intake phase 310 includes steps that may be performed prior to initiating and performing interviews for a job, whether those interviews are to be conducted immediately in real-time or otherwise. In a first step 315, a job provider may register through a job provider user interface, such as job seeker user interface 427, to create a job provider record in a job provider database, such as job provider database 434. This job provider record may include a variety of information or metadata about the job provider including identifying information as well as general information about the job provider such as the type of industry, number of employees, location, and other attributes which may be useful as described herein. In a second step 320, the job provider may register a job through the job provider user interface to create a job record describing that job in a jobs database. This job record can be automatically cross linked to the job provider's record in the job provider database. Once registered, the job may be referred to herein as a job listing. The job provider may also include information or metadata about the job such as remuneration and job benefits, as well as predetermined job criteria (also referred to herein as job qualifications) for the job. The underlying system, such as described below with reference to
Preparation phase 330 includes steps for a job provider to request and rapidly prepare for interviews with qualified job seekers immediately and automatically in subsequent interview phase 350. In step 335, the job provider may request, through the job provider user interface, a real-time dynamic job interview process for a job identified from the job database that is cross indexed with the job provider. This request is for an immediate invocation (i.e., start the real-time interviews now) of the job interview process in the present embodiment. Then in step 340, several steps can be performed concurrently for setting up and preparing for the real-time job interview process including automatically creating a job interview queue for qualified job seekers and obtaining a set of screener questions from the job provider for storage in the job record and use in the job interview process. Then in step 345, the job listing of the job is then posted automatically for obtaining qualified job seekers for the job interview process. This includes posting the job listing on various online bulletin boards, in response to job seeker queries, or through sending invitations to qualified job seekers who previously registered in the job seeker database (e.g., see step 325 above). Step 345 may continue obtaining qualified job seekers as long as the interview phase continues as described below. Concurrently, while the job listing is posted, the job provider representative may wait for job interviews in a virtual lobby area while the underlying system starts automatically filling the job interview queue with qualified job seekers.
Interview phase 350 includes steps for the job provider to conduct interviews with a set of qualified job seekers for the job. The present embodiment is described herein with reference to a single interviewer and a single job position to be filled. As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the same process may be performed in real-time and concurrently with multiple persons representing a job provider interviewing job seekers for one or more positions of a posted job listing. In the present embodiment and as described in this phase, each qualified job seeker is admitted into the job interview queue for a subsequent interview by the job provider, typically in a first in first out (FIFO) sequence. In step 355, as a result of the posting of the job listing in step 345, qualified job seekers may dynamically and in real-time enter the job interview queue (also referred to herein as the interview queue) automatically and in real-time. That is, in response to the job posting, job seekers may request immediate admission to join the job interview queue. This can include the job seeker answering several screener questions and customizing their resume for the job. If qualified (i.e., the job seeker's answers to the screener questions and qualifications set forth in the job seeker's resume automatically meet predetermined criteria set forth by the job provider), the job seeker is entered into the interview queue, otherwise the job seeker may be kindly notified of their rejection. If the interview queue is full, it may be temporarily closed from accepting any more qualified job seekers and any job seekers requesting admission into the interview queue may be kindly notified that the interview queue is full at this time. In step 360, while each job seeker is waiting for an interview with the job provider, information about the job provider may be provided for review by the job seeker, and the job seeker may be provided queue wait information. For example, each job seeker may be provided information regarding their place within the interview queue and/or an expected time frame before their interview may begin. In addition, the job provider may be provided a status of the job interview queue such as showing the number of job applicants in the queue and approximate wait time to complete interviewing the complete queue. In step 365, the job seeker at the front of the queue and next to be interviewed may be automatically placed into an on-deck position, which may be a subset of a virtual lobby. This may occur when the prior interview has started, when the prior interview has concluded, or some other time in the interview process. While in the on-deck position, the job seeker may provide or otherwise volunteer any additional information and the job provider may review the job seeker's resume and answers to the screener questions from the virtual lobby area. The job provider also has the option to reject the job seeker in the on-deck position without an interview. For example, the job provider may view certain information on the job seeker's resume and determine that an interview would be unproductive for both the job provider and the job seeker. If the job provider rejects the job seeker at this point, the job seeker is kindly notified of the rejection. Otherwise the job provider can accept the job seeker for an interview. In step 370, a virtual interview between the job provider and job seeker is initiated in a virtual interview room through an interview link, automatically moving the job seeker from the on-deck position in the queue to the virtual interview room while the job provider representative is concurrently moved from the virtual lobby area to the virtual interview room. This interview link can be established through the job provider user interface and the job seeker interface, through a tightly coupled videoconferencing or teleconferencing software interface, through a separate videoconferencing or teleconferencing software application which may be linked to the interview queue, or through other types of communication interfaces or devices. Upon conclusion of the interview, in step 375, the interview link between the job provider and the job seeker is discontinued and processing may automatically continue to disposition phase 380. While the disposition process is ongoing, interview phase 350 may continue awaiting completion of the disposition of the just completed interview of the prior job seeker.
