Job Blogging and the Golden Rule

   

Although I can’t prove it, I think treating others the way we’d like to be treated is good business … and I think it’s good blogging etiquette too.   

   

So I’m concerned about some of the messages I’m seeing:

   

“Aggregators … have all but eliminated efficient job searches … some new aggregators seem to exist solely for the purpose of mass e-mailings and the ever popular spam.”

   

“Monster is a crap product.”

   

“This incredible set of bad manners is brought to you by the likes of Jobster, Simply Hired, Indeed and a host of other examples.”

   

I understand that passion, combined with the desire to cut through the ‘noise’ of competing positions, leads us to deliver bold, even controversial messages.  Nothing wrong with that.  But bold and controversial can be pushed too far, with the resulting messages becoming unbalanced, or worse, insulting.

   

Looking at the three messages above, I’d say:

   

-          Some jobseekers find that searching a vertical is more efficient (performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort) than searching multiple niche or employer sites;

   

-          Some of the 43 million registered Monster users think the product provides value (and I can only dream of having a product that generates $1 billion per year in revenue);

   

-          Some employers and niche sites appreciate the additional traffic provided by the vertical job sites.   

   

Very few products are 100% good or 100% bad – recognizing the good and the bad is not only fair, it strengthens our message. 

   

In closing, I know I’ve stepped over the line on occasion, and will again.  I’m sorry … I’m still learning.

   

Comments

[Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com]

Stepping over the line occasionally is fine. Just be sure not to step on the crack. You'll break your mother's back. :)

[Colin Kingsbury]

The point in the post you link about aggregators seems spurious to me. He's not talking about SH or Indeed but some new shady characters with new shady products. The previously-good aggregators are thus far continuing to be good. It's like saying that because Joe Schmoe just published a crappy first novel, that "Old Man and the Sea" now stinks too. With logic like that they should quit the recruiting business and run for political office.

[Bob Wilson]

Thanks for the good point, and the chuckle Colin. With election season upon us, it seems 'logic' is in very short supply.

Bob :-)