2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST JOB SEARCH ENGINES
Simplifying Your Search with the Best Job Search Websites
How we search for and apply for jobs has changed radically over the years because of the influx of job posting sites and career sites. When you rely on the best job search sites to find your first career job, to change careers, to find a new employer, or even to find part-time employment, you get many benefits, including the following:
- Many of the best job search sites will pull jobs from a wide variety of sources and put them in one location so you can search more quickly and have access to hiring opportunities you might not come across.
- The best job search websites and mobile apps often let users save their resume directly on the site and apply for many positions quickly and easily.
- When you’re applying for jobs with the best job search engines, one of the common features is the ability to look back at saved jobs quickly, and also to see jobs you’ve submitted your resume for, allowing you to streamline and organize your job search.
These are just a few of the many benefits of using the best websites to find jobs.
Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Job Search Sites
The following ranking of the best job search sites includes a distinctive variety of options, including mobile options, as well as career sites for people seeking freelance or remote work opportunities.
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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Job Search Websites
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the job website names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that website):
Top 6 Best Job Search Sites | Brief Comparison
Best Job Search Sites | Unique Features | Good for |
| CareerBuilder | You can save up to three resumes and see competition for job listings | Job seekers in any phase of their career |
| Glassdoor | Offers real perspectives of what it’s like to work for listed companies | Anyone especially people who want to prepare for interviews ahead of time |
| Features a Premium Membership with direct access to recruiters, applicant comparison tools, and online learning | People willing to pay for more advanced job search features | |
| Rake | Web browser and mobile app lets users save and track jobs from a variety of job posting sites | People who apply for multiple jobs from different sources and want mobile convenience |
| Upwork | Can be used not only as one of the best job search sites but also for billing and invoicing of clients once hired | Candidates who want remote or freelance opportunities |
| Wirk’n | Offers a chat-bot job concierge tool | Ideal for younger workers and people seeking jobs in hospitality, service, and retail |
Table: Top 6 Best Websites to Find Jobs | Above list is sorted alphabetically
What Are Tips for a Successful Online Job Search?
While searching for jobs online and using employment websites and job hunting sites may be a lot easier than old methods of finding a job, such as visiting offices in-person to deliver your resume, you still have to be strategic to stand apart from everyone else competing for the same jobs.
There are certainly advantages of using the best job search engines, including convenience, but there are disadvantages as well. You may find yourself applying for dozens of jobs on top job search sites, and never hearing anything back. The reason is simple.
There are just so many other people also applying for these jobs.
Image Source: Pixabay
The following are some tips to help improve your chances of landing a job when you’re using the best job search engines.
Go for quality over quantity.
If you’re using employment websites and job hunting sites, it can be tempting to apply for as many jobs as you can find, but that’s ultimately going to be a waste of time, particularly if you’re not a good fit for the position.
Instead, apply only for those jobs that you are well-suited and qualified for, but spend more time on your application and submitting things like your cover letter.
Speaking of cover letters, don’t leave this out or use a standardized version when you’re applying on the best job search engines. This is one of the best ways to stand out against what could be thousands of other applicants. Take the time to customize each of your cover letters, and also consider possible keywords you can use that would be relevant to the job you’re applying for, so you can include them and show up in searches by the hiring manager.
Don’t apply for more than one job at the same company. This can come across as if you’re not really interested in one particular position, and it’s going to be unappealing to most people in charge of hiring.
Finally, you want to make sure you’re regularly updating your resume, or making necessary tweaks for particular jobs. While it can be easy to go on autopilot when using job hunting sites and career sites, it’s important that you take the time to personalize each submission for the best possible results.
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Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Websites to Find Jobs
Below, please find the detailed review of each of the best job search engines and best websites to find jobs. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these best job search sites to score so well in our selection ranking.
CareerBuilder Review
Among the best job search engines and the best websites to find jobs, CareerBuilder is both popular and well-known. This pick for one of the best job search sites describes itself as an “end-to-end human capital solutions company.” CareerBuilder brings together advertising, software, and services, and it’s owned by TEGNA Inc., Tribute Media, and McClatchy, all of which are companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This as One of the Best Job Search Websites
Details of why CareerBuilder is included on this list of the best websites to find jobs are below.
