What’s Niche?

Let’s start with the word “niche.” What does it mean? Is it something you snack on with cheese? (Example: “A little niche would really amplify the flavor of that Gouda.”) A compliment you give to nice fella who pointed out to you that you had stray toilet paper dangling off your stiletto heel? (Example: “That was so niche of you to notice — let me buy you a coffee.”) Or a quick fix for that scraped knee you got while chasing after the ice cream truck and… failing to catch it? (Example: “Quick! Put some niche on it to stop the bleeding and chocolate cone cravings!”)

No, but all are good guesses. We sometimes talk about niche job websites, as several of them are associated with CareerBuilder, but we don’t always define what “niche” really means. So here, I want to break it down for you in the case that you’re not familiar with them, tell you about some of our niche job sites, and talk a bit about why these job sites are an important way to complement the ways you’re reaching candidates.

Niche Job Sites — A Definition

The word niche, in the manner we’re using it here, is most simply defined by Merriam-Webster as “a specialized market.” Niche can also mean “a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted” — which is also related to what we’re talking about.

How so? Well, niche job sites are those websites dedicated to a specialized market — whether that market is health care or retail or Gen Y folks — and the people who frequent a certain niche job site are attracted to it because they identify themselves as a great fit to that job site’s specialized market.

A website focused solely on a particular market + job seekers interested in that market seeking out and flocking to that website = a pretty great way of connecting the right candidates with the right types of employers. You might say these Internet users have “found their niche.”

Finding a Niche — Why It Works

These days, job seekers have more choices than ever before when it comes to where they’re able to find jobs online. The Internet is huge, and one way to narrow in on job listings is by going to very specialized sites.

For example, if I want the latest celeb gossip, I don’t always go to a huge news site. I might look at celeb gossip while I’m on a big news site or click on a celeb gossip item of interest, but more times than not, I’ll go to a blog that focuses exclusively on celebrity gossip ’round the clock when I’m really looking for my gossip fix, rather than a site that’s focusing on many different types of news coverage. This way,  I don’t have to sift through all the unrelated stories to zone in on what I want. My celeb gossip blog is dedicated to giving me exactly what I want, when I want it. It’s easy, it’s content-rich (yes, I realize we’re talking about celeb gossip here), and it cuts down on time.

Niche job sites work essentially the same way, as job seekers are going to these sites to connect with employers who are in their field and offering the type of job they are looking for. Niche sites are specific — which is why both job seekers and employers are drawn to them. They enable you to cut down on time sorting through unrelated candidates applying to your jobs, and focus only on those candidates in your specialized market.

CareerBuilder’s Niche Job Sites

CareerBuilder has launched several of its own niche job sites – some of which have been around for a bit (like WorkInRetail.com), and some which are brand new (like MiracleWorkers.com). These niche job sites are all very different as far as the specialized market on which they focus, but they have a common thread: They bring job seekers and employers who are looking for each other together in the online place that caters most to their specialized market needs.

What Can CareerBuilder’s Niche Sites Do For You?

If you’re looking for extra, exclusive exposure to those job seekers in your specialized industry or market, posting your jobs on a niche job site may be the perfect solution for you:

• As an employer, you can post your jobs on any of these sites to get in front of the exact type of candidate you’re looking for, whether that’s a line cook, a contract consultant, an employee fresh out of college, or a physical therapist.
• Our niche sites are a great way to complement the other ways in which you’re currently reaching your target audience; as there isn’t a lot of overlap between CareerBuilder.com’s audience and the audiences on our niche job sites, you’re significantly extending your reach to your particular market.
• Post your jobs directly on your niche site of choice, and enjoy access to a large pool of job seekers serious about the types of jobs you’re listing. It’s like a special interest group for jobs!

Below, I list each of CareerBuilder’s niche sites so you can get a little more familiar with them.

Sologig.com

Sologig.com is a niche CareerBuilder job site that connects your company with consultants, contractors, contract-to-hire, per diems, and other seasoned professionals geared toward the IT/Engineering fields. Sologig is perfect to use when you’re looking for more short-term or part-time help, particularly in IT or Engineering. On average, 62 percent of job seekers classify themselves as IT/Engineering professionals. (Access Sologig.com)

JobsOnTheMenu.com

JobsOnTheMenu.com specializes in corporate, management and hourly restaurant and food service jobs. Job seekers range from experienced servers, to district managers. to those just starting a restaurant career — but all are in the restaurant and food service business. (Access JobsOnTheMenu.com)

CareerRookie.com

CareerRookie.com is dedicated to the complete collegiate solution. This job site connects students and recent graduates seeking internships, part-time jobs and entry-level positions with the employers looking for them.
(Access CareerRookie.com)

WorkInRetail.com

WorkInRetail delivers both hourly and salaried candidates to fulfill your company’s retail hiring needs. Need an hourly sales rep, retail manager, or executive? WorkInRetail’s got you covered. (Access WorkInRetail.com)

MiracleWorkers.com

Miracle Workers, launched in July 2010, is a niche job site connecting health care organizations to qualified nurses, physicians, CNAs, pharmacists, social workers and many other types of health care professionals. (Access MiracleWorkers.com)

Questions about niche job sites or success stories to share?