On-Line Job Application Process Utilizing Configurable Rules to Dynamically Modify Job Application Workflow

In at least on embodiment, a job application workflow system and method utilize a dynamic workflow engine to automatically and dynamically modify job application workflow to modify generation and presentation of a job application to a job applicant for a job with a job provider. The system and method respond to data input by the job applicant to dynamically modify a job application workflow in accordance to a set of rules. In at least one embodiment, the rule sets are of multiple types, such as general rules and job application specific rules, configured by multiple entities, such as a job provider and a job application host. This set of rules provided by the job provider and host for automatically generating the job application may be supplemented with conditions or additional rules previously set forth in the system.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to automatic real-time management of dynamic on-line job applications, and more specifically to a computer implemented method and system for utilizing configurable rules to automatically manage dynamic on-line job applications.

Description of Related Art

Traditionally, job applicants completed paper job applications with pen or pencil. These job applications may have been general forms utilized by multiple employers or a more specialized form for a given employer. A job applicant could complete the job application and may attach a resume to that job application for consideration by the employer.

With the advent of computers and the internet, this job application process has been largely duplicated on-line. That is, an employer or a third party recruiting and/or hiring service may provide a static, electronic job application to a job applicant on-line. The job application process follows a static workflow so that the job applicant completes all the required data fields and provides any requested information, such as attaching a resumé. The job applicant then submits the completed application electronically for consideration by the employer or hiring service. As with paper job applications, such electronic job applications may be a general form utilized by multiple employers or a more specialized form for a given employer.

SUMMARY

The illustrative embodiments of job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes provide a method, system, and/or non-transitory, computer usable program product for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications including receiving, from a first computer system of a job provider representative, a set of configurable rules for presenting a job application to a job applicant; receiving, from a second computer system, an initiation of the job application from the job applicant; responsive to the initiation of the job application, automatically providing the job application to the first computer system of the job applicant in accordance with the set of configurable rules from the second computer system of the job provider representative; receiving information regarding the job applicant; and dynamically modifying the job application presented to the first computer system of the job applicant in response to the information regarding the job applicant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Processes and devices may be implemented and utilized for implementing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications. These processes and apparatuses may be implemented and utilized as will be explained with reference to the various embodiments below.

In at least on embodiment, a job application workflow system and method utilize a dynamic workflow engine to automatically and dynamically modify job application workflow to modify generation and presentation of a job application to a job applicant for a job with a job provider. In at least one embodiment, “job application dynamic workflow” refers to dynamic modification of job application processes that include (i) modifying job application steps taken by a job applicant completing the job application, such as adding, removing, and reordering job application steps and (ii) redirecting a job applicant to a different job application relative to a current job application. The system and method respond to data input by the job applicant to dynamically modify a job application workflow in accordance to a set of rules. In at least one embodiment, the rule sets are of multiple types, such as general rules and job application specific rules, configured by multiple entities, such as a job provider and a job application host. This set of rules provided by the job provider and host for automatically generating the job application may be supplemented with conditions or additional rules previously set forth in the system. This set of rules utilized by the system dynamically modifies the job application workflow in response to information obtained or received from the job applicant or from third party data in real-time while that job applicant completes the job application. The job application workflow system and method can reorder job application processes, such as job applicant data requests, and redirect the job applicant to jobs more suitable to the job applicant by modifying the job application in real-time to, for example, match the job applicant to a job application that is more suitable to the job applicant's qualifications and aspirations.

The description of the job application workflow system and method herein utilize examples from a job search intermediary providing communications with and between job providers and job seekers to further enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. The job application workflow system and method, including modifications and variations thereof, may be utilized in other hosted communication environments as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

FIG.1provides a high level block diagram of a job application, dynamic workflow system100utilizing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic workflow of on-line job applications.FIG.2provides a high level dynamic job application workflow process200utilized by at least one embodiment of the system100for utilizing configurable rules to automatically manage the dynamic workflow of on-line job applications. Referring toFIGS.1and2, a job application dynamic workflow management system110manages a dynamic job application workflow process200. The subsequent discussion describes a job application workflow process with reference to a single job applicant completing a job application, although many such job applicants may be completing job applications for various jobs concurrently.

