When you go to the un-cookied landing page for recently launched Workstir the first impression you are likely to have is that the startup looks on the surface to be Monster meets Craigslist meets Yelp . In fact, that is a pretty accurate way to describe this offering from one of the co-founders of Ping.fm and a "college student from a small Oklahoma town" that launched into private Beta on 12 November.
The concept is simple: Provide those in need of services a way to find someone to fill their job needs without having to cull through hundreds of emails such as one receives when posting a job listing on a service such as Craigslist; and, provide those who have a service to offer a way to find opportunities without having to read through hundreds of postings on a service such as Monster. Plus, you have the added benefit of building a reputation as a service provider by having those who have contracted you for employment review your performance, like on Yelp.
It's a concise idea with practical ways to help connect employer to employee with as few steps as possible. Upon their launch into private Beta they have offered SMS alerts of new jobs or offers and the ability to sort providers/job opportunities via zip code. Duncan Winter, the creative college student turned entrepreneur, tells BitchBuzz that Workstir is presently working on "stirring up" iPhone, Facebook and Connect applications to further enrich the initial offering. Plans are to take Workstir to the international market as soon as possible.
The only real critique of Workstir is its current lack of content. Upon searching the area code "94110" there were only 23 jobs listed, the majority household or labor related; and, 138 service providers listed. (The first listed being "Joe the Plumber: Joe Smith from Moffett Field, CA - a skilled plumber with 10 years of experience." Gaff or real? You decide.) Thankfully, this is a problem which can simply be remedied with time and exposure of Workstir to a greater user base. Especially in current economy, any new way to find either work or workers is going to be an idea which is embraced by the public (keeping in mind that Monster was one of the few survivors of the great Dot Com Bubble Burst of 2000.)
Overall, Workstir is a smart concept with a great deal of potential. It will be interesting to watch the company as it develops.