Apparatus and method for providing job searching services, recruitment services and/or recruitment-related services

An apparatus, comprising:

• a memory device, wherein the memory device stores work schedule information or scheduling information for an employer or a hiring entity, or for an individual, an independent contractor, a temporary worker, or a freelancer;
• a receiver, wherein the receiver receives a first request, wherein the first request contains information regarding a request to obtain work schedule information or scheduling information for the employer, the hiring entity, the individual, the independent contractor, the temporary worker, or the freelancer, wherein the first request is transmitted to the receiver on or over the Internet or the World Wide Web from a first communication device associated with an employer or hiring entity or associated with an individual, an independent contractor, a temporary worker, or a freelancer;
• a processing device, wherein the processing device is specially programmed for processing information contained in the first request, wherein the processing device generates a first message containing the work schedule information or the scheduling information for the employer, the hiring entity, the individual, the independent contractor, the temporary worker, or the freelancer;
• and
• a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the first message to the first communication device or to a second communication device,
• wherein the apparatus processes information contained in a second request, wherein the second request contains information for offering services of the individual, the independent contractor, the temporary worker, or the freelancer, to the employer or hiring entity, or contains information for the employer or hiring entity reserving or requesting the services of the individual, the independent contractor, the temporary worker, or the freelancer, wherein the information contained in the second request is based on the work schedule information or the scheduling information for the employer, the hiring entity, the individual, the independent contractor, the temporary worker, or the freelancer, contained in the first message.