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There are millions of unemployed individuals looking for jobs daily around the world. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor), there were around 6.4 million unemployed persons in the United States in August 2023.
In other words, this job-seeking market has become more challenging than ever. It is harder to get your dream job in your desired industry, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic has struck hard on the world economy.
If you are also an unemployed individual, you must stand out in the competition to at least get yourself an interview. For that, you should consider using technology-driven ways - Job Search Websites.
However, there are hundreds of job search sites available in the market claiming to be the best. Choosing the one out of them can be a daunting task.
Don’t worry! You have come to the right place.
In this article, you will find everything you need to know about job search sites, from what are job search sites to their types, features, benefits, challenges, how they work, and most importantly, how to choose the best job search sites.
To understand the importance of job search sites, have a quick overview of the unemployment rates by occupation in the United States in August 2023.
» What is a Job Search Site?
A job search site is a cloud-hosted platform where job seekers and job providers connect with each other. Here, businesses or companies can invite candidates by the job posting. They can set criteria, minimum qualifications, experience, job roles & responsibilities, CTC, and more.
Job seekers can go to these job search websites and search for their desired jobs based on their qualifications and experience. It is the first step towards getting themselves an interview.
Furthermore, job search platforms offer fascinating features that are helpful for both job providers and job seekers. The features include a dashboard, location-based listing, insights, analysis, etc.
» What Types of Job Search Sites are Available?
Although all job search sites have a common goal which is job posting & making that job listicle accessible to job seekers, they differ in various aspects, such as:
› Common Job Search Websites
Some job search websites allow every industry-type business or company to post job openings. Anyone with the right qualifications and experience can apply for the jobs effortlessly.
› Particular Job Search Websites
Some job search websites specifically provide platforms to post job openings for specific industry types, like IT fields, teaching fields, finance industry, and more.
› Job Search Engines
Job search engines also provide the job posting service. However, businesses or companies are unable to post job listicles over here. Job search engines explore the internet for job listicles that are already listed on other job search sites. After collecting the essential information, job search engines present those job listicles in a user-friendly way so that job seekers can find relevant jobs easily.
» How Do Job Search Websites Work?
For job providers, job search websites offer different subscription plans based on various aspects, like the number of job postings and account users. Businesses or companies can choose the appropriate plan, and the websites allow them to post a certain number of job posts for a certain time period, like monthly, quarterly, or yearly, based on their plan.
However, there are also job search sites available in the market that can allow companies to post jobs for free with limited features and benefits.
As job seekers, they can easily find relevant jobs on job search sites by simply registering with the particular sites. For that, job seekers must go to job search websites and create their profiles by providing vital information, like personal information, academic qualifications, experience, achievements, and more.
After successful registration, job seekers can log into job search sites by using the provided credentials. Here, they can start searching for particular jobs. They can also filter the jobs as per their qualifications and apply for the job.
While the majority of job search sites are free, they offer paid profile upgrades to job seekers. With this kind of upgrade, job seekers may get perks and benefits, like unlimited credits for job applications and unlocking more authentic recruiters.
» What are The Core Features of Job Search Sites?
Every job search website is unique and provides eye-catching features. Let’s have a closer look at them. They are as follows:
› Common features
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- Dashboard: This essential feature of job search websites allows users to get a comprehensive view of their tasks from one point. They can also set crucial metrics on a dashboard to keep up to date with them in real time.
- Analysis: The majority of job search sites offer the analytical ability to get crucial insights that can help both job seekers and job providers. I.e., with analytical ability, job seekers can get more relevant job opening results, and job providers can analyze job seekers' behaviors & patterns to serve them better.
- Cloud storage: Job search sites are cloud-hosted web applications. This means users can access them anywhere, anytime, with any internet-enabled devices.
› Features for Job Seekers
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- User-Friendly UI: This feature allows job seekers to explore job search websites effortlessly and helps reach relevant job openings. It improves user experience and boosts brand awareness.
- Listicle by Location: This feature enables job seekers to get the job opening listicle by their preferred location.
- Industry-Specific Filter: Using this cool feature, job seekers can filter the job opening listicle based on the specific industry. I.e., job seekers can search the jobs and filter them only for IT-related jobs.
