Comments on: Will Twitter kill the job board?

By: Phillip Tusing

Phillip Tusing — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:32:25 +0000

I think it is too early to write the obituary of job boards. Down Under we are witnessing an explosion of job boards (Have a look at this report http://www.destinationtalent.com.au/job-board-report.html). Also, you might wanted to check out a similar discussion on the future of job boards here http://geoffjennings.com/2009/02/the-future-of-job-boards/comment-page-1/

By: Job Board Doctor

Job Board Doctor — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:20:06 +0000

Have to agree that job boards are part of a recruiting ‘mix’ – should never be used as your only source!

By: Mrawicz

Mrawicz — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:11:51 +0000

Job boards have traditionally been used for finding “low hanging fruit.” Those candidates that are actively looking for new work who may or may not be the best candidate for your company. Niche job boards are best for targeted candidates, but because they might not be as well-known, those candidates may not utilize them.

So I see social media tools such as Twitter, et al. as an avenue to not just help people find content but to help each other find work. A job board’s best function is to serve as a “billboard” giving visibility to a company and their openings. It entices candidates to go to your website.

Number one rule of recruitment is networking; building your pipeline. How best to do that than using all avenues at your disposal? Job boards are best used as yet another tool to track down information, cross-reference on candidates, and as a resource for networking.

But if you are using them solely as your means to hire then it is very limited indeed. Job boards will continue to be there and be useful on some level, but I do not see them as the way of the future. And with cost a continuing factor in today’s current market, may soon be obsolete.

Your comments above seem more reflective of an agency recruiter point of view rather than corporate. So if that is the case, the usefulness of a job board would then be dependent on the perspective of the search.

By: jobboarddoctor

jobboarddoctor — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:59:01 +0000

Mercedes – can’t argue with the ineffectiveness of many job boards (that’s why I’m in business!). But I would say that job boards (the good ones) let a recruiter dive into a targeted resume bank and find people fast – searching on multiple criteria. I haven’t seen that efficiency yet in social media. Maybe it’ll get there someday. – jeff

By: Mercedes Smith

Mercedes Smith — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:50:20 +0000

Maybe not Twitter alone, but I can certainly see how social media will kill the job boards. You’re right that recruiters haven’t figured out how to efficiently leverage Twitter; however, job boards are expensive and not nearly as effective as they should be. Besides, job boards are passive. You don’t use them until you have an opening. Social media lets you build a community of talent. It has the potential to change how we think about recruiting.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:47:52 +0000

Hi Jeff, yep I couldn’t agree more. I gave some of my thoughts on my Recruitment blog.

I certainly think job boards have there place, but saying that twitter is unique and I am impressed at how many people I have connected with in a short time, compared to Linkedin and my blogging.

On top of that I wouldn’t have found you without Twitter

Regards
Stephen