The process of looking for a job can be exhausting and anxiety-inducing. There's so much to think about. You have to make sure that your qualifications are visible to a wide range of potential employers, keep your resume up to date, and knuckle down to identify all suitable job opportunities and postings so you don't miss out on your big break.
However, with the online job market booming since 2020, there are plenty of ways to make that process much easier. Thanks to a variety of online job search sites, you can be found by recruiters, or see a variety of jobs narrowed down just for you.
Monday, September 16th
Indeed is a well-established site that is one of the most popular for job seekers online today. The site has a variety of options to ensure your job search gives you the best opportunities possible for your needs.
Jobs that fit your needs
Indeed lets you narrow down open positions to fit your particular needs as well as view reviews on companies that you might want to work for to determine if they fit your ethos and work style. Indeed balances a clean, easy-to-use interface with helpful tools for modern job seekers. The searchable job listings on Indeed provide details like the location of the position, salary range, reviews from employees, and an at-a-glance job description. With any job search, you get a range of options ordered by the most accurate to your search criteria, and the website is free to use and sign up for.
User interface makes it easy to search jobs
One of the things we liked best about Indeed is the user interface. After searching for a job, the list is displayed along the side of your screen. When you click on a listing, it doesn't divert you to a new page. Instead, Indeed shows you the details of the listing on the other side of your screen. You can view details on the company, a full job description, the salary expectations for the position, and whether the job is remote, in-person, or hybrid. Each listing also has a like button to save the listing for application later, or you can apply immediately without leaving Indeed. Either way, you don't lose your search list, and you can keep scrolling as long as you like to discover new jobs.
Easy applications with saved resume
The resume feature on Indeed is competitive with other options in our review. Users on Indeed can create an account (though you don't have to have an account to use their search features), and upload their resumes. Saved resumes make it easier to submit jobs, and your resume can be searched by recruiters or employers to offer you a job without you needing to lift a finger. You do need an account to apply for jobs through Indeed, but if the job is hosted by Indeed, you can apply directly with your saved resume.
Job seekers love the streamlined process
Indeed is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an "A+” rating. The reviews for Indeed average about 3.5 stars out of 5 across different review sites, showing a balanced number of 5-star reviews and 1-star reviews. Happy job seekers who used Indeed noted raved about how easy it was to get jobs from the site. Some users reported finding multiple jobs through Indeed.
Built-in resume builder
Other satisfied users talked about the usefulness of the resume builder on the site and how simple it made it for them to apply to multiple jobs at a time, really streamlining the process of the job search. Other positive comments noted that Indeed had some of the best up-to-date job listings of any job site today. Interestingly, the majority of the 1-star reviews were from the perspective of employers who pay to use the advertisements on the site, not from job seekers.
Top option for job seekers across the web
Indeed is one of the most impressive options in our review. With tons of job listings, information about companies, reviews from employees, salary information, and a streamlined search function, the website works to simplify the process of online job applications for its users. Job seekers are almost universally happy with their results with Indeed. With great resume tools, on-site applications, and an easy and streamlined user interface, we (and successful job seekers) love Indeed as a job search website. For these reasons, it's our highest-ranked platform.
ZipRecruiter is one of the largest job search engines available, with thousands of new companies subscribing each month to post their job openings on the site. The company has been open for 12 years and caters to both job seekers and recruiters.
One of the site's most popular features is the ability for every online user to create a free, professional profile that allows them to apply for jobs, add a resume, update references, sign up for job alerts, and more. Plus, you can manage everything from the ZipRecruiter mobile app, so you can work on your next professional step anytime from any place. All this makes ZipRecruiter an ideal site for those seeking employment - and those looking for their next hire.
Full range of job opportunities
When you create a profile on ZipRecruiter, it allows you to quickly and easily apply to any open positions directly on the site. You are also visible to recruiters who use ZipRecruiter to search for new hires. The site also offers a messaging feature, so you can communicate directly with employers, simplifying the hiring process.
