What Is a Job Board and How Do You Best Use One?

Job boards such as iHire are useful job search tools for employers and employees to connect online. If you're an applicant looking to expand your career, read on to learn how to properly utilize job boards and how iHire can help. 

What Is a Job Board?

Job boards are online platforms for employers to post and advertise open positions and connect with applicants. Through a job matching system, applicants can search for available jobs that match their qualifications. While every job board is different, most take essential information from job candidates like their experience, skills, and desired pay to point them toward the right jobs. There’s no limit to the number of jobs you can apply for.

For most job listings, you will be asked to fill out the application directly from the job board. In other situations, the job board may take you directly to the organization’s website or another job board to complete the application process. Many job boards allow employers and hiring managers to message you directly within the board, though some employers may continue the rest of the process via email or through another service.

Industry-Specific Job Boards

Some online job boards are specific to certain industries. By using an industry-specific job board, you narrow your search, receive more accurate job matches, and land a job faster. Because they’re more focused than a general board, you’re more likely to stand out from the crowd and find jobs that might not be listed anywhere else.

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How to Use Job Boards Effectively

Job boards are the best way to search for jobs online, as long as you know how to use them effectively to your advantage. Begin by filling out as much information about your experience, skills, education and any professional training, and desired pay. While it may seem easier to simply let your resume speak for you, filling out relevant data on a job board will help the website recommend the best open positions for you. 

For the most efficient job search, use different keywords in the search bar. For example, if you are a software engineer, don't just search "software engineer" in the search field. Try "programmer," "developer," "tech lead," and other relevant job titles. The keywords used in a job posting and how often they use those words can impact how high the posting appears in your job search. Using different words and conducting multiple searches ensure you see as many jobs in your field as possible.

Finally, keep an eye out for junk listings. Unfortunately, fake and misleading job postings are common online, especially on unregulated job boards. To avoid wasting your time, you need to learn how to look for red flags in job postings, such as poorly structured job information (with plenty of typos and other errors), vague job details, lack of salary information, and poor reviews.

Your next job won't just be a title on a resume — it will be your source of income, where you will spend most of your waking hours every day, and an opportunity to make new friends and professional contacts. In other words, your job search is crucial to your success. To get the most out of your job search, visit iHire's community directory today.