Columbus Ohio Buyer's Review

I first found out about Craigslist from an Ohio State professor when attending as an undergrad student. Placing the reference in content, the instructor was offering advice on how to connect with gently used baby clothes and furniture in our community. As a newbie to the Columbus, Ohio area I was so impressed with the reference that I began browsing the web site for myself. Since then, I have sold a few small items on Craigslist. The sale that went best was a new cash register I had purchased for a trade show. After listing the item on Craigslist, I sold it to a weekend snack vendor for $35 within a matter of days.

What I consider the "hidden jewel" of Craigslist here in the Columbus area is the employment section. I have found and interviewed for two accounting opportunities from our Craigslist website. As a grant and technical writer, I like to browse the Not forProfit employment listings. In our area, I have noticed that many organizations and employers list their employment ads here simultaneously with paid-ads in the Columbus Dispatch. While browsing, I generally look over the Writing and Marketing tabs for unique, niche assignments that catch my attention.

With Craigslist inquiries, I have experienced a higher percentage of call-backs, interviews than from the ordinary employment sites like Monster, Career Builder and even newspapers like the Columbus Dispatch. As a result of using Craigslist, I have interviewed with many corporate employers in our area with a shorter turn around rate. With the poor economy, I believe many employers lack the financial resources or are simply trimming back expenses from professional employment services. A Craigslist ad is free for employer and employee. For companies with a human resource department in place, a rapid reply and decision making process is extremely possible.

My bottom line, Craigslist is a great place to buy, sell and look for a new job. Just since I have written this article this afternoon, I have had two replies (one e-mail and one voice) to four inquires. That is a fifty percent reply rate for sixty minutes of web surfing. In fact, I have an invitation to apply on both contacts with an interview tomorrow afternoon. While I admit it may or may not be today's "dream job," I will never know if I don't show up. Besides don't take my word for it, test it out for yourself in your Craigslist community. Remember when looking for a new job--nothing ventured is nothing gained!