6 Best Job Search Sites
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If you’ve been on the market for a new gig in the past decade, you’ve likely poked around the many job search sites on the internet.
But which one is the best at finding the listing you’re looking for? Every industry is different when it comes to hiring practices, and depending on the job you want, some job search engines will deliver better results than others. Features like job alerts that notify you when there are new listings that match your search queries matter too.
Based on our research into each platform’s search functions, app performance and features, and additional resources, we determined that Indeed was our pick for the best overall job search site.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best for every person’s needs. Read on to see our list of the best job search sites.
Our Top Picks for the Best Job Search Sites
- Indeed: Best Overall
- ZipRecruiter: Best for Employers
- LinkedIn: Best for Networking
- Glassdoor: Best for Salary Information and Employee Reviews
- AngelList: Best for Startup Jobs
- USA Jobs: Best for Government Jobs
Best Overall: Indeed
- Set up job alerts
- Filter listings by location, job type, benefits, etc.
- Skill assessments to show your abilities
Indeed is one of the most popular job search sites in the world and our pick for Best Overall. It’s very simple to use and users can filter job listings by salary, location, job type (contract, full-time or part-time, entry-level, remote, etc.) and more.
You can save jobs that interest you on Indeed through your account, set up job alerts, and upload your resume to apply more easily. Once you apply for a job through Indeed, those employers or recruiters can contact you through the site.
You can also take skill assessments on Indeed in a wide variety of fields, which are meant to show how proficient you are at certain activities. However, we found it’s quite easy to fool the system, so it may not accurately reflect your abilities.
Best for Employers: ZipRecruiter
- Resume database available for employers
- Reach a wider pool of applicants
- Integration with popular ATS
ZipRecruiter stands out for its great features aimed at employers and recruiters. When employers post a job on ZipRecruiter, the listing is automatically shared to more than a hundred other sites. ZipRecruiter also features a resume database that allows employers to search for the right candidates.
ZipRecruiter integrates with popular applicant tracking systems, like Bullhorn and Greenhouse, so employers and recruiters can streamline their search. Users also have access to job post templates that take the guesswork out of hiring.
Best for Networking: LinkedIn
- Social networking site with an integrated job board
- Widely used by recruiters and hiring managers
- LinkedIn Premium for Career starts at $29.99/month after a free trial
Working professionals already know about LinkedIn, a professional networking platform that allows users to create profiles and connect with co-workers, potential employers and others in their field. It’s essentially a large directory of professionals, which many companies and candidates use to find candidates and job opportunities.
Much like Indeed, LinkedIn’s job search engine allows users to save opportunities, set up job alerts and take skill assessments to signal your abilities to employers.
More features are available if you sign up for LinkedIn Premium, which lets you contact recruiters directly, see the jobs you have the best shot at, and practice with real interview questions to help you put your best foot forward. The career plan subscription for LinkedIn Premium starts at $29.99/month after the one-month trial or $239 annually.
Best for Salary Information and Employee Reviews: Glassdoor
- Salary information and company reviews provided by employees
- Large database of salary, benefits and other information
Glassdoor is a job search site that also allows employees to submit anonymous information about their employers, such as salary, benefits and company reviews, among other things. Being one of the first job search sites to start compiling this information, Glassdoor probably has one of the largest salary databases online, making it a must for job candidates researching prospective employers.
A word of caution, however: since Glassdoor’s company data is mostly user-submitted, it should always be taken with a grain of salt and in conjunction with other information. It’s not unheard of that people badmouth their employer on Glassdoor, so candidates should make sure to weigh the opinions presented against more concrete facts.
Best for Startup Jobs: AngelList
- Specializes in tech and startup jobs
- One-click apply
- Skill assessment feature still in beta
AngelList is a multi-faceted company that describes itself as “the world’s largest startup community”. The AngelList Talent portion focuses on startup and tech jobs, with a large and intuitive job board that allows job seekers to view detailed information about each job, including salary ranges and benefits.
Applying through the website is also easy since the site allows you to upload your resume and apply to jobs with one click. This feature also lets you track your job applications from within the site and complete skill assessments.
Best for Government Jobs: USAJobs
- Official job board for the federal government
- Set up job alerts for your desired position
If you’re interested in finding a public sector job in the federal government, USAJobs is the only job search site where official federal positions are posted. You can search by keyword, location or department/agency, create job alerts and save jobs, as well as track your applications on the site with a free account.
Keep in mind that some postings on USAJobs are for current federal employees only. Federal job postings are also strict in the format of the resume you must submit, so make sure to do your research before applying.
More job search companies
Here are a few job search sites that are less popular than our top picks and offer fewer standout features. However, we believe they are still worth mentioning and considering.
