The Long Road

05/28/2004 Archived Entry: "Jobmine"

Jobmine is the new webased app UW has implemented to replace our old Access system. Access was very deeply flawed. First was the terrible hierarchy of menu options that led nowhere, and this is still a part of Jobmine. I suspect that the layered structure is there because employers, students, and admin all use the same app and we're all given different and appropriate options to select from. It's nice that the app is dynamic enough to do this but it seriously would not hurt to hard code one single line that would safe us from clicking through 4 pages just to get to the content. There is already a lot of frustration when the servers are bogged down, but that is much worse when you have to navigate through slow loading pages that have no content.

Another complaint involves the fact that the system is not updated in real time and has to go through daily shutdowns to do so. It is aggravating to have to get all my job hunting and applying done before midnight. Sometimes, it would be nice to browse for jobs at 2am.

But those are old problems; new problems include the fact that after applying for a job you have to resubmit your search and go to the page of results you were at. Again, this leads to a lot of unecessary waiting and navigating. The server load would actually be lower if the app kept passing a string of all your search criteria to the non-search pages so that when you return, you'll end up where you had left off. Just passing this one variable would save anywhere from 1 to 6 pages of db querying and page generating and loading.

The positive thing about the Jobmine, and it's a huge positive, is that we no longer have to deal with paper resumes. Electronic submition of resumes is a significant improvement. There is no longer the need to spend 20-40$ a term on making photocopies nor the running around every second day to make those last minute resume drops at the co-op building, which included a lot of waiting in line and pushing your way through waves of people. Or having to deal with dropboxes so crammed of resumes that dozens were hanging out.

The ability to withdraw applications and the fact that you get applications back upon cancellations or rejection make the co-op process a lot more student friendly than it has been in the past. There's now no fear in "wasting" an application (we only get 24) for a job that you don't think you have a chance in getting.

Overall, I think the process is a lot better and friendlier but the implementation leaves a lot to be desired. Why UW insists on using Peoplesoft software is beyond me.

Replies: 4 comments

well, despite the fact that you don't have to use paper resumes I'm just happy I don't have to use the program at all. Co-op is nothing but trouble.

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