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APA
JobSeeker Database
JobS
User Manual
Table
of Contents
Introduction
- Purpose.
The JobSeeker Database is designed to be a self-serve system where
users can create and edit their own records, and where potential employers
can enter their own criteria and generate their own reports. The Help
Desk at the National Office (302-831-1181) is available to assist
with technical problems but not to assist with data entry or generating
reports.
The JobSeeker Database is designed to give individuals who are on
the job market an additional method of promoting themselves to potential
employers. It is also designed to give potential employers a
means of identifying individuals who may be particularly well-suited
for a position, and thereby allow them to inform those individuals
about their opening and to invite them to apply if interested.
It is not meant to replace the traditional avenues of posting or responding
to job listings, but rather to enhance the traditional process.
This service is intended to be inclusive of all populations and individuals
in the philosophical community. The purpose of the JobSeeker
Database is most certainly not to give any individual or group of
individuals an unfair advantage over anyone else in the job market.
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- Disclaimer.
Use of this service is completely voluntary. All information
is kept confidential and is searchable only by departments or companies
that have placed an ad in JFP. Please note that none
of the information fields in the profile are required.
The American Philosophical Association assumes no responsibility for
the veracity of the information stored by users in this database.
Requests for enhancements, bug reports, and any other technical questions
or problems should be directed to the Information Resources Coordinator
at the National Office.
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- Profiles.
A profile is composed of five information fields: Gender;
Ethnicity/Diversity; AOC; AOS; and Comments. APA Members have
access to one additional field that allows them to take their profile
offline if they so desire (see below for further details). None
of the five information fields are required, which gives individuals
the ability to leave fields blank if they choose. Additionally,
some fields provide the option "Unspecified" in case an
individual wishes neither to self-identify in a certain category nor
to leave it blank.
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- Searches.
The APA JobSeeker Database is not intended to replace or subvert
any part of the traditional hiring process. Use of this service to
search for potential job candidates requires affirmation that all
applicable state and federal employment regulations are being followed.
The following individuals have the ability to search the database:
1. any APA Member in good standing with a UserName and Password for
accessing the Members Only section of apaOnline;
2. any member of a department that places an ad in JFP.
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- Idle
Timeout. The JobSeeker Database
makes extensive use of session variables. These variables, which
are stored on the APA server, pass values from page to page and are
the backbone of the entire system. Without these variables the
system could not function. It is very important to note that
these variables will expire if you remain idle on any one page for
over 20 minutes and you will be logged out of the system automatically.
If this happens you will be directed back to the JobS homepage
so you can log in again and resume your work.
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- Cookies.
In order to use the APA JobSeeker Database your browser must be configured
to accept cookies. The cookie's purpose is to insure that your
session variables (described above in Idle Timeout)
are returned to your browser and nobody else's. The cookies
do not collect private information about you, and they are deleted
the instant you log out.
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APA
Members
- Creating
a Profile. The first time you log in to the database
the system will display your personal information (name, street address,
e-mail address, etc.) and a User Agreement. Please read the
Agreement in its entirety. If you accept the terms of the Agreement,
a Diversity Profile record will be created for you. Click OK
after receiving confirmation of its creation and you will be directed
to the Edit page where you can begin plugging information into your
record.
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- Editing
a Profile. The "Profile - View" page
will display your personal information (name, street address, e-mail
address, etc.) as well as your JobSeeker information. If any
of your personal information is blank or out of date please send changes
to Janet Sample via e-mail.
If you wish to edit the information in any of your JobSeeker fields,
click the button corresponding to the field you wish to edit and you
will be directed to the appropriate page.
On each "Edit" page you have the following buttons to choose
from:
Update: replaces the information currently in the field with your
new selections;
Erase: erases all information currently in the field;
Reset: undoes any selections you've made on the current page and returns
it to the state it was in when it opened (makes no changes to the
field);
Cancel: exits the "Edit Field" page without making any changes.
After clicking Update, Erase or Cancel you will be directed back to
the "Profile - View" page where you can check the contents
of your record. Please check your record carefully
before logging out! The JobS Database is essentially
a self-serve system, and the APA National Office is not responsible
for user errors.
If you wish to leave a field blank, do not make a selection in that
list, or click "Erase" on that field's Edit page.
The option Unspecified under Gender and Ethnicity/Diversity
is provided for those members who wish to participate in this service
but who wish neither to self-identify under those categories nor to
leave the categories blank.
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- Deleting
a Profile.
If you wish to take your JobSeeker profile offline
temporarily, simply edit your "SEARCHABLE?" field to read
"False." If you wish to completely delete your JobSeeker
profile from the database, please send a request to Chris
Caputo via e-mail. Be sure to include your UserName and
Password with your request.
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- Logging
Out. When you have finished viewing or editing
your record and are ready to exit the JobSeeker database, click the
Logout button on the grey menu at the top of the page. It is
important that you Logout of the database rather than simply jumping
to another page.
