Abstract:
A method for electronically facilitating an application process comprises creating a customized application for a data requester, the customized application being accessed via an Internet link to which access is controlled, granting access to the customized application to a specified data provider, accepting data from the specified data provider, providing an information management tool to the data requester, the information management tool being operable to manipulate the data from the specified data provider, and exchanging data between the data provider and the data requester. The present invention may be implemented by a computer carrying an ordered set of instructions which, when executed, perform the above-identified method.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present invention is a divisional of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/136,194 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Creating and Processing Applications” filed 30 Apr. 2002 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to computerized application transactions and more particularly to creating, controlling access to, and manipulating data entered into an on-line application.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Employers incur great expense when hiring new personnel. In a typical hiring process, the employer advertises a job opening and applicants respond by submitting a resume. The employer reviews the resumes and selects those applicants that meet the minimum job requirements. The employer calls the selected applicants in for a personal interview and asks the selected applicants to complete an employment application. The employer examines the employment applications and orders third party services to verify the truthfulness of the information contained in the applicant&#39;s resume and employment application. Third party services may include criminal background checks, driver&#39;s license checks, credit report requests, education credential verifications, reference checks, and previous employment verifications, among others. Relying on the selected applicant&#39;s resume, personal interview, employment application, and third party service results, the employer elects to make or withhold an offer of employment to an applicant.  
         [0004]     Each stage of the hiring process is impeded by the lack of a centralized system for facilitating the application process. The lack of a centralized system may require multiple entry of the same data for different stages of the application process. For example, during the personal interview, the applicant fills out a paper employment application. A company employee enters the job applicant data from the paper employment application into the company&#39;s computer system. When requesting a third party service for the applicant, such as a criminal records check, the company may print a hard copy of the employment application and fax the employment application to the third party service provider. An employee of the third party service provider may then re-enter the job applicant data into the third party service provider&#39;s computer system. The results from the criminal background check may be entered into the third party service provider&#39;s computer. The third party service provider may fax the results to the company. Again, a company employee enters the results of the criminal background check into the company&#39;s database.  
         [0005]     The lack of a centralized system may impede the distribution of information within a company. For example, an applicant may be qualified for several positions, each in a different department, within the same company. Thus, it is desirable for each department manager to review the applicant&#39;s employment application, resume, etc. However, due to the lack of a centralized system, each department manager cannot access this information. Thus, the human resources department must send paper copies of the applicant&#39;s information to each department manager. Furthermore, the human resources department must enter any comments made by a department manager into the company&#39;s database.  
         [0006]     The lack of a centralized system increases the time needed to process an application, wastes manpower, increases the risk that incorrect, or inconsistent, data will be entered into the company&#39;s or third party service provider&#39;s database, and increases the time necessary to make a well-informed hiring decision.  
         [0007]     Some attempts have been made to increase the efficiency of the application process. For example, applicants can submit a resume on-line. In the typical case, an applicant views a company&#39;s website, clicks on the company&#39;s career link, attaches their resume to an email, and sends the email to the company&#39;s human resources department. However, the electronic resume may still be need to be manipulated into the correct format or the data re-entered into the company&#39;s database. Furthermore, after the company determines that the applicant meets the minimum job requirements, the applicant may still be required to complete a paper employment application. The information contained on the paper employment application must be entered by an employee into the company&#39;s database.  
         [0008]     Attempts to create an on-line employment application have also been made. However, such on-line employment applications are very expensive and require specialized programming or web-design knowledge. The expense of such previous on-line applications is compounded by the fact the each job description may require a different on-line application.  
         [0009]     Additionally, current on-line employment applications may be accessed by non-qualified applicants. For example, a job description may require that an applicant possess several years of experience in a similar type of job. However, the company cannot prevent applicants that do not meet this requirement from submitting applications. Thus, the company may receive an overwhelming number of applications from non-qualified applicants. In addition, current on-line applications are not linked to the third party service providers. Thus, duplicate data entry and increased processing time are still required. Furthermore, the results obtained by the third party service provider are not electronically linked to the company and, again, require duplicate data entry and increased processing time.  