Search function is very detailed
One of the things we liked best about the site is how detailed its search function is. The ZipRecruiter job search is highly effective as it allows users to search for specific keywords like "remote work", "work from home", and "bilingual". There are lots of ways to narrow down the job opportunities, and listings range from hourly work options to full-salaried positions. The only thing that is a little less intuitive with ZipRecruiter is that when you want to click on a listing to see more, it will take you to a separate page from the search page. So, you'll have to backtrack if you want to go back to your search. However, ZipRecruiter does take you back to the same place you left off in your search, which was helpful.
One of the newer additions to ZipRecruiter is its AI matching program named Phil. The AI asks you questions about your needs and even has a chat feature on the site if you have questions about the job application process. To begin using Phil, you just need to "phil” out (see what we did there?) a short survey that is available on the ZipRecruiter landing page. At the end of the survey, before Phil shows you the best matches, the AI will tell you how many matches it found, how many companies are hiring in your preferred area, and what the average salary expectations will be for the roles the AI found.
Happy seekers and employers
ZipRecruiter has an average of 3 stars out of 5 across various review sites. Much of the feedback for ZipRecruiter comes from reviews on the site as well as a collection of picture and video testimonials. The happy clients all agree that ZipRecruiter was instrumental in connecting them to their next job. Many job seekers who used ZipRecruiter ended up at major name-brand companies and show that they are happily situated in their new position. Many of the reviews outside of ZipRecruiter's testimonials were from employer recruiters who also found the site to be extremely useful in finding candidates for positions. So, whether you're seeking or hiring, ZipRecruiter is doing its best work - so we're not really sure where that somewhat lackluster ratings average is coming from.
A top-tier service, worth checking out
ZipRecruiter is a highly effective and easy-to-use job search engine that has been connecting job seekers and recruiters for over a decade. Its free professional profile feature, detailed search function, messaging feature, and AI matching program have all made job seeking and hiring easier than ever before. With thousands of new companies subscribing each month and a full range of job opportunities ranging from hourly to full-salaried positions, ZipRecruiter has something for everyone. We recommend taking a look at this valuable resource in the job market.
Work is changing, and remote and hybrid jobs are becoming the new normal. Claiming to be the top job site to find the best remote, work-from-home, and flexible jobs, FlexJobs corners the market to support all the job seekers who want to prioritize their work-life balance. The only downside is that you do have to pay for a membership with FlexJobs. However, their prices are low, ranging from $1.14 per week up to $9.95 per week depending on which subscription you choose.
Paid service but still has great options
One of the things we liked about the pricing at FlexJobs is that they acknowledge that there are plenty of free services out there. Their awareness of the market for job searches, and their promise to provide top-notch service to paying customers to make up for the extra hassle of payment makes us feel a little better about there being a cost for this service.
Four subscription options
There are four subscription options: 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year and the price per week goes down the longer you stay subscribed. For example:
Skill tests, personalized profile, and more
This subscription gives you unlimited access to all the jobs found by FlexJobs, free skill tests to showcase your skill sets to employers, a personalized profile, email alerts, job search tips, and resources, as well as a personalized portfolio builder. They do offer options for coaching, but you will have to pay separately for it outside of the subscription.
What can you get for free?
If you're not sold on paying for a subscription to find your next job, FlexJobs does offer some features for free. Free visitors can view a short version of all current job listings to give you an idea of what you can expect from using the FlexJobs service. The site also provides useful and comprehensive resources like blogs and job search articles that can help you with your next steps to getting a new job or changing careers. However, to get access to the job applications and the other benefits of the site, you will have to subscribe.
Strong user interface
One of the things we liked about using FlexJobs' search function was that when you click to get more information for a single listing, it pops up on the side of your screen. You don't lose progress in your search scroll or navigate to a new page every time you want to see more about a particular listing. We also liked that when companies have won accolades or awards, the job listing has little badges on it to see which jobs might be more beneficial or better places to work. The details of the listings tell you what type of job (hybrid vs. fully remote) it is, whether it's full or part-time and whether you would be hired as an employee or a freelancer. You also can see a short description of the job itself with the free view, and a full view of the details once you subscribe.