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Searching
the Database
- Signing
in. The ability to search the database is granted
only to those departments or companies that place an ad in JFP.
Before you can log in and perform a search, you will be presented
with a User Agreement. Please read the Agreement in its entirety.
If you accept the terms of the Agreement you will be presented with
the Login page.
Any department or company that advertises in JFP will receive
confirmation of the placement of their ad along with a UserName and
Password that will give them access to the search feature of the JobSeeker
Database.
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- Search
Criteria. The Search page lists all options available
in all fields with the exception of the Comments field (the Comments
field is not searchable). The Search page is lengthy due to
the number of options available in some of the fields, so be sure
to scroll down and review your choices carefully. Place a checkmark
in the boxes next to the values you wish to search then scroll to
the bottom and click the Search button.
Your query is constructed from your selections as follows: selections
within a category are joined by an OR; categories
are joined by an AND. Click here
to view examples of queries and the results they will return.
The Any option under Gender and Ethnicity/Diversity functions
as a wildcard. Select it if you wish to view all records that match
your other criteria regardless of what they provided in that particular
category (even if they left it blank).
The Blank option under Gender and Ethnicity/Diversity allows
you to return those records where members
did not provide a response in these categories.
The option Unspecified under Gender and Ethnicity/Diversity
is provided for those members who wish to use the service but who
wish neither to self-identify under those categories nor to leave
the categories blank. Unspecified DOES NOT function as a wildcard
(i.e., if you click Unspecified under Gender your results WILL NOT
include all who selected Female and Male, it will only include those
who selected Unspecified).
For best results, begin searching on as few criteria as possible.
If you select too many options you may get very few hits and you may
miss qualified candidates. If you select too few options you
may get too many hits, but it is better to cast a large net first
and use subsequent searches to narrow down the results.
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- Results.
Results can be formatted in a number of ways. You have
three display options and two sort options.
DISPLAY OPTIONS
Hypertext (default). This option returns your results
in a browser window with all webpages and e-mail addresses formatted
as hyperlinks. This allows you to access members' homepages
and to send individual e-mails quickly and easily. You can also
print these results, but be aware that your printer may reproduce
hyperlinks in a different color or a lighter shade that is difficult
to read.
Plain text. This option returns your results in a browser
window formatted for printing or saving. To print the results
simply select File / Print from your browser's menu bar or
click Print on your browser's button bar. To save the results
select File / Save As ... from your browser's menu bar.
If your browser gives you the option change "Save As Type"
to "Text File (.txt)"; if not simply give the file a name
with a ".txt" extension. Also be sure to make note
of where you save the file! Click OK, then logoff both the JobSeeker
database and apaOnline and open your saved file in your preferred
word processing software. (Note that for your convenience the
preceeding instructions also appear on the Search Results page.)
If you want to save your search results into a database, you'll need
to save them in word processing format first, then type them in directly
or manually clean them up and reformat them as needed for importing
into your custom database format.
E-mail addresses only. This option returns a list of
only the e-mail addresses for the individuals who match your criteria.
It is designed to allow you to create mass e-mailings quickly and
easily. To send a mass e-mail from these search results simply
use your mouse to select all the addresses displayed. Make sure
you've selected each address in its entirety! Then copy the
highlighted text to your clipboard (press Ctrl-C or from the menu
bar select Edit / Copy). Next switch to your e-mail
application and create a new mail message. In Outlook paste
the copied text into the BCC field then press tab;
in Netscape paste the copied text into the BCC field then press enter
(this will cause the software to put each address on its own row).
Put your own e-mail address in the TO field, compose your message,
then click Send. (NOTE: by addressing it this way you
are able to send the message to a number of people without any of
them knowing who else got a copy. We strongly recommend
that you use this method.) Finally, since there is a minimum
of information returned in this results format it is VERY STRONGLY
recommended that you perform the same search and request the results
in either of the other two formats, then that you print or save the
results so you have a record on file of who received your mass e-mail.
(Note that for your convenience the preceeding instructions also appear
on the Search Results page.) These instructions cover Windows-
and MAC-based e-mail systems from Microsoft and Netscape only.
Other operating systems and/or e-mail software may require different
steps or may be unable to perform similar functions.
SORT OPTIONS
Last name (default). Results sorted alphabetically by
last name.
Zip code. Results sorted first geographically by zip
code then alphabetically by last name.
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- Logging
Out. When you are done searching and are ready
to exit the JobSeeker database click one of the Logout buttons.
It is important that you Logout of the database rather than simply
jumping to another page.
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- Profile
Fields.
GENDER - Individuals may select one of three options:
Female, Male or Unspecified. "Unspecified" is available
as an option in this category in case an individual wishes neither
to self-identify nor to leave this field blank.
