Job search sites can help applicants efficiently search for and apply to a wide range of opportunities without needing to visit each company’s website and check for open positions.
Using job search sites can save time and energy, so job seekers can focus on other aspects of the job-hunting process, such as networking or researching companies and roles. For example, the U.S. News job search site has easy-to-use filters that help users find relevant jobs by location, salary and date posted. Users can also set up alerts to receive new job postings by email.
Here is a list of the best job search sites to streamline your job hunt.
— U.S. News job search site
— CareerBuilder
— FlexJobs
— Glassdoor
— Indeed
— Joblist
— Ladders
— Monster
— SimplyHired
— Snagajob
— Wellfound
— ZipRecruiter
[SEE: The 11 Best Times to Switch Jobs]
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder offers job listings across a wide range of experience levels, and its mobile app makes it easy to browse opportunities on the go. The platform also offers personalized job recommendations based on a user’s resume.
Pros:
— Search functions are easy to use.
— The job recommendation engine is intuitive.
— Personalized career assessments are available.
Cons:
— The website is peppered with ads.
— Some job listings are outdated.
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a subscription-based platform focused on vetted remote, hybrid and flexible job opportunities. The site says jobs listings are “hand-screened for professionalism and specific remote or flexible work options.”
Pros:
— All jobs are reviewed to ensure they are legitimate, professional and offer remote or flexible work options.
— A wide range of remote and flexible positions is listed.
— The platform includes career coaching and skill-building resources.
Cons:
— Paid membership is required to access full listings.
— There are fewer postings for in-person or on-site roles.
Glassdoor
Although it’s known for providing anonymous company reviews, Glassdoor also lists jobs. In addition, users can gain access to company reviews and salary information to help evaluate a company before applying. However, it’s important to remember that some company reviews can be biased, either positively or negatively, so it’s important to look for patterns and trends.
Pros:
— It’s free to use.
— There are lots of job postings and opportunities.
— It provides approximate salaries for each available position.
Cons:
— It lacks advanced search options.
— Employee reviews can be biased.
— Users are redirected to Indeed for job applications.
Indeed
Indeed features a wide range of job types and levels, including remote opportunities. It also has an app that allows users to access job listings from their mobile device, along with employer reviews and salary information.
Pros:
— The platform offers an extensive and diverse list of jobs.
— It provides salary information and company reviews.
— It’s free to use.
Cons:
— Some job postings may be outdated.
— Its user interface is less visually appealing compared to some competitors.
Joblist
Joblist is a job board that aggregates job listings and provides personalized job matches based on a user’s preferences.
Pros:
— The site has a user-friendly interface with intuitive search filters.
— Users can create personalized job alerts.
— It aggregates a wide range of job listings.
Cons:
— There are many ads on the site.
— Users are redirected to external sites for applications.
Ladders
Ladders focuses on high-paying jobs, typically with salaries of $100,000 or more. It’s best for experienced professionals and executives looking for senior-level roles across industries.
Pros:
— The site specializes in high-income opportunities.
— It’s helpful for mid- to senior-level professionals.
— It offers resume critiques and career advice.
Cons:
— Some features require a paid subscription.
— It’s not ideal for entry-level or hourly roles.
The popular networking site LinkedIn allows users to search for positions by entering keywords or job titles under the Jobs tab. Listings can be filtered by posting date, experience level, internship opportunities or remote work. One noteworthy feature allows users to filter results based on jobs posted by companies where they have connections or contacts in their network.
Pros:
— It’s an excellent tool for networking.
— A user’s profile and posts allow them to showcase previous job accomplishments.
— It’s easy to contact and build relationships with recruiters or hiring managers.
Cons:
— Some job postings may be filled or expired.
— Useful job search features are not always free.
— Premium subscriptions are expensive.
Monster
Monster hosts jobs for many experience levels and work styles. It has the expected search functionality but lacks a filter for salary.
Pros:
— You can apply for some jobs without an account.
— It’s free for job seekers.
— It lists a wide range of job opportunities.
— It offers free career advice and other resources.
Cons:
— Job search filters are limited.
— It does not always list salaries.
SimplyHired
SimplyHired aggregates jobs from company career sites and other job boards, redirecting users to the original posting.
Pros:
— The interface is user-friendly.
— It’s free for employers and job seekers.
— It offers a salary estimator tool.
Cons:
— There are limited job postings in certain industries.