Resumes
Being able to save at least one version of a resume was an important consideration when selecting the best job search engines and the best job search sites for this ranking. With CareerBuilder, users of this leader among employment websites and job posting sites can add their resume, including their desired job title and location, which allows them not just to apply for jobs quickly, but also to be found by recruiters.
Resumes can be uploaded from your computer’s files, Dropbox, or Google Drive, or your resume can be directly inserted.
There’s also the option to display your resume and contact information or hide it.
CareerBuilder, one of the best job websites, also lets users upload up to three resumes and cover letters, and you can save time with the Quick Apply tool.
Image Source: CareerBuilder
Monitoring Features
When you sign up for a CareerBuilder account, you can not only upload up to three separate resumes, but with this pick for one of the best job websites you can actually see when your applications are viewed. This will give you a good idea of your status, and it will let you know that your application and resume were delivered.
With CareerBuilder, you can also be alerted of when a company finds your resume, and uniquely, you can see the competition for each job.
Career Resources
CareerBuilder is one of the most robust overall job posting sites, but it’s a good overall career resource. There is a section of the website entitled “Advice and Resources,” and job seekers can go here to find exclusive new articles, such as “Best Job Categories for a New Career in 2017” and “Top 10 Jobs for Creative People.”
There’s the ability to search articles and resources based on keywords, and you can also divide the resources based on your job phase. The phases include:
Glassdoor Review
With Glassdoor, ranked as one of the best job search engines and a leader among career sites, users can search all of the open positions listed online. Some of the common search criteria used on this pick for one of the best job websites include popular searches, which show fields being searched for most frequently, city-based searches, and salary-based searches.
Glassdoor isn’t just one of the best job search engines and best job search websites but is also one of the fastest growing.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This as One of 2017’s Best Job Search Sites
Among job hunting sites and top job search sites, Glassdoor is included as one of the best job search sites for reasons like the ones listed below.
Comprehensive Job and Company Profiles
Glassdoor is unique from many of the other available job posting sites and career sites because they don’t just feature open positions. Glassdoor offers millions of company reviews, so people can get a real feel for what it would be like to work for a particular business.
There are details including CEO ratings, salary reports, interview reviews, and even information about potential interview questions.
Users of Glassdoor, one of the best job search engines, will also find information about benefits, office photos, and more. All of this information is shared by real employees of the companies listed.
Image Source: Glassdoor
Interview Section
Many of the best job search engines and best job search websites included in this ranking excel because they don’t just feature job listings, but also comprehensive, in-depth resources to help job seekers at all phases and levels of their careers.
As mentioned above, Glassdoor is unique even from the other job posting sites included in this ranking of the best sites to find jobs because they feature interview questions to help users prepare.
There is an entire section of the Glassdoor website dedicated to interview questions. First, users can search interview questions based on the specific job title or company they’re applying for.
This information comes from professionals who were recently interviewed, so it gives a real overview. You can also use Glassdoor to search based on categories such as popular interviews and difficult interviews, and there is a section of Glassdoor dedicated to general interview advice.
Fair Pay Estimator
Another unique and exclusive offering available from Glassdoor, one of the best job search websites, is an estimator that shows you whether or not you’re paid fairly.
With this tool, users can visit the Glassdoor website and enter simple information quickly, including their title, the company they work for, their location, and their level of experience. The calculator will then provide a custom salary estimate in a matter of seconds.
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LinkedIn Review
LinkedIn has become a resource for all things career-related. From the ability to create a social media profile and post your own content to options to network and connect with people locally or in your career field, it’s an excellent all-around resource. LinkedIn has also grown in popularity in recent years as one of the best job websites and best job search engines as well.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This as One of 2017’s Best Job Search Websites
Reasons LinkedIn is included in this ranking of the best employment websites and the top job search sites are detailed below.
Networking
If you have any experience searching for jobs, you’ve probably heard the term “networking” over and over again. That’s because it’s important, even in today’s digitally-driven, online-centric world. One of the things that makes LinkedIn unique as one of the best job search sites is the emphasis on networking.