ETHNICITY/DIVERSITY - Individuals may select any of eight options:
African-American; American Indian; Asian/Asian-American; Caucasian;
Physical Disability; Hispanic/Latino/Latina; Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered;
or Unspecified. "Unspecified" is available as an
option in this category in case an individual wishes neither to self-identify
nor to leave this field blank.
AOS- (Area of Specialization - Definition)
- Individuals may select any from over 55 areas of philosophical study.
This field has a limit of 255 characters.
AOC- (Area of Competence - Definition)
- Individuals may select any from over 55 areas of philosophical study.
This field has a limit of 255 characters. (The AOS list and
the AOC list are identical.)
COMMENTS - This is a plain-text field in which an individual
can type up to 255 characters. Note: the Comments field should
not be used to supply an e-mail address or a URL link to a CV on the
web. The corresponding fields under "Personal Information"
can be returned as hyperlinks in certain search results, making it
easier for potential employers to contact individuals. However
the Comments field should be used if it is necessary to provide multiple
e-mail addresses or URL links, just be aware that any addresses or
URLs supplied in the Comment field will not be linkable. Also,
due to space limitations, you should not use the Comments field to
include lengthy cover letters.
You can use "hard returns" in the Comments field, but they
will only display on the Edit page. On the "Profile - View"
page and in search results they will display as a space, not as a
hard return.
SEARCHABLE? - This field is used by
the system to determine whether or not to return a record in a list
of search results. If the value is "True" and if there
is a criteria match, the record will appear in the search results.
If the value is "False" the record will not appear
in the search results, even if there is a criteria match.
A value of "False" effectively makes the record invisible
to everyone except the profile's owner. When payment is received
by the National Office the value in this field will be switched to
"True."
Non members do not have the ability to edit their own searchability
status. As described in the User
Agreement, a non member's profile will be online and searchable after
payment is received. If a non member wishes to take their profile
offline before the end of the payment period they should contact the
National Office and provide both their IDNumber and Password.
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- Creating
a Profile. The first time you log in to the database
you will be presented with a User Agreement. Please read the
Agreement in its entirety. If you accept the terms of the Agreement
you will be asked to complete a personal information profile.
Required fields are marked with a red asterisk. (Note: mother's
maiden name is required simply for identity verification purposes
should you ever lose your IDNumber or Password.)
Click Create when ready and you will be assigned an IDNumber.
Keep it and your Password in a safe place as you will need them to
log back in. Click OK and you will be directed to the Edit page
where you can begin plugging information into your diversity profile.
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- Editing
a Profile. The Edit Profile page will display
your personal information (name, street address, e-mail address, etc.)
as well as your JobSeeker information. If any of your personal
information is blank or out of date click the Edit button above your
name to make changes. If you wish to edit the information in
any of your JobSeeker fields, click the button corresponding to the
field you wish to edit and you will be directed to the appropriate
page.
On each "Edit" page you have the following buttons to choose
from:
Update: replaces the information currently in the field with your
new selections;
Erase: erases all information currently in the field;
Reset: undoes any selections you've made on the current page and returns
it to the state it was in when it opened (makes no changes to the
field);
Cancel: exits the "Edit Field" page without making any changes.
After clicking Update, Erase or Cancel you will be directed back to
the "Profile - View" page where you can check the contents
of your record. Please check your record carefully
before logging out! The JobS Database is essentially
a self-serve system, and the APA National Office is not responsible
for user errors.
If you wish to leave a field blank, do not make a selection in that
list, or click "Erase" on that field's Edit page.
The option Unspecified under Gender and Ethnicity/Diversity
is provided for those members who wish to participate in this service
but who wish neither to self-identify under those categories nor to
leave the categories blank.
Back
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- Logging
Out. When you are done viewing or editing your
record and are ready to exit the JobSeeker database click the Logout
button on the grey menu at the top of the page. It is important
that you Logout of the database rather than simply jumping to another
page.
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Help
- Lost
Passwords. If you cannot locate
your password, please follow these steps:
APA MEMBERS: If you know your UserName, you can have your password
e-mailed to you by going here.
If you do not remember your UserName, please call the National Office
at 302-831-1181 (Mon - Fri, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm EST).
JFP ADVERTISERS: Your UserName and Password were sent along
with your ad placement confirmation materials. If you lose it,
contact the National Office and we will send another copy to the same
address we sent it originally. Under no circumstances will we
send it to a different address or give it out over the phone.
(Note: UserNames and Passwords will only be given to those responsible
for hiring. They will not be given to third party organizations
hired to advertise open positions.)
- Reporting
Problems. If you experience
any difficulty using the JobSeeker Database please follow these steps:
1. Write down everything that you were doing at the time:
what page you were on, what you were trying to do, what happened,
any error messages received, what other applications you had open
at the time, etc. If you were editing data or performing a search,
note exactly which checkboxes you had selected at the time.
2. Contact apaOnline@udel.edu
or 302-831-1181 (Mon - Fri, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm EST) and relay the information
to tech support.
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