Association industry trends research by Momentive Software shows that members are seeking job opportunities. And associations can give members the job opportunities they want by offering an online job board. But what do you do once your association’s job board software is launched?
It’s time to take your job board to the next level!
Don’t have an online job board for your association? Read the guide, “Top Questions About Association Job Boards… Answered!” to learn what you need to know about creating a job board for your organization. Download guide
With a few best practices, you can transform your job board from simply a place to post and search for job openings to THE go-to career development resource for your industry.
Here are six practical ways to take your association job board software further – giving members a true career destination and letting members know your association is your industry’s resource for career advancement and growth.
1. Offer a career planning portal.
Your members look to your association as a resource for finding job opportunities. But they also need help planning their careers and landing their next job.
Add career advancement resources to your job board to make it a true online career center. For example, offer:
- Career advice, with relevant articles that guide job seekers in their search
- Online coaching that provides job strategies and tips for career planning, writing résumés, interviewing, working through career challenges, and more
- Career insights and placement services that help members secure their dream jobs
- A career path tool that helps members map out the steps needed to achieve their professional goals
2. Add banners to your member newsletters.
A great way to promote the member benefits of your career center is to place a banner ad in your monthly member communications. You can schedule these banners in advance and rotate various copy.
Possible banner content includes:
- Promoting the features and benefits of the career center
- Encouraging members to upload their résumés to the career center
- Highlighting free résumé reviews.
- Urging members to sign up for a Job Flash™ email to be among the first to see the best jobs.
The YM Careers team can create and send a Job Flash email for you, promoting featured jobs from your job board to your members and registered job seekers.
3. Include ads in member publications.
Print and digital monthly member publications are a great place to promote the benefits of your new career center. Create a call to action such as, “Check out our new career center for the best career resources and jobs,” or “Create an account to get the latest job postings.”
4. Send dedicated emails.
Segment your member list and send emails about the career center that are relevant to each group. For example, target early-career members with an email about how to receive a free résumé review. Let them know how to create an account in your career center, upload a résumé, and submit it for review. For passive job seekers, let them know how to sign up to receive job alert emails.
5. Put social media to work.
Using social media channels is an effective way to get the word out about the resources your career center offers. Create a social media plan that includes images and messages that reflect the benefits of your career center.
6. Host virtual and in-person meetings.
Host in-person and virtual career fairs at your association’s next event that are branded as “sponsored” by your career center. And if you’re hosting an annual meeting, a virtual conference, or a hybrid event, be sure to dedicate a booth to your career center. This is an ideal approach for introducing your members and prospective members to everything your career center offers.
YM Careers can help you manage every aspect of a career fair – from marketing and sales to event execution. Talk to an association event specialist today. Get started
