CAREER INNOVATION OFFICE
Patent Gazette · Volume 2023
Four Inventions in the Field of Digital Employment Discovery
CAREER INNOVATION OFFICE
US 2023/0,001,001 A1
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/00 · H04L 67/00 · PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING
GRANTED
Filed: May 5, 2003
Published: Dec 31, 2023
Title:
Apparatus and Method for Professional Network-Based Employment Discovery
Inventor:
Reid Hoffman, Allen Blue, et al.
Assignee:
LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA)
Prior Art:
Monster.com (US 1999/001); CareerBuilder (US 2000/014); Six Degrees (US 1997/003)
Abstract
A system and method for connecting job seekers with employment opportunities through a professional networking graph comprising over 900 million member nodes (as of 2023) across 200+ geographic regions. The invention distinguishes itself from prior art job boards by prioritising relationship-based discovery, wherein approximately 80% of successful placements occur through network traversal rather than direct application. The system incorporates profile-based application [FIG. 1], InMail direct messaging [FIG. 2], content amplification [FIG. 3], and endorsement/recommendation attestation [FIG. 4]. Acquired by Microsoft Corporation in 2016 for $26.2 billion, representing the highest valuation assigned to any employment discovery patent in the field.
Claims
1.
A method for employment discovery comprising: maintaining a professional profile that functions as a living résumé with work history, skills, endorsements from peers, and recommendations from supervisors, said profile being searchable by over 89% of active recruiters in the field.
2.
The method of claim 1, further comprising an "Easy Apply" mechanism that transmits the professional profile and attached résumé to employers with a single user action, wherein LinkedIn candidates achieve approximately 2× the interview rate compared to traditional job board applications (Breezy HR, 2023).
3.
A premium subscription tier ("Premium Career," $29.99/month) providing: (a) 5 InMail credits per month for direct outreach to non-connected members; (b) Featured Applicant status increasing visibility in recruiter search results; (c) 90-day profile viewer identification; and (d) applicant competition insights. The assignee claims premium users are 2.6× more likely to achieve employment placement.
4.
A content distribution network wherein members post professional articles, insights, and career updates, said content creating persistent visibility signals that increase profile discovery. LinkedIn Learning provides supplementary skill-development modules accessible to premium subscribers.
5.
An "Open to Work" visual indicator (green profile ring) signalling availability to recruiters, combined with privacy controls allowing the signal to be visible to all members or to recruiters only.
Known Limitations
[0031] The invention generates only 13% of total job market applications (Breezy HR, 2023), indicating limited utility for high-volume application strategies. Application response rate is approximately 2-3% (Huntr study), below competing systems. The system exhibits reduced efficacy for entry-level and blue-collar employment categories, where the professional networking graph is sparse. Premium tier costs ($29.99–$170/month) create an economic barrier. Customer service subsystem performance is critically below field standards, with a Trustpilot rating of 1.3 out of 5.0 as of late 2023, the lowest of any system in this patent class.
Patent Examiner's Decision
GRANTED — With Notations
The invention is granted on the basis of its unique claim to network-based employment discovery — no prior art or competing system replicates the professional graph traversal mechanism (Claim 1) at this scale. The 2× interview rate (Claim 2) and the 80% networking placement rate represent genuine novelty in the field. However, the examiner notes that the customer service subsystem (Trustpilot 1.3/5) represents a material deficiency that, if unremedied, may affect future renewal. The premium pricing structure (Claim 3) limits the invention's accessibility. The system's efficacy is concentrated in white-collar professional categories and diminishes significantly in entry-level and blue-collar fields. Granted with recommendation for improvement in subscriber support and entry-level coverage.
— Examiner R. Talent, Ph.D. · Career Innovation Office · Classification Division G06Q
CAREER INNOVATION OFFICE
US 2023/0,002,004 A1
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/10 · G06F 16/00 · JOB AGGREGATION ENGINE
GRANTED
Filed: Nov 18, 2004
Published: Dec 31, 2023
Title:
System for High-Volume Job Listing Aggregation and Rapid Application Transmission
Inventor:
Paul Forster, Rony Kahan
Assignee:
Indeed Inc. (Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan)
Prior Art:
Monster.com (US 1999/001); HotJobs (US 1997/008); CareerBuilder (US 2000/014)
Abstract
A system and method for aggregating employment listings from thousands of company websites, job boards, and staffing agencies into a single searchable index, providing the largest unified employment database in the field. As of 2023, the system processes over 250 million unique monthly visitors, captures 66% of all job applications in sample studies (Breezy HR), and facilitates approximately 27 placements per minute. The invention provides zero-cost access to job seekers [FIG. 1], pay-per-click employer promotion [FIG. 2], AI-driven candidate matching [FIG. 3], and a résumé database exceeding 200 million profiles [FIG. 4]. Distinguished from prior art by the aggregation-first architecture and the absence of any paywall for seeker-side functionality.