Disposition phase 380 includes steps for the job provider to evaluate the just interviewed job seeker and determine whether to continue interviewing other job seekers. In step 385, the job provider evaluates the just interview job seeker. This evaluation may be a simple rating system and/or a written set of comments regarding the job seeker. This evaluation may also include a recommendation such as to hire or not. The job provider may have made a hiring offer and received an acceptance from the job seeker during the interview process. If so, that offer and possible acceptance may be documented in this step. Then in step 390, the job provider may decide to continue the interview process if there was no decision to hire and there are additional job seekers to interview. If the job provider indicates a desire to continue interviewing job seekers from the interview queue, then processing may automatically return to the interview phase steps above, such as step 365. Otherwise, the interview process may cease and any job seekers remaining in the interview may kindly receive notification that the real-time interview process has discontinued.
Referring to
Management system 410 also interacts and utilizes various databases 430 such as job provider database 432, jobs database 434, job seeker database 436 and interview database 438. Databases 430 generally contain data and metadata that is retained long term for a variety of purposes including as an audit trail and for historical and predictive analysis as described below. Alternative embodiments may utilize other types of databases or may organize the present embodiment databases differently, such as into a single relational database.
Management system 410 includes various components for automatically implementing and managing job interviews between job providers and job seekers dynamically and in real-time. These components may be implemented in hardware, software running on hardware, or combinations thereof These include an intake system 415, a system manager 440, an intake system 450, an intelligent posting manager 460, a dynamic queue manager 470 and a real-time interview manager 480.
System manager 440 coordinates and manages the activities of the various components of management system 410 as well as their interaction with external components including the user interfaces 422, 427 and databases 430. System manager 440 also includes various timers 442 which are utilized throughout the real-time interview process as described herein. These may include a lobby timer for managing time spent reviewing a candidate job seeker before an interview, an acceptance timer to manage the time a job seeker has to accept an interview from the job provider representative, an interview timer for managing the time spent between a job seeker and a job provider representative in an interview, and a disposition timer managing the time spent by a job provider representative evaluating a job seeker post interview. The amount of time provided for each timer, referred to herein as a predetermined threshold, may be managed by system manager 440 based on predetermined criteria such as the results of analysis of historical data. Alternative embodiments may utilize different timers for different purposes through the interview process. These timers may be utilized to maintain a sense of urgency for the person involved in this automated process, as well as to provide predictability and transparency for those waiting in a queue for a virtual job interview.
Intake system 450 manages the intake or registration ofjob providers, job seekers and jobs for storage in databases 430. Intake system 450 includes a job provider intake 452, jobs intake 454 and job seeker intake 456. Job provider intake 452 manages the intake of job providers through job provider user interface 422 and stores the results in job provider database 452. Jobs intake 454 manages the intake of jobs from job providers through job provider user interface 422 and stores the results in jobs database 454. Job seeker intake 456 manages the intake of job seekers through job seeker user interface 427 and stores the results in job seeker database 456.
