Dining Room Set, xlnt cond… Experienced Computer Programmer…

In a recent entry on my individual blog, I noted that recruiters seem to be finding talent in an unusual place that most in the employment market might not even consider: CraigsList. Based on a job market intelligence tidbit I had gleaned from a Career Master’s Institute newsletter, I related the fact that recent recruiting conference attendees were in agreement that the list has surpassed Monster.com as a resource for uncovering good talent. The same place where you can find furniture and household goods in your local market is also a thriving marketplace for JOBS!

That fact surprised me and others, to say the least. This particular blog entry has generated an unusual level of response and interest. Those “in the know” have overwhelmingly confirmed its accuracy. No less than 4 of my executive resume clients and 5 people who are involved in recruiting either within their own companies or as professional recruiters have volunteered information that validates the spreading use of CraigsList in recruiting. So I can say with confidence that it is a fact.

Certainly CraigsList would seem to be another viable tool worth adding to the well-stocked job search arsenal. For anyone considering using this resource, I would add a cautionary note. Concerns with online identity theft and fraud are definitely appropriate in this case. If I were a candidate posting in this venue, I would limit contact information, using the system’s online contact mechanism and providing “real” e-mail address, phone number, street address, and name of current employer only after credibility of the person inquiring had been established.

Let me point out also that I have seen no statistics as of yet regarding the level of jobs for which CraigsList is a viable tool from the recruiter's and the job seeker's perspectives. Intuitively, I would guess that its best use would be for entry to mid-level positions. I suspect that the new Marketing VP for a major corporation or the new CEO for a start-up is not likely to be sought or found on the list, but then again, I could not say that definitively without further data.

Revelations such as this one about CraigsList seem to constantly arrive in an almost overwhelming fashion these days. They underscore the necessity for job seekers to continually monitor and leverage the latest trends in job search and recruiting—that is, if they don’t want to be left behind!

Posted by Laurie Smith

Comments

[Les Murphy]

CraigsList is indeed "a viable tool from the recruiter's and the job seeker's perspectives". I am in hot pursuit of a new technology challenge (job). CraigsList worked its way to the top of my toolbox early in the process. I have even dropped my 100k plus recruiter website subscriptions.

However, as good as CraigsList is, don't be surprised by the spontaneity of some of the job postings and the equally lackadaisical responses (if any) that you receive in reply. Some of them are simply not serious or, are posted for some other reason than seeking a valid candidate.

Also, look out for the reply that sends one to another resume harvesting “job board”. Don’t fill out a form with all of your personal information just because a reply to a job post tells you to. Look a little farther than the form. You are most likely handing your personal information to someone for the purpose of selling it, not getting you a job.