Claims
1.
A job listing aggregation engine that crawls and indexes employment postings from company career pages, third-party job boards, staffing agencies, and government databases, producing a unified search interface covering approximately 45-50% of all online job postings worldwide.
2.
The system of claim 1, wherein job seekers access the complete listing database, apply to positions, upload résumés, receive job alerts, and access company reviews — all at zero monetary cost, with no usage limitations or time restrictions.
3.
An "Easy Apply" rapid-submission mechanism enabling single-click application transmission, said mechanism contributing to the system's 27 hires per minute throughput and 66% share of all job applications in measured employer samples.
4.
An employer-facing pay-per-click promotion system ($0.10–$5.00+ per click) for sponsored job listings, combined with a résumé database subscription ($100–$250/month) enabling proactive candidate discovery across 200M+ stored profiles. Integration with over 350 applicant tracking systems.
5.
An AI-driven "Instant Match" subsystem that automatically pairs candidate profiles with job listings based on skills, experience, and location data, reducing time-to-match for employers.
Known Limitations
[0028] The system's volume-first architecture produces a 97-98% unqualified application rate as reported by Indeed Connect, creating significant noise for employers. Application response rate is 4.7% (Huntr, 635,000 applications studied). Trustpilot user satisfaction rating stands at 2.4 out of 5.0, reflecting complaints regarding sponsored post cost escalation, stale listings, and occasional fraudulent postings. The system lacks any professional networking capability — all interactions are transactional rather than relationship-based. Sponsored listings displace organic results over time, reducing the utility of the free posting mechanism for employers.
Patent Examiner's Decision
GRANTED — Standard
The invention is granted on the basis of its unmatched aggregation scale (Claim 1) and zero-cost seeker access (Claim 2) — no competing system delivers comparable volume at comparable price (free). The 27 hires/minute throughput and 66% application market share (Claim 3) represent field-leading performance metrics. The 97-98% unqualified rate (Known Limitations) is a material quality concern but does not invalidate the core claims, as the invention's stated purpose is volume maximisation, not precision matching. The 350+ ATS integrations (Claim 4) demonstrate strong interoperability. Granted without reservation, with advisory note that quality-filtering improvements would strengthen future filings.
— Examiner R. Talent, Ph.D. · Career Innovation Office · Classification Division G06Q
CAREER INNOVATION OFFICE
US 2023/0,003,010 A1
Int. Cl. G06N 20/00 · G06Q 10/10 · AI-DRIVEN MATCHING
GRANTED
Filed: Mar 15, 2010
Published: Dec 31, 2023
Title:
AI-Driven Candidate-Job Matching and Multi-Board Distribution Engine
Inventor:
Ian Siegel, Joe Edmonds, Ward Poulos, Will Redd
Assignee:
ZipRecruiter, Inc. (Santa Monica, CA)
Prior Art:
Indeed (US 2004/002); Monster (US 1999/001); LinkedIn (US 2003/001)
Abstract
A system and method for AI-driven bilateral matching between employers and job seekers, combined with automated distribution of each job listing to over 100 partner job boards in a single action. The invention distinguishes itself from prior art aggregation systems (Indeed) by employing proactive matching — the system identifies candidates and invites them to apply, rather than waiting for inbound applications. As of 2023, the system serves over 2.8 million businesses, maintains a database of over 36 million résumés, and achieves the highest user satisfaction rating in the patent class (Trustpilot: 4.5/5.0, 12,000+ reviews). The "Invite to Apply" mechanism [FIG. 1] and "Be Seen First" priority placement [FIG. 2] represent the core novel claims.
Claims
1.
An AI matching engine that analyses employer job requirements and candidate profiles to identify optimal pairings, then automatically generates and transmits "Invite to Apply" notifications to matched candidates, resulting in 80% of employers receiving a quality candidate within the first day of listing publication.
2.
A multi-board syndication system that automatically distributes each job listing to 100+ partner job boards and employment websites with a single employer action, eliminating the need for manual cross-posting.
3.
A "Be Seen First" priority mechanism enabling job seekers to attach a personal note to their application and receive elevated placement in the employer's candidate queue.
4.
A conversational AI career advisory system that recommends positions to seekers based on skill analysis and behavioural patterns, with salary transparency on 70%+ of listed positions.
Known Limitations
[0024] Employer pricing is not publicly disclosed, requiring direct sales consultation (estimated ~$24/job/day based on industry reports). No permanent free tier exists for employers — only time-limited trials. The system's total reach is smaller than competing aggregation engines (Indeed) and networking systems (LinkedIn). International coverage is limited compared to global competitors. No professional networking or passive candidate sourcing capability. Some user reviews cite mixed candidate quality and occasional service inconsistencies.
