Is X Hiring a Serious Competitor to LinkedIn?

While still in beta mode, X, formerly known as Twitter, has just released a new basic premium subscription of just under £200 per month that allows verified companies to access X hiring features. Before introducing this discounted premium plan, verified accounts had to invest a whooping £1,140 a month to access the X hiring feature. 

Does this price reduction mean more companies will invest in an X Hiring subscription? In this article, we peek into the pros and cons of X Hiring and compare it with its counterpart, LinkedIn Jobs, to see if it’s a worthy investment for tech companies hiring in the UK. 

Positives of X Hiring for Tech and Digital Recruitment 

X Hiring challenges LinkedIn: 

Many see X Hiring as a potential competitor to LinkedIn, offering a more organic reach for companies to advertise job openings directly to relevant users on the platform. While competition is good for the sector, so far, it looks to us that LinkedIn has little competition.

X Hiring’s simple interface: 

The job search feature is praised for its straightforward functionality, allowing users to easily search by keyword, location, or remote options. The feature leverages existing X functionalities like profiles and following, creating a natural connection for job seekers and companies.

X Hiring’s visibility:

X Hiring gives visibility for smaller companies, at least in theory. Verified organisations of all sizes, not just established corporations, can post jobs and connect with potential candidates. However, smaller companies don’t always have the budget to invest in job advertising platforms. Given the recent price drop, X Hiring might become a more attractive option for smaller companies or those with limited recruitment budgets.

Negatives of X Hiring for IT/Digital Recruitment 

X Hiring’s limited features and audience: 

Currently, only verified companies can post jobs, and some features like detailed job descriptions and application options are still under development. There are also issues with X’s limited audience, especially after many active users have systematically abandoned the social media platform and moved to Threads, Reddit or Bluesky, among other X competitors. So, while targeted, X Hiring’s audience might be smaller compared to more established job advertising platforms, such as LinkedIn.

X Hiring’s Data privacy and algorithmic bias: 

Some raise concerns about X’s data collection practices and potential bias in job recommendations based on user activity. There are also spam concerns. With wider access to job postings, there’s also concern about the potential flooding of irrelevant or low-quality listings.

X Hiring’s unproven effectiveness: 

X Hiring is still relatively new. It doesn’t have the same level of trust other established platforms have. We have yet to determine the long-term impact on the job market, and its effectiveness for companies and job seekers still needs to be seen. 

LinkedIn Jobs is still the go-to tool for Recruitment

As a well-established player, LinkedIn Jobs has been the go-to for many recruiters. Its vast network and robust features make it a formidable competitor. LinkedIn’s enormous user base means a broader pool of potential candidates. With years in the market, LinkedIn has built a reputation for effectiveness in recruitment. 

However, it’s not without its downsides. It can be pricier and, as Elon Musk pointedly noted, sometimes prone to overly promotional content, potentially deterring some users. We’ve got to give that to Musk! 

Facebook already tried to enter the job board market

Facebook already tried to enter the job board market… and failed! Can you remember Facebook Jobs? Facebook Jobs was Meta’s attempt to enter the job board market. Despite its vast user base, Facebook Jobs struggled to resonate with professionals, ultimately leading to its discontinuation outside Canada and the US in February 2022.

X Hiring and X Jobs reach are two different features

X Hiring and X Job Search are two separate features on the platform. We know! The terminology around X and its features can be confusing! Many people refer to X Job Search as a jobs scraper, although it’s more accurate to say it’s a curated job listing aggregator. This is a search engine for jobs posted on the X platform.

Here’s the difference:

• Job scrapers scan and extract data from various online sources (websites, job boards) without their permission, creating a potentially incomplete and sometimes unreliable database.
• X Job Search: Aggregates listings from verified companies who actively choose to post jobs on the X platform. It acts as a search engine within X, helping job seekers find relevant opportunities posted by trusted sources.

Therefore, X Job Search doesn’t scrape data but rather provides access to a controlled and potentially higher-quality subset of jobs within the X ecosystem.

Comparing X Hiring and LinkedIn Jobs

If you’re considering investing part of your budget for LinkedIn Job on X Hiring, here are some things to consider:

1. Audience vs. Specialisation: LinkedIn offers a broader reach, but X Hiring provides a more focused audience for the tech and digital sectors. 

2. Cost vs Features: X Hiring is more budget-friendly, but LinkedIn has more established features and a proven track record.

3. Brand perception: LinkedIn’s established brand versus X Hiring’s potential for fresh and innovative approaches.

What has been your experience with X Hiring?

Whether X Hiring is worth the investment depends on your company’s needs. Are you looking for a broad reach or a more targeted audience? Do you prefer a platform with a long history, or are you willing to try a newer, potentially more innovative option?

Have you tried X Hiring? Are you considering it now, especially with its reduced price? We’d love to learn about your experiences. Do tell us in the comments or our social media channels!