Job application management system110interacts with a job applicant130in real-time through a job applicant user interface135on a first computer system to complete a dynamic on-line job application for a job. Job application management system also interacts with a job provider representative140in real-time through job provider user interface145on a second computer system to generate a set of rules for implementing the job application for the job. A job provider may be an employer seeking a job applicant employee, a general contractor seeking a job applicant contractor, a non-profit organization seeking a job applicant volunteer, etc. A job applicant may include, but not limited to, a job seeker, a job candidate, or other similar terms which may be utilized herein. Databases150are utilized to maintain a variety of information utilized and stored by job application dynamic workflow management system110. Services190are also provided for job application dynamic workflow management system110in accordance with the set of rules. Services190may also directly access databases150as needed to perform services for job application, dynamic workflow system110.

Job application management system110(also referred to herein as management system110) may include a system manager115, a job applications workflow manager120, a rules configuration engine124, a job application state machine126and a machine learning module128. System manager115may be utilized for coordinating and managing the various components of management system110as well as their interaction with external components including user interfaces135,145databases150and services190. System manager115may include timers117for use as described herein. Job application workflow manager120(also referred to herein as workflow manager120) manages the dynamic application process of job applicant130in accordance with the configurable rules. Rules configuration engine124manages the configuration of rules by job provider representative140. Rules may include two primary components, a set of rule conditions and a set of rule actions. That is, if the rule conditions are met, then the rule actions are taken in response. A rule action may be one or more of a set of services. Job application state machine126(also referred to herein as state machine126) may manage the state of each job application being processed. That is, state machine126keeps track of where a job applicant is within the job application process, which may be useful in determining which rules to apply and when to apply those rules. For example, certain rules may only apply to a request to complete a job application, the completion of a certain page within the job application, etc. State machine126may help distinguish where a job applicant is within the job application process for such rule application. State machine126may be placed internal to workflow manager120or internal to system manager115. Alternatively, user interface135may also maintain a current state of the job application process and provide that information to workflow manager120as an action type or other indication. Machine learning module128may be utilized by rules configuration engine124to generate or modify certain rules, utilized by workflow engine120as a service, and utilized by system manager115for other operations. The utilization and coordination of these various components of management system110are described in greater detail herein.

Databases150include a variety of database utilized by management system110and services190. These include system databases160, system rules170and job provider rule180. System databases160include job provider database162, job applicant database164, jobs database166and job applications database168. Job provider database162includes information about various job providers that may be seeking to fill jobs with qualified job applicants. Job provider database may include a unique job provider identifier for each job provider as well as profile and other information regarding each job provider. Job applicant database164includes information about various job applicants that may be seeking jobs to apply for employment or other opportunities. Job applicant database164may include a unique job applicant identifier for each job applicant as well as profile and other information (e.g., a resume) regarding each job applicant. A temporary record may be created in this database for each job applicant that accesses the present job application, dynamic workflow system if they have not logged in or previously registered with the present job application, dynamic workflow system. Jobs database166may include information about each job currently or even previously available for filling with a qualified job applicant. Jobs database166may include a unique identifier for each job as well as qualifications and other parameters regarding each job. Jobs database166may also include a cross-reference with job provider database through the use of the job provider unique identifier. Job applications database168may include information about each job application generated by workflow engine120with input provided by job applicant130through job applicant user interface135. Job applications database168may include with each job application a unique identifier for the corresponding job applicant, job provider and job. Job applications database168may also include other information provided by job applicant130during the job application completion process as managed by workflow engine120. Alternative embodiments may organize such data differently, as may be appreciated by on of ordinary skill in the art.