         [0010]     Thus, a need exists for a centralized system for facilitating the application process. Specifically, a need exists for a system that permits a customized, on-line employment application to be created without the need of specialized programming or web-design knowledge, that permits a company to pre-screen applicants and limit access to the customized employment application, that links applicants, companies, and third party service providers such that data entered once can be shared by each party, and that reduces the expense, manpower, and time necessary to make an informed hiring decision.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0011]     One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for using a computer to facilitate a hiring transaction comprising configuring a customized employment application, authorizing an applicant to access the customized employment application, accepting job applicant data entered within the customized employment application by the authorized applicant, and manipulating the job applicant data.  
         [0012]     One aspect of the present invention relates to a computer implemented method of customizing an application comprising selecting one or more question categories, each category having a plurality of application questions associated therewith, designating an order in which the selected question categories are displayed, choosing one or more application questions from within each selected question category, and generating a customized application having the selected question categories and the selected application questions arranged in the designated order.  
         [0013]     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer implemented method comprising providing an access control mechanism (e.g., a public key) to an applicant, accepting preliminary data from the applicant, pre-screening the preliminary data, issuing another access control mechanism (e.g., a private key) to the applicant in response to the pre-screening, accepting applicant data, and manipulating the applicant data.  
         [0014]     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer implemented method comprising accepting applicant data, transmitting the applicant data to a data requester, displaying the applicant data within the customized application, assigning an applicant rating in response to the applicant data, transmitting the applicant data to a third-party service provider, creating correspondence in response to at least one of the applicant data, the applicant rating, and a third party service provider result, and transferring the applicant data to an data requester records database  
         [0015]     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer implemented method of customizing a service order package comprising selecting one or more services and generating a customized service order package having the selected one or more services.  
         [0016]     Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for electronically facilitating an application process comprising creating a customized application for a data requester, the customized application available via an Internet link and protected by an access control mechanism, granting access to the customized application to a specified data provider, accepting data from the specified data provider, providing an information management tool to the data requester, the information management tool being operable to manipulate the data from the specified data provider, and exchanging data between the data provider and the data requester.  
         [0017]     The present invention relates to a system comprising a data requester computer. An applicant computer, a server, and a communications link between the data requester computer and the server and between the applicant computer and the server. The server in the present invention is programmed to enable a customized application to be created from the data requester computer, grant the applicant computer access to the customized employment application, accept applicant data submitted from the applicant computer, and enable the data requester computer to manipulate the applicant data.  
         [0018]     The present invention relates to a computer carrying an ordered set of instructions which, when executed, performs a method comprising enabling a customized application to be created by a data requester, granting an applicant electronic access to the customized application, accepting applicant data submitted by the applicant, and enabling the data requester to manipulate the applicant data. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     To enable the present invention to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present invention will now be described for purposes of illustration and not limitation, in connection with the following figures wherein:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a centralized application system for facilitating an employment application process according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a world-wide-web based computer network operable to facilitate the centralized application system, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a detailed schematic illustration of the server component of the world-wide-web based computer network of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the operational process employed by the centralized application system of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the operational process employed by the centralized application system of  FIG. 1  according to an alternative embodiment of the current invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a centralized application system  100  for facilitating an application process according to an embodiment of the present invention. A data requester  104 , an applicant  108 , and a third party service provider  112  are linked via a server  102 .  
         [0026]     A data requester  104  refers to a person or entity (such as government agencies, banks, credit card companies, among others) who attempts to obtain information from an applicant  108 . An applicant  108  refers to a person or entity that provides information to a data requester  104 . A third party service provider  112  refers to a person or entity, other than the data requester  104  or applicant  108 , that provides a service to the data requester  104  or the applicant  108 .  
