When it comes to searching for work, most people turn to job posting sites. Indeed, Craigslist, ZipRecruiter are just some of the names in the space.
Years ago you have Monster and other giants. Now there are not only mega job sites like Indeed and Craigslist, but small niche job posting sites.
There are job posting sites specifically designed for software engineers, nurses, ex-cons, doctors, lawyers, and those working in the non-profit sector (such as Idealist).
But which is the best? Is there a best job site?
As with most things, I don’t like to suggest that you use any one particular job site over others.
A truck driver or a social worker won’t find work in the same places that Account Executive or Financial Analyst will.
That said, there are some general guidelines that you can use.
Biggest or Best: Understanding Indeed and Other Job Posting Sites
If you’re looking for the largest job sites, then you’re going to want to look at Indeed or Craigslist. These are by the numbers the largest of the job posting sites.
This doesn’t mean that they are the best. The “best” is a very subjective term.
However, if you are only seeking the largest job site, then you will want to check out:
- LinkedIn (their job posting side)
- Monster
- CareerBuilder
- Indeed
- Craigslist
- Glassdoor
These are the main job sites, and because of the sheer number of jobs posted on them on a daily basis they are a good place to get started.
Does that mean that you’ll find your next job there? No. Does it mean that the “best” jobs are posted on these sites? No.
Most industry experts would tell you that the best jobs, the ones that are the most desirable are never posted on public job sites or even private job sites.
The inside scoop is that many companies do not publicly advertise roles, and instead hire friends, family, or someone with an inside scoop.
So, what happens is that the less than desirable jobs end up on job posting sites. For instance, a hospital has an opening in their administrative section. The role pays well, has great benefits, and a stable pay raise schedule. This job will never be filled by a job posting. This job will always be filled by a friend or family member.
Companies need to post jobs over and over because so many unqualifed people apply to the job postings. This ends up flooding recruiters inboxes and using the company budget.
This is one major reason why companies use recruiters.
Is ZipRecruiter Better Than Indeed?
That’s a personal question. Most companies that are seeking entry level workers for low skilled work, labor roles, and non-profit work will post their jobs across many job sites.
It’s not uncommon to see postings for medical personnel, nurses, LPNs and unskilled roles across multiple job sites.
A company that is hiring a Nurse, for instance, might post their job across many networks, including specialty nursing job boards, craigslist, and text based job blasts.
Indeed and ZipRecrutier are simply the two biggest job sites at the moment. That will change, of course, and some other branded job site will take over. In the same way that HotJobs gave way to Monster, which was replaced by Indeed and now ZipRecruiter.
Are Craigslist Jobs Legit?
There is a risk with any job posting site. If you sense the job is too good to be true (such as a work from home role) then it would be beneficial to do your own due diligence.
Call the company directly, read reviews online, and otherwise check out the posting.
Many real companies do post jobs on sites like Craigslist. If you are a medical worker, such as a PCT or RN, then you will see jobs posted all day on Craigslist. Nurses are hired by government funded facilities such as Hospitals, Clinics, Homeless Shelters and Non-Profits. They are always in demand and as they are tax payer funded there is never a shortage of funding.
Craigslist will have many job postings. These jobs are posted daily by staffing firms, individuals, corporations, and other hiring teams.
If you are looking for any of the following jobs, then Craigslist is a good source to use:
- Restaurant Work
- Hotel Work
- Medical Staffing (Nurses, Techs, Care Workers)
- Social Workers
- Labor
Can You Trust Job Posting Sites?
You should never trust a job posting when you are interviewing for a job. While the job posting site might be a reputable company, the individual or organization posting the job might not.
There might be someone from the HR department posting a job with inaccurate details regarding the duties.
More importantly, the job description might be off regarding the hours required or the nature of the role when it comes to travel or physical exertion. Some nurses , for instance, might be wise to ask about patient to nurse ratios or even the protections setup to guard against EDP and other physically violent people.
Of course, there are also important things such as salary. In certain locations such as NYC it is illegal to post a job without also posting the salary1. This does not mean that less than reputable companies will try and lowball a person.
As we have covered on this site, recruiters don’t try and lowball people on salary, but employers and company owners will certainly try and pay less.
Whenever you are interested in a job, it is a good idea to ask questions. Make sure that you’re speaking to a real person, and are not just connected to a random person. Check that they are real and have a LinkedIn account that is connected to a real company
How Does LinkedIn Factor Into The Question?
LinkedIn is more than a job site. It was created to be a networking site for working professionals. Most college graduates who work in the corporate sector will want to setup a LinkedIn account.
When recruiters are searching LinkedIn for people, they can use private messaging systems to communicate with them. On LinkedIn, people can utilize an array of functions to message with employers without their current boss knowing that they are job searching.
Another feature of LinkedIn are their job posting feature. Employers can post jobs on LinkedIn which are available to those who use the networking site.
Because LinkedIn is primarily used by professionals, the job postings will be for corporate type roles.
Nurses, Tradespeople, and other non-professionals tend to use job posting sites such as Indeed or Craigslist.
Linkedin will also feature jobs in areas such as Retail, Warehouse, and non-professional work such as Nursing. However, the applicants for these positions do not tend to utilize the professional networking.
Most Registered Nurses will be heavily recruited, as they are in high demand. As such, they do not have to use job posting sites unless they are seeking part time or per diem work, or else they have some strike against them such as disciplinary action from a prior workplace.
Here is a more in depth discussion about how Indeed and LinkedIn differ.
Do Recruiters Use Job Posting Sites?
Yes, most recruiters will use job posting sites. They will do this because LinkedIn and referrals will only reach so many people.
If a recruiter is looking to hire someone who is not a professional, for example, then they will need to post a job online.
Medical personnel do not used LinkedIn or other professional resources, they use job postings.
Likewise, most social workers do not use professional networking sites like LinkedIn. They answer jobs online from sites like CareerBuilder, Craigslist, and Indeed and wait for Recruiters and Talent Acquisition teams to call them and hire them.
Recruiters who work in the executive arena do not use job postings. However, if they are working on non-professional roles or entry level admin roles then they will use sites to post jobs.
When you see a job posting online, sometimes it lists that the posting is by a recruiter, sometimes it does not list that information.
You should always make sure to investigate the posting and after you connect with the person and discuss the role, make sure to read up on the company and then try and find the person you've spoken with online at LinkedIn to verify that they are real.
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