15 Best Job Search Sites to Land Your Dream Gig

Photo credit: Ariel Skelley - Getty Images
Photo credit: Ariel Skelley - Getty Images

From Good Housekeeping

When you start looking for a new job, the search can feel overwhelming. With so many options out there, it can be tough to determine the best job search sites to start using, as well as where to start or how to put your best foot forward in the job market. The good news is that there hasn’t been a better time to look for a job in a long time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate is currently (at press time) at a historic low of 3.9 percent, job growth continues to rise, and a new Gallup poll found that 51 percent of workers in the country are currently on the prowl for a new gig.

In other words, many fields continue to add jobs that need filling, and you’re not alone if you feel like seeking greener pastures. One of the best ways to start the process is by using a job search site with robust functions, easily customizable search fields, and educational resources that can help you find not just another job, but one that will fit your personality and work style even better. No matter how far along you are in your career, what field or profession you call home, or what you want in a workplace, these job hunting websites can help.

CareerBuilder

One of the longest-running job search sites out there, CareerBuilder.com has been around for more than 20 years. It allows job-seekers to upload resumes in a range of formats and users can search via helpful criteria, including location, job title, and pay range. The site also collects job listings from media partners around the country, so you have a good chance of finding a new opportunity near you.

Indeed

This job search engine aggregator pulls listings from many different job boards and employment agencies all across the world. For those looking for work overseas, Indeed.com says it adds 9.8 global listings to its site every second. That means there's likely a new job in your area, or somewhere you want to work.

Glassdoor

For people who want an inside peek into a company before starting the search process, try Glassdoor. The site features company reviews and ratings from employees and former employees, so you can get a real sense of what it's like to work there before you even apply. It also provides salary information and interview process tips, so you really know what you're getting yourself into.

ZipRecruiter

This site started as a way to connect small businesses with potential employees without the hefty fees some larger job boards charge. Now, ZipRecruiter uses technology to connect job posters with great candidates through a range of delivery options. The site also has an app, so you can get notified when someone views your application.

LinkedIn

For professionals looking to climb the corporate ladder, LinkedIn functions as both a social media site and a job search tool. Similar to Facebook, the site has a newsfeed in which users can share career-related posts and articles. Your profile also serves as your resume, and you can both search for a new job and apply using that same profile.

SimplyHired

Because it pulls data from more than 100 job boards, SimplyHired will have a diverse selection of jobs so you can find your perfect fit. It also has a mobile option and a resume generator, for those of us who aren't writing whizzes. A salary estimator helps predict what you might get paid, so you can target positions that will compensate their employees appropriately.

Idealist

For those who want to work toward more than a paycheck, Idealist connects people who want to do good with jobs that can help them do that. With 120,000 organizations that post gigs and opportunities on the site, Idealist has a solid collection of jobs in nonprofit, social action, and other idea-driven fields. It also offers sections on volunteering and creating community, if you're interested in making a difference outside of the office.

Ladders

Upper-level executives who want to take the next step in their career may find what they need using Ladders, which connects members with more than 25,000 verified recruiters and 250,000 screened jobs that may be more appropriate for those further along in their careers. A basic membership is free, but access to the most top-tier jobs requires paying for a premium membership.

LinkUp

This job site takes a data-driven approach by indexing openings directly from companies posting them. LinkUp provides not only job advertisements, but also data about the state of the labor market so you can see what the field looks like by the numbers. It allows job hunters to save jobs to apply to later, and also offers an email newsletter, so new job alerts can arrive right in your inbox.

Snag

For those in the market for hourly or seasonal work, Snag specializes in those openings. By creating a profile on the site, you can apply to jobs right on their site without having to fill out a bunch of separate applications. And if you search for a job and Snag doesn't find anything matching your parameters, it will provide close hits – perfect for those who don't know exactly what they're looking for.

Craigslist

You may already use Craigslist to post goods for sale, but this digital classifieds section also has a job board. Because the site is fairly old-school, it makes a good place to start if you want hourly, seasonal, or jobs with smaller companies that may not have the clout to post on the bigger search engines. It's also incredibly easy to use, if you aren't exactly tech-savvy.

Job.com

This innovative job site uses artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to match job seekers with employers. Job.com offers a secure messaging system both parties can use to communicate, screens candidates so only the most relevant talent appears to hiring managers, and offers a 5 percent signing reward to people who find and land a job through their site.

USAJobs

Anyone looking to work for the federal government should create a profile on USAJobs, a site dedicated entirely to government work. Sections for students, recent graduates, military veterans, Native Americans, and other groups make it easy to search jobs tailored to you, and the interface is clear and easy to use. It also posts information about government job fairs, advice on searching for a new gig, and the opportunity to make your resume searchable by recruiters.

US Jobs

The job board arm of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, this board is relatively straightforward and a great place to look for government work. US Jobs also has a section for veterans, if you're looking to make the transition into the civilian workforce. And because it's professionally affiliated, this job site also has relatively little spam.

MediaBistro

Anyone looking for a job in journalism, social media, marketing, public relations, or a related field should get familiar with MediaBistro, a job board and educational platform for media jobs. It offers webinars and online courses in resume-building, interview tips, and aspects of new media, as well as a robust job board for gigs all across the country.

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