You have the ability not just to use the site as a search engine for posted jobs, but also to be found by hiring managers, CEOs, and more. You can build your connections, reach out to influencers in your industry, and connect with companies you might be interested in working with very easily on the LinkedIn platform. You can even have things like recommendations listed on your profile, which makes it easy for hiring managers to find what they’re looking for about your background.
One good way to use this networking site as a search engine is to share an update that you’re looking for employment in a certain field, and all of your connections will be able to see it and pass the word on.
Targeted Reach
Most of LinkedIn’s job-related services are paid features, for both job seekers and employers. While you may not ideally want to pay for a job search site, it can actually be useful, because LinkedIn puts a lot of focus on connecting the right people to the right jobs to ensure they’re deriving value from the services.
There are more than 400 million members of this professional network, making it the world’s largest. When a company posts a job on the site, they get a shortlist of candidates delivered directly to them. So if you get an opportunity through LinkedIn, you know it’s likely one you’re a good fit for. Essentially, one of the main benefits of this site is that you are placed directly in front of hiring managers and company leaders.
Free Premium Trial
LinkedIn also offers job seekers the opportunity to try their career search tools for free before signing up for a premium membership. They tout their services as leading to hiring 2x faster than average, and features of the free trial and Premium Career services from LinkedIn, one of the top job search sites, include:
- Direct messaging to recruiters and job posters with InMail credits
- Options to see who’s viewed your profile within the last 90 days and how they found you
- You can be a “Featured Applicant,” meaning you’re moved to the top of applicant lists
- You can use Applicant Insights to see how you compare to other applicants
- Premium memberships also include online video courses taught by industry experts through LinkedIn Learning
Rake Review
With the mobile-driven world we live in, we thought it was extremely important to include mobile options on this list of the top job search sites and the best job hunting sites. While all the functionaity of Rake is available via web browser, their mobile app shines as a convenient, effective way for users to simplify their job search.
It can save job seekers time and make their lives and their search quite a bit easier, which is why it’s included on this list of the best job search engines.
Image Source: Rake
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This as One of the Best Job Search Engines
Although the mobile app is their most popular option, Rake is included on this list as one of the best job search engines for reasons listed below.
3-Step Process
Rake uses a simple 3-step process to help users find jobs, which is one of the many reasons it’s included as one of the best job search engines. With this mobile app, you first save jobs. This is done by finding positions from job posting sites and employment websites. You can then save them with one click.
After you locate positions from the best job hunting sites and top job search sites, you can prepare your application, including creating to-do lists and taking notes.
Once you do that, you can keep track of all of the jobs you applied to and set follow-ups and reminders for yourself.
Wide Variety of Job Options
Rake is compatible with a wide variety of the best job websites and career sites so that you can save jobs from all of them quickly and easily with one click. The employment websites and best job hunting sites that you can use with Rake include:
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- ZipRecruiter
- Monster
- CareerBuilder
You can save them on an iOS device by tapping the share icon, or you can save them in your Google Chrome browser as well if you install the Rake Plug-In.
Application Tracking
Probably one of the biggest benefits of Rake that helped it land on this list of the best job search websites and best job search engines is how easy it makes it to track your applications. Rather than maintaining cumbersome spreadsheets or trying to remember where you’ve already applied, with this app, you can see all of that information in an easy-to-read format right on your mobile device.
Another key feature of Rake that allowed it to be ranked on this list of top job search sites and career sites (even when using the mobile app) is the importance it places on follow-up. You can customize a variety of reminders to ensure you’re doing the necessary follow-up not just to apply but actually land a great job.
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Upwork Review
Upwork is unique from the other job posting sites and career sites included in this ranking of the best sites to find jobs because rather than necessarily being a resource for full-time employment, Upwork is a site that connects freelancers with clients who need their services.
The popularity of remote work and freelancing has risen tremendously in recent years, particularly as communication technology has improved, which is why we felt it was important to include Upwork on this list of the best websites to find jobs and the best job search websites.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This as One of the Best Websites to Find Jobs
Upwork is unique among job hunting sites and career sites for many reasons, some of which are detailed below.
Project Variety
Upwork is one of the largest freelancing and remote work job posting sites available, and they offer an extensive variety of project options in categories including:
- Web, mobile, and software development
- IT & Networking
- Data science and analytics
- Engineering and architecture
- Design and creative
- Writing
- Translation
- Legal
- Administrative support
- Customer service
- Sales and marketing
- Account and consulting
These jobs can also be divided into other categories and filtered based on factors such as their previous hiring history and the budget of each project.