Intelligent job post manager 460 manages the posting of jobs currently available for real-time interviews. This includes posting jobs (also referred to herein as job listings) on various online bulletin boards or on social media, providing responses to queries from job seekers, and sending invitations to job seekers who qualifications fit certain predetermined criteria. Intelligent job post manager 460 may include a predictive analytical engine 462. Predictive analytical engine 462 may intelligently develop predictions of the best job seekers to invite for a virtual job interview. These predictions may be developed based on various statistical techniques such a regression analysis ofjob criteria (e.g., required and/or preferred criteria) and job provider attributes against job seeker qualifications and attributes. These predictions may also be developed based on machine learning or other artificial intelligence implementations of analytical model building to learn from data, identify patterns and make predictions. Other types of predictive analytics may also be utilized alone or in combination with statistical and machine learning analytics. Given the historical data retained in databases 430 for such analysis, sufficient information may be available for effective analysis and predictions that improves over time.
Dynamic queue manager 470 automatically manages a queue of job seekers requesting a virtual interview with job provider personnel regarding a specific job. Dynamic queue manager 470 includes a qualifications manager 472 and a queue 474. Qualifications manager 472 screens job seekers requesting an interview by comparing the qualifications of each job seeker from job seeker database 436 against required criteria for the job from jobs database 434, provides a set of screener questions for input (as set forth by the job provider) to each job seeker meeting the predetermined criteria, and either accepts each job seeker that qualifies into the queue for a virtual interview or kindly provides a rejection notification to each job seeker that does not qualify. The results of this qualification process may be stored in interview database 438 and qualified job seekers may then be forwarded to queue 474. As a result, queue 474 includes a list of qualified job seekers in line for a virtual interview with the job provider regarding the specific job. In the case of an interviewer(s) interviewing for multiple jobs concurrently, there may be a separate queue for each job or a single combined queue with each job seeker flagged for the job they are seeking. In the case of multiple interviewers interviewing job seekers for a single job, a single queue may be utilized. However, one or more virtual lobbies may be utilized by the multiple interviewers. Typically the queue is a first in first out (FIFO) queue whereby the first qualified job seekers that enter the queue are interviewed first. In the present embodiment, dynamic queue manager 470 will provide continuous or periodic information to each job seeker in the queue regarding their position in the queue and/or their expected wait time to provide predictability and transparency. The front position of queue 474 (i.e., the next job seeker in the queue to be interviewed) may be placed on-deck (in a subset of a virtual lobby described below) and dynamic queue manager may grant additional rights to that job seeker such as the ability to provide a direct message to the job provider about to interview that job seeker. Job seekers in queue 474 may exit at any time. Upon a job seeker exiting, the job seekers behind that job seeker in queue 474 may be moved up the queue and their wait times updated by dynamic queue manager 470. Dynamic queue manager 470 may also allow a job seeker to be on call while their position in job queue 474 is maintained. Job seekers in queue 474 may also request that the system notify them when they are about to be interviewed. Such a notification can be in the form of an SMS text, email, or other preferred communication type. Queue manager 470 is dynamic because it is responsive to multiple concurrent inputs and outputs which constantly modify the queue of job seekers to be interviewed as well as the queue wait information provided to those queued job seekers.