SimplyHired
SimplyHired engine with millions of job postings from across the country. Users can build their resumes online using SimplyHired’s templates and then use that resume to apply for jobs on the platform with one click. The company also offers robust tools for human resources professionals and employers.
FlexJobs
FlexJob specializes in remote work, hybrid jobs and other flexible jobs. While the popularity of work-from-home has been increasing in recent years, working on-site is still the predominant mode of work. If you know you don’t want to work in an office, searching on FlexJobs can help you skip to the jobs that are compatible with your lifestyle.
The Muse
The Muse partners with employers to provide the most seamless job search process possible. The company profiles illustrate the company culture, benefits, interviews with current employees and other details that help applicants get to know the company. The site also features a job search engine.
Monster
Monster is one of the most popular online job search sites and it features a clean and intuitive search engine with the ability to set up alerts for new open positions. The website also features career advice written by experts and lets you see the average salary for your position based on your location.
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is another excellent choice for job hunting. Like Monster, it features an easy-to-use search engine, a career advice blog and salary information. If you create an account and set up your resume, it will also notify you of recommended job opportunities for your skills and experience.
Job Search Sites Guide
There are two main types of job search websites: job boards and job search engines. It’s not easy telling one type apart from the other unless the job search site you’re visiting explicitly describes itself as either one.
Job Boards
Job boards are the pages where employers post job openings directly. It can be a part of the company website's career page, integrated with the HR department’s software or posted on a third-party site.
Job Search Engines
Job search engines, on the other hand, are aggregators that compile hundreds of thousands of jobs from multiple job boards, some that are automatically crawled from employer websites and others that are submitted for inclusion by hiring managers.
How to use the best job search sites
Job search sites usually operate in much the same way: they allow you, the user, to create an account so you can search for your desired job title and set up job alerts, which send you periodic notifications (daily or weekly, if you choose) when a new job that meets your parameters is posted.
Most job search sites also have a mobile app, so you can search for jobs on the go.
Some job search sites allow you to upload your resume or create a detailed profile which can then be used to apply for jobs on the site more conveniently.
However, caution should be used when applying for jobs with a boilerplate resume, since you could miss an excellent opportunity to make your resume stand out from the pool of applicants by inserting relevant keywords and highlighting your particular skills. You should also consider whether to include a cover letter.
Another important feature of job search sites is that many specialize in a particular industry or field. Some fields tend towards using job sites that might not be widely known. Do your research and make sure you’re searching for opportunities where the best jobs are posted.
Some popular niche job boards are:
- Idealist: non-profit organizations
- FlexJobs: remote, hybrid and flexible jobs
- Working Nomads: remote jobs for “digital nomads”
- Snagajob: hourly jobs
- The Ladders: executive suite positions
- Chegg Internships: internships and job experience for students and recent grads
- Dice: tech jobs
- Health eCareers: healthcare and medical jobs
Best Job Search Sites FAQ
What is the best job search site?
What is the best job site for employers?
The best job site for employers is the site that allows them to find and recruit the best candidates. To do so, a job site must have powerful search filters in place to hone in on the most desirable candidates. It should also have some of the features of an applicant tracking system (ATS), which allows hiring managers and recruiters to effectively track which applicants should move on to the next step.
While most employers will gravitate towards free job posting websites, it can be worth it to invest in a premium plan that includes most or all of these features.
A good job search site for employers must also be able to reach the largest possible pool of applicants. ZipRecruiter is one company with these features. You can read our review of ZipRecruiter here.
What are the 3 most effective job search strategies?
The 3 most effective job search strategies are:
Tracking your applications: If you're applying to multiple positions or companies, it's a good idea to keep track of all your applications. Make a note of when you applied and which documents you included and always update your list when you move forward a step in the process.
Optimizing your resume for every application: Using the same resume for every job application is a very common mistake. Always optimize the content of your resume to highlight the features the employer wants to see. Include keywords from the job posting where relevant to emphasize that you can offer what they need.
Having a separate email address for job searching: Separating your job search emails from your personal emails and junk mail can help keep your search organized and reduce the likelihood that you'll miss an important email from an employer or recruiter.
Are job boards worth it?
Searching and applying for jobs online is currently the most effective way to get hired, especially if you work in media or tech-related industries.
While you could simply search for a job and apply on your own, there are also upsides to creating an account on the job board of your choice. Depending on which site you choose, you could create job alerts so you're notified whenever jobs with certain keywords are posted and track your applications so you are always aware of their status.
Methodology
We evaluated dozens of top online job search platforms for U.S. jobseekers and, from there, narrowed down our list to the six best job search sites. These sites were separated into categories to distinguish what's most useful about each, such as specific industry coverage or employee reviews and pay transparency.
Some general pros we looked for include a user-friendly search function, easy application functionality and job alert options. Resources such as resume help and career advancement courses were also considered in our vetting process.