After Shocks – CareerBuilder + Monster Closing U.S. Headquarters
Happy Friday Job Board Doctor, friends. All I can say is O.M.G.
Last Friday morning, just as the Job Board Doctor weekly newsletter was about to go out, I got a bit of news that could not wait a week. I was the first to report CareerBuilder + Monster is closing their U.S. headquarters, is in some stage of an undisclosed sales process and is terminating all notified staff effective August 4.
CareerBuilder + Monster: The Letter
The news came via a copy of the letter sent to “the majority” of CareerBuilder + Monster U.S. employees – not just those physically located at 200 North LaSalle in Chicago.
The copy seen here signed by CEO Jeff Furman dated June 5, 2025 and states, “The Company has engaged in a sale process, the outcome of which is uncertain as it relates to your employment. The termination of your employment and that of affected Company employees is expected to be permanent.” (emphasis added)
The Beginning and the End.
Monster (and full head nod to O.C.C. and TMP Worldwide for their respective roles) and CareerBuilder created the ethos we all live in today out of the primordial chaos of print job advertising at the advent of the internet way back in the late 90’s.
Both companies have had storied tenures and as is the way of all things – they too will return to the void. It is the cycle of life (and business) – that nothing lasts forever.
After Shocks
Yet, as these foundational pillars of our industry move into the beyond we would be remiss to not starting bracing for the after shocks of their demise.
Incredible Talent
First and foremost, the after shocks will be personal to the CareerBuilder + Monster employees who have had their lives upended with the notice of impending termination. No, no one has lost their job as of yet, but for all intents and purposes for these dedicated and talented employees, some whom have spent decades with one of the two organizations, their time is coming to an end.
Morbid Curiosity
Of course, the looky-loos are already trolling about the body and predicting the imminent demise of the job board industry. Is this yet another sign of the four horseman coming for our industry?
I.O.U.s
The most powerful after shocks may come when the end finally arrives.
How bad will they be? It depends.
If there are any debts to be settled, will Apollo settle them or leave the vendors out in the cold? Are there outstanding bills that CB + Monster have on the books with other job boards or aggregators? I don’t know, but if there are that could be a problem that reverberates throughout the industry and causes a cycle of loss we haven’t yet got a grasp on.
This one is pure speculation on my part, but if anyone wants to confirm their bills are or are not paid – well, you know where to find me.
Life Support
Is there a sale imminent? The letter indicates there may already be a potential buyer – “The Company has engaged in a sale process, the outcome of which is uncertain as it relates to your employment.”
If there is a buyer, it is likely we won’t be held in suspense for long.
🚨Reality Check
It appears the TA gods are not planning to give us a less than chaotic end to Q2 and only they know what will be headed our way in the second half of 2026.
With the Talent Acquisition landscape increasingly dominated by agile, AI driven platforms (welcome to the party Indeed chat bot – we will get to you next week) legacy job boards – including yours, dear reader- must innovate to not just stay relevant, but to not proverbially meet our makers, CareerBuilder + Monster, in the after life.
Until next time,
The Doc
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