Real-time interview manager 480 automatically manages the interview between a job seeker and an interviewer (also referred to herein as job provider personnel) representing the job provider. Real-time interview manager 480 includes a virtual lobby 481, an interview room 482 and a disposition manager 484. Virtual lobby 481 is a virtual location where a job provider representative may be placed while waiting to interview job seekers or between interviews of qualified job seekers. The job seeker at the front of the queue may also be placed in the on-deck location, which may be a subset of the virtual lobby. While in lobby 481, the job provider representative may view a status of queue 474 and information about the job seekers in queue 474, particularly of the job seeker in the on-deck position in the virtual queue, such as described herein. Interview room 482 is a two way videoconferencing or teleconferencing solution between a job seeker and an interviewer representing a job provider. This conferencing solution within interview room 482 may be a custom built solution within real-time interview manager 480, an open source solution customized or otherwise fitted onto real-time interview manager 480, a third party solution linked with real-time interview manager 480, or other type of solution designed to be coordinated with real-time interview manager 480. Real-time interview manager helps establish and activates the conferencing link between the job seeker and the interviewer, monitors the conference and the link during the interview, then severs (deactivates) the conferencing connection upon the conclusion of the interview. In the case of multiple interviewer interviewing for one or more jobs concurrently, there may be a separate interview room for each interviewer. However, there may be separate lobbies or a shared lobby for the interviewers to work from. Upon the conclusion of the interview, processing for a given interview would then move from interview room 482 onto disposition manager 484. Disposition manager 484 can manage the post-interview evaluation of a job seeker by the interviewer and may include some feedback from the job seeker such as continued interest in the job. The interviewer may also indicate to disposition manager 484 that a hiring decision has been made with the job seeker. If a hiring decision has been made, disposition manager 484 can further the hiring process with the job seeker and also discontinue the interview process. If the interview process is discontinued, whether by a hiring decision or by the interviewer indicating that the interview process is over for other reasons, then dynamic queue manager 470 is notified of this decision and the decision may be stored in jobs database 434 and the results of the interview may be stored in interviews database 438. Dynamic queue manager 470 would then kindly notify the job seekers still within the queue that the interview process has been discontinued and the queue is then emptied. Real-time interview manager 480 can then store the results of the interview process in interview database 438.
Dynamic queue manager 470 and real-time interview manager 480 could be combined as a single component with queue 474 and virtual lobby 481 combined into a single virtual room with different access rights provided to job provider representative and job seekers based on their roles and where each is in the process described herein. For example, a job seeker that is on-deck (in the front of the job seeker queue and in the virtual lobby) may be given some additional communication rights compared to other job seekers. In addition, the job provider representative may be given greater access rights to the screener answers and resume of the job seeker when that job provider representative is in the virtual lobby versus in the interview room. Other variations and alternatives may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
In a first step 502, responsive to a job provider representative 420 registering a job provider online through job provider user interface 422, job provider intake 452 creates a job provider record in a job provider database 432. This job provider record can include a variety of information about the job provider including identifying information, general information about the job provider such as the location, type of industry, number of employees, and other attributes which may be useful as described herein. In a second step 504, responsive to the job provider representative 420 registering a job online through job provider user interface 422, jobs intake 454 creates a job record describing the job in jobs database 434. This job record can be cross linked to the job provider's record in job provider database 432. The job record may include information about the job such as job title, type of job (typically selected from a list of job categories), job responsibilities, location, a job description, hours, remuneration and job benefits, as well as predetermined job criteria (also referred to herein as job qualifications) for the job and an urgency to fill the job. Many of these information elements may be discrete selections from pull-down menus, which better enables searching and cross-comparison. The job provider may also include a set of screener questions for each job seeker applicant to answer. These screener questions may be required, preferred or informative. For example, the job provider may require 6 months experience in the job area, but prefer at least 2 years of experience. For another example, the job provider may desire a brief statement from each job seeker as to why they want the job. Sample screener questions may be provided by jobs intake 454 to job provider representative 420 for selection or job provider representative 420 may provide specific questions with requirements and preferences through job provider user interface 422. These sample screener questions may be customized for the job provider based on the job provider's attributes, the job's attributes, or other factors based on analysis of historical data in databases 430. Steps 502 and 504 may be performed concurrently. An Interview Now button may be provided by system manager to the job provider during job creation 440 in some situations. For example, if the urgency to fill the job is high and there are multiple persons identified in job seekers database 436 that meet the predetermined job criteria 604 (e.g., years of experience, reliable transportation available, etc.) set forth by the job provider, this button may be provided for possible selection by the job provider representative. If this button is selected by the job provider, then processing may continue directly to the preparation phase described herein. In a third step 506, responsive to a job seeker registering online through job seeker user interface 427, job seeker intake 456 creates a job seeker record in job seeker database 436. This job seeker record may include or be indexed to a resume provided by the job seeker for storage in job seeker database 436 associated with job seeker 425. This resume may include a set of job seeker qualifications. Step 506 may precede, be concurrent with, or follow steps 502 and 504. Alternative embodiments may utilize different processes for obtaining information about job providers, jobs and job seekers.
