Jobster is back in the news again … they just don’t seem to be able to do anything right. First, they roll out a few new features, but in the process they loose credibility by using a ploy to inform Jobster members.
Then, CEO Jason Goldberg makes news (here, here, here, here and here) by trying to shut down the RecruitingBlogs community, claiming violation of a non-compete agreement signed by Jason Davis.
The merits of the case might be worked out in court; but in the court of public opinion, Jobster, Goldberg, and Recruiting.com have already lost big time. First, the RecruitingBlogs community is populated by vocal thought leaders in the recruiting industry (Jobster’s market); and these folks don’t take kindly to having their community muzzled. Second, it brings renewed focus on the continuing decline in traffic at Recruiting.com (a Jobster asset). Third, it highlights the failure of John Sumser, new executive editor appointed by Goldberg, to build on the foundation laid by Jason Davis.
In Battle of the Blogs: Two Recruiting Websites at Odds, Jim Durban puts his finger on one of the reasons Recruiting.com usage has declined:
“John Sumser bashed some bloggers in the past, and certain bloggers have decided they didn't want to play in that sandbox while Sumser is there. Our time is valuable, so why give it to someone who doesn't think much of it?" says Durbin.
So, what’s John’s ‘take’ on the situation? According to Elaine Rigoli, in Battle of the Blogs: Two Recruiting Websites at Odds, John Sumser says:
¾ he was not "bashing" anyone;
¾ there is too much information floating around online;
¾ you need editorial voices to discern for an audience some point of view;
¾ I'm going to pick the stuff that is good,";
¾ the world of blogging is "early, primitive, and transitional";
¾ this dispute is a "strange little nuisance in the world between a well-financed startup and people who have been the beneficiaries of those well-financed largess."
This from the same man who said, in reference to Recruiting.com, in Communal Mayhem (SOAB):
¾ "It looks like most neighborhoods do after the gang has taken over and destroyed property values."
¾ "Civility and well kept homes have been replaced with venom, snakes and flying bullets."
¾ "We got Snakes On A Blog (SOAB)."
¾ "Sensible people are discouraged from contributing to the conversation by the shark-tank atmosphere."
¾ "No learning or exchange of substance can take place in this environment."
¾ "What should be a showcase for market conversations is held hostage by the most repetitive loud voices."
Seems like bashing to me.
Jason Goldberg picked the wrong person to follow Jason Davis at Recruiting.com, and the result is predictable … the community has moved on. Worse, Goldberg continues to demonstrate that he doesn’t understand his audience/market … he may be a man with vision, but he continues to deliver more collateral damage than positive results for Jobster.