› Features for Job Providers
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- Job Posting: This is one of the most vital features of job search sites. It allows job providers to advertise jobs for open roles at their companies or businesses. Job providers can also include essential details related to jobs, like roles and responsibilities, number of open positions, and salary range.
- Brand Customization: Using this fascinating feature, job providers can customize their profiles and job posting pages to meet their brand requirements. For instance, they can add the company logo and change the theme color.
- Application Tracking System: This is one of the most demanding features of job search websites. Almost every job search site offers this feature. It allows job providers to track job applications from the start to the end of the complete hiring process.
» What are The Top Benefits of Job Search Sites?
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- Boost Branding🚀: One of the cool benefits of the best job search websites is that they allow job-offering businesses or companies to boost their branding. As mentioned in the features section, job providers can customize many crucial elements (adding company logos) in their profiles and job advertisement listicles to meet their companies' standards.
- Beneficial For Startups and Small Businesses💸: Many job search sites offer free job postings on their platforms with essential features and benefits. It might be a golden opportunity for startups and small-sized businesses. They can leverage the free functionalities to cut the costs of job posting services and utilize those rescued funds for other vital processes to grow their businesses.
» 20+ Best Job Search Sites
There are lots of good job search sites available in the market that offer lots of features and capabilities. The process of exploring every job search website to find the right features that work for you is time-consuming and might become tedious after some time. However, we have done extensive research and picked up the 20+ best job search sites that may contain all the essential features that you may require. They are as follows:
1 LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an employment-focused job search site. It allows companies to add recruiter profiles. It allows job seekers to search for specific jobs. Plus, it enables job seekers to create detailed candidate profiles. LinkedIn is also popular for creating virtual networks to easily find candidates and recruiters. Suppose a candidate may have built a connection in the desired company. He/She can use this connection to get vital insights into the company.
Some of LinkedIn’s essential features are listed below:
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- Profile Creation
- Job Listing
- Create Virtual Networks
- Job Filter
- Free to Use
2 Glassdoor
Glassdoor is a well-known job search website for adding company reviews anonymously. It enables companies to easily list job openings. Candidates can also access vital company reviews, like the work environment, salary information, and more. It enables applicants to learn more about the company before they face an actual interview.
Here are some cool features of Glassdoor are as shown here:
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- Add Company Reviews
- Add Salary Information
- Free to Use
- Job Posting
3 Indeed
Indeed is a US-based employment site for job listing services. It offers its services around the world. Indeed has a user-friendly UI. Candidates can search and filter jobs based on various factors, like industries, location, job types, and more. Indeed offers a resume builder that allows candidates to create a resume inside their profile. Applications can also upload resumes if they already have one.
Below are some good features of the Indeed job search website:
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- Free for Candidates
- Updated Job Listing in Real-time
- Access Company Reviews
- Job Filtering
- Job Alerts
- Skill Assessments
4 Google For Jobs
Google for Jobs is a powerful job search engine. It focuses on searching job listings from other job search resources and combines them at a single location. Google for Jobs offers features like job filters, job alerts, and job-saving abilities. Additionally, job seekers can search for nearby jobs to quickly find local jobs with urgent hiring.
The following are some amazing features of the Google for Jobs platform:
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- Track Job Opening
- Save Jobs
- Access to Unlimited Job Listing
- Change Geo-location For Job Search
- Job Filter
5 Craigslist
Craigslist is the most popular job search site to find jobs locally. It runs anonymous classified ads with huge job openings. Candidates who are looking for a job must search for the local area they are interested in and then find the desired job. Job seekers can also explore Craigslist cities to search for jobs in a particular city.
Some of Craigslist’s essential features are given below:
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- Anonymous Job Listing
- Craigslist Cities
- Job Filters
- Freelance Work
6 Dice
Dice is one of the renowned job search websites in the IT industry. Enterprise-level companies and businesses are leveraging Dice to list their job openings. Job seekers also use Dice to search for jobs in the technology industry. They can easily search for tech positions, or they can search by skill, keyword, company name, location, and more. What’s more, job seekers can set notifications for the desired jobs.