In step 512, a request is received from a job provider representative through job provider user interface 422 to start a real-time interview process of an identified job. This request is for an immediate invocation of the job interview process in the present embodiment. This request may be received during the registration of the job by a job provider in step 504 above. This request may also be received at any point after the job has been registered, at a time that is convenient for the job provider representative. Then in step 514, responsive to job provider representative 420 requesting a real-time interview of the identified job through job provider user interface 422, jobs intake 454 and/or system manager 440 creates an interview record in interviews database 438. This interview record may be utilized throughout this preparation process and the subsequent interview process as well as for historical analysis as described herein. Then in step 516, jobs intake 454 queries job provider representative 420 through job provider user interface 422 about some interview parameters such as time available for interviewing as well as any interview specific screener questions for the real-time interview process. Interview specific screener questions are in addition to the screener questions obtained in step 504 above and may contain criteria in addition to the predetermined criteria set forth in step 504 above. For example, due to a sudden opening of a job, the job provider may be interested in only interviewing those persons that are available to start work within 24 hours, which may be a requirement not generally required for that job. Parts of step 516 may have been completed during the job creation process described above with reference to step 504 in anticipation of the job provider requesting a real-time interview.
In step 518, system manager 440 may invoke real-time interview manager 480 and instruct job provider intake 452 to place the job provider representative in virtual lobby 481 to await interviews. Then in step 520, system manager 440 invokes dynamic queue manager 470 to create or otherwise open job interview queue 474 for maintaining a list of incoming qualified job seekers for the requested job interview process. Although shown as a separate component from virtual lobby 481, job interview queue 474 could be a part of that virtual lobby. Then in step 522, system manager 440 invokes intelligent job post manager 460 for posting the job. Then in step 524, job post manager 460 obtains information about the identified job from jobs database 434, flags that job record as available for real-time interviewing now (which would show up in response to applicable job seeker queries), and posts the job internally (e.g., internal bulletin boards) as well as externally (e.g., social media, external bulletin boards, etc.).
In step 526, intelligent job post manager may invoke predictive analytical engine 462 to intelligently identify a set of job seekers from job seeker database 436 that may be the best candidate job seekers for interviewing for the job. That is, promising candidates are identified and roughly ranked based on intelligent predictions, thereby creating a ranked set or list of qualified job seeker candidates. These predictions may be developed based on various statistical techniques such a regression analysis of job criteria (e.g., required and/or preferred criteria) and job provider attributes against job seeker qualifications and attributes. These predictions may also be developed based on machine learning or other artificial intelligence implementations for analytical model building to learn from data, identify patterns and make predictions. Other types of predictive analytics may also be utilized alone or in combination with statistical and machine learning analytics. Given the historical data retained in databases 430 for such analysis, sufficient information may be available for effective analysis and predictions that improves over time. In step 527, job provider representative 420 may be queried to review the ranked list of qualified job seekers for any modifications and approval. In reviewing the list, job provider representative 420 may be able to view the job seeker's qualifications, answers to screener questions, and resume. Job provider representative 420 may remove job seekers from the list, add job seekers to the list, or adjust the rankings of job seekers on the list. In step 528, intelligent job post manager starts sending invitations to job seekers identified by predictive analytical engine 462 and/or job provider representative 420. So as to not overwhelm the interview queue, these invitations may be sent out to the identified job seekers in small groups starting with the higher ranking job seekers and proceeding with other job seekers until the job interview queue reaches a predetermined maximum. This predetermined maximum may be based on the job provider input above and/or on historical analysis of prior interviews in interviews database. Job seekers may be invited based on their communication preferences in job seeker database 436.
