Recent association industry research shows that your association might have a big opportunity to provide members with a benefit they’re seeking. You just need to take it.
That benefit: Job opportunities.
Research from the Community Brands 2022 Association Trends Study
What the research shows
Community Brands has conducted association trends studies over the past several years. Throughout the past five years’ studies, one thing remains clear: Members want job opportunities.
But in the most recent study, findings show that association professionals (Pros) continue to underestimate the value of job opportunities (as well as career advancement) to their members – even though both are among the top 12 most important benefits to members in the study (Members).
Research from the Community Brands 2022 Association Trends Study
And here’s another thing: This year’s study finds that overall, the top reasons for Members to join an organization continue to be networking, job opportunities, certifications, career advancement, and training. Job opportunities and career advancement are stronger motivations for early and mid-careerists to join.
And, for reference, the 2019 study shows that the largest number of Members join a professional organization early in their career – within five years of employment. About one-third join before employment. So, job opportunities are a strong driver of member acquisition.
Why the continued disconnect?
If job and career advancement opportunities attract new members, and members consistently indicate that job and career advancement opportunities are among their top priorities, then why aren’t associations making them a higher priority? It’s likely because they have lots going on and providing something like an online job board seems to require too much time and effort.
But the reality is that if you want to be the go-to resource for your industry or profession, you must provide members with career advancement resources. And with the right technology, it’s much easier than you might think.
In short, it’s time to offer your members an online job board – no excuses!
Research from the Community Brands 2022 Association Trends Study
An easy way to get your online job board started today
With the right technology and some proven approaches, you can create an online job board that helps members achieve career success.
Research from the Community Brands 2022 Association Trends Study
For example, YM Careers by Community Brands offers online job board software for associations – with no upfront costs! It helps you build a robust job board, or online career center, so that members can easily search and apply for relevant opportunities. It also makes it easy for you to provide career advancement resources, including:
- career advice, with relevant articles that guide job seekers in their search
- online coaching that provides job strategies and tips on résumés and interviewing
- career insights and placement services that help members secure their dream job
And here’s the kicker: YM Careers offers job board sales and marketing services to help you drive job posting sales (read: added non-dues revenue!) and job seeker traffic (read: great benefit to help you attract and retain members!). So, you don’t need to set aside time to build and manage your career center.
Learn more
Discover more insights into association trends to help you deliver a greater member experience.
