Recruitment Match Ontology (RMO)

Summary

The RMO ontology is designed to facilitate the automatic matching of candidate profiles with job descriptions, enhancing the recruitment process for both recruiters and candidates. This ontology integrates key concepts such as skills, qualifications, experiences, job roles, and technologies, structured to improve job matching, career management, and labor market analysis.

Terminology

An Application Profile is a specification that reuses terms from one or more base standards, adding more specificity by identifying mandatory, recommended and optional elements to be used for a particular application, as well as recommendations for controlled vocabularies to be used.

A Dataset is a collection of data, published or curated by a single source, and available for access or download in one or more formats.

A Data Portal is a Web-based system that contains a data catalogue with descriptions of datasets and provides services enabling discovery and reuse of the datasets.

A Controlled Lists Controlled lists, also known as controlled vocabularies, are predefined sets of terms used to ensure consistency and accuracy in data representation and retrieval. In the context of an ontology, controlled lists play a crucial role in standardizing the terminology used across different entities and relationships. This standardization is essential for maintaining the integrity of the data model, facilitating interoperability between systems, and improving the precision and recall in information retrieval.

Graphical representation

The graphical representation of the Application Profile is provided in the form of an UML class diagram ¹ and is depicted in the figure below. The boxes represent classes while the arrow connections represent properties establishing relations to other classes. The attributes inside boxes represent properties providing either literal data values or relation to other classes that are omitted from the diagram. Both, arrows and attributes, are labelled with the names of the properties coupled with the prefix of the namespace where they are defined.

The cardinality specifications on the connector (_ .. _) arrows and next to the attributes, marked in square brackets ( [ ] ) represent constraints on how the property may be employed on the class instances and has a normative meaning. The first number means minimum cardinality constraint and the second means maximum cardinality constraint. The minimum cardinality constraint is zero (0 .. _ ) for optional properties and one (1 .. _) for mandatory properties. The maximum cardinality constraint is usually unspecified ( _ .. *) or limited to one (_ .. 1) and has no normative value in this application profile. If the cardinality is not specified then the implied meaning is exactly one (1..1).

The stereotypes, marked in the double angle brackets (<< >>), used in the diagram are based on RDFS model. They have an indicative and not a semantic value.

Conceptual Model Image — UML class diagram for the current application profile

Prefix	Namespace IRI
`rmo`	`http://index.dev/ontology/rmo#`
`dct`	`http://purl.org/dc/terms/`
`esco`	`http://data.europa.eu/esco/model#`
`skos`	`http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#`
`locn`	`http://www.w3.org/ns/locn#`
`foaf`	`http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/`

The Domain Model

The domain model diagram presents a structured representation of the Recruitment Match Ontology (RMO), detailing the key concepts and relationships that facilitate the matching of candidate profiles with job description in a recommender system. This ontology captures essential aspects of candidate information, job requirements, and their interactions.

Main Entities

The main entities are those that form the core of the Application Profile.

Location

Definition: A geographic area or place characterized by its physical coordinates and corresponding time zone.
Usage Note: A geographic area or place characterized by its physical coordinates and corresponding time zone.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Geographic name , Time zone .

	Property	Range	Card	Definition
	Geographic name	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	A textual description for a Location.
	Time zone	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An area which observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial and social purposes.

Benefits

Definition: Additional advantages provided to employees beyond their salary, such as health insurance or retirement plans.
Usage Note: Additional advantages provided to employees beyond their salary, such as health insurance or retirement plans.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Description , Benefit name .

