The Top 5 Job Search Sites, According to the Data
Job sites are less effective on-ramps to employment than they used to be, but they can be part of a successful job search strategy. However, not all sites are equally useful.
That’s the upshot of Huntr’s latest data, which shows that some job search sites yield much better results than others. After analyzing data from over 600,000 job applications sent by 60,000 candidates, Huntr found that Google Jobs, GovernmentJobs.com, Wellfound, Glassdoor, and Handshake generated the best results for applicants.
Perhaps even more significantly, popular sites like LinkedIn and Indeed were much farther down the list than job seekers might expect. For example, Google Jobs showed a response rate that was nearly three times better than LinkedIn and twice as effective as Indeed.
“The data tells a massive story: the sites where everyone looks might not be the sites that get you hired,” said Sam Wright, head of career strategy for Huntr.co.
A few things to keep in mind: not every site on this list is for every job seeker. GovernmentJobs.com is obviously geared toward the public sector, which is one reason why the response rate is higher; niche job sites have a smaller, more specific pool and therefore tend to produce better ROI. Meanwhile, Handshake is geared toward early-career professionals, which is less helpful to job seekers at mid-career and beyond.
Finally, not every site is intuitive. The last time we mentioned Google Jobs in the newsletter, we received several reader emails along the lines of, “WHERE THE HECK IS GOOGLE JOBS?”
And the answer is, it’s just Google, basically. Go to your Google search bar and type in your terms — “job title” AND (”location” OR “remote”) AND (”careers” OR “jobs” OR “hiring”) — and you’ll see results in your specified area.
Tip: To find current job openings, use the “Date Posted” feature. Search Google for the job title and location you’re interested in (or select Remote). Then click Date Posted and choose Yesterday, Last 3 Days, or Last Week. You’ll be able to get ahead of the competition and get your application in early.
For more data on the best job search sites plus some additional tips on how to use them, see Huntr’s full report.
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Free Tools for Job Seekers and Career Changers
You don’t necessarily need to pay for help when you’re looking for a job. Some of the best job search tools are 100% free. You can get no-cost help finding job listings, writing your resume and cover letters, interviewing for jobs, and more. There are even free career quizzes and online classes — just in case you’ve decided to pivot to an entirely new line of work. Find tools here.
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If your job search is stalled, take a break from looking for specific job openings. Instead, target companies that are staffing up. Here’s how.
Where To Get Financial Help When You’re Unemployed
What can you do if you’ve run out of unemployment benefits, are about to lose them, or if your benefits aren’t enough to pay the bills? It’s scary to have little or no income, but you may be eligible for financial assistance to help you through this difficult time. Here’s where to go for help.
You did a great job addressing the delicate balance between Joe job boards have become less effective with time but that job seekers shouldn’t completely dismiss them.