Many of the steps in preparation phase 510 may be performed concurrently or in a different order than described here. For example, the job provider representative may be placed in virtual lobby 481, at the end of preparation phase 510, after the job has been posted. That is, while the job is posted, job provider representative 420 may wait in the virtual lobby area 481 awaiting the job interview queue 474 to start filling with qualified job seekers. In addition, some of the steps described in preparation phase 510 herein could be performed as part of an interview phase, and many of these steps could continue to be performed during the interview phase, such as the process of posting the job including sending invitations to candidate job seekers.
In step 532, as a result of the posting of the job in steps 522 through 528, qualified job seekers may dynamically and in real-time request, through job seeker user interface 427, to enter the job interview queue. That is, in response to the job posting, job seekers may request immediate admission to join the job interview queue. Responsive to this request by the job seeker, in step 534 qualifications manager 472 of dynamic queue manager 470 may ask the requesting job seeker several screener questions (provided by job provider representative as described above) through job seeker user interface 427. Upon receipt of the answers to the screener questions in step 535, then the answers and possibly the job seeker's resume are automatically compared by qualifications manager 472 to the predetermined job criteria as set forth by the job provider in step 536. If the job seeker's answers and other are determined by qualifications manager 472 to not meet the predetermined job criteria, then in step 538, the job seeker is kindly notified of their rejection by job seeker user interface 427 and removed from the interview process. Otherwise, in step 540, it is determined by dynamic queue manager 471 whether queue 474 has room for another job seeker. Upon a positive determination, the job seeker is placed in queue 474 and notified of that placement by dynamic queue manager 471 in step 542, otherwise the job seeker is kindly notified by job seeker user interface 427 in step 541 that the interview queue is currently full and suggest that the job seeker check again later.
In step 544, while each qualified job seeker is waiting for a virtual interview with the job provider, the job seeker may be provided queue wait information, information about the job provider may be provided for review by the job seeker, the job seeker may be provided an opportunity to update their resume, and the job seeker may request an SMS (short message service) text or other off-line push notification when the job seeker is about to be interviewed. For example, each job seeker may be provided information regarding their place within the interview queue and/or an expected time frame before their interview may begin. In addition, the job provider may be provided a status of the job interview queue such as showing the number of job applicants in the queue and approximate wait time to complete interviewing the complete queue. By reviewing the job provider information, the job seeker may be able to develop questions for asking the job provider representative in the upcoming interview as well as tailor their resume for that job provider. Furthermore, the job seeker may be able to wait for the interview off-line while waiting for a notification that they are about to be interviewed.
At this point, incoming qualified job seekers are placed into queue 474 by dynamic queue manager 470 and the job provider representative is waiting in virtual lobby 481 for the first interview. In step 546, real-time interview manager 480 places the job seeker at the head of the queue to on-deck, which may be a subset of virtual lobby 481. At this time, the job seeker may be notified of this event such as through SMS text or other off-line push communication. In step 547, while the job provider representative is in the virtual lobby and a job seeker is placed on-deck, a lobby timer 442 is started with a countdown clock displayed on job provider user interface 422 and possibly on job seeker user interface 427. This timer is the expected amount of time (i.e., predetermined threshold) that the job provider representative has to make a determination whether to interview or not interview the job seeker that is on-deck. In the present embodiment, the lobby timer is mandatory, and if the job provider representative does not make a decision in time, it is assumed that the interview process has concluded and processing for the current interview process ceases. In an alternative embodiment, or at the job provider's preference, the lobby timer is not mandatory, but it is suggestive to the job provider representative to move forward expeditiously. Then in step 548, job provider user interface pulls information about the job seeker from job seeker database 436 for review by the job provider representative. This information includes job seeker's answers to the screener questions, resume, and any other relevant information available regarding the job seeker. While in the on deck position, the job seeker may provide or otherwise volunteer any additional information to the job provider while that job provider representative is reviewing the job seeker's resume and answers to the screener questions. In an alternative embodiment, the job provider representative may look ahead at other job seekers in the queue to better anticipate the upcoming job seekers and their qualifications.