Here is a small list of features that Dice offers:
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- Job Search Filters
- IT-specific Job Boards
- Mobile Friendly
- Job Notifications
- Upload Resume
7 Snagajob
Snagajob is a popular job search site that primarily focuses on hourly rates. Since the day of Snagajob’s foundation, more than 100 million job seekers and 700,000+ recruiters have registered on the platform. Additionally, candidates can search for jobs based on various filters, like location, hours, industry, and more. Moreover, Snagajob offers a unique feature where candidates can search for recruiters with urgent requirements.
Here are some fascinating features of Snagajob:
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- Hourly Jobs
- Free to Use
- User-friendly UI
- Profile Creation
- Job Posting
- Urgent Requirements
- Mobile App
8 FlexJobs
FlexJobs offers flexible and remote job listings worldwide. Plus, the FlexJobs team verifies job listings and ensures they are legit before advertising them. It also offers video guides, career coaching sessions, profile creation, and more. FlexJobs also enables recruiters to access a resume database where they can find the perfect candidates for their job openings.
Below are some functionalities of FlexJobs that you should know:
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- Remote & Flexible Jobs Posting
- Cool Filters
- Resume Database
- Vetted Job Listings
- iOS App
9 USAJobs
Suppose you are looking for a government job in the United States. USAJobs is a go-to website for you. It is a job-hosting portal where candidates can find civil service job opportunities in federal organizations. Hundreds of federal agencies post job openings here and find qualified candidates for the jobs. USAJobs is run by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Here are some features of USAJobs that might interest you:
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- Mobile App
- Free Browsing
- On-site Apply
- Resume Upload
- Job Filters
- National Search
- Government Job Search
10 The Ladders
The Ladders is an America-based job posting website that mainly focuses on manager-level positions. All the jobs listed here offer $100,000 a year or more. The website comes with free and premium memberships. Candidates can easily access job listings and upload their resumes. The Ladders also allows job seekers to search for jobs based on many filters like job title, recruiter, city, field, salary, and more.
The following are some amazing features of The Ladders:
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- Free Job Searching
- Resume Uploading
- Executive-level Jobs
- Job Filters
- Feedback on Resume Effectiveness
11 Adzuna
Adzuna is a job search site with a powerful algorithm to connect employers with job seekers. It is a UK-based job search website with local offices in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It also provides local sites for other countries such as Germany, Singapore, and Brazil. Adzuna allows job seekers to get salary information, like whether it is higher or lower compared to the last year.
Here are some awesome features of Adzuna that you should know:
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- Powerful Algorithm For Job Search
- Salary Estimate
- Blogs
- Upload CV
- Profile Creation
- Free to Use
12 Upwork
Upwork is a job search site with a primary focus on part-time freelance job postings. It offers freelance jobs across major industries like writing, marketing, computer programming, engineering, data entry, customer service, and more. Upwork allows job seekers to create a detailed profile where they can include vital information like work samples, resumes, rates, achievements, and more.
Some of Upwork’s top-notch features are listed below:
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- Job Scam Detection
- Dispute Management
- Client Reviews
- Free Portfolio Hosting
- Part-time Freelance Job Listings
- Support Community
13 LinkUp
LinkUp is a user-friendly job search engine that collects job opening lists from various recruiter websites. It automatically navigates through companies’ recruitment pages and provides job seekers with up-to-date job listings from over 50,000 websites. LinkUp also has a dedicated mobile application that candidates can use to search for jobs from anywhere. It also fetches crucial data from company websites and provides useful analytics and data reports.
Here are some fascinating features of LinkUp:
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- Reports and Analytics
- Frequently Updated Job Listings
- Job Market Information
- Easy to Use Interface
- Mobile Application
14 Idealist
Idealist, also known as Action Without Borders, is a New York-based job search site that mainly lists job openings related to nonprofit organizations. It is a place where candidates can use their community service talents for good causes. Idealist enables job seekers to look for jobs based on various criteria, like full-time, part-time, degree level, remote, on-premises, and more.
Some top-notch features of Idealist are:
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- On-site Apply
- Upload CV
- Mobility
- Free Browsing
- Search Filters
- National Search
15 Jooble
Jooble is another great international job search engine used by millions of job seekers in more than 71 countries. It is the second biggest job search website globally that comes in 25 languages. It aggregates job openings from over 140,000 different sources and shows them in a single location. The sources Jooble includes are social networks, job boards, recruiter pages, classified new ads, corporate websites, etc.
