Are premium or membership services for a job search board really worth it, or are they just another internet job scam?
Cheryl Simpson, a Contributing Writer here at Suite101, wrote an excellent article about the varying kinds of job boards; and how knowing to what extent and when to use each will aid in your job search. One area she briefly mentioned was payment for a premium service (membership or subscription - whatever the board wants to call it).
Are these services worth it? Shouldn't you follow the golden rule of "if you have to pay to find a job, it is probably a scam?"
Well, yes and no.
Usually, the job board is paid for by recruiters and/or potential employers. Advertisements on the site also contributes to the maintenance of those "free" job listings. But sometimes the job board may express itself as a filter between the "right" job searchers and the potential employer. This may cost more time - which of course costs money - with the job board filtering (usually based on keywords) you to the "right" potential employer. OR the job board may decide to charge for access to, what the job board deems to be, better jobs. OR the job board may just think it can make money by charging.
And therein lies the rub.
There is a fine line between paying for a membership/subscription to job postings, and paying for a premium service. Remember, the bottom line is that the employer wants to hire the "right" candidate - and is willing to spend money to find that candidate. So why should ANY job board charge?
Simply put - supply and demand. Often, the potential employer does NOT want the general public to know who and what the company is looking to hire. So, they post through agencies and job boards - who guarantee the company confidentiality until the final filter - meaning your resume passes, or your initial interview (if recruiter agency) passes.
But often it is just a rouse to get you to pay for a service, that really has already been paid for by the posting employer. How to tell? If the basic "free" service only gives you access to a tantalizing ad - and says "click here to post your resume/answer this ad" - which takes you to the "sign up here and pay first" window - get away FAST. If the free ads seem genuine, but just not quite in your area - then check out the price. Can you get a trial or free membership? Can you just pay for one month without having to agree to monthly withdrawals? Can you afford to lose that amount of money - does the price seem reasonable?
One tip - before you pay for any job board service - why not actually go to a recruiting agency - and have them look for you as well? This will give you more experience in face-to-face meetings as well as enhance your job search.
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Copyright April 18, 2007. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