Patent Examiner's Decision
GRANTED — With Commendation
The invention is granted with commendation for the highest user satisfaction score in the patent class (4.5/5 Trustpilot — compared to 2.4 for Indeed and 1.3 for LinkedIn). The "Invite to Apply" mechanism (Claim 1) represents genuine novelty: no prior art system proactively recruits candidates on the employer's behalf at this scale with this speed (80% day-one match rate). The 100+ board syndication (Claim 2) eliminates a significant friction point in prior art. The pricing opacity (Known Limitations) is noted as an area for improvement but does not affect the validity of the core claims. This is the most balanced invention in the 2023 filing class.
— Examiner R. Talent, Ph.D. · Career Innovation Office · Classification Division G06N
CAREER INNOVATION OFFICE
US 2023/0,004,007 A1
Int. Cl. G06Q 50/00 · G06F 16/00 · EMPLOYER TRANSPARENCY
PENDING RENEWAL
Filed: Jun 11, 2007
Published: Dec 31, 2023
Title:
Crowd-Sourced Employer Intelligence and Compensation Transparency System
Inventor:
Robert Hohman, Rich Barton, Tim Besse
Assignee:
Glassdoor, Inc. (Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan)
Prior Art:
Vault.com (US 1996/012); Salary.com (US 1999/019); PayScale (US 2002/006)
Abstract
A system and method for collecting, aggregating, and presenting crowd-sourced employment intelligence — including anonymous employer reviews, salary reports by role and location, interview question databases, benefits assessments, and CEO approval ratings — contributed by current and former employees of reviewed organisations. The invention creates an information asymmetry correction in the employment market, enabling job seekers to evaluate employer quality prior to application or offer acceptance. As of 2023, the system maintains reviews and data for millions of companies worldwide. Employers with actively maintained Glassdoor profiles receive 70% more applications than those without. Wholly owned subsidiary of Recruit Holdings (alongside Indeed), creating a sibling relationship with the leading aggregation engine in the field. Application response rate: 4.76% (Huntr, 2023) — marginally exceeding the Indeed system (4.7%).
Claims
1.
A crowd-sourced employer review system wherein current and former employees anonymously submit structured assessments including: overall rating (1-5 stars), pros, cons, CEO approval, culture and values rating, work-life balance rating, compensation and benefits rating, career opportunities rating, and senior management rating.
2.
A salary transparency engine presenting real compensation data by role, location, experience level, and company, sourced from verified employee submissions, enabling job seekers to establish market-rate benchmarks prior to salary negotiation.
3.
An interview intelligence database containing actual interview questions, difficulty ratings, process descriptions, and outcome reports submitted by candidates who have completed interview processes, providing preparation data unavailable through any other system in the patent class.
4.
A "Company Explorer" filtering system enabling multi-dimensional employer evaluation across compensation, benefits, culture, diversity, and work-life balance parameters simultaneously, producing a holistic employer assessment prior to application.
5.
Complete zero-cost access to all intelligence data for all users, with no premium tier, no subscription requirement, and no usage limitations. Revenue generated through employer branding services rather than seeker-side monetisation.
Known Limitations
[0022] The system's primary utility is intelligence-gathering rather than direct employment placement. Job listing volume is lower than competing aggregation systems (Indeed) and networking systems (LinkedIn). Crowd-sourced review data may exhibit selection bias (over-representation of dissatisfied employees or employer-solicited positive reviews). The company confidence index has shown periodic declines. No professional networking capability. Limited employer-side recruitment tools compared to specialised hiring systems. The system is optimally deployed as a companion to primary placement systems rather than as a standalone employment discovery mechanism.
Patent Examiner's Decision
GRANTED — Pending Renewal Review
The invention is granted on the basis of its unique and uncontested claim to crowd-sourced employer transparency (Claims 1-3) — no competing system provides equivalent depth of anonymous employee-sourced intelligence at comparable scale. The salary transparency engine (Claim 2) and interview intelligence database (Claim 3) represent genuine novelty with no prior art equivalents. The 100% free access model (Claim 5) is the most generous in the patent class. Granted with "Pending Renewal" status because the system functions primarily as a companion technology rather than a standalone placement engine. The examiner recommends that the invention be evaluated as part of a portfolio alongside aggregation and networking patents. The 4.76% response rate — marginally exceeding Indeed's 4.7% — demonstrates that transparency-enhanced applications achieve measurably better outcomes.
— Examiner R. Talent, Ph.D. · Career Innovation Office · Classification Division G06Q
"The most robust employment discovery portfolio is not built on a single patent. It is assembled from complementary inventions — networking (US '001), aggregation (US '004), AI matching (US '010), and transparency (US '007) — each addressing a distinct failure mode in the employment market."
— Chief Examiner's Annual Report, 2023
All product names are trademarks of their respective owners · Patent numbers are fictitious editorial identifiers
Claims and assessments are editorial evaluations as of December 2023 · Response rate data from Huntr 2023 study
For informational purposes only · Not professional career, legal, or procurement advice
Career Innovation Office · Patent Gazette · Volume 2023