Job Boards: They’re Still Dying

Despite claims from industry defenders like The Job Board Doctor, traditional job boards—especially the big players who once dominated the market—steadily decline. Here’s why.

The Evidence

Once a leader in the job board industry, Monster reported significant losses in 2010. The company used a common accounting strategy involving “Goodwill” to obscure nearly a billion dollars in losses, a legal move permitted by SEC regulations. However, the sheer scale of these losses suggests deep-rooted challenges in their business model.

Dice, another prominent job board, has remained profitable but still raises some red flags with its Goodwill accounting practices. Moreover, despite high demand in tech recruiting, Dice’s sales have sharply declined since 2008.

The Rise of Career Sites and Direct Postings

While traditional job boards may falter, job postings are far from dead. Companies and recruiters increasingly turn to dedicated career sites, many connecting directly to backend systems that post jobs in real time. Hundreds of staffing agencies and employers have become proficient in optimizing their career sites with solid SEO, original content, and backlinking strategies. With the development of robust web platforms, creating these optimized sites has become much easier and more effective than relying on outdated job boards.

Freelance Platforms and Social Media Integration

Platforms like eLance, oDesk, and RentaCoder have redefined job postings by distancing themselves from the traditional “job board” label. These platforms focus on freelance and gig work, offering a more dynamic way to match employers with contractors.

Then, there are Facebook and other social networks. Job boards and recruiting sites have tried to leverage these platforms to reach new audiences, but integrating with social media—particularly Facebook’s constantly changing API—has been challenging. Although Facebook’s support for developers can be frustrating, it’s one of the biggest potential disruptors to traditional job boards. Social networks have the reach and engagement that could make old-school job boards seem as obsolete as Kodak film.

In short, while job boards may not disappear entirely, their relevance is fading. The industry’s future likely lies in direct, optimized career sites, social media integration, and niche platforms that offer more than just a simple job listing.