Then in step 550, job provider user interface 422 receives, from job provider representative 420, a decision whether to interview the job seeker that is on deck. For example, the job provider may view certain information on the job seeker's resume and determine that an interview would be unproductive for both the job provider and the job seeker. If the decision is negative, then in step 551, the job seeker is kindly notified through job seeker user interface 427 of the rejection, the rejection is stored in interviews database 438. If the decision provided by the job provider representative is positive, then in step 552, the on-deck job seeker is notified of the positive decision through the job seeker user interface and, such as if the job seeker is off-line, a notification is sent through an SMS text or other off-line push communication. A count-down acceptance timer 442 is then started in step 553 limiting the time available (i.e., predetermined threshold) for the job seeker to accept the positive decision online (which may require the job seeker to return online pursuant to the off-line communication) and request entry into the interview with the job provider. This acceptance timer may be displayed to the job provider through job provider user interface 422. In the present embodiment, the acceptance timer is mandatory, and if the on-deck job seeker does not make a decision in time, it is assumed that the job seeker is not available. In step 554, if no timely acceptance is received from the job seeker, then the job seeker is kindly notified that the interview has been cancelled, the job seeker is placed at the back of the interview queue, otherwise processing continues to step 555. In step 555, upon receiving an acceptance from the on-deck job seeker, both the job provider representative and the job seeker currently on-deck are placed in virtual interview room 482 through an interview link activated by real-time interview manager 480 to conduct the virtual real-time online interview session. This interview link can be established through the job provider user interface and the job seeker interface, through a tightly coupled videoconferencing or teleconferencing software interface, through a separate videoconferencing or teleconferencing software application which may be linked to the interview queue, or through other types of communication devices. For example, the interview room may be a synchronous video call powered by open source WebRTC (real-time communication) that has been implemented as a video stream in a browser utilized by the job provider representative and job seeker for access and utilization by the job provider user interface and the job seeker interface, respectively. This allows additional information about the job provider representative and the job seeker to be displayed along with the video stream.
In step 556, the job provider representative and the job seeker are placed in the virtual interview room by real-time interview manager 480 through job provider user interface 422 and job seeker user interface 427 to conduct a job interview. In addition, information about the job seeker (e.g., name, location, job title screener question answers, resume) is displayed by real-time interview manager 480 along with the videoconference feed on the job seeker user interface and additional information about the job provider and the job may be displayed by real-time interview manager 480 along with the videoconference feed in the job seeker user interface. The job provider representative may also be able to see the number of job seekers in the queue and be able to make notes for storage along with the subsequent results of the interview in interview database 438 by real-time interview manager 480. Furthermore, real-time interview manager 480 starts an interview timer 442 with a countdown clock displayed on the videoconference feed, possibly visible only to the job provider. This timer is the expected amount of time (i.e., predetermined threshold) that the job provider representative and job seeker have to complete their virtual interview. The expected amount of time may vary based on the type of job being interviewed or other predictive attributes. This timer may only be shown when there are additional job seekers in the queue to be interviewed. In the present embodiment, the interview timer is not mandatory, but is suggestive to the job provider representative and possibly the job seeker to move forward expeditiously. Alternatively, no timer may be utilized in this phase of the interview process.
Upon conclusion of the interview, in step 558, the job provider representative may indicate such by clicking on a button to “end interview” on the job provider user interface. Then in step 560, responsive to the clicking of the “end interview ” button, real-time interview manager discontinues the interview link between the job provider and the job seeker and passes control over to disposition manager 484 to manage the disposition of the just concluded interview. The job provider representative and the job seeker may be considered in a virtual disposition room within in the virtual lobby.
In step 572, a set of evaluation options are provided by disposition manager 484 through the job provider user interface to the job provider representative in evaluating the just interviewed job seeker. This may include options such as hire, schedule follow up later, schedule follow up now, talk to manager re this job seeker, reject, etc. A notes field for textual input may also be provided. A number ranking or other scaled ranking may also be provided for input by the job provider representative. Concurrently in step 574, a set of evaluation options are provided by disposition manager 484 through the job seeker user interface to the job seeker in evaluating the job provider and the job. Tis may include options such as whether the job seeker is interested, needs more information, not interested, etc. A number ranking or other scaled ranking may also be provided for input by the job seeker.
