Website Reviews Careerbuildercom
Careerbuilder.com - Sorry, I give it a Thumbs Down!
The job search sites all do the same basic job, but in my opinion, Careerbuilder's limited basic options and cheap tricks makes it more difficult to use than other sites and less than reliable. Additionally, the jobs returned seemed to be on-line 'scam' type opportunities, rather than real jobs - in my case, I was looking for a 'real' job.
CAREERBUILDER SPECIFIC FEATURES
You can create a cover letter for your resume - but a letter targeted to a specific job would be better.
EASE OF USE
A big factor in selecting a site, and apart from a possible bug, it was easy enough, however, it wasn't the easiest site to use.
-Entering a ResumeI managed to get the cut and paste and upload methods to work when setting up my resume, but the Resume Builder function refused to work - on several different occasions. This may be a browser compatibility problem - I use Firefox on a Mac - but hey, we have rights too!
I see the need for advertising, but not in the middle of a form for entering details or searching for a job. The unwary could be tricked into entering contact information, especially when some fields are marked as 'required'.
Careerbuilder jumps right to credit card details when offering to improve your resume. I'm sure they do a good job, but if the 'bait' they are using to draw me into the website is any indication, I think I'll pass.
- Searching for JobsOn the basic search, you can look for keywords and location, within only ONE industry category. The advanced search allows you to add criteria for full/part time and length of posting - not much help.
I also stumbled across a much more advanced search, but I wasn't sure how I got there (I'm not a novice - it wasn't obvious). The page allowed me to enter more search criteria than the basic pages, but it was a bit too complicated compared to other job search sites. And it wasn't the page displayed when I clicked on Advanced Search the first time - but it should have been!
The jobs returned from my search were specific to the medical field (there ARE currently lots of jobs in the local paper for office help in the medical profession), but the results from other sites were more varied. The locations weren't detailed at all, "Nearby" can mean the difference between a six and a sixty minute commute!
I tried two different searches, one for general office work and the other for technical writing. The office search returned sensible enough opportunities - the technical writing search returned something called 'technical delivery', the primary requirement being factory floor experience. Not even close. One search resulted in on-line survey 'opportunities' - good for extra income, but not a real job.
- Career/Job Search AdviceOne of the articles was "Top 10 Wanted Workers", but there was no mention of anything in two growth areas I've seen listed on the government's job projection sites - nursing and animal care! They did list Management, and although we all look for promotion, the last time I looked, we had more than enough 'chiefs'.
Much of the advice seemed more ad-based, rather than independent information. Plenty of the too-good-to-be-true stuff, not enough real, impartial, practical advice.
In my random clicking looking for something I could praise on this site, I did find a list of the 10 sexiest jobs, as well as a list of the world's most dangerous jobs. Entertaining, but not really useful.
EFFECTIVENESS
I get emails from Careerbuilder every few days with jobs allegedly in my locale - but not so! One email said there were jobs IN TOWN - when I checked the site, there was nothing, in any category (I check within hours of receiving the email). One email listed numerous on-line survey 'jobs', which can earn money, but aren't what I call 'real' jobs - the real jobs were in Kentucky, no offense but I was looking in Michigan.
SUGGESTIONS
To be fair, I live in a very small town, without much going on, but unless there is a real opportunity, don't trick me into logging onto your website. My time is money too.
All the sites try to collect contact information for their 'partners', but Careerbuilder tried to get my information for the Army Air Reserve - I'm a 50ish technical writer with less than 20/20 vision and I doubt I qualify! Another attempt made it look like I HAD to enter my details to complete my resume. These tactics are unprofessional at best.
My last bit of advice is perhaps harsh, but, grow up and get professional. You may trap the unwary, but the rest of us will move on. Sorry Careerbuilder.
SUMMARY
Sorry, but in my opinion, Careerbuilder isn't worth the effort, at least in my locale and career options.
-
Web sites change regularly - my review was conducted in January 2008. If things have improved or changed and my review is no longer accurate, I apologize and if you contact me, I will address the changes as appropriate. In this instance, if things actually improve, I will write an apology!