Below are some essential features that Jooble offers:
-
- CV Upload
- Operates in 71 Countries
- Supports 25 Languages
- Job Filters
- Job Notifications
16 The Muse
The Muse is a superb job search engine that offers job opening listings with other functionalities like career advice resources, skill-building programs, and more. Companies can use The Muse to create company profiles that best describe the company culture and attract more qualified applications. The Muse is used by more than 75 million people every year for various purposes. The majority of them use it to find jobs, while some use it for other purposes. I.e., getting help in resume building.
Here is a small list of amazing features that The Muse offers:
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- Job Board
- Career Advice Resources
- Skill-building Programs
- Resume Upload
- Company Profile
17 eFinancialCareers
eFinancialCareers is a job search site specializing in job listings for the finance industry. It is one of the top resources for finance professionals who are looking for job opportunities along with crucial insights into the finance industry. It includes job opportunities like, asset management, accounting, trading, and investment banking. eFinanceCareers lists finance-related job openings across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.
The following are some crucial functionalities of eFinancialCareers:
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- Job Listing For The Finance Sector
- Candidate Profile
- Recruiter Profile
- Industry News Section
- Easy to Operate
18 Mediabistro
Mediabistro is a specially developed job search site that lists job openings for the media industry. It also provides other crucial services such as webinars, resume writing, and other resources for media experts. Mediabistro is on a mission to connect media agencies with high-quality candidates using its 30 years of industry-specific experience. It also offers different courses like copywriting, journalism, design, digital marketing, and more under paid membership.
Below are some magnificent features of Mediabistro:
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- Different Job Search Filters
- Online Courses
- Career Advice
- Easy to Navigate
- Freelance
- Profile Creation
19 Wellfound
Wellfound (formally known as AngelList Talent) is a great job search site specialized for startups and tech companies. There are currently more than 130K tech jobs and 8M + startup-ready applications available on the Wellfound. One of the best parts of Wellfound is that it connects candidates directly with the recruiters, leaving no space for any third-party influencers.
Here is a small list of crucial features that Well found (AngelList Talent) provides:
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- One Click Apply
- Start-up Ready Candidate Database
- Applicant Tracking System
- Job Opening Listing
- Salary Calculator
- Free to Use
20 GovernmentJobs.com
GovernmentJobs.com is another great job search engine for finding public sector jobs in the United States. It offers a free membership plan where job seekers can upload their CVs into the system. Candidates can easily search and apply for government jobs in the public sector across the United States. They can also get instant job notifications for government jobs.
Below are some amazing features that GovernmentJobs.com offers:
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- Job Filter
- Free Membership
- Create Candidate Profile
- Access Resources
- Easy to Use
- Government Jobs
- Applicant Tracker
21 ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a renowned job search site in America. It offers great features for both candidates and recruiters. One of its superb features is that when recruiters host jobs at ZipRecruiter, that job listing is automatically forwarded to other 100+ sites. ZipRecruiter also possesses a huge resume database where recruiters can find qualified applicants.
Some awesome features of ZipRecruiter are as follows:
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- Auto-forward Job Listings
- Resume Database
- Integrate with Vital Application Tracking Systems
- Job Post Templates
- Resume Customization
22 Robert Half
Robert Half is one of the largest and most popular job search websites around the world. In fact, it was on the top of the Forbes Annual List of America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms. It offers unique staffing services focused on administrative, finance, technology, legal roles, and marketing sections. It has thousands of job listings that job seekers can filter and search from. Candidates can search based on various facets like sector, location, job title, job type, and more.
Some of Robert Half’s great features are listed below:
-
- Easy to Use UI
- Job Alerts
- Job Listing
- Mobile Application
- Job Search Filters
23 SimplyHired
SimplyHired is a simple yet powerful job search site that operates in 20+ countries and supports 11+ languages. It aggregates job opening lists from the internet, including job boards, job websites, companies’s recruitment pages, and more. SimplyHired says that its job opening lists come from 700,000 recruiters. It is also noticeable that the website forwards job lists to more than 100 job search sites for enhanced visibility.