Services190include various services which may be performed in response to any rules to provide information or analysis useful for carrying out those rules. That is, if certain rule conditions are met for a rule, then the rule action of that rule may be to perform one or more services. These services may be external to management system110as shown, or internal to management system110or a combination of internal and external. Services may include qualification assessment service192, behavioral assessment service194, consistency service196, calendaring service198, and other services199. Qualification assessment service assesses the qualifications of the job applicant against the criteria of the job being applied to or against the criteria of multiple jobs open for job applicants. Behavioral assessment service194assesses the on-line behavior of the job application to determine whether the job applicant may be new to the job applicant process, whether the job applicant may be submitting excessive number of job applications in a limited time, or other behavioral patterns which may be useful. Consistency service196may assess whether the job applicant is consistent in their responses to job application questions or other fields within the job application. Calendaring service198may schedule an interview between a job applicant and the job provider. The job provider can identify interviewers and times they are available for interviewing job candidates for one or more open jobs, which is then utilized for calendaring interview with job candidates meeting certain rules. Other services199can include a multitude of other services that may be performed under certain conditions, such as a result of a rule, and may provide information useful for determining whether other rules may be met such as described herein.

FIG.2provides a high level flow diagram200for utilizing configurable rules to automatically manage dynamic on-line job applications, in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. This high level flow diagram illustrates job applicant management system110managing the job application process of job applicant130completing an on-line application through on-line user interface135. As explained herein, most of this job application process is managed by job application workflow manager120. As the applicant completes portions of the on-line application, referred to herein as actions, these actions are processed in accordance with a set of configurable rules. This process may be initiated after a job applicant has searched for and found a job opening and has requested to complete a job application to submit for consideration for that job opening. This process is described with reference to the elements illustrated inFIG.1.

In a first step205, a discernable action performed job applicant on the on-line application through the user interface is received or otherwise detected. This discernable action may be an initial request to complete the on-line application, the completion of a field or a button selection on a page of the on-line application, the completion of the page of the on-line application (which may be indicated by selecting a next button), or the completion of the application (which may be indicated by the applicant selecting a finish or submit button). Other types of discernable actions that may be detected may include the user performing typing in text, clicking a mouse, or even not performing any action for a threshold period of time. Each action may include content associated with that action. For example, when a job applicant completes a page of an application, the content of that page may be associated with and utilized in association with the action. The types of discernable actions, referred to herein as action types, may be detected or otherwise determined and then acted upon depending on the configurable rules such as described below. For ease of reference, the discernable actions generally referred to in this figure are the completion of a page of an on-line application, although other types of discernable actions may be discussed as well.

Responsive to this job applicant action, in step210, application workflow engine120automatically determines whether any of the various rules are applicable to the job applicant action. That is, the action and the content associated with that action is compared to the condition(s) of each of the rules to determine which rule(s) may apply to that job applicant action. This comparison may be reduced by utilizing the action type to a categorization of the rules by action type. That is, if each rule includes one or action types of which it may be applicable, then the number of rule comparisons may be reduced. In addition, certain rules may have already been applied and may be effectively inactivated for subsequent actions. For example, the current order of the application pages may have been determined by a set of rules when the job applicant initiates a job application for a given job, but that set of rules may not be reapplied on other actions taken during the job application process. If there is a negative determination (i.e., there are no applicable rules for the current job application action), then the workflow manager may automatically move processing to step260as described below. Otherwise, if there is a positive determination by workflow manager120, then processing may automatically continue to step220.

Then in step220, a determination is made automatically by workflow manager120whether any services190should be performed in response to an applicability of any rules from step210. This may include a qualification assessment of the job applicant to the job, an assessment whether the job applicant may be new to the application process which may initiate a training session with the job applicant, an assessment whether the job applicant may be submitting an excessive number of job applications in a short period of time, a comparison of information provided by the applicant against information stored in the applicant's profile, calendaring an appointment of the job applicant if certain conditions are met, etc. If there are multiple applicable rules that request services, then those services may be performed in a tiered order. For example, a qualification assessment service may be performed prior to a calendaring service. If there is a positive determination in step220, the processing automatically continues to step225for workflow manager120to invoke the applicable services190. Otherwise processing automatically continues to step230for workflow manager120. Once the applicable services190have been invoked by workflow manager120and completed in step225, processing also automatically continues to step230for workflow manager120.

