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General vs. Niche Job Boards: Which Is Better for Job Seekers?

General vs. Niche Job Boards: Which Is Better for Job Seekers?

For individuals looking for work, job boards are very useful in sourcing for their dream role. However, with so many options available, it is very difficult to choose between overall or specialised job boards. Do you prefer more all-encompassing job boards that feature all industries or are tailored job boards that are designed for certain communities more preferable? Let us analyse the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options. 

What are General Job Boards? 

General job boards are boards such as Indeed, Monster, or Glassdoor that post multiple job openings under different levels and types of jobs. They serve a wider audience and include job roles from beginner to management level. 

Pros of General Job Boards

  1. Extensive Job Listings: These platforms provide thousands of job postings, giving you access to a wide array of opportunities.

  2. Diverse Roles Across Industries: Perfect for individuals exploring multiple career paths or industries.

  3. User-Friendly Tools: Many general job boards offer advanced search filters, resume upload options, and application tracking to simplify your search.

Cons of General Job Boards

  1. High Competition: These platforms attract a vast number of applicants, making it harder to stand out.

  2. Irrelevant Results: The broad focus can result in irrelevant job postings, requiring more time to find suitable roles.

  3. Limited Industry-Specific Features: General boards lack the tailored insights and resources niche platforms often provide.

What Are Niche Job Boards? 

Focused narrowly on certain areas of industries, roles, or communities, platforms such as Diverse Jobs Matter serve as prototypes. The goal of these sites is to promote diversity in corporations by linking employers with untapped talent from diverse backgrounds and even underrepresented people. The boards offer a more focused approach to one's job hunt. 

Pros of Niche Job Boards

  1. Industry or Community-Specific Opportunities: Niche platforms curate listings relevant to particular fields or groups, ensuring a highly targeted experience.

  2. Lower Competition: These boards attract fewer applicants but typically those who are more qualified and aligned with the roles.

  3. Supportive Communities and Resources: Platforms like Diverse Jobs Matter offer valuable insights, resources, and support for diverse candidates, promoting equality in the workplace.

Cons of Niche Job Boards

  1. Fewer Listings: Niche boards may have a smaller number of job postings compared to general platforms.

  2. Limited Variety: If you’re exploring roles in multiple industries, niche boards may not cover all your interests.

  3. Potential Costs: Some niche platforms charge fees for access to premium features or exclusive job postings.

Which Should You Choose?

The choice depends on your career goals and level of specialisation.

  • Use General Job Boards If:

    • You’re exploring multiple career paths.

    • You’re seeking roles in non-specialised fields.

    • You prefer access to a wide range of job opportunities in one place.

  • Use Niche Job Boards If:

    • You’re focused on a specific industry, role, or community.

    • You want a smaller, more qualified pool of competitors.

    • You’re looking for platforms that align with your values, such as diversity and inclusion through Diverse Jobs Matter.

What’s Not Have Both?

The most effective way to do a job search is to use both specialised and generic job boards. Specialised boards such as the job portals Indeed or Glassdoor enable applicants to widen their search view and apply for jobs in various industries and positions that they may have never considered. They are a great starting place for finding one’s feet in the job market and for submitting multiple applications quickly. 

Specialised boards such as DJM also have their perks, such as providing tailored opportunities that match the users' skills, interests, and values while not cluttering them with irrelevant options. These kinds of platforms increase one’s chances as fewer candidates are applying.

Erasing the division ensures a scope and precision search, giving you the best of both worlds. Look into the general boards first to research trends and use the findings to check niche boards that have the roles that you genuinely want. This increases the odds of getting a position that you really want.

The general and the niche job boards are helpful to job seekers for different reasons. General boards provide range and availability, whereas niche boards offer attention and subject matter. Using a combination of these boards increases the probability of getting a role that you want. Their niche boards, like Diverse Jobs Matter, are very useful for people interested in work environments because they show that such boards can be a revolution for modern job seekers.