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Audience

The purpose of this document is to specify the Standard RSS interface for use by third party job boards and is intended for readers who have a working knowledge of XML and data integration.

This interface is an RSS feed of all jobs posted but the data elements are PageUp's data elements. For example, the category list is specific to that client - it is what they configure in PageUp.

Overview

The Standard RSS interface provides software-readable access to a list of jobs for a PageUp client, using an industry standard protocol. The feed is publicly accessible and lists the currently available jobs relating to the respective client.

The RSS feed complies with the RSS 2.0 specification and displays a real-time list of jobs currently available for a client. Job boards can retrieve this information by hitting the RSS interface using a software application, parsing the XML, and importing the data into their own system. The RSS feed is also updated every 15 minutes.

PageUp must first enable the job board for a specific client, and assign a unique code to the job board. Once this has been configured, jobs that are sourced to the job board can be viewed in the RSS feed.

Job board specific information

Job post criteria is not specific to a job board but rather what the client has configured in their PageUp system. As such, the third party job board will be required to map and align the criteria(s) that are defined by the client versus that of the 3rd party job board. For example, if we look at Industry, accounting in PageUp would map to Business & Finance on the third party job board's end and will automatically display in the RSS feed.

An example process for extracting jobs from the RSS feed

Below is an example of how a job board could extract jobs from the RSS feed.

• Contact the PageUp representative of the mutual client to obtain the specific URL configured to list jobs that are to be posted to your job board.
• Hit the designated RSS feed for the mutual client each hour.
• A list of jobs will be returned. Using an XML parsing object, for example, XmlDataDocument in .NET, iterate through the jobs. You could use the following logic:
  • Compare the unique <guid> for the job with the jobs already posted on your job board. If the job already exists, update the information instead of creating another job.
  • Create or update jobs in your own database based on the XML data in the feed. Locations, work types and categories can be configured in the PageUp web application to use your own terminology – contact the client and PageUp to discuss and mutually agree to have this configured.
  • Jobs that have closed will no longer appear in the RSS feed. Compare the most recent job list with the last import performed. If jobs have been removed from the feed, remove the job from your job board. Alternatively, you can store the <job:closingDate> node of each job, and delete jobs based on this date.

Note: "Hidden jobs" in PageUp will not be included in the RSS feed. For more information, see Hidden jobs.

Implementation

Job board requirements

Refer to the Standard jobs RSS details and example (requires login) for information on what the third party job board needs to supply to PageUp.

Any item which is job board configurable will need to be provided to PageUp before work can begin. This information will then be configured against the Standard RSS sourcing channel.

Client requirements

A signed statement of work is required before PageUp begins working with the third party job board to set up the RSS feed. During the setup, the client may be consulted with questions and may also be provided with the ability to test the feed before going live.

Setting up an RSS feed

PageUp has a full integration with Broadbean and we recommend this option to clients and job boards. If Broadbean is not an option and a client wants to move forward with an RSS feed, the client needs to sign a statement of work prior to any work commencing.

Unlike an Ultimate Jobs RSS interface, the Standard Jobs RSS interface does not require any development work by PageUp. All configurations can be completed by a partner implementer and/or PageUp.

Once the RSS feed is set up, the information will be sent to the third party job board and a test job will be posted to the feed. This allows the third party job board to test the consumption of the RSS. Once the client, third party job board and PageUp have signed off on the RSS feed, the functionality will be released and the client can start posting jobs to the website.

Note: Timelines for setting up an RSS feed are dependent on the third party job board.

How it works

The feed

Each client will have their own feed which contains their job information and appropriate tracking details although the structure of the feed will be the same for each client.

Certain information within the feed, such as the structure of the location, is specific to each client and is not job board specific. For example, a client may define a location broadly as Sydney or may choose to break it down further such as Newtown and Surry Hills.

A signed statement of work from each client is required prior to setup as work is involved with each one. For example, if client A has an RSS feed with job board Y and client B wants to begin sourcing to job board Y, there is setup and work involved.

Client side

When a recruiter is sourcing a job, they have a list of job boards to select from.
A job board with the RSS integration for that client will appear in the list. The recruiter selects the job board and can update the copy of the job, close dates or whatever other information may appear there. Once the job information is saved, the information is pushed to the RSS feed for the job board to consume and place on their site.

Tracking application sources

The apply link we provide in the RSS contains tracking information that shows where the applicant came from in the Sourcing Report. If this apply link is not used, applicants will not be properly tracked in the PageUp system. The apply link is the URL that sends applicants to the client's application form.

Configuration

For job boards following the Standard RSS model, the following steps need to be completed by the partner implementer and/or PageUp.

1. Create a new RSS (standard) type sourcing channel, giving it the same name of the third party job board and a unique source pointer value.
2. The above step allows for only specific jobs to be posted to this job board.
3. Once the source is created from step 1, post a test job or two to the source.
4. Go back to the sourcing channel setup and click the About link.
5. The About page lists the RSS feed URLs that need to be provided to the third party job board to test/consume.