Below are some fundamental features that SimplyHired offers:
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- Online Resume Templates
- Job Listings
- One Click Apply
- Easy to Use Interface
- Free to Use
24 CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is also a well-known job search engine worldwide. It started its journey as Netstart in 1995 and soon reformed as CareerBuilder. It's a great job search site to look for dream jobs in your desired field. Job seekers can filter jobs based on various filters like salary, employment type, job posted dates, work nature (On-premises, remote, hybrid), and more. One of the best features of CareerBuilder is that it can identify keywords from resumes and send job suggestions accordingly.
Here is a small list of the robust features that CareerBuilder provides:
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- Career Tests
- Easy to Use UI
- Hire Insider
- Search by Military Code
- Toggle Switch For Remote or Location
» What are The 7 Common Challenges of Job Search Sites?
Although almost all job search sites are built with modern technology, sometimes they fail to deliver on job seekers' expectations. Some of the most common challenges that job seekers face on job search sites are as given below:
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- Applicant-recruiter mismatch.
- No response to applications.
- Not every job post is reliable.
- Confusing Job Application Procedure
- No proper feedback from the recruiters.
- No guarantee of success.
- Lack of human touch.
» How to Select The Best Job Search Site?
There are plenty of job search sites available on the internet. Each and every one of them has its own perks and benefits. But how do you know which one is the most suitable for you? Here are some key factors that you should consider while choosing any site, and you will easily find the right job search website for you:
› Free or Paid
It is very rare that job search sites charge job seekers to access job listings. If this is the case, then you should look for another job search engine. Some job search sites are specifically developed for executive jobs only, and sometimes, they do charge candidates. It is wise to check whether the job search site gives any kind of guarantee. Also, check references from previous candidates if you find any.
› Ease of Use
Make sure the job search site you choose offers an easy-to-use interface. Otherwise, you will find yourself looking for how to apply for the job instead of preparing for an interview.
› Search Accuracy
Ensure that the site gives the most accurate result for your search. Meaning it should show the exact profession, employers, or industry results that you search for. For example, if you search for a graphic designer post in the media industry, then it should provide the exact job openings lists.
› Updated Job Listings
You should check that every job listing you get is up to date. When you search for a specific job, take a look at the date of posting. It will give you an idea of how old the job post is. If the job post is older, it might be possible that the job is already filled and you are just wasting your time here.
› Resume Editor
Almost all job search sites allow candidates to upload/create resumes. What candidates should check is that the job search site they choose offers an update/edit option for resumes. It is in favor of candidates if they are allowed to update/edit resumes whenever necessary. It may give a fresh look to the resume and increase the chances of shortlisting.
» Job Hunting Using Social Media Platforms
According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder in 2018, 70% of recruiters leveraged social media platforms to search for the right job applicants during the recruiting process. So you see, social media platforms can also be used for job hunting. You can make new contacts and strengthen your networks. Then you can let them know that you are looking for a job. You can also explain your expertise and describe what type of job you are searching for.
Sometimes, Facebook would be preferable then LinkedIn to find a job. Since you have lots of friends on Facebook that you may have personal connections with, they might be more interested in hely you out.
» Don’t Forget The Alternatives to Job Search Engines and Boards
Even though job search sites and job search engines are the most effective way to find a job nowadays, there are still some alternatives that might be worth trying. They are as follows:
› References
You should use references. They may be your friends or colleagues from the previous company. You should contact them and let them know that you are looking for a job. They might refer you to employers. They might even help you get an interview with them.
› Land on Official Company Websites
You can also check official company websites. Explore their recruitment or career pages. Some companies may not list their job openings on the job search sites. So explore their official website, and you might find a suitable job opening for you.
› Face-to-Face Meeting
Forget online searching. Forget asking for references. Just go to the physical company location, present yourself to the HR managers, and have a face-to-face meeting with them. Show them essential documents, such as experience letters, achievement documents, and qualification certificates. A physical interaction may impact more than online interaction and might give you a competitive edge.
» Conclusion
In this article, we have given you everything you may need to search for your dream job. We have bifurcated top job search sites for you. We have shown you how they work, and what are their features. We have also given you crucial insights on how to select the best job search site. Now all that is left for you is to start exploring.
We hope you find this article helpful.
Happy job hunting🙂!!!