HN Explorer

Ask HN: How does one build a jobs board?

7 points by tnsittpsif ↗ HN
I am not particularly looking into building one myself, but I have been brainstorming about how one would approach this problem.

Where does one get all jobs data from? I am aware that there are APIs out there from where I can get data from, but that means I am basically building a front-end for data off some other platform(s).

Is getting data from recruiters the only way? How would one get the traction and popularity that they would need in order to attract more recruiters to come post on their jobs board?

5 comments

[ 204 ms ] story [ 874 ms ] thread
codingdave
You are looking at this backwards - you don't build a product and then seek an audience. You choose an an audience then build the product they need.
egfx
That’s not what Steve Jobs would say.
satvikpendem
Most job boards started out by scraping other job boards. I know, very ouroboros, but once they got enough traction, then they had natural demand where people submitted new jobs.

For example, Pieter Levels on building RemoteOK: https://levels.io/remote-ok/

He aggregated a bunch of other job boards first, then once the site got traction, people submitted directly to RemoteOK.

gcheong
If you're looking to create a highly curated job board then reaching out to companies directly that fit the niche you are looking to serve might be a way to go. You may have to initially make it worth their while in free listings until your board is a proven candidate leads generator so you can start charging for listings. The flip-side would be to build a jobs listing which candidates pay for access to which offers either jobs that aren't easy to find by the usual channels or some kind of fast-track hiring process. I think there are many ways to build something but you need to clarify what the value proposition is to whoever is paying for it. There is at least one interview on Indiehackers where someone created a job board, this one comes to mind: https://www.indiehackers.com/podcast/086-lynne-tye-of-key-va...