Abstract: A ranking system ranks applicants for a job. Eligible applicants are selected from a pool of applicants and are ranked based on business rules applied to information about the eligible applicants and information about the job. Scores are calculated for the business rules based on how well the applicant information matches the job information in areas such job skills, educational background, availability and pay. Additional information such as whether an employer or applicant does not wish to work together, and staffing firm expenses associated with eligible applicants can also be considered in the ranking process. The business rules can be weighted to achieve various ranking objectives, such as increasing staffing firm revenue or awarding higher rankings to applicants whose skills and educational background better match an employer's needs. The ranking system can also be used to rank jobs for an applicant.