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(October 24, 2002) -  We were always tickled by the fact that CareerPath (the newspaper's predecessor to the Current CareerBuilder juggernaut) was the one place that you could find online job ads for topless dancers and other adult entertainers. The reason? In an effort to swell the numbers of online ads, CareerPath insisted that 100% of all paper ads be 'uploaded'. Over the long term, the result was that CareerPath traffic eroded because no one goes to a job board to read the standard three line posting from print.

Well, they are at it again. The Chicago Tribune has informed all of its employment advertising clients (with the following form letter) that all recruitment ads will be placed online. It's a fantastic way to improve volume while eroding user experience.

Dear Advertiser:

We've been listening to you and understand that the combination of online and print advertising is a valuable recruitment tool. We are pleased to announce that effective Sunday, September 22, 2002, all recruitment ads that appear in the Chicago Tribune's Sunday CareerBuilder section will also automatically be placed online for you at chicagotribune.com/careerbuilder - the Midwest's largest source of local jobs. Your ad will remain on careerbuilder.com for one week. Referral ads pointing to your main recruitment ad, however, will not be placed online or charged the upload fee. The fee will be $50 for liteface ads and $100 for display ads.

As always, thank you for using the CareerBuilder network to fulfill your recruitment needs. We continue to strive to develop new products and services that will provide hiring success for you - the right candidates at the right time. Any feedback regarding our products and services is appreciated. Please call or email at your convenience.

Sincerely,

You might remember how the newspapers treated classified advertising customers over the years. When the volume of ads goes down, the rates go up. When the volume of ads goes up the rates go up. That's how a monopoly works!

While there is much to be celebrated about the renewal of the Newspaper industry's chances, much of the current success can be simply attributed to deep pockets and the patient protection of a monopoly. We'll enjoy seeing the ads for dancers and the return of the three line recruitment ad.

We doubt that serious job hunters will.

-John Sumser