rezML - XML DTD and XSL Style-Sheets for the structuring of Resumes and Job Listings

Latest Version : Incomplete Pre-Alpha - This is a sample DTD to indicate a statement direction. It is neither complete nor stable!

Lightweight XML DTD and XSL Style-Sheets for the structuring of Resumes and Job Listings. The purpose of this project is to implement a simple and balanced standard data exchange format between job seekers, employers, recruiters, and listing services.

News

Next rezML draft release planned for 2/28/03

Previous news items moved to Project Diary. This section will now only contain significant events.

Tools

rezML Source Forge Page

Submit a Defect

XML Sample 8/13/01

DTD Sample 8/13/01

HTMLized DTD Description 8/20/01

Career Help

Project Diary

2/23/03 - Have completed a few short term goals. Focus is still on a 2/28 release.
2/19/03 - Currently updating the rez section of the DTD. Making good progress and should meet my release date. This will be a "wet cement" release for the rez section. In other words, there is no guarantee that the structure is stable but will only change if there is a very compelling reason.
2/18/03 - After further review, I will be sticking to a sub-set of XHTML 1.0 and watch as 2.0 matures. I will be posting my final cut and diffs shortly.
2/17/03 - Minor updates to home page (moved news items to Project Diary and corrected target dates). Was nearly complete with a "xhtml lite" for rezML when I noticed the XHTML 2.0 draft release. So back to the drawing board. I really like some of the directions of the XHTML 2.0 Draft: remove all style (very good), section and heading improvements (sounds good in theory), more modularization (better but still doesn't meet my needs). My concern is that 2.0 is not yet stable so maybe I'll stick with 1.0 for now.
2/16/03 - Started reviewing the current software license selection (GPL) for rezML. As it stands now, GPL will continue to be the license unless I find a compelling reason to change.
2/14/03 - Updated Career Help page. Posted XHTML Lite diff don't be afraid to make a suggestion
2/13/03 - Have spent the last 3 days reviewing xhtml strict 1.0 and creating a sub-set of it. A more focused direction for rezML, xhtml DTD will serve as a model and "xhtml lite" (no forms, styles, etc...) will be used in certain text sections (such as description). This should make transforming for human display (ie web) very easy. I will be posting a diff shortly.
2/10/03 - More updates to home page.
2/09/03 - Minor updates to home page. Moving this project from the back burner and turning up the heat.
8/20/01 - 2/09/03 - This information has been lost due to hard drive failure.
8/20/01 - HTMLized DTD generated
8/13/01 - Sample DTD and XML instance uploaded.
8/05/01 - Project started.

Short Term Goals

Recover or recreate all lost files by 2/21/03 COMPLETED
Complete XHTML incorporation by 2/28/03 COMPLETED
Release another working draft of DTD by 2/28/03

Design Philosophy

Practical - serve real world problems
Lightweight - implement a minimal feature set
Simple - lower complexity = easier to use
Balanced -
Single DTD - shared DTD forces common elements
Extensible - you can add more bells and whistles
Reduced redundancy - keep performance in mind

FAQ

What does rezML stand for?
- Extensible resume(rez) and job listing Markup Language
What is a "rez"?
- Short Answer: rez = resume.
- Longer Answer: It's a way to differentiate the ye olde dead document resume from a living structured content resume. When you hear resume you think of something printed on nice linen paper. It looks great but is of limited value. A rez is internet enabled information that can be re-used for multiple purposes.
The HR-XML Consortium has already has solved this problem with a copious and robust set of DTDs, conferences, reviewing bodies, and standards. Why have another standard?
- It's a perfect match for behemoth applications. I highly recommend it.
- Compare: (and judge yourself)
- - The purpose of the rezML project is to implement a simple and balanced standard data exchange format between job seekers, employers, recruiters, and listing services.
  - "The mission of the HR-XML Consortium is to spare employers and vendors the risk and expense of having to negotiate and agree upon data interchange mechanisms on an ad-hoc basis." from About HR-XML.
The XMLRésuméLibrary has already has solved XML Resumes. Why have another standard?
- It's a perfect match for if you just need XML resumes. I highly recommend it.
Why a lightweight standard?
- There is a time and a place for complete and robust standards. The problem is the learning curve for these tends to be a barrier to entry. Consider C++ versus PHP (or SGML versus XML) -- you still need C++ to do certain tasks. However, you are not going to build your average web site with it.
- The Internet has flourished because of lightweight standards. One day some guy ( Tim Berners-Lee) dreams up [HTML] a simple way to link documents. SGML [with the ability to link documents] had been around for decades.
I'm just looking for a job, why should I use rezML?
- At the moment you should only need rezML if you are a developer in need of a open standard for a system you are developing or just want to create an XML version of your resume.
- In the near future, having a rez will give you advantages over other job seekers who do not have structured resumes.
- Sometime in the future, nearly all employers will only accept structured resumes.
Why is that?
- Right now there is more overhead than benefit. In other words, until more places can accept rezML (or other structured formats) you will still be doing the old copy and paste into web forms. For developers there are advantages(re-use, open standard, interoperability) to building systems that use the rezML standard. Also, it doesn't hurt to use rezML to show a off your stuff.
- As more companies build and use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) people who submit a rez will have a better chance at matching jobs. It will also take less time to apply for a jobs. Already some companies will only accept resumes in unstructured ASCII format, it is only a matter of time before they require properly tagged content to replace this error-prone system.

Official Icons

OSI Certified Open Source Software

This web site hosted by Source Forge, a free hosting service for Open Source developers.

This web page has been validated XHTML 1.0 Strict!