— It lacks customizable job alerts.
— It doesn’t provide career advice.
Snagajob
Snagajob is an online marketplace specializing in hourly and shift work in the restaurant, retail and hospitality industries.
Pros:
— It’s free.
— It offers a large number of job listings.
— A mobile app is available.
Cons:
— Some users have complained about spam.
— It could be challenging to use on a mobile browser.
Wellfound
Wellfound, formerly known as AngelList, is a job search site designed for startups and remote workers. What sets it apart from other sites is that it provides job seekers with salary ranges, equity options for each open position and information on key figures in each company.
Pros:
— It provides salary and equity information.
— It lists remote jobs throughout the world.
— It features a pleasant user interface.
Cons:
— The job database is small compared to other sites such as LinkedIn.
— It focuses on job openings from startups.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is one of the largest job search engines on the market, with nearly all types and levels of jobs listed.
Pros:
— Its algorithm matches job posting opportunities to a job title.
— Users can browse on the go with an app.
— It offers a career advice blog.
Cons:
— Some job applicants have complained about spam.
— It has limited job search filters.
[See: 9 Sites That Help You Find Legit Remote Jobs]
Niche Job Boards to Explore
Companies often post job opportunities on specialty or niche job boards to reach candidates with an industry, occupational or geographic specialty. In addition to applying for positions on general job boards like LinkedIn or Glassdoor, job seekers may find it worthwhile to search for sites that cater to their specific area of interest. Below are some niche job boards worth exploring:
Dice: Best for Technical Jobs
Dice is a job board known for its focus on technical and information technology careers.
Pros:
— It offers a comprehensive jobs directory.
— The interface is user-friendly.
— It offers career development resources.
Cons:
— Some job postings may be outdated.
— Filtering options are limited.
eFinancialCareers: Best for Finance Jobs
With a database of more than 30,000 jobs in financial services and technology, eFinancialCareers caters to financial services professionals. It also provides daily financial news and analysis and career advice.
Pros:
— It offers advanced search filters.
— Users can set up personalized job alerts.
— It has a clean user interface.
Cons:
— Many listings don’t include salary information.
— The site lists limited entry-level opportunities.
HigherEdJobs.com: Best for Jobs From Colleges and Universities
HigherEdJobs.com is designed for professionals seeking career opportunities in higher education. The site features a wide range of job listings, including faculty positions, administrative roles, research opportunities and support staff jobs. Beyond its comprehensive job database, HigherEdJobs offers other career resources, including a podcast about job search strategies and a newsletter featuring higher education news.
Pros:
— Users can set up customized job alerts and post their resumes.
— Users can search for jobs by category, location, school or type.
— It has a database of over 70,000 jobs at more than 2,000 institutions.
Cons:
— The site isn’t easy to navigate.
— Some listings may be outdated.
HRCrossing: Best for Human Resources Jobs
HRCrossing is a private job board that aggregates job opportunities in human resources. It has a team of researchers, programmers and analysts that helps compile jobs from other career pages and sources, including hidden roles on employer sites and corporate career pages.
Pros:
— The site ensures that filled positions are removed from the job board.
— It offers resources like career advice tailored to the HR industry.
— User information is kept private.
Cons:
— Its user interface is not as appealing as those of some competitors.
— Its job database is small compared to other job search sites like LinkedIn.
Idealist: Best for Nonprofit Openings
Idealist is a social-impact job board that features job opportunities at nonprofit organizations, social-impact businesses and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Pros:
— Both paid and volunteer positions are listed.
— It features job listings and volunteer opportunities throughout the world.
— It offers job search advice for those interested in a social-impact career.
Cons:
— Job search filters are limited.
— Many job opportunities are outside of the U.S.
Mediabistro: Best for Media and Creative Roles
Mediabistro is a job search site for professionals in journalism, publishing, marketing and other media-related fields. It features jobs from major media companies like NBCUniversal, CNN and Penguin Random House.
Pros:
— It focuses on media, content, marketing and publishing roles.
— It includes freelance, contract and full-time positions.
— It offers online courses and career advice tailored to creatives.
Cons:
— Some job listings require a paid membership to access.
— Job volume may be lower than general job boards.
ProBlogger: Best for Writing Careers
ProBlogger connects writers with job opportunities across various specialties, including blogging, copywriting, technical writing and content strategy.
Pros:
— It offers resources, including articles and tutorials, to help writers improve their skills.
