How do you build a searchable website?

[tward]

I know nothing of web development. Looking for help for a coworker.

Task is to put all our job descriptions on our website and find a way for potential applicants to do a keyword search based on their training and experience. For example a person with a background in accounting could do a keyword search and we provide a list of all jobs available in that field, such as Accountant, Auditor, Budget Analyst, etc. The job descriptions contain examples of work, necessary knowledges, skills and abilities and required education and experience qualifications.

We already have website. This would be an enhancement. The job descriptions are presently Word documents.

Is there a website that would provide ideas/instructions on how to do this? My coworker has a basic understanding of web development, but so far this is beyond her ability. Any other ideas/suggestions are welcome.

[Statica]

A couple of ways you can do it are:
(a) using JAVA applets, this requires no server side scripting, and is very easy to implement. The problem is that most applets cant accomodate fast searches or boolean searches
(b) You need to know CGI programming, using a good language preferably PHP, although PERL is also quite easy, also have access to compilers on the website.

You can get quite a few search applets of both flavors, the best would be to check what your coworker is comfortable with, and what your HTTP server restrictions are to begin with.

PS: word documents are no good for searching, so u will need to convert to HTML or the like.

On the other hand if money is not an issue you could use something like hummingbird.com 's technologies to create a repository, which would allow u to search DOC formats etc.. That is the overkill option.

[Statica]

As another option, which gives you minimal control, but also requires minimal effort is to add a well known search engine to your site to have it search just your site.
Eg. would be Google ( http://www.google.com/services/ ) or Altavista etc. Some of them require you to pay as well.

[tward]

Thanks. I will pass this along.