In step230, a determination is made automatically by workflow manager120whether any of the applicable rules may modify the current job application process. For example, the applicable rules (rules identified as applicable in step210above) may include rule actions to modify the application process by, for example, adding, removing, or reordering the pages for completion by the job applicant for the current job. For another example, the applicable rules may include rule actions to promote the job applicant completing the job application or rule actions to discourage completion of the job application. Such encouragement may include removing pages less necessary or completion and discouragement may include various types of “friction” such as continually asking “are you sure” or other such impediments. Upon a positive determination in step230by workflow manager120, processing automatically continues to step235, otherwise processing continues to step240. In step235, workflow manager120automatically implements the rule actions of the applicable rules. In the case of multiple applicable rules, the rule actions may be performed automatically by workflow engine120in accordance with the rule tiers such as described above. Processing then automatically continues to step240.

In step240, a determination is made automatically by workflow manager120whether any of the applicable rules may instruct the workflow manager to redirect the job applicant to other available jobs or to implement other redirection actions. For example, an applicable rule of redirection, based partly on a qualification assessment in step225in response to that rule, may instruct the workflow manager to discourage the job applicant in step235and to encourage the job applicant to pursue other job applications. If a positive determination is made in step240by workflow manager120, then processing automatically continues to step245, otherwise processing automatically continues to step250. In step245, workflow manager120may automatically invoke certain services to identify alternative jobs which may better fit the job applicant's qualifications, then present those alternative jobs to job applicant130through user interface135. Processing then automatically continues to step250.

In step250, a determination is automatically made by workflow manager120whether processing of the current application has been completed. If a positive determination, then processing ends in step290, otherwise processing continues to step260. Then in step260, the current job application is automatically processed in accordance with the action, action type and content. For example, if the job applicant has completed a page in the job application, workflow manager may store the job applicant provided content from that job application page to job application database168. Processing then automatically continues to step270where workflow manager determines whether the job application process of the current application has been completed. If there is a positive determination, then processing ends for the current job application in step290, otherwise processing automatically returns to step205for receiving or detecting the next job applicant action through user interface135.

