Searching Jobs

The Job Search API allows an application to process and return search results on the oDesk database of public Jobs. Any set of public jobs on the oDesk site can be returned using this method.

Notes on Pagination

• If $page is ommited, 0;SEARCH_PROVIDER_DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE is assumed
• $count < SEARCH_PROVIDER_MAX_PAGE_SIZE

Notes on Sorting 

• Listing all fields on which to sort separated by a semi-colon with last value in the list a "direction vector" (A(Ascending) or D(Descending)).
• If the number of fields is bigger/smaller than number of chars in the "directions vector" then the application will return a "400 Bad request" error.
• sort using the field_names

Details on Search Parameters

• q - OpeningData (Opening Data)
  • Search the text of the job description
• c1 - JobCategory (Level One Job Category)
  • Limit your search to a specific category
• c2 - second_category (Second Level Job Category)
  • Limit your search to a specific sub-category
    • You must use a level one category in order to use a second level category.
• fb - adjusted_score (Adjusted Score)
  • Limit your search to buyers with at least a score of the number passed in this parameter.
    • This number must be 5 or less
• min - min_budget (Min Budget)
  • Limit your search to jobs with a budget greater than this number.
• max - max_budget (Max Budget)
  • Limit your search to jobs with a budget less than this number.
• t - JobType (Job Type)
  • oDesk has both hourly jobs and fixed prices jobs. This parameter allows you to limit your search to one or the other.
    • Hourly Jobs = 'Hourly'
    • Fixed Priced Jobs = 'Fixed'
  • wl - hours_per_week(Hours per Week)
    • This parameter can only be used when searching Hourly jobs. These numbers are a little arbitrary, so follow the following parameters in order to successfully use this parameter:

      • As Needed < 10 Hours/Week = '0'

      • Part Time: 10-30 hrs/week = '20'

      • Full Time: 30+ hrs/week = '40'
  • dur - engagement_duration (Engagement Duration)
    • This parameter can only be used when searching Hourly jobs. These numbers are a little arbitrary, so follow the following parameters in order to successfully use this parameter:
      • Ongoing / More than 6 months = '1'
      • 3 to 6 months = '2'
      • 1 to 3 months = '3'
      • Less than 1 month = '4'
      • Less than 1 week = '5'
• dp - Date_Posted (Date Posted)
  • Search jobs posted after this date.
    • Format for date: 07-22-2009
• st - status_for_search (Status for Search)
  • Search Canceled jobs, In Progress Jobs and Completed Jobs: By default this default to Open Jobs
    • Open Jobs = 'Open'
    • Jobs in Progress = 'In Progress'
    • Completed Jobs = 'Completed'
    • Canceled Jobs = 'Cancelled'
• tba - total_billed_assignments (Total Billed Assignments)
  • Limit your search to buyers who completed at least this number of paid assignments
    • For example tb=5 searches buyers who have at least 5 billed assignments
• gr - PrefGroup(Preferred Group)
  • Limits your search to buyers in a particular group
• to - titles_only (titles only)
  • Limits your search to job titles only. (you should be able to combine this search)