Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Recruiting.com is Digg; Jobster is Facebook. Life goes on. However, some businesses combine two good ideas into one really bad one.
Case in point: Eyebulge
The site hopes to bring vertical job search and Digg together. The idea is whack, and here are two good reasons why:
- Users of Digg rate what are essentially articles, stories or blog posts they like. The content with the greatest appeal is hopefully voted on by users in an honest way to help other visitors find the best content.
When was the last time you said to yourself, “I’m going to Craiglist to look through the job listings to be educated and entertained” in the same way a news source or blog does? Doesn’t happen. And it won’t.
- Let’s say No. 1 does happen, for the sake of argument, and you come across a job that is perfect. Human nature dictates that you’re going to keep the opportunity hidden from your competition, as opposed to promoting your zeal to the world.
Unlike a cool piece of content you want others to enjoy, appealing job content will be kept under wraps. Most would rather interview with a pool of 10 people than 100.
And I won’t even get into the issue of jobs expiring and renewing regularly. This is a bad idea and a site that won’t hit. Just read your history.
Popularity: 2% [?]
January 11th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Wow, that might’ve made for a good comment…. (hint, hint)
January 11th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Good post. Very techcrunchesque of you.
My thoughts on this service taking off…fogetaboudit.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I actually DO read the Craigslist job listings (and resumes) to be entertained. Usually by mocking them. But maybe that’s just me. :D
January 15th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Funny that is exactly the first thing that went through my mind, the last thing I want to do is let anyone know about a job that I am applying for.
January 18th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Competition does appear to be people’s #1 concern with Eyebulge. But it strikes me that a comment to the effect of “I think I would be perfect for this job and, if the hiring manager is reading, I’d love an interview” would work in the author’s favor in terms of competition. Adding a strong “bulge” (or rating) is another way of self promotion in a competitive field. Self promotion isn’t really the point of Eyebulge – Eyebulge exists to offer job hunters the ability to comment on job postings, a service which is not available anywhere else on the ‘net – but self promotion is a side effect opportunity presented to Bulgers.
So if you ask me, in a competitive job market, Eyebulge works for you, not against you.
January 24th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
So, if I think I’d be a good fit for a job, I can push it to the top of everyone else’s listings? Sweet!