         [0027]     The discussion of the current embodiments will be limited to a hiring process utilizing an employment application. Thus in the current embodiment, a data requester  104  refers to a company, employer, and job recruiter, among others, that attempts to obtain information from a job candidate or who is otherwise involved in the hiring, interviewing, or applicant rating processes; an applicant  108  refers to a job candidate; and a third party service provider refers to a company that completes employment related services (such as criminal background checks, driver record checks, credit report checks, prior employment verifications, reference checks, substance abuse testing, and educational credential verifications, among others). However, it should be noted that the discussion of the current embodiments is in no way intended to restrict or limit the scope of the present invention to hiring processes or employment applications.  
         [0028]     The server  102  is programmed to facilitate the entire application process and links the data requester  104 , applicant  108  and third party service provider  112 . For example, the server  102  gives the data requester  104  the ability to create customized applications, restrict access to the customized application to specific applicants  108 , manipulate the data entered by an applicant  108  into the customized application, order services from a third party service provider  112 , receive results from the third party service provider  112 , and create correspondence for the applicant  108  and the third party service provider  112 , among others.  
         [0029]     Additionally, the server  102  gives an applicant  108  specified by the data requester  104  the ability to enter data electronically into a customized application, and communicate directly with the data requester  104 , among others. Furthermore, the server  102  gives a third party service provider  112  the ability to receive applicant data directly from a data requester  104  and return service results directly to the data requester  104 , among others.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a world-wide-web based computer network  200  operable to facilitate the centralized application system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Computer network  200  includes server  102  linked to a number of computers  201  via a network  202 , such as the world-wide-web. Computers  201  may be any laptop, desktop, work-station, or other device capable of accessing the Internet or world-wide-web  202 . Computers  201  include both data requester computers (e.g., computers used by a data requester  104  to access the server  102 ), applicant computers (e.g., computers used by an applicant  108  to access the server  102 ), and third party service provider computers (e.g., computers used by a third party service provider  112  to access the server  102 ), among others.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a detailed schematic illustration of server  102  of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Server  102  includes a video driver  208 , communications port  209 , ROM  210 , RAM  211 , CPU  212 , and storage device  213 . Server  102  may also include a display  204 , keyboard  205 , mouse  206 , as well as other input and output devices, not shown. A router  207  may be used to interface server  102  to a communications network.  
         [0032]     Storage device  213  contains a database  214  which includes one or more programs operable to implement the functions of the centralized application system  100 . The programs may be contained in one or more modules. In the current embodiment, database  214  has an application administration module  215 , registration module  216 , application module  217 , and application management module  218 . The modules (i.e.,  215 ,  216 ,  217 ,  218 ) are embodied in software, preferably carried by hardware equipment (such as storage device  214 ) or other appropriate memory devices, and executed by CPU  212 .  
         [0033]     In the current embodiment, application administration module  215  is operable to display a menu having one or more question categories, to receive data requester input, and to select one or more of the question categories in response to the data requester input. Application administration module  215  is further operable to designate an order in which the selected question categories are displayed in response to the data requester input, to choose one or more application questions from within each of the selected question categories in response to the data requester input, and to generate a customized application having the selected question categories and the selected application questions arranged in the designated order.  
         [0034]     Application administration module  215  is operable to select one or more services from a third party service provider  112 . Selection of third party services may include displaying a menu listing one or more third party services, receiving data requester input, and designating one or more of the third party services in response to the data requester input. Application administration module  215  is further operable to generate a customized third party service order package having the selected one or more third party service. Additionally, administration module  215  is operable to create a plurality of customized third party service order packages, one or more of which can be ordered by a data requester for a specific applicant.  
         [0035]     Registration module  216  is operable to provide an access control mechanism to the customized application. In one embodiment of the present invention, a data requester  104  gives a public data requester code or a private data requester code to an applicant  108 . A data requester code refers to an identifier that links the data requester  104  to a customized application and to a specific applicant  108 .  
         [0036]     For example, a public data requester code refers to a code that is placed on the data requester&#39;s  104  website to allow all visitors to the website the opportunity to complete the customized application. The applications submitted using the public data requester code is analogous to a data requester  104  accepting general walk in applications. The applications submitted using the private data requester code, on the other hand, are analogous to a data requester only accepting applications from targeted applicants  108 . After receiving the data requester code, the applicant  108  applies for a personal identification number (i.e., “PIN number”), which is issued by the registration module  216 . The applicant  108  selects a password, supplies registration information (such as name, address, phone number, and email address, among others), and enters a public or private data requester code. The registration module  216  then issues a PIN number to the applicant  108 .  
