Overview
This article helps you set up and manage custom categories in Access Volcanic. Custom categories allow you to create additional classification fields for job postings. They go beyond the standard disciplines, functions, and job types. They provide specific filtering options for candidates by qualification, experience level, or other criteria, and support job posting integrations such as Broadbean, Idibu, and Logic Melon.
Key benefits
Create additional classification fields for qualifications, experience levels, or industry-specific criteria.
Enhance candidate filtering options on your job search page.
Support third-party integrations through Available Job Attributes JSON feeds (automatic data sharing with posting tools).
Provide flexible categorisation beyond standard disciplines and job types.
Organise job taxonomy effectively across your recruitment workflow.
Before you start
Before creating custom categories, make sure you have:
Admin access to your Access Volcanic platform.
A clear understanding of which additional job classification fields you need.
Knowledge of any integration requirements for exact category matching.
📌 Note: Custom categories require at least one option to be configured before they become available for assignment to jobs or filters.
Creating a custom category
Follow these steps to create a new custom category with selectable options.
Log in to your Admin Area.
Click the Settings tab.
Select Custom Categories.
Click Add New Category.
Enter the category name, such as Qualification Level.
Add the category options that users can select, e.g. Bachelors degree.
Save your changes.
📌 Note: When posting jobs a field with the custom category name will appear with dropdown options. For example, creating a Qualification Level category will add a Qualification Level field to job forms.
Adding custom categories to job search filters
Enable custom categories as candidate-facing filters on your job search page.
Go to the Admin Area.
Click the Settings tab.
Select Job Search.
In the Filters section, click into the configuration box to open the dropdown.
Select your custom category to add it as a search filter.
Save your settings.
📌 Note: The relevant job search filter with appear in the drop-down as the name you gave the customer category, e.g. Qualification Level.
Understanding integration support
Custom categories integrate with posting tools through the Available Job Attributes feed.
Custom categories are transmitted automatically to supported platforms including Broadbean, Idibu, and Logic Melon.
Most integrations detect new custom categories automatically. Some platforms may require a feed refresh before new categories appear.
⚠️ Important: Each integration partner may differ in their level of support for custom categories. Some platforms automatically sync new categories, while others require manual mapping or configuration. Contact your integration provider if categories do not appear as expected.
Best practices
Create clear, descriptive category names. Ensure they are intuitive for both administrators and candidates.
Use consistent naming conventions across all custom categories.
Regularly review category assignments to maintain data consistency.
Notify integration partners when introducing major taxonomy changes. This includes renaming existing categories or deleting category options.
Test custom category functionality with integration tools before full deployment.
📌 Note: Custom categories provide flexible job classification but require ongoing management. This maintains effectiveness across your recruitment workflow.
FAQs
Q1: Why don't my custom categories appear in Broadbean or Idibu?
Answer: External posting tools may require a feed refresh before new categories become available. Contact your integration provider to request a re-sync of the Available Job Attributes feed.
Q2: My custom categories aren't showing in my integration tools. How do I fix this?
Answer: First, contact your integration provider and request a feed refresh or re-sync of the Available Job Attributes. Then verify the custom category exists under Settings → Custom Categories, confirm it has at least one option configured, check it's assigned to at least one job, and ensure changes have been fully saved and published. If the issue persists, raise a support case for further investigation.
Q3: Can I add multiple custom categories to job search filters?
Answer: Yes, you can enable multiple custom categories as search filters through the Job Search settings in your Admin Area.
Q4: What happens if I delete a custom category that's assigned to jobs?
Answer: Jobs will lose their custom category assignment and may no longer appear in filtered search results. Consider reassigning jobs to alternative categories before deletion.
Q5: Do custom categories support reporting and data exports?
Answer: Custom categories appear in job data and can be included in exports, depending on your reporting configuration and integration setup.
Q6: How many custom categories can I create?
Answer: There is no specific limit on the number of custom categories, but consider the user experience when adding too many filter options to your job search page.
Q7: Can I edit custom category names after creation?
Answer: Yes, you can edit custom category names and options through Settings → Custom Categories, but inform integration partners of any changes if exact name matching is required for their systems.