FIGS.3A and3Bdepict block diagrams of an action300, a rule350, and their components. Action300includes an action type310and content320. Action type310includes information regarding the type of action taken by the job applicant on the job application. This may include initiating the job application, completing a particular field in the job application, completing a page of the job application, submitting the job application for submission, etc. Content320includes the content provided by the job applicant130on the job application through the job applicant user interface135. This can include profile information regarding the job applicant, a resume, answers to screener questions, etc. Alternative embodiments may include additional or different components or fields, as may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Rule350includes an action type360, a tier365, a condition370, a rule action380, and a link390. Action type360includes the action type for which the rule may apply. For example, some rules may apply only when the job applicant initiates the job application process, when the job applicant completes a certain page of the job application, when the job applicant completes any page of the job application, when the job applicant submits the completed application, etc. Action type applicability may be built into the condition of the rule, but by separately identifying the action type, the rules may be organized for checking only when those action types occur during the job application process. Tier 365 is a hierarchical categorization of the rules so as to avoid conflicts between the rules and to coordinate the rules. For example, some rules may generate different results depending on the order in which they are utilized. Condition370includes the conditions for the rule to apply to a given set of circumstances within the job application process. Rule action380includes the actions taken in response to the conditions being met. Essentially, condition370is the “if” of an if/then/else statement and rule action380is the “then/else’ of the if/then/else statement. Condition380may include multiple conditions such as “if A or B” and rule action may include multiple actions such as “then C and D, else E”. Link390allows for multiple rules to be linked together in series. For example, if a rule applies (i.e., the condition is met), then after the rule action has been taken another rule may be invoked. For example, a qualification assessment may be performed under certain conditions. Upon completion of the qualification assessment, an additional rule may be applied to determine whether to schedule an interview with that job applicant. Alternative embodiments may include additional or different components of fields, as may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG.4depicts a high level block diagram of a job application400which may be modified or redirected by configurable rules, in which various embodiments of the job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes may be implemented. Job application400may be completed by job applicant130through job applicant user interface135as managed by job application dynamic workflow management system110in accordance with the various rules stored in databases150. In the present embodiment, job application400includes multiples pages410, each page including a title420, a set of content430and at least one selection440to move to another page or other selective action. Although shown as pages, alternative embodiments may utilize a single page with multiple sections or other types of displaying and collecting the job application information. In the present embodiment, page 1, entitled “Profile”, may request general profile information regarding the job applicant. This general profile may include contact information regarding the job applicant as well as other general information regarding the applicant. If the job applicant has logged into the system, previously stored information regarding the job applicant may be used to prefill much of this general profile information. The page 1 selection is to continue onto the next page. That is, when the job applicant has completed page 1 of the job application, the job applicant may select continue to proceed to page 2 of the job application. Page 2, entitled “Resume”, may include an opportunity for the job applicant to attach a resume to the job application. The page 2 selection is to either attach a document and/or continue to the next page. Page 2 may also allow the job applicant to include information regarding references. Page 3, entitled “Questions”, may include an opportunity for the job applicant to answer screener questions provided by the job provider. These screener questions may include questions that the job provider asks all job applicants for all jobs, questions that the job provider asks all job applicants for a given job type, and questions specific to the job for which the job applicant is applying. The page 3 selection is to continue onto the next page. Page 4, entitled “Support”, may include an opportunity for the job applicant to attach one or more documents to the job application. This document may include documentation of certain certifications, a driver's license (where applicable), etc. The page 4 selection is to either attach a document and/or continue to the next page. Page 5, entitled “Review”, may include an opportunity for the job applicant to review all the previously provided content prior to submitting the current job application for consideration. The page 5 selection is to cancel or submit. That is, the job applicant may decide to cancel the job application rather than to submit that job application for consideration. Page 6, entitled “Confirm”, is an informational page to the job applicant with content confirming that the job application was completed and forwarded to the job provider. The page 6 selection for the job applicant is to return to job searching. Alternative embodiments may include other pages, content and layout as may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill of the art.

FIG.5provides a user interface page500for a job provider to configure rules for modifying the job application, for setting forth the conditions for redirecting the job applicant, and for other desired effects on the job application process, in which various embodiments of the job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes may be implemented. That is, a job provider representative140through job provider user interface145with rules configuration engine124to configure rules for a job application to be completed by job applicants130. In an alternative embodiment, a job provider representative as rules. However, such an approach may require detailed understanding of the underlying system and corresponding extensive training. A system programmer may be able to program detailed system rules without the need for a constructed user interface for those purposes. Such a system programmer may also be able to take better advantage of machine learning128in creating and implementing such system rules.

User interface page500includes job information510, screener question generator520, and job application modifications550. Job information510include identification of the job provider512, identification of the job type514and identification of the job516. Job provider512may be gleaned from the job provider representative logging into the user interface. Job type514may be identified from a pull down menu. Job516may also be identified from a pull down menu or it may be typed in if not available from the pull down menu. The selection of the job type may vary the choices of screener questions520. Screener questions520may include a preset screener question525that is required by the job provider for all job applications. Preset screener question525may include a pull down menu527for the job provider representative to select the level needed to qualify for job516. Screener questions520may also include other questions for selection include screener question530,532,534and536. Screener questions530,532and534may be predesignated and provided as options given the selection of job type above. Screener question536may be a more free form question which the job provider representative may complete. Screener questions530,532,534and536include a selection button540, a brief description of the question541, a pull down menu or other input542to select an answer desired, a requirement button544, an interview button546and a redirect button548. If selection button540is selected, then that question will be asked in the screener questions page of the job application. If required button544is selected, then the answer desired542is a requirement and a rule may be generated to implement that requirement. If interview button546is selected, then any job applicant meeting the desired answer for that screener question will be asked for an interview. That is, a rule is generated such that if the job applicant provides the desired answers to these selected screener questions, a calendaring service may be invoked to schedule an interview with the job applicant. If redirect button548is selected, then a job applicant not meeting the desired answer for that screener question may be redirected to a different job. That is, a rule is generated such that if the job applicant does not provide the desired answers to these questions, then a service for finding alternative jobs for the job candidate may be run and those alternatives may be provided to the job applicant in a pop up window.

