On tools suitable for a job search
Posted by Mike Wed, 03 May 2006 06:58:00 GMT
I am not the first one (see MyJobTips among others) to assert that the online tools available to job seekers are lacking. Herewith some thoughts on what a mashup service for seekers might look like.
A common job seeker workflow might go something like:
- wake-up, make coffee
- check e-mail, possibly reading automated messages from job boards
- cruise job boards, bookmarking jobs of interest
- pick one or two or more gems from that day's crop of new job postings and research job and company
- compose and send one or two resumes
- later, follow up on sent resumes, possibly scheduling interviews, and eventually accepting an offer
It won't be long before one of the major job boards (or Google) implements something that services such a workflow. But for now, a simple mashup might do the trick
Much of what a job seeker needs is already there. Social bookmarking sites like del.icio.us provide an easy way to post, organize, and share bookmarks. Blogs provide an easy way to author, store, and publish research and notes. Online calenders are extremely common, useful for scheduling interviews. Web-based to-do lists, useful for recording follow-ups, are also freely available, most providing electronic reminders.
A mapping service like Google Maps might also play a role. And then there are the online word processors like Writely that could be used to author resumes. Does Google Base play a role?
A first version of "the app" might just be a static javascript page that sends HTTP requests to each of the secondary services. Eventually the app should be smart enough to extract info from a job posting such as job location, posting date, relevant keywords, suggested follow-up tasks, blog post templates.
I suspect that this app would not cross the line between feature and service, i.e. the job seeker's needs are more likely to be satisfied by existing providers than by the app. Would seekers pay to use the mash up? Maybe, but as soon as they did, someone is going to give it away for free.
