Comments on: What I Think About Job Boards

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:05:27 +0000

Amen, Janson. Now tell us how LinkedIn contributes to the Hidden Job Market. One recruiter told me that he uses LinkedIn to pull in talent, thus eliminating the need to advertise. Do you agree?

By: Angela Lazaridis

Angela Lazaridis — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:45:49 +0000

Excellent post. I personally think that job boards are not the best use of time in searching for a job. They are time consuming and produce little success. Hours upon hours can be spent researching open positions and submitting resumes getting limited to no responses. I have been out of college for about 10 years now and in that time I have not known a single person that has actually obtained a position through a job board. Most people I know have found jobs through networking.

Networking can be difficult though when you are a college graduate or an early career professional. Where and how do you start networking? There is a new tool available to college graduates and early career professionals that can help in networking and finding career opportunities rather than jobs. 1stGig.com uses a revolutionary career matching system that links interests, qualifications and career requirements with those of employers. When matches are made networking begins.

By: Jason Alba

Jason Alba — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:21:49 +0000

Thanks for the comments ladies – I was wondering if I would hit a sore spot with anyone… would be interesting to hear what a job board owner would say, although I doubt they’d chime in on this one.

By: Kathy Bitschenauer

Kathy Bitschenauer — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:17:49 +0000

Hi, Jason,

Great post, Jason.

The stats I’ve seen repeatedly from experts are: companies only post 25% of their positions/vacancies. They fill 75% of their jobs internally or through referrals, as you mention. Yet job seekers have a high tendency to focus 75% of their job search on classified ads and online job boards, and only 25% of their efforts in networking. The internal process you stated is spot on, backed up by recruiters and research statistics.

This is the reason why intentional company research and networking are so important in a job search campaign. If only job seekers would listen when career coaches tell them! Eventually, some do get the message–when their tactics don’t produce the results they want.

One thing I had not thought about that you mentioned–the very real problem of identify theft from posting resumes online. I will definitely add that to the advice I give my clients!

My best,

~Kathy

By: Julie Walraven | Resume Services

Julie Walraven | Resume Services — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:33:22 +0000

Excellent, Jason, I give my clients the same advice. Networking is so key and so many people are reluctant to do it or afraid to network strategically. The fear of “no” is greater than the fear of not getting a new position. If you call someone and ask to sit down for an informational interview and they say no, the worst consequence is the no… if you just keep applying to job boards hoping someone will call you, the reality is that perhaps no one will or as you suggest the worst consequence is that they are harvesting your information for identity theft or a scam.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:01:10 +0000

I think the misunderstanding of what a job search is comes from the way we are taught to search for open positions. Our career services centers at colleges tell us to go to career fairs where all the recruiters say, “apply online.” Our college grads get to thinking that the online job boards are the only way to find jobs since those are the only jobs they ever hear of. If a college grad does get a job that way, through a college program, for example, then he wont necessarily realize that the job boards stink for trying to get a job with another big company. It’s only by working to educate myself each day that I’ve learned different (I just graduated).