Evolution: thinking about the future of job boards
I’m preparing for a talk at the JobG8 Job Board Summit (June 26-27, Orlando), and it has me thinking a lot about job board evolution. I will be taking a tour of unusual and interesting sites that are moving the job board model forward. As you can guess, I’ve been looking at lots of different sites – and a number of things stand out:
- Core functionality in many regards hasn’t changed – these sites and services are still trying to connect candidates to employers (and vice versa). The difference is in the execution and (sometimes) presentation.
- Matching technology – regardless of how well it works – is presented over and over as a differentiator for these sites.
- Common barriers to success haven’t changed much in 20 years – you still need to get the attention of enough candidates to generate interest from employers. Branding and SEO rule.
- Niche focus continues to be a common element in many of these sites, regardless of their technology or products. Makes sense – going niche usually increases the likelihood of startup success.
- Mobile is a given. Several of these sites only operate in the mobile world.
- Design matters. I’m talking visual and functional design. The days are long gone where you can ignore the actual ‘look and feel’; consider this the Apple effect.
I’ll of course be delving into the specific sites in more depth during my talk, but one thing seems clear to me: there is no dearth of companies willing to tackle the challenge of online recruiting. If we judge the health of an industry by the number of startups springing up, then you have to believe that the job board industry is thriving! But remember – don’t call these companies ‘job boards’. That’s old school.
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So what about a job board that is evolving and in its given niche of expertise and focus have moved from the commodity based set up of clients and candidates, to a much more involved ‘all in one solution’ that encompasses dealing with a vacancy not filled through the commodity based advert vs candidate, but is tagging on everything from enhanced display through to a full recruitment, executive search solution, one that deal with all matters relating to the market and the needs they have. Well that is the idea at least and one that Eteach is aiming towards. It is a holistic approach and one that does not just leave clients and candidates to their own, but attempt to embrace all aspects of their needs.