         [0037]     The applicant  108  accesses the data requester&#39;s customized application by logging into the website containing the customized application. The applicant  108  must enter the data requester code, password, and PIN number to access the customized application. It should be noted that other access control methods may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention. For example, passwords, IDs, PIN numbers, and encryption keys, etc. may be used to restrict access to the customized application.  
         [0038]     In the current embodiment, application module  217  is operable to display a customized application having a data entry field for each selected application question, to prompt an applicant to supply applicant data within the data entry fields, and to receive the applicant data supplied to the data entry fields. The application module  217  is further operable to compare the applicant data to one or more criteria, to prompt the applicant to re-enter the applicant data which does not satisfy the one or more criteria, to validate the applicant data which satisfies the one or more criteria, and to store the validated applicant data within a database.  
         [0039]     In the current embodiment, application management module  218  is operable to receive data requester input, to display the applicant data within the customized application, to assign a value to the applicant data in response to the data requester input, and to produce an applicant rating in response to at least one of the assigned value and the data requester input. The application management module  218  is further operable to create correspondence in response to at least one of the applicant rating, the applicant data, and the data requester input. In the current embodiment, correspondence refers to offer of employment letters, rejection letters, adverse action letters (e.g., a letter notifying an applicant  108  that a criminal background check has returned an adverse result, etc.), among others. It should be noted that other types of correspondence may be created while remaining within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the operational process employed by the centralized application system of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the current invention. Operation  401  initiates operational process  400 . In the current embodiment, operation  400  is initiated when a data requester  104  sets up an account with the server administrator. Account information typically includes the name, address, phone number, and data requester&#39;s  104  authorized users, among others. After an account is established, the server administrator issues the data requester a public data requester code and a data requester code, as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 3 . The process continues with operation  402  after operational process  400  is initialized by operation  401 .  
         [0041]     Operation  402  configures the customized employment application. In the current embodiment, the data requester  104  accesses the server  102  via an internet webpage. The data requester  104  selects one or more question categories contained on server  102 . Each of the question categories contains a plurality of employment application questions associated therewith. Next, the data requester  104  designates the order in which the selected question categories are to be displayed. The data requester  104  then selects the specific questions, within each question category, that are to be included on the customized application. It should be noted that the data requester  104  may enter additional questions that are not contained within a question category. After the application questions are selected, the server  102  generates a customized employment application having the selected question categories and the selected employment application questions, arranged in the designated order.  
         [0042]     The customized employment application generated in operation  402  resides on the server  102 . The customized employment application is associated with the data requester  104  by the data requester code. Operation  402  also issues an internet address associated with the customized application, a public key, and private key, among others, to the data requester  104 . The data requester  104  may then place a hyper link to the customized application on their own website or may only disclose the web address to specific applicants, among others. The process continues with operation  403  after operational process  402  is completed.  
         [0043]     Operation  403  generates a customized service order package. In the current embodiment, the data requester  104  accesses the server  102  via an internet webpage. The data requester  104  selects one or more services (for example a criminal background check, driving record check, etc.) offered by a third party which are to be included within a service order package. A customized service order package, containing the selected services, is created. The data requester  104  may assign a name or other identifier to the customized service order package. The data requester  104  may create multiple customized service order packages.  
         [0044]     In the current embodiment, a data requester  104  creates one or more customized service order packages for each job description or job category. For example, a data requester  104  may wish to create a customized service order package for the company&#39;s truck drivers. The data requester  104  may decide that company truck drivers must undergo a criminal background check, driving record check, and drug screening test. Thus, the data requester  104  selects these services from the menu and a customized service order package containing the criminal background, driving records, and drug screening services is generated. For the company&#39;s administrative assistants, the data requester  104  may decide that a driving records check is not required, however, an education credential verification should be completed. Thus the data requester  104  selects the criminal background check, education credential verification, and drug screening services from the menu and a customized service order package containing these services is generated.  