	Property	Range	Card	Definition
	Description	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An account of the resource. Additional Information: Description may include but is not limited to: an abstract, a table of contents, a graphical representation, or a free-text account of the resource.
	Benefit name	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1

Candidate

Definition: An individual who uses the system to find job opportunities.
Usage Note: An individual who uses the system to find job opportunities.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Title , Homepage , Mbox , Name , Phone number , Has profile .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Title	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	Represents the title or the name of a resource.
Homepage	xsd:anyURI	1..1
Mbox	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1
Name	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	The complete name of the Candidate as one string.
Phone number	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	A telephone number through which the Candidate can be contacted.
Has profile	rmo:CandidateProfile

Candidate profile

Definition: Represents the detailed profile of a Candidate, including credentials, skills experience, and location.
Usage Note: Represents the detailed profile of a Candidate, including credentials, skills experience, and location.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Profile id , Target rate , Has location , Has experience , Receives job desciption , Target occupation , Has qualification , Has credential , Has skills .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Profile id	xsd:integer	1..1	A unique identifier for the candidate profile.
Target rate	xsd:double	1..1	Specifies the desired hourly or annual rate of pay for the candidate, indicating their expected compensation for a job.
Has location	dct:Location	1
Has experience	rmo:Experience	0..*
Receives job desciption	rmo:JobDescription	0..*
Target occupation	rmo:Role
Has qualification	rmo:Qualification	0..*
Has credential	rmo:Credential	0..*
Has skills	rmo:Skill	1..*

Certification

Definition: The official recognition of a candidate's expertise or proficiency in a specific domain, typically obtained through examination or evaluation by a professional body.
Usage Note: The official recognition of a candidate's expertise or proficiency in a specific domain, typically obtained through examination or evaluation by a professional body.
Subclass of
: Credential
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Description .

	Property	Range	Card	Definition
	Description	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An account of the resource. Additional Information: Description may include but is not limited to: an abstract, a table of contents, a graphical representation, or a free-text account of the resource.

Company

Definition: An organization or business entity that employs individuals.
Usage Note: An organization or business entity that employs individuals.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Description , Company name , Industry , Has location , Posts .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Description	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An account of the resource. Additional Information: Description may include but is not limited to: an abstract, a table of contents, a graphical representation, or a free-text account of the resource.
Company name	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	The name of the organization or business entity that has posted a job description.
Industry	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1
Has location	dct:Location	1
Posts	rmo:JobDescription	0..*

Credential

Definition: An academic or professional qualification obtained by a candidate, such as degrees or certifications.
Usage Note: An academic or professional qualification obtained by a candidate, such as degrees or certifications.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Title , Date awarded .

	Property	Range	Card	Definition
	Title	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	Represents the title or the name of a resource.
	Date awarded	xsd:date	1..1	The date when a candidate was granted a particular credential, such as a degree or certification.

Education

Definition: The academic qualifications of a Candidate.
Usage Note: The academic qualifications of a Candidate.
Subclass of
: Credential
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Education degree .

	Property	Range	Card	Definition
	Education degree	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1

Experience

Definition: Represents the practical knowledge and proficiency gained by a candidate through previous work engagements, projects, or hands-on activities.
Usage Note: Represents the practical knowledge and proficiency gained by a candidate through previous work engagements, projects, or hands-on activities.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Description , Title , Years of experience , Is related to , Is related to , Has skill used .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Description	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An account of the resource. Additional Information: Description may include but is not limited to: an abstract, a table of contents, a graphical representation, or a free-text account of the resource.
Title	rdf:Plainliteral	1..1	Represents the title or the name of a resource.
Years of experience	xsd:Integer	1..1	Indicates the total number of years a candidate has worked in their field or occupation.
Is related to	rmo:Role	0..*
Is related to	rmo:Qualification	0..*
Has skill used	rmo:Skill	0..*