It should be noted that while Upwork primarily focuses on freelancing, contract work, and remote work opportunities, this leader among job posting sites does sometimes have opportunities for in-person employment as well or flexible work situations.
Easy Hiring Process
Along with being one of the best job search websites and employment websites in terms of variety of opportunities, Upwork excels regarding how easy it is to get hired.
Upwork has created proprietary algorithms for streamlined hiring, and you can get more visibility if you are invited to participate in the Top Rated and Rising Talent programs. Also, the more you work, the more ratings and work history you’ll get, so the easier it will become to get hired and charge higher rates.
Upwork is unique among career sites and the top job search sites because they let users create comprehensive profiles right on the site by not only uploading a resume but also highlighting their skills, and even uploading a portfolio of past work.
Efficient Work Processes
If you are hired to work through Upwork, it continues to be an easy, efficient experience. There are tools and features available through Upwork, one of the best job search sites, that allow for the following:
- Users can digitally and securely send and receive files
- Upwork Messages can be used to communicate in real-time with clients via text, video, or chat
- Many Upwork features can be accessed through the convenient app
- Clients are automatically billed for time tracked through the desktop app
- Funds for projects are held in escrow and then released when work is completed and approved
- All invoicing and payments go through Upwork
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Wirk’n Review
Wirk’n is unique from other job posting sites and career sites because it’s specifically focused on helping users find local jobs, primarily in retail, hospitality, and customer service.
It’s one of the best job search engines and best job hunting sites for anyone who wants local jobs no matter where they’re located, and it’s particularly useful for younger employees as they start their job search. Some of the hundreds of brands that recruit with Wirk’n include Sephora, American Eagle Outfitters, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Starbucks.
Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This as One of the Best Job Search Websites
Wirk’n is ranked as one of the best sites to find jobs for reasons like the ones cited below.
Video Cover Letters
Along with offering a connection to service and hospitality jobs specifically, Wirk’n offers several unique features that landed it a spot on this ranking of the best sites to find jobs and one of those is the option to create video cover letters. Wirk’n lets users create 30-second video cover letters that are shown to hiring managers.
These videos allow hiring managers to connect with potential employees and see their true personality and uniqueness, which can be very important in hospitality, retail, and service jobs.
Personal Job Concierge
The job concierge, also called the Wirk’n Job Bot, is an incredibly unique chat feature that lets job seekers find and apply for jobs through the chat feature. The personal job concierge will make job recommendations based on individual factors such as personality and location, or you can type the jobs you’re looking for, and the Job Bot will show them to you.
The Job Bot is available on the Kik Bot Shop, and it’s one of the fastest, most convenient ways to find employment.
This is unique because since Wirk’n is a job search site designed to appeal to younger seekers, this is really a format and feature that appeals to their preferred communication methods.
Mobile-Based
Wirk’n is a versatile way to find certain types of jobs, and this is included on this list of the best sites to find jobs for several reasons, including the fact that it’s primarily mobile-based. You can create your profile and upload your video and information right from your mobile device, and also receive alerts about potential opportunities this way. If you prefer, however, you can also use Wirk’n in your browser.
Some of the many well-known companies that use Wirk’n to recruit new employees include:
- Forever 21
- Guess
- Old Navy
- Winners
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Kiehl’s
- Nike
- SportChek
- Jack Jones
- Aldo
- Guess
- Barclays
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Conclusion—Top 6 Best Job Search Sites
When creating this ranking of the best websites to find jobs and the best job websites, it was our goal to present options that would be useful to the widest possible variety of people. Some of the job hunting sites and career sites included in this ranking are more suited to people who want to advance their careers, such as LinkedIn or Career Builder.
There are also options listed in this ranking of the best websites to find jobs that are better for freelancers or contractors, and then, with the inclusion of an option like Wirk’n, there are also employment websites for younger workers and people searching specifically for service jobs.
The hope is that by offering a variety of the best job search websites, people will be able to find one or more options that work for their needs to help them find employment and advance their career.
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Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.
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