User interface page500also includes job application modification550. The standard pages552, such as shown inFIG.4above, and their brief description553may be displayed along with two optional pages A-B which may be added. Also provided are a reorder selection554and a deletion selection556for pages 1-6, and an addition selection558for the two optional pages A-B. The job applicant representative may reorder the numbering of the job application pages numerically in reorder selection554. In the present example, the screener questions are asked prior to the job applicants identifying themselves, the resume page and the supporting documents page are removed, and both optional questions A-B are included prior to the review and confirmation pages.

As the job provider completes the user interface, rules configuration engine124may generate rules implementing the selections made by the job provider representative. This may include system based conditions added to job provider based rules, such as described below. These rules may be included with action type so that they many are implemented as a job applicant initiates a job application, implemented as the job applicant works on the application, and/or implemented when the job applicant submits a completed job application. An example of the implementation of such rules upon initiation of a job application is shown inFIG.6below.

FIG.6provides a flow diagram600of a job application presented to a job applicant in accordance with the selection made by a job provider representative as shown inFIG.5, in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The following is described including system rules and conditions that may be automatically added to the rules derived from input from job provider through user interface page500. In a first step, responsive to a job applicant initiating a job application, a system rule with a high priority.

In a first step605, a job applicant initiation of a job application for a job or a request thereof is detected or received. Job application workflow engine120may receive information identifying the job such as a unique job identifier. Then in step610, workflow engine120automatically utilizes the job identifier to identify the job type, the job provider, and the applicable system and job provider rules from databases150. In step615, workflow engine120implements the highest priority (i.e., highest tier) rules applicable to a job application being initiated. In this embodiment, that would be a rule invoking a behavioral assessment service and receiving the results. In the present embodiment, the job applicant is determined by behavior assessment service to have performed several searches and viewed several jobs prior to initiating the present job application, so the job applicant may be viewed as a promising candidate given prior analysis performed by machine learning128. Alternatively, if the job applicant had applied to the first five jobs the job applicant viewed, the job applicant may be viewed as a less promising candidate given prior analysis performed by machine learning128.

In step620, workflow engine120then automatically implements medium priority rules applicable to a job application being initiated. In the present embodiment, this would be to implement the rules regarding automatically generating a job application for the job applicant in accordance with the job provider rules derived from the job provider user interface such as shown inFIG.5above. In the present embodiment, with reference toFIG.5, this would the questions page first, the profile page second, the IT skills page third, a calendaring page fourth (if applicable as described below), a review page fifth and a confirmation page sixth. Then, in step625, workflow engine120starts presenting the generated job application from step620to the applicant130through job applicant user interface135. In the present embodiment, there may be a system rule against calendaring an interview for a job applicant determined to be less than promising as described in step615above. In such a case, the job application would be dynamically and automatically generated with the questions page first, the profile page second, the IT skills page third, a review page fourth and a confirmation page fifth. Other such rules may apply to vary the pages presented to the job applicant.

