I just came across an awesome post on using Monster.com from an HR and recruiting expert. I usually disregard Monster because (a) I hear most recruiters feel they are not getting much value from Monster, and would rather go to LinkedIn for higher level talent, (b) I have concerns about privacy issues with Monster, considering my resume had my home address, home and cell phone numbers, etc, and (c) many of the “jobs” I found there were junk. It didn’t help that I got calls for MLM or “insurance salesman” (commission only) opportunities all the time.
But this article sheds new light, for me, on Monster as a tool in a job search, and even after your job search. Some highlights:
1 ) Monster is the largest resume database in the world. Period. (read the article for more on this point)
4 ) Remember that once your resume is in an agency database you don’t need to keep applying via Monster or the website. (read the article for more on this point)
6 ) With the sheer volume of candidates on the market now, many recruiters are resorting to Monster just because it’s familiar,… (read the article for more on this point)
7 ) Regarding your resume from 4 years ago showing up, keep in mind that a lot of agencies mine the *entire* database. A good recruiter looks at older resumes because they are considered to be “passive” candidates,… (read the article for more on this point)
8 ) In the last couple of years, the EEOC has instituted some pretty strict regulatory practices that have shifted the way many corporations recruit. Without going into a lot of compliance jargon… (read the article for more on this point)
9 ) Refreshing your resume: if you open your profile and hit “edit” even if you don’t make any changes, it does bubble to the top of keyword searches. (read the article for more on this point)
Like I said, the article helped me understand more how to use Monster in a job search, and point #9 is awesome as far as getting higher up in search results…
I still wonder how effective it is the higher the position, but hey, maybe it should be part of a comprehensive job search strategy.
Jason,
The blog post you are referencing sidesteps the most important issue concerning job boards…how many people actually secure their jobs from the job boards? All the research I have reviewed suggests that the landing rate is pretty poor and that networking is a more effective method of search.
I think it’s ok for people to use the job boards, as long as they use them intelligently and recognize that statistically, their chances of landing a job via this method is still pretty low. Most people spend way too much time on the job boards and convince themselves that they are actively looking when in fact they are utilizing one of the most passive and unproductive methods of search.