Why Putting Job Seekers First Is the Secret to Job Board Success

The Core Business Model of Job Boards

Most job boards claim to help job seekers find work, but their business models reveal a different truth. Job boards are primarily B2B companies, with revenue coming from employers through job postings, advertising, and access to resume databases. This setup often leads to candidates being treated as inventory rather than valued individuals, resulting in poor experiences like cluttered ads and clunky application systems.

The Shift to Candidate-Centric Models

Some job boards operate on a B2C model, where candidates pay for services like subscriptions or career coaching. In these cases, candidates are the customers, driving the board to prioritize their satisfaction and success. This approach fosters better design, incentives, and outcomes, as disengaged candidates mean lost revenue.

Balancing Employer and Candidate Needs

It's not a simple binary; even B2B boards can invest in candidate experience to retain job seekers and, by extension, employers. Follow the money: if revenue comes from employers, candidates risk being neglected; if from candidates, their needs are central. The key lesson is that treating job seekers as customers, even indirectly, builds trust and long-term success.

Insights from Industry Leaders

In a recent Job Board Leaders Roundtable, experts discussed these dynamics. For example, ExecThread uses a freemium model that charges candidates, emphasizing their importance. Discussions also covered improving application processes, salary transparency, and the impact of events like the 2008 financial crisis shifting focus to volume over quality.

Practical Implications

• For job boards: Prioritizing candidate experience can lead to sustainable growth, as engaged job seekers drive repeat usage.
• For employers: Partnering with candidate-friendly boards enhances brand reputation and hiring outcomes.
• For candidates: Being selective about which boards to use can improve job search experiences and outcomes.

Ultimately, putting job seekers first is smart business, balancing efficiency for employers with respect for candidates. This approach ensures the industry thrives by valuing the people it serves.