Processing would then automatically continue such as shown above with reference toFIG.2. However, there are nodes in the dynamic job application workflow process200whereby the job application workflow may be dynamically modified in accordance with information obtained from and about the job applicant by, for example, redirecting the job application to a new job application or reordering job application workflow of a current job application process. Depending on the answers to the screener page, the job applicant may be redirected to other jobs and, thus, other job applications. With reference to redirect questions548shown inFIG.5, if the job applicant does not have a high school education or if the job applicant does not have a commercial driver's license (i.e., the rule conditions), then the job applicant may be directed to other jobs (i.e., the rule actions). With reference to interview questions546, if the job applicant does not have a high school education, a commercial driver's license, or is not within 25 miles of the office (i.e., the rule conditions), then the calendaring page may be dynamically removed from the job application presented to the job applicant (i.e., the rule actions). The job application may still be submitted to the job provider and the job provider may then contact the job applicant for an interview at a later date. In an alternative embodiment, the job application may be generated “on the fly”. That is, each page is dynamically generated as the job applicant completes the prior page of the job application. Other such alternative embodiments may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG.7depicts a block diagram of an illustrative data processing system in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Data processing system700is one example of a suitable data processing system and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the embodiments described herein. Regardless, data processing system700is capable of being implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth herein such as utilizing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications.

Computer system/server712may 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/server712may 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 job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes 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 inFIG.7, computer system/server712in data processing system700is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server712may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units716, a system memory728, and a bus718that couples various system components including system memory728to processor716.

Computer system/server712typically includes a variety of non-transitory computer system usable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server712, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory728can include non-transitory computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM)730and/or cache memory732. Computer system/server712may further include other non-transitory removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example, storage system734can 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 bus718by one or more data media interfaces. Memory728may 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. Memory728may also include data that will be processed by a program product.

Program/utility740, having a set (at least one) of program modules742, may be stored in memory728by 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 modules742generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of the embodiments. For example, a program module may be software for utilizing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications.

Computer system/server712may also communicate with one or more external devices714such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display724, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server712; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server712to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces722through wired connections or wireless connections. Still yet, computer system/server712can 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 adapter720. As depicted, network adapter720communicates with the other components of computer system/server712via bus718. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server712. 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.

FIG.8depicts a block diagram of an illustrative network of data processing systems in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Data processing environment800is a network of data processing systems such as described above with reference toFIG.7. Software applications such as for utilizing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications may be processed on any computer or other type of data processing system in data processing environment800. Data processing environment800includes network810. Network810is the medium used to provide simplex, half duplex and/or full duplex communications links between various devices and computers connected together within data processing environment800. Network810may include connections such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.

Server820and client840are coupled to network810along with storage unit830. In addition, laptop850and facility880(such as a home or business) are coupled to network810including wirelessly such as through a network router853. A mobile device860such as a mobile phone may be coupled to network810through a cell tower862. Data processing systems, such as server820, client840, laptop850, mobile device860and facility880contain 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 network810.

Server820may include software application824and data826for utilizing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications or other software applications and data in accordance with embodiments described herein. Storage830may contain software application834and a content source such as data836for utilizing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications. Other software and content may be stored on storage830for sharing among various computer or other data processing devices. Client840may include software application844and data846. Laptop850and mobile device860may also include software applications854and864and data856and866. Facility880may include software applications884and data886on local data processing equipment. Other types of data processing systems coupled to network810may also include software applications. Software applications could include a web browser, email, or other software application for utilizing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications.

Server820, storage unit830, client840, laptop850, mobile device860, and facility880and other data processing devices may couple to network810using wired connections, wireless communication protocols, or other suitable data connectivity. Client840may be, for example, a personal computer or a network computer.

In the depicted example, server820may provide data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to client840and laptop850. Server820may be a single computer system or a set of multiple computer systems working together to provide services in a client server environment. Client840and laptop850may be clients to server820in this example. Client840, laptop850, mobile device860and facility880or some combination thereof, may include their own data, boot files, operating system images, and applications. Data processing environment800may include additional servers, clients, and other devices that are not shown.

Among other uses, data processing environment800may 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 environment800may also employ a service oriented architecture where interoperable software components distributed across a network may be packaged together as coherent business applications.

The job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes 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 job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes.

Aspects of the job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes 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 job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes. 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.

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 utilizing configurable rules for automatically managing dynamic on-line job applications. 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.

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 job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes 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 disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the job application, dynamic workflow systems and processes for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.