Are LLM-powered job boards such as that announced by OpenAI the future?

Each month, dozens of leaders of job boards and related organizations gather, some on- and some off-camera, to collaboratively and collegially discuss a topic related to the industry.

Earlier today, for our 15th discussion, we talked about whether large language models such as ChatGPT are friends or foes to the industry, whether that’s likely to change, and what we should do about it.

We explored various aspects of LLMs in the job search landscape, including their potential benefits and challenges, with particular attention to partnerships between AI platforms and job boards like Indeed. We concluded with concerns about OpenAI‘s strategic ambitions and the need for job boards to adapt to technological changes while maintaining value in the evolving market.

The topic will be discussed in depth at the conference in London hosted by our sponsor, Job Boards Connect.

Summary Generated By Zoom:

LLMs Impact on Job Boards

The October 2025 Job Board Leaders Roundtable discussed the impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) on job boards and recruitment. Steven Rothberg, founder of College Recruiter, introduced the topic, noting increased traffic from LLMs and concerns about their potential to replace job boards. Alexander, known for writing about LLMs in job search, was invited to share his insights. The discussion aimed to explore the future of job search, the role of LLMs, and how job boards might adapt to this evolving landscape.

AI Tools in Job Boards

Alexander discussed the use of ChatGPT and other AI tools in job boards, highlighting Indeed’s significant token usage with OpenAI and potential applications for job boards. Jim expressed concerns about Indeed’s claims of improved hiring outcomes, emphasizing the importance of baselines and the quality of messaging. He suggested that Indeed’s success might be more about volume and algorithmic optimization rather than genuine quality improvements.

LLMs Impact on Job Boards

The group discussed the potential impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT on job boards, with Steven suggesting a framework to analyze whether LLMs are threats or additive technologies. Louise noted that job boards have historically adapted to new technologies, citing past concerns about mobile technology and programmatic advertising. Ben raised a new point about LLMs potentially determining the success of job boards by enabling partnerships with platforms like OpenAI and Zillow, which could integrate directly into job boards’ interfaces.

AI’s Role in Job Board Evolution

The group discussed the impact of AI and generative AI on the job board industry, with Bill and Ben agreeing that AI is additive rather than threatening, citing Indeed’s experience with OpenAI partnerships. Steven raised a comparison to Facebook’s early days, questioning whether ChatGPT’s knowledge of user activities is more similar to Facebook’s data collection or Google’s search capabilities. The discussion highlighted how traditional job boards need to embrace AI to remain competitive, while acknowledging that AI’s ability to understand user qualifications and job readiness remains a challenge.

OpenAI’s Impact on Job Market

The group discussed OpenAI’s potential impact on the job market, with Jeff and Steven expressing concerns about OpenAI’s ability to influence the decision-making process regarding digital versus human employment. They debated whether OpenAI’s involvement in job advertising would be beneficial or detrimental, with Jeff suggesting that the market might be too small for it to be profitable. Steven highlighted the potential for OpenAI to replace workers with agentic technology, rather than focusing solely on job advertising. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the importance of staying in the flow of technological change and finding ways to add value in the new landscape.

OpenAI’s Strategic Expansion Plans

The group discussed OpenAI’s recent announcement about job matching and AI certifications, with Matt sharing an article by Anita Lettink that suggested OpenAI’s true strategy might involve gathering job information to identify roles that could be automated. Ethan warned that OpenAI’s development should be taken more seriously as it could become an operating system, similar to Microsoft or Oracle, and highlighted their rapid user growth. The discussion concluded with Ethan predicting that OpenAI would expand into various sectors like travel, auto, and real estate, with Indeed being a likely partner for job search functionality.

OpenAI’s Impact on Job Platforms

The group discussed the implications of OpenAI’s potential partnership with Indeed, focusing on the shift towards an operating system model rather than a destination website. Matt raised concerns about OpenAI’s broader ambitions beyond Indeed’s jobs, suggesting that APIs would allow access to all jobs, not just those on one platform. Ben warned that job boards could lose their relationship with clients, similar to how programmatics have changed the industry. The discussion also touched on the potential for job seekers to use AI to find and apply for jobs, with Mike and Alexander debating the sophistication required for effective prompting.

OpenAI’s AI Evaluation Market Strategy

The group discussed the strategic implications of OpenAI’s relationship with Indeed and the broader AI evaluation market. Alexander explained that OpenAI’s business model involves selling tokens to companies like Indeed, which in turn fund AI evaluation programs, rather than directly collaborating with OpenAI on job boards. Jeff shared insights from Lenny’s Podcast, highlighting how major companies are already involved in AI evaluation activities, with Handshake leveraging its college alumni network to recruit PhD-level evaluators. Steven raised concerns about the long-term impact of using PhD students and professionals to evaluate AI models, suggesting it could devalue the very candidates these platforms aim to help, while Jeff noted that Handshake’s large user base of 18 million provides a unique position in the market despite its limitations in contact information.

LLM Limitations in Resume Matching

The group discussed the limitations of LLMs in resume matching, with Jim and Jeff explaining that LLMs are trained on outdated data and may not perform as well as expected, particularly for people data. They highlighted the importance of understanding the age of the models and the potential for custom solutions. Steven raised concerns about the potential for OpenAI to acquire Indeed, emphasizing the need to consider long-term implications beyond short-term gains in the job board industry.