Job description

Definition: A job opening posted by a company, including job details and requirements.
Usage Note: A job opening posted by a company, including job details and requirements.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Description , Title , Availability , Job id , Project type , Rate , Start date , Specifies location , Requires credential , Requires experience , Has engagement , Requires qualification , Offers position , Requires skill .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Description	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An account of the resource. Additional Information: Description may include but is not limited to: an abstract, a table of contents, a graphical representation, or a free-text account of the resource.
Title	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	Represents the title or the name of a resource.
Availability	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	Indicates when the job position is open for applications, including specific dates or time frames such as immediate or within three months.
Job id	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	A unique identifier for a job description, used to distinguish it from other job description.
Project type	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	Represents the nature or category of a project, such as software development, research, or marketing.
Rate	xsd:decimal	1..1	Specifies the compensation for the job, typically expressed as an hourly rate, salary, or contract amount.
Start date	xsd:Date	1..1	Represents the date when a job description, project, or engagement is scheduled to begin.
Specifies location	dct:Location	0..*
Requires credential	rmo:Credential	0..*
Requires experience	rmo:Experience	0..*
Has engagement	rmo:TypeOfEngagement	1
Requires qualification	rmo:Qualification	0..*
Offers position	rmo:Role	1
Requires skill	rmo:Skill	1..*

Qualification

Definition: Qualifications are the formal outcome of an assessment and validation process by a competent body determining that an individual has achieved learning outcomes to given standards.
Usage Note: Qualifications are the formal outcome of an assessment and validation process by a competent body determining that an individual has achieved learning outcomes to given standards.
Subclass of
: Concept
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Description , Title , Alt label , Pref label , In scheme .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Description	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An account of the resource. Additional Information: Description may include but is not limited to: an abstract, a table of contents, a graphical representation, or a free-text account of the resource.
Title	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	Represents the title or the name of a resource.
Alt label	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An alternative lexical label for a resource. Acronyms, abbreviations, spelling variants, and irregular plural/singular forms may be included among the alternative labels for a concept.
Pref label	rdf:plainLiteral	1..1	The preferred lexical label for a resource, in a given language.
In scheme	skos:Concept

Role

Definition: Represents the specific job occupations, positions, or professions for which candidates may be qualified or seeking employment opportunities.
Usage Note: Represents the specific job occupations, positions, or professions for which candidates may be qualified or seeking employment opportunities.
Subclass of
: Concept
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Title , Alt label , Pref label , In scheme .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Title	rdf:plainLiteral	1..1	Represents the title or the name of a resource.
Alt label	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1
Pref label	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1
In scheme	skos:Concept

Skill

Definition: A specific capability or proficiency possessed by a candidate, often acquired through training, practice, or experience.
Usage Note: A specific capability or proficiency possessed by a candidate, often acquired through training, practice, or experience.
Subclass of
: Concept
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Title , Years of skill , Alt label , Pref label , Optional for , Essential for , In scheme .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Title	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	Represents the title or the name of a resource.
Years of skill	xsd:integer	1..1	Indicates the number of years a candidate has utilized a specific skill.
Alt label	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An alternative lexical label for a resource. Acronyms, abbreviations, spelling variants, and irregular plural/singular forms may be included among the alternative labels for a concept.
Pref label	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	The preferred lexical label for a resource, in a given language.
Optional for	rmo:Role	0..*
Essential for	rmo:Role	0..*
In scheme	skos:Concept

Type of engagement

Definition: Represents various arrangements under which individuals are employed, such as part-time, full-time, or contractual roles.
Usage Note: Represents various arrangements under which individuals are employed, such as part-time, full-time, or contractual roles.
Properties: For this entity the following properties are defined: Engagement type , Alt label , Has benefits .

Property	Range	Card	Definition
Engagement type	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	It includes part-time, full-time, or contractual roles.
Alt label	rdf:PlainLiteral	1..1	An alternative lexical label for a resource. Acronyms, abbreviations, spelling variants, and irregular plural/singular forms may be included among the alternative labels for a concept.
Has benefits	rmo:Benefits	0..*

Controlled Lists in RMO Ontology

Integration of ESCO

The ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations) controlled lists play a pivotal role in the RMO ontology. These standardized lists provide a comprehensive and consistent vocabulary for key concepts such as skills, occupations, and qualifications.

SKOS (Simple Knowledge Organization System)

SKOS is commonly used to structure and manage controlled lists in an ontology. It provides a framework for defining concepts, concept schemes, and their relationships.