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Career Advice

Job Search Sites

6 Best Job Search Sites

If you’ve been on the market for a new gig in the past decade, you've probably poked around an online job board or two.

These sites usually operate in much the same way: They let job seekers create an account, search for their desired job title (or titles) and set up alerts for new openings.

Still, every industry has a unique hiring landscape, and based on the role you're targeting, some sites may deliver better results.

Here's our list of the best ones.

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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
Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent): Best for Startup Jobs
USA Jobs: Best for Government Jobs

Set up job alerts
Filter listings by location, job type, benefits, etc.
Take "job skills tests" 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 simple to use, and job seekers can filter listings by salary, location, job type (contract, full-time or part-time, entry-level, remote) and more.

You can also set up job alerts and have them sent directly to your email, and upload your resume to speed up the application process.

Indeed offers skills assessments for a variety of fields, which are designed to show employers how proficient candidates are in a given area. These tests are quite easy to fool, though, and most HR departments don't consider them an accurate reflection of an applicant's abilities.

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.

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 their 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.

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 for people to badmouth their employer on Glassdoor, so candidates should make sure to weigh the opinions presented against more concrete facts.

Specializes in tech and startup jobs
One-click apply
Allows you to specify what you’re looking for

Wellfound 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 for jobs with one click. The platform also lets you track your job applications from within the site.

A Wellfound feature we like is the ability to customize your profile to specify details about the type of company you’re interested in, including company size, location and more. You can even provide information about the culture and work environment you’re seeking.

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 resume format you must submit, so make sure to do your research before applying.

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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 is an 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 work-from-home popularity has been increasing in recent years, working on-site is still a 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.

How to use the best job search sites

Some job search sites allow you to upload your resume or create a detailed profile, which can then be used to apply for jobs more conveniently on the site.

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 a vast pool of applicants.

Doing research can also pay off. “Before applying, research potential employers to tailor your application and demonstrate genuine interest,” Sneha Mandala, a keynote speaker and advisor on work culture and peak performance, says.

Niche job sites

Some job search sites specialize in a specific industry or field. A few of the most popular include:

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

Other ways to search for jobs

Perusing job search sites isn't the only way to find a new gig. If you're in the market for a job hop, keep these methods in mind, too.

Utilize your network: Your new opportunity may be waiting for you among your network of professionals. Tap your network by setting up informational interviews with people in your industry to pick their brains about the work they do. This can help you hone in on your search and it may even produce job opportunities or referrals.

Attend career fairs: Career fairs are a great way to interact with companies face-to-face. They allow you to discover new companies, learn more and introduce yourself. They’re also a great networking opportunity to connect with other professionals. You can search for local job fairs online.

Reach out to companies directly: Do you have a list of companies you’d like to work for? If so, you can check the company’s website and LinkedIn page for potential openings. If there aren’t any openings, consider reaching out to inquire about any possibilities.

Use a recruiter: Staffing or recruitment agencies may be able to help you land your dream job. A recruiter will help you find the right job opportunities. However, do your research before choosing a staffing agency. Select one that is reputable and familiar with your industry.

Consult a career coach: While a career counselor or coach may not be able to find you a job, they can help you create a plan. However, you must use caution when choosing one. Daniel Space, HR leader and content creator (DanFromHR), warns that some career coaches or resume writers may not give the best advice since they’re not the ones making actual hiring decisions, though they usually mean well. “Before taking any advice, and triple [check] before paying for it, validate they have the experience in hiring that gives them credibility to do this,” says Space.

Best Job Search Sites FAQs

What is the best job search site?

The best job search site for most people is probably Indeed, which is very easy to use, lets you set up job alerts and features recently posted jobs from every industry and city. Another excellent choice is ZipRecruiter, which has a comprehensive job search engine, as well as desirable features for employers.

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 three 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 job search platforms and narrowed them down to the list presented here. These sites have different user bases, features and capabilities, but all have, at the minimum, 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.