Job Boards VS LinkedIn | Which is Best To Find Your Next Hire

In today's digital world, online job platforms have revolutionised the hiring process. Two giants in this realm, LinkedIn and job boards, provide invaluable resources for employers.

Investing in job boards broadens your reach, tapping into a diverse pool of active job seekers. With millions visiting daily, your postings gain visibility, attracting top talent. Niche boards draw targeted candidates, perfect for specialised roles.  LinkedIn caters to professionals and job seekers focused on career growth and networking. It offers a range of features that allow users to showcase their skills, learn new ones, and connect with industry peers.

Discover the best platform for your next hire: LinkedIn or job boards. Our guide explores each platform's pros and cons, aiding your decision-making process.

The Digital Hiring Landscape

The digital revolution has redefined the job market, offering a vast array of online platforms where employers can connect with potential candidates. 

Two such platforms, job boards and LinkedIn, have become go-to resources for companies seeking to attract quality talent. Each offers a unique set of benefits and considerations, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision about where to post your job listings.

Job boards are online platforms where employers can post job vacancies, and job seekers can search for and apply for these positions. They aggregate job postings from various sources, providing a one-stop shop for job seekers. 

The offerings of job boards can range from generalist platforms that host a wide array of job types and industries, to niche job boards that specialise in specific sectors or job roles.

LinkedIn, on the other hand, is the world's largest professional networking platform. It connects professionals worldwide, allowing them to showcase their skills, experience, and education. LinkedIn, while also providing a job posting service, places a significant emphasis on networking and career development.

Job Boards vs LinkedIn

Now that we have a basic understanding of the two platforms, let's delve deeper into their unique features, pricing models, and how they cater to job seekers and employers.

Posting to a Job Board

Job boards offer advanced search filters that allow candidates to narrow down their search based on location, salary, job title, and more.

Advantages of Using Job Boards

Job boards offer several advantages to both job seekers and employers:

Broad Talent Pool: With millions of users worldwide and job listings across industries and regions, job boards provide employers with access to a vast talent pool.

Cost-Effective: Job boards often offer both free and sponsored job posting options, making them an affordable choice for companies of all sizes.

Advanced Search Filters: Job boards' advanced search filters enable employers to find candidates who closely match their requirements.

Active Job Seekers: Users on job boards are generally actively looking for new opportunities, increasing the chances of finding candidates ready to make a career move.

Posting a Job on LinkedIn

LinkedIn caters to professionals and job seekers focused on career growth and networking. It offers a range of features that allow users to showcase their skills, learn new ones, connect with industry peers, and engage in professional discussions.

Advantages of Using LinkedIn

LinkedIn offers several advantages over job boards when it comes to searching for candidates:

Extensive Talent Pool: With over 750 million members worldwide, LinkedIn provides access to a wide and diverse talent pool of professionals actively engaged in their respective industries.

Targeted Search Filters: LinkedIn's advanced search filters enable recruiters to narrow down their candidate searches based on specific criteria.

Access to Passive Candidates: LinkedIn has a significant advantage in reaching passive candidates who might not be actively looking for jobs.

Professional Networking: LinkedIn's emphasis on professional networking means that candidates are more likely to be connected to other professionals in the same industry.

Key Differentiators: Job Boards VS LinkedIn

The primary difference between job boards and LinkedIn lies in their focus. 

Job boards are primarily focused on job search and connecting job seekers with employers. In contrast, LinkedIn is focused on professional networking and career development.

LinkedIn is best suited for job seekers who want to build their professional network, showcase their skills and experience, and connect with other professionals in their industry. 

So hiring managers should use LinkedIn as a research tool to view candidates' profiles to see experience and skill set. Job boards are still the main way you will attract relevant talent to your job opening with the manual time and effort required.

Job Posting: A Comparative Look

Both Indeed and LinkedIn offer a variety of features that can help employers reach their target audience. However, the pricing and features offered by each platform vary, and understanding these differences can help employers make an informed decision.

Job Posting on Job Boards

Job boards allow employers to post jobs and search for resumes. While many job boards offer free job posting options, most employers opt for sponsored job postings for increased visibility among qualified candidates.

Key features of job boards include:

Sponsored job postings: Employers can pay to have their job posting appear at the top of the search results, increasing visibility and attracting more candidates.

Company pages: Employers can create a company page to showcase their brand and culture, and attract candidates who are a good fit for their organisation.

Resume search: Employers can search job boards' resume databases to find qualified candidates who have uploaded their resumes to the site.

Job Posting on LinkedIn

LinkedIn allows employers to post jobs and search for candidates. While posting a job to your network is free, LinkedIn also offers a Pay-Per-Click (PPC) model for posts outside your network.

Key features of LinkedIn include:

Company Insights: Showcase information about the company, its culture, values, and any additional details to attract potential candidates.

Sponsored job postings: Employers can pay to have their job posting appear at the top of search results, increasing visibility and attracting more candidates.

Recruitment Tools

Both job boards and LinkedIn offer a range of recruitment tools to help employers streamline their hiring process. These include advanced search filters, resume databases, and screening tools. 

However, the specific tools and features offered by each platform vary, and understanding these differences can help employers choose the platform that best meets their needs.

Recruitment Tools on Job Boards

Job boards offer a range of recruitment tools to help employers streamline their hiring process. These include advanced search filters, a CV database, and screening tools. 

Recruitment Tools on LinkedIn

LinkedIn offers a suite of recruitment tools to help employers find and connect with potential candidates. These include advanced search filters, a resume database, and InMail messaging. LinkedIn also offers a range of premium features, including LinkedIn Recruiter, which provides access to an expanded talent pool, enhanced search capabilities, and valuable analytics.

Choosing the Right Platform

Choosing between job boards and LinkedIn ultimately depends on your specific hiring needs. If you're looking for a broad talent pool and cost-effective job posting options, job boards may be the ideal choice. However, if you're looking to connect with professionals and access a vast network of passive candidates, LinkedIn's networking-focused platform may be more beneficial. We suggest utilising both where you can.

Remember, when you’re hiring, it's crucial to stand out in the right way to the right job seekers to connect with the people who will help your company reach its goals. 

So, whether you choose job boards or LinkedIn, ensure that your job postings are tailored to attract the right talent, and make the most of the tools and features each platform offers to streamline your hiring process.

At Switch Roles, we understand the importance of finding the right fit for both job seekers and employers. That's why our platform is designed to empower job seekers to find their dream retail roles and enable employers to connect with the best candidates for their businesses. 

With our job board, you can be confident that your job will receive the attention it deserves.

Get in touch to list your job with us today. If you enjoyed this blog, read more helpful tips for hiring top talent here.