Abstract:
A video resume employment system for determining the employability of a job seeker by an employer in a video resume employment system includes providing a video employment resume of the job seeker, the video employment resume including employment information with respect to the job seeker for making an employment related determination by the employer. The video employment resume is transmitted to the video employment resume system and stored in a video resume database. The video employment resume is accessed from the video resume database by the employer from a location remote from the video employment resume system to provide an accessed video resume.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Fleld of Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to the field of employment services and, in particular, to the field of providing employment services to users disposed at locations remote from each other.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Systems providing employment services disposed at remote locations are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,882, entitled “Electronic Classified Advertising Interface Method and Instructions with Continuous Search Notification”, issued Apr. 28, 1998 to Matthew J. Bixler, et al., discloses a telephone keypad interface for an electronic classified advertising system. However, the Bixler system requires a telephone network and the inherent limitations of a telephone keypad in order to operate.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,375, entitled “Computer-assisted System for Interactively Brokering Goods or Services between Buyers and Sellers issued Jan. 7, 1997 to Bardwell C. Salnon, et al., teaches an electronic employee bargaining marketplace, with the employer able to review in detail the qualifications of a pool of candidates. Match selection criteria are entered by the buyer. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,006, entitled “Internet-audiotext Electronic Advertising System with Enhanced Matching and Notification”, issued Nov. 30, 1999 to Gregory J. Speicher, discloses a computer based matching system including automatic advertiser notification when a suitable match is found.  
         [0006]     It is known to provide text only employment services. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,510 teaches a method and apparatus for providing an interactive computer-driven employment recruiting service. The method and apparatus enables an employer to advertise available positions on the Internet, directly receive text only resumes from prospective candidates, and organize and screen the received resumes. The method and apparatus further is capable of monitoring employment advertisements for a job seeker and automatically notifying the job seeker when a position for which the job seeker is suitable becomes available. The method and apparatus further enables a plurality of companies to advertise job positions at a single location accessible via the Internet by a job seeker, and enables the job seeker to communicate a text only resume directly with a company via the Internet if the job seeker is interested in exploring further information pertaining to an available position at that company.  
         [0007]     Another reference teaching a text only employment service is U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,768 which teaches a method and apparatus for providing an interactive computer-driven employment recruiting service. The method and apparatus enables an employer to advertise available positions on the Internet, directly receive text only resumes from prospective candidates, and organize and screen the received resumes. The method and apparatus further is capable of monitoring employment advertisements for a job seeker and automatically notifying the job seeker when a position for which the job seeker is suitable becomes available. The method and apparatus further enables a plurality of companies to advertise job positions at a single location accessible via the Internet by a job seeker, and enables the job seeker to communicate text only messages directly with a company via the Internet if the job seeker is interested in exploring further information pertaining to an available position at that company.  
         [0008]     All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A video resume employment method for determining the employability of a job seeker by an employer in a video resume employment system includes providing a video employment resume of the job seeker, the video employment resume including employment information with respect to the job seeker for making an employment related determination by the employer. The video employment resume is transmitted to the video employment resume system and stored in a video resume database. The video employment resume is accessed from the video resume database by the employer from a location remote from the video employment resume system to provide an accessed video resume. The employer views the accessed video resume and determines the employability of the job seeker in accordance with the viewing of the accessed video resume. An employment interview is provided in accordance with the employability determination.  
         [0010]     Further in accordance with the invention, the video employment resume is transmitted by the job seeker. A video recording device can be transmitted to the job seeker by the video resume employment system for the providing of the video employment resume by the job seeker. The employment information is verbally described by the job seeker. The video employment resume is transmitted by way of the Internet. The storing of the video employment resume includes the further steps of receiving a plurality of video employment resumes and storing the video employment resumes of the plurality of video employment resumes in the video resume database and sorting the plurality of video employment resumes in accordance with a selected job related parameter. The job related parameter can be occupation, education, work experience or geographic location or any other related criteria.  
         [0011]     The accessing of the video employment resume by the employer includes accessing by way of the Internet. The accessed resume can be forwarded to a further location, the further location being remote from the video employment resume system and from the accessing employer. The resume is forwarded to the further location by way of the Internet.  
         [0012]     The method of the invention also includes the steps of listing an employer help wanted advertisement on the video employment resume system to provide a listed help wanted advertisement and viewing the listed help wanted advertisement by a viewing job seeker. The viewing job seeker responds to the listed help wanted advertisement in accordance with the viewing of the listed help wanted advertisement. A responding resume is transmitted to the listing employer by the viewing job seeker by way of the video employment resume system.  
         [0013]     In a system including a plurality of video employment resume systems having corresponding employers, the responding resume stored on a first video employment resume system is transmitted to an employer on a second video employment resume system. In a system having a plurality of job seekers each having a corresponding video employment resume, the method of the invention includes the steps of providing the employer with a list of job seekers of the plurality of job seekers and selecting a job seeker of the list of job seekers by the employer in accordance with an employability determination. An identification of the selected job seeker is transmitted by the employer to the video employment resume system and a corresponding a video employment resume is transmitted from the video employment resume database to the employer in accordance with the identification.  
         [0014]     In the video employment resume system of the present invention, a user signs up for an account at the website of the system. If the job seeker owns a PC and a web camera, the job seeker downloads software from the video employment resume system which includes instructions. When technology exists for computers to have built-in web cameras, that new technology can be utilized for transmitting job seekers video resumes via the Internet to the video resume data base.  
         [0015]     The job seeker records according to the instructions and creates his/her own video resume and posts the video resume to be reviewed by potential employers. If the job seekers do not own a personal computer and a web camera, they can purchase a web camera from the video employment resume system. The camera is then shipped to them. If the job seekers do not wish to purchase a camera in this manner, they can schedule an appointment to meet with representatives of the video employment resume system to professionally create their video resume for them. The video resume created in this manner is then posted on the website of the video employment resume system.  
         [0016]     Job seekers can search a job bank and apply for positions by sending a message that links the employer to the job seekers video resume. The employer receives an email alerting it that there is a video resume to review. In order for employers to use the video employment resume system, they must sign up for access to browse the video resume bank. They will be provided with a password which will enable them to access the resume bank. Employers can also post jobs for job seekers to review and apply for. When job seekers see jobs posted in this manner, they can request that their video resumes be sent to the corresponding employer. Employers can also post jobs using video job postings to describe the position and qualifications that they desire. Additionally, they can post a company profile. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a high level schematic representation of the system of the present invention.  
         [0019]     FIGS.  2 A-K are a more detailed representation of the system of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the video employment resume system  10  of present invention. Within the video employment resume system  10 , a job seeker  14  having a personal computer and a web camera (web cam) at a job seeker location  12  can create a personal video resume using the web cam or any other web device capable of creating a video while located at the location  12 . In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the job seeker  14  can request that such a web cam be provided to the job seeker location  12  by the vendor or entity operating the video employment resume system  10 . In the latter case, the video cam can be purchased from the vendor or entity operating the system  10  or rented from that entity free or for a predetermined rental charge.  
         [0021]     When the video resume is created by the job seeker  14 , it is transmitted from the job seeker location  12  by way of an Internet connection  22  to the Internet system  30 . The video resume from the job seeker  14  is received from the Internet system  30  by way of the Internet connection  32  and applied to a video employment resume system server  36  by way of a firewall  34 . The video employment resume system  10  can provide editing services for editing a video resume received in this manner. The server  36  stores the video resume in a video resume database  40 .  
         [0022]     An employer  18  located at an employer location  20 , having an Internet connection  24  to the Internet system  30 , can access video resumes from the video resume database  40  of the video employment resume system  10 . The employer location  20  is remote from the job seeker location  12 . The employer  18  can thus browse the video resumes stored in the video resume database  40  and select video resumes for downloading according to predetermined employment criteria.  
         [0023]     Additionally, the employer  18  can upload video job postings representative of jobs to be filled and company videos, such as company profiles, for storage in the video resume database  40  by way of Internet connection  24  and the Internet system  30 . The job seeker  14  can browse uploaded postings from the employer  18  while located at the job seeker location  12  by accessing the video resume database  40  by way of the Internet system  30 .  
         [0024]     Referring now to FIGS.  2 A-K, there is shown an overview of the video employment resume system  10 . A video resume system home page  50  of the video employment resume system  10  having a job seeker home page  54  at the job seeker location  12  communicates with the job seeker  14  by way of a communication link  52 . Additionally, the home page  50  communicates with an employer  18  having an employer home page  58  at an employer location  20  by way of a communication link  57 . The preferred embodiment of the communication links  52 ,  57  is the Internet.  
         [0025]     However, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any type of communication link can be used. For example, any type of analog, digital, optical or other electromagnetic (such as microwave) communication channel suitable for transmitting video images can be used.  
         [0026]     When the video employment resume system  10  communicates with the job seeker home page  54 , execution proceeds in a path A to  FIG. 2B  where a start page  72  is encountered with the linkage between these figures being shown by a item  56  in  FIG. 1 . If the job seeker  14  does not have a web camera for creating a video resume and must buy one, as shown in block  76 , execution proceeds by way of connectors  80  to  FIG. 2C . In the operations represented in  FIG. 2C  a video cam can be obtained or arrangements can be made for the vendor or operator of the video resume system  10  to create the video resume. The operations represented in  FIG. 2C  are described in detail below.  
         [0027]     If the job seeker  14  does have a web camera the job seeker  14  can post a video resume as shown in block  90  of  FIG. 2B , and check a user login as shown at decision block  94 . If the job seeker  14  does not have an account, or if the login is unsuccessful for any other reason as determined at decision block  94 , execution of the video employment resume system  10  can proceed to block  86  to sign the job seeker  14  up for an account. Execution of the video employment resume system  10  can then proceed by way of path E (item  96 ) to  FIG. 2E . In the operations represented in  FIG. 2E  the job seeker  14  selects a password and provides demographic and other types of information. The operations represented in  FIG. 2E  are described in detail herein.  
         [0028]     If the login is successful, as determined at decision block  94  of  FIG. 2B , the video resume software required for further interaction with the video resume employment system  10  is downloaded as shown at block  98 . Execution can then proceed by way of path D (item  100 ) to  FIG. 2D . At block  164  of  FIG. 2D  the job seeker  14  begins the process of downloading the software for further interaction with the video resume employment system  10 . The subsequent operations represented in  FIG. 2D  are described in detail below.  
         [0029]     As previously described, if the job seeker  14  does not have a web camera as shown in block  76  of  FIG. 2B  execution proceeds by way of path C (item  80 ) to  FIG. 2C  where a decision is made at location  106  whether the job seeker wants a web camera. If the job seeker  14  does not want a web camera, the job seeker  14  can schedule an appointment with the personnel of the system  10  for the creation of a video resume as shown in block  108 .  
         [0030]     If a job seeker  14  plans to purchase a web camera, a decision is made in decision block  104  whether he/she will buy the camera at a retail store and install it on their own PC as shown in block  102 . Alternately, a job seeker  14  can obtain a web camera from the provider of the system of this invention as shown in block  110 . Whether the job seeker  14  buys the web camera from the provider or from a retail store or from any other source, the job seeker  14  downloads the software and the instructions to create the video resume as shown in block  112 .  
         [0031]     Execution can then proceed by way of path D (item  100 ) to  FIG. 2D . When the video resume software is downloaded as shown in block  164  of  FIG. 2D  (as described above), the login status of the job seeker  14  is reviewed in decision block  166 . If the job seeker is not logged in, a determination is made whether the job seeker  14  can log in at that point as shown in decision block  168 . If the job seeker can not log in, execution can proceed by way of path E (item  96 ) to the page of the system  10  for creating a user profile page as shown in block  169 .  
         [0032]     When the software is downloaded along with the installation instructions as shown in blocks  171 , 172  the requirements of the system being used by the job seeker  14  are determined as shown in block  174 . A call can then be made to the media player as shown in decision block  180 . Execution can thus proceed to block  178  where a media player can be downloaded if required. Alternatively, if a media player is already present as determined in decision block  180 , execution can proceed to decision block  188  where a determination is made whether the appropriate drivers are available. If the drivers are not available, a link can be provided to download them as shown in block  186 . When the media player and the appropriate drivers are installed, the download can begin as shown in block  192 .  
         [0033]     Self-extracting executable files can be downloaded as shown in block  176  and software can be installed to the local PC as shown in the block  182 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a determination can then be made whether there is a web camera as shown in decision block  190 . Execution can proceed to block  184  if the job seeker  14  needs to buy a camera.  
         [0034]     If a camera is present as determined in decision block  190  it is selected and the options for the camera settings are determined as shown in blocks  194 ,  196 . A determination is made in decision block  198  whether there is a sound card and if so which one is present. If there is no sound card or if there is an unrecognized sound card execution can proceed to the buy camera page as shown in block  184 .  
         [0035]     If there is a sound card, it is selected and its options are set as shown in blocks  200 ,  202 . The microphone is tested in decision  208 . If there is no microphone or if it does not operate properly execution can go to the buy camera page as shown in block  184 . If the microphone tests properly, the sign-in/sign-out option is presented and the video resume can be recorded as shown in blocks  204 ,  206 . Execution within the system  10  can then proceed by way of path G (item  203 ) to  FIG. 2G  to create the video resume.  
         [0036]     When recording a video resume, a decision is made whether the resume recording session is intended for making a video resume for general use, or for making one for a specific job application as shown in decision block  352  of  FIG. 2G . If a video resume for general use is being created by the job seeker  14  as shown in block  350 , appropriate instructions are provided to the job seeker  14  via block  358 . The recording can then be made as shown in block  362 . When the recording of the video resume is stopped as shown in block  368 , the video resume can be previewed by the job seeker  14 . A determination can be made whether the job seeker  14  wants to post the video resume as shown in decision block  382 . If the job seeker  14  does not wish to post the video, the job seeker  14  can cancel the preview as shown in block  380  and get further instructions or record again as shown in blocks  358 ,  362 .  
         [0037]     If the job seeker  14  does want to post the recording as determined in decision block  382 , the recording can be posted as shown in block  386 . The personnel of the system of the present invention can then review the posted recording to determine whether it is adequate as shown in decision block  400 . If the video resume is not acceptable, an email of rejection can be sent to the job seeker  14  as shown in block  396 . If the video resume is acceptable, an email confirming that it is acceptable can be sent to the job seeker  14  as shown in block  406 . The video resume can then be posted by the personnel of the system of the present invention as shown in block  408  for review by potential employers  18 .  
         [0038]     If a video resume for a specific job is being created by the job seeker  14  as shown in block  356 , appropriate instructions are provided to the job seeker  14  in block  360 . The recording can then be performed as shown in block  364 . When the recording of the video resume is stopped as shown in block  372 , the video resume can be previewed by the job seeker  14 . A determination can be made whether the job seeker  14  wants to post the video resume as shown in decision block  392 . If the job seeker  14  does not wish to post the video, the job seeker  14  can cancel the preview as shown in block  390  and record again.  
         [0039]     If the job seeker  14  does want to post the recording as determined in decision  392 , the recording can be posted as shown in block  394 . The personnel of the system of the present invention can then review the posted recording to determine whether it is adequate as shown in decision block  404 . If the video resume is not acceptable, an email of rejection can be sent to the job seeker  14  as shown in block  402 . If the video resume is acceptable, an email confirming that it is acceptable can be sent to the job seeker  14  as shown in block  410 . The video resume can then be posted by the personnel of the system of the present invention as shown in block  412  for review by employers  18  and a confirmation can be sent as show in block  414 .  
         [0040]     When the job seeker  14  wants to create a user profile page as previously described, for example by way of block  169  and path E (item  96  of  FIG. 2D ), execution can proceed to block  250  of  FIG. 2E . At block  250  the job seeker  14  can select a unique user name and a unique password. Demographic information can then be entered by the job seeker  14  as shown in block  252 . User profile information is accepted until the profile of the job seeker  14  is complete as shown in block  256 . The information regarding the type of position, experience and education of the job seeker  14  is collected until they are complete as shown in blocks  258 ,  260  and  264 .  
         [0041]     The job seeker  14  can review the material entered in blocks  258 ,  260  and  264  as shown in decision block  266 . If the job seeker  14  is satisfied with the information provided it can be submitted to the video employment resume system  10  as shown in decision block  268 . If the job seeker  14  is not satisfied execution can return to block  256  to enter additional data or to change the data previous entered.  
         [0042]     If the material is submitted by the job seeker  14 , as determined at decision block  266 , it is then reviewed by the personnel of the provider of the system  10  according to its business rules and procedures. In this review process, all required fields can be checked to make sure they are filled in a preferred embodiment. Additionally, a determination can be made whether the job seeker  14  has a web camera connected to the PC as determined of decision block  268 . If the job seeker  14  does not have a web camera connected to the PC, he or she can be instructed regarding recording alternatives as shown in block  270 .  
         [0043]     If a web camera is detected and the required data is complete as determined in decision block  268 , a data base record can be created for the job seeker  14  as shown in block  272 . Additionally, disk space is allocated for the video resume of the job seeker  14 . Instructions can then be provided to the job seeker  14  to assist the job seeker  14  in recording and uploading a video resume. The software and instructions useful for this procedure can be provided by block  274 .  
         [0044]     When the job seeker  14  completes the operations of block  274 , the job seeker  14  can proceed by way of path F (item  64 ) to search the jobs page of the system  10  as shown in block  290  of  FIG. 2F . The job search can be performed by the job seeker  14  with respect to any number of parameters. For example, the parameters can include position, location and the industry of the job as shown in block  292 . When the job seeker  14  submits the search criteria as shown in block  294 , search results can be provided as shown in block  296 . The search results can include hyperlinks listed by post date, location and company.  
         [0045]     The job seeker  14  can click on a desired job if one is located in the search results as shown in block  298 . The job details can be viewed as shown in decision  304 . The job details can also be stored in a user profile for review later, as shown in block  316 .  
         [0046]     If the job seeker  14  wishes to apply for a job at that time or upon returning to the stored details at a later time, the login status of the job seeker  14  can be checked as shown in decision block  302 . If the job seeker  14  does not have an account as determined in decision block  302 , the job seeker  14  can proceed to the create user profile page as shown in block  312  by way of path E (item  96 ) to  FIG. 2E .  
         [0047]     If the user login is successful as determined in decision block  302 , the job seeker  14  can go to the user profile as shown in block  308  and check for a the existing video resume as shown in decision block  318 . If no video resume is on file as by the job seeker  14  determined in decision block  318 , the job seeker  14  can go to the create video resume page as shown in block  320  and connectors  203  to  FIG. 2G .  
         [0048]     The job seeker  14  can review the video resume as shown in decision  322 . If creation of a resume or the editing of a video resume is desired, the job seeker  14  can proceed to the create video resume page as shown in block  320  by way of path G (item  203 ). If the job seeker  14  determines that no editing of the video resume is required, then the video resume can be submitted by email to the employer  18  as shown in block  324 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the job seeker  14  can be provided with an email confirmation when the video resume is transmitted to the employer  18 .  
         [0049]     As previously described and as shown in  FIG. 2A , when the job seeker  14  visits the home page  50  of the system  10  of the present invention, the job seeker can go to the job seeker home page  54 . In the same manner, an employer  18  visiting the home page  50  of the video employment resume system  10  can proceed by way of the home page  50  to the employer home page  58  represented in  FIG. 2H .  
         [0050]     The employer home page  58  can have a start page  352  as shown in  FIG. 2H . From the employer start page  352  the employer  18  can post a job as shown in block  350 , search the video resume data base as shown in block  354 , or create an account to use the system  10  as shown in block  356 .  
         [0051]     If the employer posts a job, execution can proceed by way of block  350  and path I (item  207 ) to post job as shown in block  401  in  FIG. 2J . A determination is first made whether the user can log in as shown in decision block  403 . If there is no account for the employer, execution proceeds by way of path H (item  205 ) to the operations set forth in  FIG. 2I  for entering a new company account. These operations are described in detail below.  
         [0052]     If the employer  18  can log in, the employer  18  can determine the job posting profile of the job and retrieve company data stored during a previous visit to the web page  352  as shown in blocks  407  and  409  in  FIG. 2J . The retrieved data can include job descriptions, the length of time a job has been posted and payments made by the employer  18 , as shown in blocks  411  and  413 .  
         [0053]     The employer  18  can choose to view the data as shown by decision block  417  and then proceed to block  409  for additional data, if desired. Transactions for payment by credit card or billing of the user can take place as shown in block  419 . Additionally, the employer  18  can post the job to the website of the system  10  as shown in block  421 .  
         [0054]     Returning now to  FIG. 2H , if the employer wishes to search the video resume data base as shown in block  354 , execution can proceed by way of path J (item  209 ) as previously described in order to search the video resume data base page as shown in block  450  of  FIG. 2K . The employer  18  can then specify the employment profile of the desired job seekers  14  as shown in block  451  and submit the search as shown in block  454 . At the completion of the search, the employer  18  is presented with search results. The search results can include hyperlinks for directing the employer  18  to the video resume candidates who are in compliance with the job seeker profile submitted by the employer  18  in block  451  as shown in block  458 .  
         [0055]     The employer  18  can review the search results and click on a desired candidate as shown in block  460 . The selected video resume can be viewed by the employer  18  as shown in decision block  464 . The profile of the job seeker  14  can also be stored for later viewing by the employer  18  as shown in block  472 . If a job seeker  14  that the employer  18  selects, e.g., clicks on, is determined not to be suitable, the employer  18  can cancel the selected job seeker  14  as shown in block  468 . The employer  18  can then obtain information on a different job seeker  14  by returning to the search results as shown in block  458  and clicking on a different candidate.  
         [0056]     If a job seeker  14  reviewed by the employer  18  is determined to be suitable, the employer  18  can contact the job seeker  14  and set up a personal interview as shown in block  462 . The job seeker  14  can present the employer  18  with contact information in order to facilitate the evaluation being performed by the employer  18  as shown in block  470 .  
         [0057]     Returning again to  FIG. 2H , if the employer  18  must create an account in order to use the website of the system of the present invention, execution can proceed from start page decision block  352  to “create an account to use our website” block  356 , as shown in  FIG. 2H . Execution can then proceed by way of path H (item  205 ) to select the employer  18  name and password as shown in block  362  of  FIG. 2I . In block  362  of  FIG. 2I , the employer  18  can thus select a user name and password. The company profile of the employer  18  is entered as shown in block  364 . The information can include, for example, the company name, a contact name, an email address, a phone and a zip code as shown in block  366 . The employer  18  can review the entered material as shown in decision block  368  and return to block  366  to make corrections as many times as necessary.  
         [0058]     The information entered by the employer  18  in this manner can then be submitted to the video employment resume system  10 . The business rules process of the system  10  can be used to determine whether all of the required fields are filled in by the employer  18  as shown in decision block  370 . If all of the required fields are not filled in, execution can return to block  366  in order to permit the required data to be entered. When the data entry is completed, the employer  18  can be informed that the account is active, as shown in block  372 .  
         [0059]     While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.