The end of the job board, but not as we know it

A sizable shift has occurred in the jobs market over the last few years. Widening skills gaps coupled with shifting candidate priorities means the way employers find and recruit talent is evolving. 

The pandemic has undoubtedly been a catalyst for this. Now more than ever, people are seeking flexible opportunities that enable them to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Moreover, a heightened sociopolitical climate means job seekers, both those already in the market and the new generation coming through, are more attuned to organisational values. They want to align themselves with companies that share the same ethos and demonstrate a commitment to social value and responsibility. 

What this means

In today’s candidate-driven market, job seekers can afford to be choosy. They are actively spending more time researching employers, whether that’s exploring the corporate site, checking out social media channels or reading employee reviews on the likes of Glassdoor and Google. Job searches and applications are increasingly tailored to specific sectors and employers, and there’s a keen interest to use each hiring stage as an opportunity to delve deeper and find out more about the business.

Savvy employers are responding. They understand that potential applicants are less likely to be trawling catch-all, generalist job boards and instead focusing on channels specific to their line of work. In a world where behemoths usually win, it’s the smaller, more specialised search channels that are attracting candidates in their droves. 

The rise of specialist job boards 

With candidates no longer applying a generalist approach to their job search, they are instead heading to online channels that narrow down roles specific to their industry and offer in-depth job descriptions that speak their language and go into detail about the employer. 

It’s why specialist job boards are having a renaissance. Job seekers have access to a smaller, concentrated range of suitable roles, so they can more easily assess the job market and compare employer offerings. Additionally, some specialist boards share industry-specific insights and provide the opportunity for job seekers to interact so they can network with other like-minded professionals.

Employers are responding 

Mass skills shortages mean employers have been forced to evolve their sourcing channels and make more effort to seek out talent in their natural habitat. More organisations, particularly those operating in niche sectors, are opting to advertise on specialist job boards so they can access in-demand skills before their competitors do.

While specialised job boards mean fewer applicants than the likes of Indeed, the quality is much higher, ultimately saving employers time and reducing the chances of making the wrong hires.

As previously mentioned, today’s candidates are doing their homework on employers. Those organisations focused on advertising roles in specific places will eventually become recognised as a key player in their target candidate’s chosen sector and profession, which goes a long way in boosting employer branding in the long term. 

While generalist job boards will always have a place for easy-to-recruit roles, they have lost their shine for organisations seeking specific skills. Specialist channels provide a unique opportunity to speak directly to highly relevant candidates. Nail the messaging and offering, and you’ll stand out to the right people for all of the right reasons. 

The perfect specialist job board doesn’t exi—

Can’t find a specialist job board that aligns with your roles and organisation? Why not build your own? WMP designs, builds and manages branded job boards for a range of businesses and institutional bodies, enabling them to capitalise on their follower base. 

Additionally, we create and manage dynamic, optimised career websites and microsites to help employers maximise talent attraction. Our experts develop engaging social media campaigns that drive relevant responses and applications while increasing brand awareness.

To learn more about our services, call us on 02039744383 or email [email protected].