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Internet Job Boards a Bunch of Hype?

netglen brings us an article that discusses the reality behind online job sites like Monster, Hotjobs, and CareerBuilder. It appears that, while these sites may try to make you believe otherwise, they may not be the best bet in helping you find employment. netglen asks: "So, is this article accurate in its account on how poor these boards perform in finding [jobs]? This sounds pretty dismal to me. Two years ago, I tried Monster for the first time, and I managed to get a job on the first try. Since then I haven't gotten anything. Does anyone in IT even use these boards to look for a job?"

6 of 538 comments (clear)

  1. hrm, I disagree. by tedtimmons · · Score: 5, Insightful

    C'mon, look at the context. The name of the site is asktheheadhunter.com. Whose interests do they have in mind?

    Also, more obvious, is the job market isn't what it used to be. Sure, it's harder to get a job now than it was a few years ago. But that doesn't mean that monster and the like aren't useful.

    Now if netglen said "I compared Monster to my local papers' classifieds, and to the headhunters, and got a better response rate from the headhunters", that would be useful. Maybe netglen doesn't have any marketable skills. That doesn't mean monster isn't helpful.

    The experience of myself and others I know is that job boards are better than headhunters, worse than going directly to a company's website. Most of us won't even talk to headhunters- they overpromise and overhype. Now that's irony, because that's what they say about the job boards.

  2. Please by jdc180 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Those online job sites are so filled with contract positions and work at home garbage that it's frustrating to do any kind of real search. The local newspaper uses career builder which is a little better because it's stocked with real classified ads that appear in the newspaper. Better to stick to something local than some national job search scam.

  3. You Know It's a Bad Sign When... by tealover · · Score: 5, Insightful

    an internet job boards is reduced to using that antiquated of mediums known as "television" to push their product.

    I think a lot of people are turned off by the ridiculous job requirements and the blatant posting of non-existant posititions. Most people I know have gone back to what works best:

    Networking with people you know.

    A friend of mine is leaving her job next week. We've already talked about her bringing me on board if things look good from the inside.

    --
    -- You see, there would be these conclusions that you could jump to
  4. Of course it's a fraud, unless you work in IT by StuWho · · Score: 5, Insightful
    "Is it a fraud? You decide. Devote an hour each day -- about 12% of your working time -- surfing one of the many CareerBuilder or Monster.com sites, or DirectEmployers.com, or CareerJournal.com. Scan the job postings. Read the advice. Update your resume daily. Your challenge is to justify your investment."

    And to justify the loss of your salary when your boss catches you.

    --
    "If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments." Earl Wilson
  5. Last Resort by FortKnox · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Its usually used as a last resort.

    When a job opens up, first they look internally for someone to fill it, then they go off a referal basis (and at this time, who doesn't have a few friends that are unemployed IT workers?), then they look locally in papers and such...

    THEN they go out to a place like dice to find a job.

    The market isn't "good enough" for them to work well. The market is a lot better than last year, but needs to build back up to happier times before places like monster will get you a job fast.

    --
    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
  6. I think by jiffah · · Score: 5, Insightful
    "Does anyone in IT even use these boards to look for a job?"

    More importantly;
    Does anyone in HR use these boards to look for an employee?