Skills database management system and method

Abstract

A computer-based on-line skills/résumé management system, said system comprising: (a) a relational database having a plurality of fields wherein a portion of said fields are arranged in a hierarchical relationship; (b) database population mechanism for populating said database with information, said population mechanism interfacing with a first user and prompting said first user for information for at least a portion of said fields arranged in said hierarchical relationship; (c) query generation mechanism for interfacing with a second user and prompting said second user to select a combination of said fields in said hierarchical relationship to form at least a portion of a query for searching said database; (d) search mechanism operatively connected to database for applying said query to said relational database; and (e) output mechanism for providing said second user with results of said search.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer-based on-line skills/résumé management system, said system comprising: 
 a relational database having a plurality of fields wherein a portion of said fields are arranged in a hierarchical relationship;  
 database population means for populating said database with information, said population means interfacing with a first user and prompting said first user for information for at least a portion of said fields arranged in said hierarchical relationship;  
 query generation means for interfacing with a second user and prompting said second user to select a combination of said fields in said hierarchical relationship to form at least a portion of a query for searching said database;  
 search means operatively connected to database for applying said query to said relational database; and  
 output means for providing said second user with results of said search.  
 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said database population means prompts said first user to respond to a choice of professions, prompts said first user with a choice of subcategories based upon said profession, and then prompts said first user to attribute a time duration for a particular choice of profession subcategories.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said query generation means prompts said second user to select a choice of professions, prompts said second user to select a choice of subcategories based upon said profession, and then prompts said second user to specify a time requirement for a particular selection of profession subcategories.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said search means uses a select command based on said fields to select a candidate according to said query.  
     
     
         5 . A computer based central skill/résumé management system, said system comprising: 
 a central processing unit (CPU) containing a database server;  
 a database operatively connected to said CPU, said database having a plurality of fields, a portion of said fields being arranged in a hierarchy and/or network relationship;  
 a user interface operatively connected to said CPU, said user interface interfacing said system with a user over a telecommunicative link;  
 memory operatively connected to said CPU, said memory containing instructional means for configuring said system to perform the following: 
 populating said database with information by interfacing with a first user and prompting said first user for information for at least a portion of said fields arranged in said hierarchical relationship;  
 formulating a query by interfacing with a second user and prompting said second user to select a combination of said fields in said hierarchical relationship to form at least a portion of a query for searching said database;  
 searching said database using said query; and  
 outputing results of said search.  
 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein in populating said database, the system prompts said first user to respond to a choice of professions, prompts said first user with a choice of subcategories based upon said profession, and then prompts said first user to attribute a time duration for a particular choice of profession subcategories.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein in formulating a query, said system selects a choice of professions, prompts said second user to select a choice of subcategories based upon said profession, and then prompts said second user to specify a time requirement for a particular selection of profession subcategories.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said search means uses a select command based on said fields to select a user according to said query.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said instructional means configure the system to display comparative displays of candidates.  
     
     
         10 . A method of managing skills and résumés using an on-line skill/résumé management system, said system comprising a central processing unit (CPU) containing a database server, a relational database operatively connected to said CPU, said relational database having a plurality of fields, a portion of said field being arranged in a hierarchy, and a user interface operatively connected to said CPU, said user interface interfacing said system with a user over a telecommunicative link, said method comprising the steps of: 
 configuring a search query by using said user interface to prompt a user to select a combination of said fields in said hierarchy relationship to form at least a portion of a search query;  
 searching said database using said query;  
 displaying results graphically and/or in a tabular fashion in specialized ways; and  
 outputing results of said search.  
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 populating said database with information by using a user interface to prompt another user for information for at least a portion of said fields arranged in said hierarchy.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein populating said database comprises: 
 prompting said first user to respond to a choice of professions;    prompting said first user with a choice of subcategories based upon the respective parent categories within said profession; and    prompting said user to attribute a time duration for a particular choice of profession subcategories.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein formulating a query comprises: 
 prompting said user to select a choice of professions;    prompting said user to select a choice of subcategories based upon their parent categories within said profession; and    prompting said user to specify a time requirement for a particular selection of profession subcategories.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said relational database further includes a field of education and other fields.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said process further comprises: 
 modifying said query after outputing said results.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said process further comprises: 
 sorting said results according to said fields.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said process further comprises: 
 scheduling an interview with a candidate.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said process further comprises: 
 receiving an indication of availability via a telecommunicative link from a candidate.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein populating said database includes entering educational information and job preferences.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein populating said database includes agreeing to charges for said on-line résumé service.