         [0045]     The configuring of a customized employment application will typically take place once per job opening, job description, or job type at what may be called the “design phase”. The generation of the customized service order packages may also be completed during the “design phase”. It should be noted that order of operation  402  and operation  403  may be interchanged while remaining within the scope of the present invention. After the customized application is configured and the customized service order packages are generated, operation  404  terminates the “design phase”. Thereafter, operation  405  initiates a “run phase”, in which users will use the customized employment application and data requesters  104  may update the customized employment application. Although typically completed during the “design phase”, customized service order packages may also be created or updated during the “run time.” 
         [0046]     Operation  406  authorizes an applicant  104  to access the customized application. In the current embodiment, an interested applicant  108  selects the hyperlink on the data requester&#39;s website. Mandatory disclaimer and disclosures are displayed and the applicant is prompted to continue after the disclaimers and disclosures have been read. The applicant  108  then logs into the customized application. The applicant  108  must have a PIN number to access the customized application. The applicant  108  uses the data requester code (either public or private), selects a password, and requests a PIN number (as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 3 ). If the applicant  108  does not have a data requester code, the applicant  108  will not be issued a PIN number to access the customized application. If the applicant  108  is issued a PIN number, the process then continues with operation  407 .  
         [0047]     Operation  407  accepts an applicant&#39;s data into the customized employment application. In the current embodiment, the applicant  108  accesses the customized application by logging in using the selected password, data requester code, and issued PIN number. The applicant  108  answers the questions previously selected by the data requester  104  during operation  402 . The applicant  108  may fill out the entire application at one time, or may temporarily save a partially completed application and return later to supply the missing data. Once all of the required data is entered, the applicant  108  submits the completed customized application for acceptance by the server  102 .  
         [0048]     In the current embodiment, the applicant data is be required to meet specific criteria before being accepted. For example, if a question asks for the applicant&#39;s  108  phone number, a criterion may be established that only numerals be accepted as a response. All data meeting the applicable criterion is accepted, whereas data that does not meet the applicable criterion is returned to the applicant  108  for correction. Furthermore, after the application is completed, the applicant is given the opportunity to print a copy of the completed application. The process then continues will operation  408 .  
         [0049]     Operation  408  manipulates the data as required to facilitate the application process. In the current embodiment, the operation  408  notifies the data requester  104  (when the data requester  104  logs into the website) that the server  102  has received the applicant&#39;s  108  completed application. The data requester  104  accesses the completed application through the website by clicking on a “review applications” link. A list of completed customized applications related to the specific data requester  104  is displayed.  
         [0050]     The data requester  104  selects a completed application to review. The data requester  104  can review the applicant&#39;s  108  data, send the completed application to another authorized user, assign a rating to the applicant data, order third party services, and generate the appropriate correspondence using the applicant data, among others.  
         [0051]     For example, a first data requester  104  may determine that the applicant  108  has qualities desired by the company, however, the applicant does not meet the requirements for the job that the first data requester  104  is attempting to fill. The first data requester  104  give the applicant  108  a favorable rating  108  and forward his application electronically to another data requester  104  in another department. The second data requester  104  may find the applicant  108  is highly qualified to fill the company&#39;s open truck driver position. The second data requester  104  decides to order the necessary third party services. The second data requester  104  merely clicks on an “order service” link and an “order service” screen is displayed. The “order service” screen contains a menu having the customized service order packages previously created by the data requesters  104  (as discussed in conjunction with operation  403 ). The second data requester  104  selects one or more of the customized service order packages (such as the one established for the truck driver job description), or selects “a la carte” from a services menu.  
         [0052]     Once the desired service selections are made, the second data requester  104  submits the service order request. The service order request, containing the desired service to be completed, and the applicant data is electronically sent from the server to the third party service provider  112 . In this manner, the data requester  104  is only required to click once to transmit the service order and related applicant data, and the third party service provider  112  is not required to re-enter applicant data.  