— Many job posts offer competitive pay and clear job descriptions.
— The job board is focused on content writing.
Cons:
— Employers are required to pay a fee to post jobs, which limits the number of available opportunities.
— The user interface is poor.
Remote.co: Best for Remote Positions
Remote.co is a go-to site for people seeking remote positions. The job board curates career opportunities in the most popular remote job categories, including data entry, copywriting, software development and customer service. The site also provides plenty of resources to help navigate the work-from-home lifestyle.
Pros:
— Many users praise the site for its extensive job listings.
— It offers advice and insights on remote work.
— Advertised positions are categorized according to industry.
Cons:
— There are limited fully remote positions (many are hybrid).
— Filtering jobs by location or time zones can be tricky.
TeachAway: Best for International Teaching Jobs
TeachAway connects educators with teaching opportunities abroad. It offers listings in dozens of countries and includes opportunities like teaching English overseas or working at an international school.
Pros:
— It focuses on international education roles.
— It includes certification opportunities.
Cons:
— Many roles require specific certifications.
— The application process can be long and country-specific.
USAJobs.gov: Best for Government Jobs
USAJobs.gov is job search site for those who want to work within the U.S. government. All federal job opportunities posted on the site come with a detailed position description and instructions on how to apply.
Pros:
— Jobs are listed across different federal agencies and departments.
— Most listings include detailed information about the position.
Cons:
— It only offers access to federal positions.
— Job search filters are limited.
[READ: Certification Programs for Careers That Pay Well.]
Expert Tips for Using Job Boards Effectively
Here are some actionable tips from career experts to use job boards effectively and land a position.
Set Up Saved Searches and Alerts for Jobs
To avoid missing out on job opportunities, set up saved searches and alerts for jobs posted within the past 24 hours, recommends Becca Carnahan, a Harvard Business School career coach and founder of Next Chapter Careers.
“Scrolling endlessly through a job board is not a good use of your time, and you want to be aware of new jobs that are a match as soon as possible,” she said in an email.
Apply With a Targeted Resume Within 2 Days
To stand out among hundreds or even thousands of applicants, apply with a targeted resume and cover letter within two days after the job is posted. Carefully review the job criteria and highlight the skills and experience that match those particular requirements in your resume and cover letter.
“Hiring managers are hiring for a role because they have a problem they need to solve, and they want that problem solved ASAP,” Carnahan said. “The first applicants that come through the door will be considered strongly because the hiring manager has a vested interest in filling the role quickly.”
Follow Up
Following up on your online applications with a thoughtful email or LinkedIn message to the hiring manager shows genuine interest in the role and helps keep you top of mind during the hiring process.
“Ideally, you’ve already had an informational conversation with someone at the company, and you can follow up directly with that person,” Carnahan said. But if that’s not the case, “a targeted follow-up expressing interest in the role can still help elevate your candidacy by giving you more visibility in the stack of applications,” she said.
Focus Your Efforts on Just a Few Job Boards
When it comes to using job boards, more isn’t always better. Cindy Meis, director of undergraduate career services at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, advises focusing on two to three platforms that consistently post jobs relevant to your desired role, company type or geographic location. “This helps you stay focused and prevents burnout from information overload and trying to manage too many resources,” she said in an email.
Be Willing to Adjust If a Job Board Is Not Delivering
If a job search site you’re using seems ineffective, “explore new job boards, especially ones tied to your industry, alma mater, technical expertise or professional association,” Meis said. Keep reviewing and adapting your strategy until you find one that works.
Is Using a Job Board the Best Way to Land a Job?
Job search sites can streamline your job hunt by saving you time and energy. But don’t solely rely on them for your job search. “Job boards are a helpful tool, but they’re only one piece of a well-rounded job search,” Meis said. “Many of the best opportunities come from networking, informational interviews, professional events and direct outreach to employers.”
Carnahan said that while job seekers typically have a better chance of landing a role by creating target lists of companies and setting up informational conversations, “job boards still have their place.” She suggests using one broad job board like LinkedIn and another related to the targeted industry or sector to make the best use of these tools.
More from U.S. News
Bosses Are Firing Gen Z Grads: What Young Workers Are Doing Wrong and How to Avoid It
What Makes a Company Great to Work For?
Will Artificial Intelligence Steal My Job?
Best Job Search Sites originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 05/30/25: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