Users say the quality of service makes up for the price
One of the things FlexJobs promises is the best possible service to make charging you for their job-seeking services worthwhile. They want to work to earn your money and trust. And, according to reviews online, FlexJobs is committed to doing just that. FlexJobs is accredited by the BBB and has an "A+” rating as well as 4.6 out of 5 stars from consumers on the BBB site. Additionally, FlexJobs has a 4.7 out of 5 stars on Sitejabber and 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Across the board, FlexJobs has some of the best user ratings in our evaluation so we know for a fact that this site is putting in the promised effort to get you your dream job in a flexible work environment.
Best remote work site, even with the price
Although it is a paid service, FlexJobs offers competitive pricing with four subscription options. The site has a strong user interface with a search function that allows you to easily navigate through job listings without losing progress. Based on the reviews from various platforms, FlexJobs has an excellent track record of delivering on its promises and providing top-notch service to its paying customers. Only the fact that there are successful free options that deliver results put FlexJobs in our #3 spot, but because of the focus on remote work and the amazing client reviews, FlexJobs does beat out many other free options we tried.
Ladders is a job search platform that specializes in management, engineering, and C-suite-level positions. All of the jobs listed on Ladders pay around $100K or more, with a specific estimated salary range provided in each job description. The platform allows users to narrow down job listings by state, role, and specialty. While some companies remain anonymous, most provide a comprehensive company background in their listings. Most of Ladders' services are completely free, but they do offer membership options to use their Chrome extension Apply4Me.
Made for job seekers looking for a high salary
To apply for a job on Ladders, you'll need an account, which is completely free. If you are looking for management, engineering, or C-suite level positions, Ladders is a good place to start. The site does not cater to lower-level jobs and workers so that automatically narrows down options. All positions listed pay around $100K (some a little less, some a lot more). Each job listing has an estimated salary range provided by Ladders in the description, and you can narrow down your search to only include options that are $100K or above if your goal is to make the leap to a higher salary with your next job change (or keep what you're currently making).
Browser extension that applies for you
One of the things that we liked best about Ladders is the Chrome extension they offer called Apply4Me. The process includes answering an 18-question survey, and then you can use the Chrome extension on Ladders' site as well as other places you want to apply for jobs online. When you add the extension to your browser, a Ladders team member visits the company's site, clicks "apply” on your chosen job, fills out the entire application, and applies to the job on your behalf. You'll receive confirmations and follow-up communications from the employer once the process is complete. However, it is important to note that you do have to pay for a membership to use this service, but with reviewers calling it a "game changer," it seems worth the extra cost.
Job search resources on-site
On top of the Appy4Me extension, the Ladders site also offers a variety of resources to pull together the best resume and blogs to help you understand the job market, industry standards, and how to prepare for interviews. Some of these resources include:
Game-changing options at Ladders
While the site isn't accredited by the BBB, it's well-reviewed by clients on other sites. With a 4.7 out of 5 stars from Sitejabber, many customers are happily discussing their placement in high-paying jobs after using Ladders. Multiple reviews noted that the Apply4Me extension is a "game changer.” Across the board, customers spoke highly of the customer service with Ladders. Some users noted that when they were wrongfully charged fees, Ladders reversed the charges right away. However, some users who rated Ladders 1 star out of 5 noted that they felt that their emails were full of leads without any real results, and they felt like the service wasn't worth the email overload.
Top option for a higher salary
If a higher salary is your goal for your next job, Ladders is the place to go. All positions listed pay around $100K, and you won't have to sift through lower-paying jobs that might still meet your experience criteria. With the helpful (though not free) Apply4Me extension, and a variety of resources to guide you through the job application processes including interviews once you've gotten past the application stage, we can see Ladders as a strong contender for your job search and for anyone interested in finding higher salaries in their industry.