         [0053]     The third party service provider  112  may then enter the results of the third party service request into the server  102 . Once the third party results are entered, the data requester  104  is notified that the results are available. The data requester  104  clicks on a “review results” link, which displays a list of completed applications that have results available.  
         [0054]     The data requester  104  can forward the results to another data requester  104  or, depending on the results of the background check, generate the necessary correspondence for an offer or rejection of employment. The correspondence can be sent to the applicant by merely clicking on a “contact applicant” link.  
         [0055]     In both the “order service” and “contact applicant” scenarios, data is sent directly to the third party service provider  112  and the applicant, respectively, through the website. The third party service provider  112  and the applicant can also reply directly to the data requester  104 , or to each other, via the website. In this manner, data is not required to be re-entered by the data requester  104 , the third party service provider  112 , or the applicant.  
         [0056]     Additionally, the data requester  104  can delete an applicant&#39;s data from the centralized system, download a applicant&#39;s data to create an archive (e.g., save the applicant&#39;s data to the data requester computer  201 ), or transfer the applicant&#39;s data to another computer or storage device, among others. After operation  408 , operational process  400  is then terminated by operation  409 . Process  405 - 408  may be carried out in parallel if multiple applicants  108  use the system or serially as applicants  108  access the system. Unlike process  402 , processes  405 - 408  will be carried out numerous times for each available job.  
         [0057]     One aspect of the present invention is the computer implemented method for customizing the application. This customizing method may be used for numerous types of applications, not just employment applications. The method comprises selecting one or more question categories, each category having a plurality of application questions associated therewith, designating an order in which the selected question categories are displayed, choosing one or more application questions from within each selected question category, and generating a customized application having the selected question categories and the selected application questions arranged in the designated order.  
         [0058]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the operational process  500  employed by the centralized application system of  FIG. 1  according to an alternative embodiment of the current invention. Operational process  500  is initiated by operation  501 . In operation  501 , an applicant  108  logs onto a website containing job listings from numerous data requesters  104 . In operation  502 , the applicant  108  reviews the available jobs listed on the website.  
         [0059]     In operation  503  the applicant  108  selects the job listings (from different data requesters  104 ) to which he wishes to apply. After the applicant selects the desired job listings in operation  503 , operation  504  authorizes the applicant  108  to select the desired job listings.  
         [0060]     In operation  505  that the applicant  108  selects a password and enters the data requester code for each job listing that the applicant  108  wishes to apply. The applicant  108  is issued a single PIN number, as discussed above in conjunction with Operation  405 , to access the customized application that will be completed. The applicant  108  must submit the data requester code from each authorizing data requester  104  (i.e., those data requesters  104  for which a data requester code has been given), for each job listing. In other words, the applicant  108  can only select those job listings for which he has a data requester code.  
         [0061]     Operation  505  configures a single customized job application for all of the selected and authorized job listings. The customized job application meets each data requesters&#39;  104  requirements for the job listing selected. For example, if one data requester  104  requires an applicant&#39;s  108  date of birth, but a second data requester  104  does not, the customized application will contain a data of birth question for the applicant  108  to complete. The date of birth information supplied by the applicant  108 , however, will only be sent to the data requester  104  requiring such information.  
         [0062]     Once the customized application is configured by operation  505 , operation  506  accepts applicant data as discussed in conjunction with operation  407  in  FIG. 4 . It should be noted that applicant data is sent only to those authorizing data requesters  104 . After the authorizing data requester  104  receives the applicant data in operation  506 , operation  507  permits the authorizing data requester to manipulate the data as discussed in conjunction with operation  408  in  FIG. 4 . Operation  508  terminates operational process  500 .  
         [0063]     Appendix A, entitled “HireAPP Online Employment Application Recruiter Functions—User Guide”, Appendix B, entitled “HireAPP Online Application—Training For Human Resources Professionals”, Appendix C, entitled “HireAPP Online Employment Application—Recruiter Functions”, and Appendix D is entitled “Administration Functions for HireAPP”, each attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.  
         [0064]     The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative only. Numerous alternative embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims.