Patent Publication Number: US-2019197488-A1

Title: Career Exploration and Employment Search Tools Using Dynamic Node Network Visualization

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates in general to online career exploration and job searching, and in particular to platforms, tools and methods with which users can interactively explore, discover, understand, apply, and share career interests and job opportunities. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Individuals increasingly rely on online job sites and other web-based platforms for purposes of learning about careers, and applying for job opportunities. However, career and job searches using conventional job boards typically require pre-existing knowledge concerning the nature of the job or career desired. For example, users may have to manually type in relevant keywords to filter available jobs. Alternatively, users may be requested to select search criteria from massive, hierarchical pick lists that may include significant amounts of field-specific jargon and obscure terminology. 
     While experts or veteran workers in a given field may have sufficient industry expertise to navigate such sites and identify desired types of jobs, opportunities in different but related fields may easily remain undiscovered due to, e.g., unfamiliarity with field-specific terminology or unawareness of skill set overlap. The problem is even worse for individuals lacking deep expertise in any existing industry or work environment, such as for students seeking internships, deciding on a course of study or seeking a first job after graduation, parents trying to assist their children in selecting a career, or educators and counselors assisting students in the selection of a degree. Lack of familiarity with industry jargon, job titles, types of new careers, practices and skill set applicability may greatly limit a searcher&#39;s ability to identify opportunities that are most of interest and best matched to the searcher&#39;s interests and skills. 
     SUMMARY 
     Apparatuses and computer-implemented methods are presented for discovering career and job opportunities that are categorized within one or more taxonomies having hierarchical categories. Taxonomies may include, e.g., industry, career type, product or service, global issues, interests, degree, location, education level and/or company. One of multiple taxonomies can be selected, e.g. via a mechanism such as radio buttons or a modal selection mechanism. A selected hierarchical taxonomy is rendered via an animated node network, with network nodes representing taxonomy categories. Variable stylization may be applied to the node elements, e.g. varying apparent transparency, color, font or other characteristics based on node distance from the currently-selected node element. Users may select any of the node network elements, with other elements animated for reorientation around the selected element. Another portion of the display is automatically updated to display indicia of career and job opportunities categorized within a taxonomy category associated with the selected network element. Career and job opportunity indicia may be selected to display details concerning the selected career or job opportunity. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, apparatuses and computer-implemented methods may utilize an interactive node network display to facilitate discovery and selection of elements from within a hierarchical taxonomy, such as for population of form fields. Elements selected from the animated node network may be utilized to populate one or more form fields, such as while constructing a multi-field career or job search query or while creating a new career or job opportunity record. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a computing environment that may be used in some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of application logic. 
         FIG. 3  is a process diagram of a process for discovering career and job opportunities using a selected taxonomy. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary taxonomy. 
         FIG. 4B  is an exemplary job opportunity record. 
         FIG. 5A  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 5B  is a computing device user interface with modal taxonomy selection component. 
         FIG. 6  is a job detail view for display on a computing device. 
         FIG. 7  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 8  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 9  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 10  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 11  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 12  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 13  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 14  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 15  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 16  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 17  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 18  is a node network user interface for displaying career and job opportunities on a computing device. 
         FIG. 19  is a node network user interface for populating form fields on a computing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Computing Environment 
       FIG. 1  is schematic block diagram of a computing environment that may be effectively utilized to implement certain embodiments of the platform and methods described herein. Server  100  communicates, inter alia, via computer network  110 , which may include the Internet, with user personal electronic devices  120  such as personal computer  120 A, tablet computer  120 B, and smart phone  120 C. While  FIG. 1  illustrates three exemplary user devices, it is contemplated and understood that implementations may include large numbers of user devices. For example, some implementations may include user devices of different types for each of many individuals around the world. 
     Server  100  implements application logic  102 , and operates to store information within, and retrieve information from, database  104 . The term “database” is used herein broadly to refer to a store of data, whether structured or not, including without limitation relational databases and document databases. Web server  106  hosts one or more Internet web sites enabling outside user interaction with, amongst other things, application logic  102  and database  104 . Messaging server  108  enables notifications and messaging (such as SMS, MMS, mobile app notifications and desktop push notifications), between server  100  and user devices  120 . 
     While depicted in the schematic block diagram of  FIG. 1  as a block element with specific sub-elements, as known in the art of modern web applications and network services, server  100  may be implemented in a variety of ways, including using distributed hardware and software resources and using any of multiple different software stacks. Server  100  may include a variety of physical, functional and/or logical components such as one or more each of web servers, application servers, database servers, email servers, storage servers, messaging servers, and the like. That said, implementations of server  100  will typically include at some level one or more physical servers, at least one of the physical servers having one or more microprocessors and digital memory for, inter alia, storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the server to perform methods and operations described herein. 
     Certain embodiments described hereinbelow are described in the context of a web application implemented by server  100 , communicating via network  110  with a web browser application running locally on user devices  120 . Various user interfaces and user interactions described herein are implemented by rendering elements and indicia on a display screen of user device  120 , and receiving input via mechanisms such as physical or soft keyboards, pointing devices and touchscreens. However, it is contemplated and understood that in other embodiments, an installed application may be used in lieu of or in addition to web applications. For example, in lieu of rendering user interfaces via a local user web browser communicating with server  100 , a locally installed application may render user interfaces locally using installed software components, with variable data content being stored locally and/or accessed from server  100  via an API (application programming interface) or other network-based communication mechanism. In such locally-installed embodiments, some or all functionality otherwise performed by server application logic  102  may instead be performed locally on user device  120  via analogous application logic implemented thereon. 
     Career and Job Search Mechanism Using Taxonomic Node Visualization 
     The computing environment of  FIG. 1  can be utilized to implement a tool for searching and reviewing potential employment opportunities in a manner that encourages exploration and enables effective discovery of job and career opportunities for individuals having even low levels of familiarity with a profession or industry, such as students and entry-level workers. In some embodiments, a node network-based visualization component presents interactive views of a job and career set that has been characterized according to multiple taxonomies. A student or other user can utilize the visualization component to interactively explore opportunities and identify a set of opportunities of interest, for further review, pursuit and sharing with others. 
     A career and job search and exploration platform can be implemented on, e.g., server  100  implementing application logic  102 . Components of application logic  102  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and include: node network rendering component  200 , administration portal  210 , employer portal  220 , database connector  230 , and API  240 . Each of these components are discussed further below. While components of application logic  102  are illustrated as being implemented within server  100 , it is contemplated and understood that in use, aspects of application logic  102  can be temporarily downloaded to a user device  120  via network  110  for execution locally within a user device web browser application. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a process for implementing the career or job visualization mechanism, in which a dynamic taxonomic node visualization is interactively linked with a secondary display of job opportunities. In step S 300 , a taxonomy is selected for use in exploring career or job opportunities. Preferably, each career and job opportunity is pre-characterized within multiple different taxonomies that may be useful to a job seeker. In some embodiments, taxonomies applicable to exploring career and job opportunities may include: Industry, Career, Product or Service, Global Issues, Interests, Degree, Location, Education Level and Companies. In other embodiments, additional, fewer and/or different taxonomies may be utilized. Each taxonomy includes one or more categories, which may be ordered hierarchically. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates examples of categories within a hierarchical Industry taxonomy. The hierarchy of  FIG. 4A  includes a top-level  480  having top-level node  480 A (typically the name of the taxonomy). A second hierarchy level  481  (typically containing a broadest set of classifications within the taxonomy), includes in this example seven categories  481 A-G. Categories  481 E,  481 F and  481 G include subcategories within hierarchy level  482 . Category  482 A includes further subcategories within hierarchy level  483 . In practice, various taxonomies can include varying numbers of categories across various numbers of hierarchy levels. In some embodiments, taxonomies can be user-defined and evolve during use of the platform, such that the platform can evolve to meet needs of new employers and evolving areas of technology. In some embodiments, taxonomy category definition can be managed by a central resource, such as via admin portal  210 , in order to help ensure consistency and avoid duplication. 
     Each job and career opportunity may be associated with one or more categories within each taxonomy. In some embodiments, job and career opportunities may be characterized by the hiring employer, such as during definition of the job or career opportunity within a web-based employer portal implemented by server  100 , web server  106 , application logic  102  (including employer portal  220 ) and database  104 . In other embodiments, job and career opportunities may be characterized by a recruiter or other entity maintaining the job and career search mechanism, via network-based interaction with a web-based admin portal implemented by server  100 , web server  106 , application logic  102  (including admin portal  210 ) and database  104 . In either case, web server  106  may interact with user computing device  120  to render a web-based user interface through which job and career opportunities may be entered. Each job or career opportunity is stored as a record or related set of records within database  104 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates exemplary portions of information that may be included in a job or career opportunity record, including multiple taxonomic classifications  490  and detail job/career opportunity fields  491 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary user interface that may be rendered during step S 300 . Pane  400  is a taxonomy selection mechanism providing, e.g., radio buttons enabling selection of one of multiple taxonomies for organizing job/career opportunities. The taxonomy selection is modifiable by the user using pane  400 . 
     In other embodiments, a modal selection mechanism may be provided through which a user can select a desired taxonomy.  FIG. 5B  illustrates such an embodiment. Taxonomy selection region  500  is rendered as a modal, and includes home node  510 , linked with multiple taxonomy node indicia  501 - 509 . Any of taxonomy indicia  501 - 509  can be selected via, e.g., a point-and-click mouse user interface or tapping a touch-based user interface. In embodiments using the modal taxonomy selection mechanism of  FIG. 5B , a HOME button  520  can be provided in or proximate taxonomy node network views (such as those of  FIGS. 5A, 7, 8 , et seq.), selection of which returns the display to the modal taxonomy selection mechanism of  FIG. 5B  for selection of a different taxonomy. 
     After selection of a taxonomy, two simultaneously steps occur. In step S 310 , a node view for the selected taxonomy is rendered based on a currently-selected node. Meanwhile, in step S 315 , a secondary display is rendered in which job and career opportunities associated with the currently-selected taxonomy node are displayed. 
     More specifically, in step S 310 , region  410  provides a taxonomic node visualization for the selected taxonomy rendered by node network rendering component  200 . A hierarchical taxonomy is presented as a dynamic node cluster, with each taxonomy category rendered as a node. The entire cluster is generally centered around one or more currently-selected nodes. Newly-selected taxonomies typically default to a top-level node (e.g. node  480 A in  FIG. 4A ) as the initially selected node. 
     Node network rendering component  200  may provide animated transitions as different nodes are selected. If the taxonomy display is transitioning due to selection of a different node in an already-selected taxonomy in step S 310  (as opposed to an initial default taxonomy display), the node cluster can be animated to automatically reorganize itself to place the newly-selected node centrally within region  420 . In some embodiments, node network rendering component  200  may be downloaded to a client device  120  web browser and implemented using the JavaScript InfoVis Toolkit (available at http://philogb.github.io/jit/index.html) to facilitate animation of the adaptive cluster. In some embodiments, a bounce effect may be further utilized whereby moving elements of node graph  410  are animated to temporarily overshoot their target positions when reorganized, before rebounding into final position. The bounce effect has been found to effectively narrow user focus to a selected node, particularly when dynamically navigating complex node networks. 
     In some embodiments, nodes may be represented by solid color blocks having a text label overlaid thereon. Typically, the label is descriptive of the taxonomy category represented by the node. Adaptive stylization may be utilized to intuitively convey degree of relation between various nodes displayed in region  410 . For example, nodes may be displayed with an apparent transparency that increases based on the number of node hops each displayed node is from the selected node. E.g. a selected node may be displayed at 100% opacity (fully non-transparent); nodes one hop from the selected node may be displayed at 80% opacity; nodes two hops from the selected node may be displayed at 60% transparency; and so on. In some embodiments, adaptive stylization schemes may include threshold node distance levels or other nonlinearities; for example, transparency may vary over the first three degrees of node distance, after which transparency may be maintained at a constant level. Other stylization characteristics that may be varied based on distance from currently selected node(s) include characteristics such as: node color, node size, node shape, shadow size, shadow opacity, and label font. In some embodiments, two or more stylization characteristics may be dynamically modified based on node distance from a currently-selected node. 
     In some circumstances, multiple nodes may be selected simultaneously. For example, search indicia  440  may be selected to initiate a text-based search for node labels within the currently-displayed taxonomy. In the example of  FIG. 5A , displaying Industry taxonomy, a user may search for “en”, in which case region  410  adapts to highlight both “Entertainment” and “Energy” as selected nodes, such that both are displayed with 100% opacity. Other nodes can then be displayed with an opacity level based on each node&#39;s minimum distance from any of the currently-selected nodes. 
     Returning to the process of  FIG. 3 , in step S 315 , region  420  provides a scrollable pane with card-views of job and career opportunities that are responsive to (1) the taxonomy category associated with the node currently selected in region  410 , or (2) any category hierarchically beneath the category associated with the selected node. A short summary of each responsive job and career opportunity is presented on each card  421 . Any of cards  421  can be selected to transition the displayed user interface to a detailed job/career view for closer examination.  FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary detailed job/career view. Pane  600  presents a detailed description of the job opportunity and required qualifications. Pane  610  provides for viewing of video content associated with the job and career opportunity, such as a company employee having a similar job discussing their work. Pane  620  may display the job and career location in a map view. If a user desires to pursue the displayed job or career, Apply button  630  can be selected to directly initiate a job application process. Pane  640  can be used to display short tags associated with the job or career opportunity detailed in pane  600 . Pane  650  provides links to other job or career opportunities that are similar or in some way related to the job or career opportunity displayed in pane  600 , such that a viewer interested in an opportunity displayed in pane  600  may also wish to consider opportunities displayed in pane  640 . In some embodiments, selection of opportunities for display in pane  650  can be implemented by identifying opportunities sharing common tags, keywords, taxonomic classifications and/or detailed description verbiage. Sharing indicia  660  can be selected to send information concerning the job or career opportunity of pane  600  to others via, e.g., email, SMS, or social networking platforms. 
     The exemplary user interface of  FIG. 5A  also includes region  430 , providing a geographic mapping of job and career opportunities displayed in region  420 , to the extent that database records associated with each such opportunity is geo-coded with one or more job and career locations. 
     Within node network region  410 , any node can be selected directly by a user, although in some embodiments, stylization effects such as those described above may focus the user&#39;s attention on nodes closest to the currently selected node, thereby encouraging an orderly and progressive exploration of the node network. In step S 320 , a determination is made as to whether a new node within region  410  has been selected by a user, such as via clicking a node element using a pointer device and associated user interface, or tapping a node element with a touch-based UI. If so, the process returns to steps S 310  and S 315  to reorganize the node network within region  410  and automatically update secondary display  420  to display cards for job and career opportunities associated with the taxonomy category of the newly-selected node. If no new node is selected, a determination can be made as to whether a new taxonomy is selected in region  400 . If so, the process repeats with transition to initial display of the newly-selected taxonomy (e.g. to step S 300 ). 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a user interface view rendering the node network of  FIG. 5A  after a FinTech industry node indicia  700  has been selected by a user. The node network in region  410  is animated to reorganize itself in step S 310 , such that selected node  700  is positioned generally centrally within region  410 , with each node indicia assigned updated color and stylization based on its distance from selected node  700 . Secondary display pane  420  is updated (step S 315 ) to display summary card views  721  for job opportunities associated with the selected “FinTech” industry taxonomic classification. In the view of  FIG. 7 , the map-based view analogous to pane  430  has been hidden; it can be reinstated via selection of indicia  731 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a user interface view rendering the Industry node network of  FIG. 4 , after a Hardware industry indicia  800  has been selected by a user. The node network in region  410  is animated to reorganize itself in step S 310 , such that selected node  800  is positioned generally centrally within region  410 , with each node assigned updated color and stylization based on its distance from selected node  800 . In the illustrated embodiment, no job or career opportunities are associated with the selected “Hardware” node  800 ; thus, secondary display pane  420  is updated (step S 315 ) to display no summary card views for job or career opportunities. Rather, interest indication card  820  may be displayed, which includes button indicia  821  which can be selected by a user to indicate interest in job and career opportunities associated with the selected taxonomic category. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a user interface view after a new taxonomy is selected in step S 325 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , Career radio button  901  has been selected within taxonomy selection pane  400 . Node network view display region  410  is updated to illustrate a node cluster of Career taxonomy categories, with a default top level node  910  displayed centrally, and associated nodes arranged around node  910 . Color and other stylization attributes are applied to nodes within region  410  based on their distance from top level node  910 . Job/career opportunity cards associated with the career top level category  910  (or any categories hierarchically beneath it within the Career taxonomy) are rendered within secondary pane  420 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the arrangement of  FIG. 9 , after selection of node  911  within region  410 . Region  420  is updated to display only job/career opportunity preview cards associated with the taxonomic category associated with selected node  911 .  FIG. 11  illustrates the arrangement of  FIG. 9 , after selection of upstream node  920  within region  410 . Region  420  is updated to display only job/career opportunity preview cards associated with the taxonomic category of selected node  920 , or hierarchically-lower categories associated with nodes  911 - 918 . 
     Similarly,  FIG. 12  illustrates a user interface view after a “Product or Service” taxonomy is selected in region  400 , via selection of radio button  1201 , and node  1210  is selected, with remaining taxonomy category nodes arranged therearound. Color and other stylization are applied to node indicia within region  420  based on node distance from selected node  1210 .  FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18  illustrate views after taxonomies  1301  (“Global Issues”),  1401  (“Interests”),  1501  (“Degree”),  1601  (“Location”),  1701  (“Education Level”) and  1801  (“Companies”), respectively, are selected within region  400 . Various views of nodes within the selected taxonomy are rendered in region  410 , with associated job and career cards rendered in secondary display region  420 . 
     By implementing systems and processes such as those described herein, even users with limited knowledge concerning a field of work may intuitively and effectively navigate job and career opportunities and identify opportunities of interest. In the embodiments of, e.g.,  FIGS. 5A and 7-18 , a navigable, adaptive taxonomic node network is used to simultaneously convey information to a user about selected taxonomy hierarchies, while also controlling the display of job and career opportunities within a secondary display area. In effect, a node selection from within a taxonomic node network can be used to dynamically filter a set of job and career opportunities. 
     However, the navigable taxonomic node network described above can also be used to explore, and select items from, complex hierarchies for use cases other than automatically filtering job opportunities or otherwise controlling a secondary display area. For example, in the context of employment-related platforms, users may traditionally be required to navigate numerous picklists or checklists to identify skills, degrees, interests, industries and other types of information. Such lists may be extremely lengthy, difficult to navigate and have unintuitive ordering. Alternatively, the node network mechanisms described above can be navigated for purposes of discovering and selecting network elements. Elements selected from a dynamic node network can then be used for tasks such as building complex, form-based, multi-criteria search queries, or filling out forms. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an embodiment utilizing a dynamic node network visualization, such as that described above, to identify and select predetermined content items for population in a form used to configure a new job or career opportunity for population into database  104 , and possible display in secondary display region  420  as described above. The embodiment of  FIG. 19  is implemented within the computing environment of  FIG. 1 , and may be implemented as a part of admin portal  210  or employer portal  220 . 
     Display region  1900  contains form fields, e.g. associated with configuring a new job or career opportunity. Display region  1910  contains a dynamic node network visualization, analogous to those described above in connection with  FIGS. 4-18 . The node network contained within region  1910  may be determined by, e.g., the form field that is currently active within region  1900 . For example, when a user clicks into the Location form field  1930 , the Location node network is automatically displayed in region  1910 . (Likewise, if a user clicks into Industry form field  1931 , a node network visualization of an Industry taxonomy can be automatically displayed in region  1910 .) A selection commit action can then be applied to any of node network elements  1920  to populate information associated with the committed element into form field  1930 . Examples of selection commit actions that may be employed in various user-interface embodiments include double-clicking (e.g. in a pointer-based user interface), double tapping or long-pressing (in touch-based user interfaces), or dragging-and-dropping a node indicium from region  1910  onto a target form field in region  1900 . In some embodiments, multi-select actions may be available whereby, for example, multiple nodes within node display region  1910  may be selected (e.g. by shift-clicking multiple nodes in a mouse-and-keyboard based client) and dragged onto one or more form fields within form region  1900 , to populate the fields with information associated with the multiple selected nodes. In this way, embodiments of the selection mechanism may accommodate relationships between taxonomic nodes and target areas on a particular job or other form, which may be one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many, as desired for a particular application. 
     While certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, the foregoing description and Figures merely explain and illustrate the present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, having the present disclosure before them, will be able to make modifications and variations to that disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention or any appended claims.