In step 576, also concurrently with steps 572 and 574, a disposition timer 442 is started with a countdown clock displayed on job provider user interface 422 and on job seeker user interface 427. This disposition timer is the expected amount of time (i.e., predetermined threshold) that the job provider representative has to evaluate the job seeker and the expected amount of time the job seeker has to evaluate the job provider and the job. In the present embodiment, the disposition timer is mandatory for the job provider representative if there are additional job seekers in the interview queue. If the job provider representative does not make an evaluation in time, it is assumed that the interview process has concluded and processing for the current interview process ceases. The disposition timer for the job seeker may not be mandatory, but is suggestive to the job seeker to move forward expeditiously.
In step 578, the evaluation is received from the job provider representative through job provider user interface 422. Disposition manager 484 then stores the job provider's evaluation results in interviews database 438. If the job provider representative selected schedule follow up now, then the just interviewed job seeker is invited to return to the interview queue for a follow up interview. Then in step 580, the job provider representative is returned to the virtual lobby to review the next job seeker that is on-deck. In step 582, the evaluation is received from the job seeker through job seeker user interface 427. Disposition manager 484 then stores the job seeker's evaluation results in interviews database 438. Then in step 584, if the job provider representative selected schedule follow up now, then the just interviewed job seeker is notified and invited to return to the interview queue for a follow up interview. Additionally, if the job provider representative selected reject, then the just interviewed job seeker is kindly notified of this result and is exited from the interview process. Additional follow up may occur later on based on input from the job provider representative. The above automated process with continue indefinitely until there are no more job seekers to interview or until the job provider representative selects to exit the interview process such as described above.
Such an invitation may appear similar in form and functionality to side display 646. In such an invitation, button 648 may include a link with the job seeker's identification embedded in the link.
Identification of the job seeker 705 may be entered by the job seeker or that may be filled in automatically by the job seeker user interface if the job seeker is logged into the underlying system through the user interface or if the job seeker is responding to an invitation by pressing the interview now button which includes a link with identification of the job seeker embedded in that link. Screener questions 707 include the screener questions provided by the job provider as described above and each screener question includes an entry field for the job seeker to answer the screener question. A link is provided to the job seeker's resume, which the job seeker may click and access their resume for review and optionally for tailoring that resume for the job. While working on tailoring their resume, the job seeker may review the detailed description of the job 712. Once the job seeker has completed the screener questions, has optionally tailored their resume, and is ready for interviewing immediately for the job, the job seeker can then select the confirm interview request button. Processing would then continue towards the interview process. As described above, upon selecting this interview request, the job seeker's resume and screener questions are reviewed and compared to the predetermined job criteria by qualifications manager 472. If the job seeker is not qualified, then the job seeker with kindly receive a notification of that result. Otherwise, processing would continue towards interviewing. In the present embodiment, the job seeker would then receive a queue confirmation page as shown in
The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction processing device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or other programming languages such as Java. The computer readable program instructions may be processed entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may process the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.
Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.
These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a special purpose machine, such that the instructions, which are processed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which are processed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more performable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be processed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be processed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
A data processing system suitable for storing and/or processing program code will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual processing of the program code, bulk storage media, and cache memories, which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage media during processing.
A data processing system may act as a server data processing system or a client data processing system. Server and client data processing systems may include data storage media that are computer usable, such as being computer readable. A data storage medium associated with a server data processing system may contain computer usable code such as for automatically implementing and managing interviews between job providers and qualified job seekers dynamically and in real-time. A client data processing system may download that computer usable code, such as for storing on a data storage medium associated with the client data processing system, or for using in the client data processing system. The server data processing system may similarly upload computer usable code from the client data processing system such as a content source. The computer usable code resulting from a computer usable program product embodiment of the illustrative embodiments may be uploaded or downloaded using server and client data processing systems in this manner.
Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/030,287, filed May 26, 2020, entitled “Systems and Methods to Enhance Technology Including Employment and Security Related Technology”, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63030287 | May 2020 | US |
