The top 13 best job search engines

For job seekers, finding a new job can be a daunting task. On average, U.S. job seekers will spend about 5 months looking for their next position. And while 60% of those jobs are found through a job seeker’s network, job search engines remain a critical option for anyone looking for a new job. 

Whether you’re just starting out on your job search journey or you’re close to closing in on an offer, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you look for a new position and use job search sites: 

Make sure your social media profiles look professional. 

→ At least 54% of businesses say they reject candidates after they review their social media profiles and find them to be unprofessional. Review your entire online presence before you start applying for jobs. A simple Google search of your name can give you clues into what your potential employer may find online when they search your name.

Consider hiring a professional resume writer. 

→ Don’t fast track your resume to the trash with any typos or a resume that doesn’t match your job level (individual contributors should have shorter resumes while managers and executives can have multiple pages and should showcase direct impact on the business). When employees submit a professionally written resume, their earning potential increases by 7% on average.

Set up notifications for jobs that match more than your desired title.

→ Broaden your job search by setting up notifications for jobs that go beyond your current or desired job title—include other search terms so you don’t miss out on other potential positions.

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The top 13 job search engines to consider for your next job search: 

1. Indeed

Indeed is one of the most popular job search engines used today—beating Monster.com as the most visited job website in the U.S. in 2010. It boasts a large database of job listings across multiple industries and around the globe (available in over 60 countries and 28 languages). 

With more than 350 million visitors every month, Indeed has grown tremendously since its launch in 2004. The site gathers job listings from other job boards, associations, company career pages, and other staffing websites.

Key features of Indeed as a job search engine: 

• Job seekers can apply directly to jobs on Indeed’s website 
• Job seekers can post their resume on the site
• Advanced search filters allow job seekers to refine their search by job title, salary range, location (including remote roles), education level required, and more
• Job seekers can set up customizable job alerts to receive notifications on jobs that they may be interested in
• Job seekers can take more than 100 skill assessments to showcase their knowledge and abilities
• Job seekers can save specific job listings to their profile to visit later
• Employers can contact candidates through the site to discuss next steps, including interview scheduling
• Job postings range from part-time and contract work to full-time and executive-level positions
• Company reviews/ratings are provided within each job posting
• User-friendly interface—the platform is easy to use and navigate
• The website is free for job seekers to use

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2. Glassdoor

While you might think of Glassdoor as the go-to website for finding employee-aggregated (and non-verified) salary data and company reviews, it’s also a popular job search engine. Like Indeed, Glassdoor has a large database of job listings and was acquired by the same holding company as Indeed in 2018. 

Founded in 2007, the idea for Glassdoor came to co-founders, Rich Barton and Robert Hohman, as they discussed a time when Barton left the results of an employee survey at the printer when he worked at Expedia. The pair believed that revealing employee satisfaction scores and reviews about their companies would help other job seekers make better decisions about where to take their next job. 

Key features of Glassdoor as a job search engine: 

• Job seekers get access to employee-provided company reviews, ratings and salary information 
• Some employer reviews include office photos and information about company benefits 
• Search filters allow job seekers to find job postings by location, job type, seniority level, company rating, job posting date, industry, company size, and more
• Job listings provide an approximate salary for the available position
• Job seekers can upload their resume and create a profile on the site to make applying for new jobs fast and easy
• User-friendly interface—the platform is easy to use and navigate
• The website is free for job seekers to use

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3. LinkedIn

Like Glassdoor, you might think of LinkedIn first as a networking site to help professionals connect with their colleagues. But LinkedIn is a powerful job search engine that should not be overlooked in your search for a new job. 

LinkedIn is widely used by employers to find their next hire. As a large directory of potential candidates—more than 950 million members from 200+ countries and territories, LinkedIn serves as the go-to place to find potential candidates for hiring managers and recruiters. 

Key features of LinkedIn as a job search engine: 

• The site offers specific job recommendations to job seekers based on their profile, location, and connections
• Search features allow job seekers to filter potential job listings by keyword, job title, experience level, jobs where you have existing contacts or people in your network, and more
• Job seekers can showcase their experience, education, skills, and professional achievements on their public profiles for recruiters and potential employers to see
• Job seekers can save job postings to your profile to view later and set up notifications for any future, relatable job postings 
• Job seekers can take skill assessments to showcase their abilities to future employers
• Basic job search features are free to use, but more unlock with a LinkedIn Premium subscription (currently at $29.99/month) including the ability to contact recruiters directly

→ 77% of recruiters say they rely on LinkedIn to find their next new hire.

→ LinkedIn is reported to be the most popular search engine for finding a new job. In the U.S., LinkedIn reaches the highest audience of potential candidates at 65%.

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4. Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent)

Wellfound, formerly known as AngelList, was founded in 2010 and is a solid option for job seekers looking for jobs specifically at startups and at tech companies. Wellfound offers a large job board with a lot of the typical features of other job sites—information about salary ranges, benefits, and more. 

The site boasts more than 100,000 jobs with more than 8 million matches made between employers and job seekers. 

Key features of Wellfound as a job search engine: 

• A good option for job seekers specifically interested in startup, remote, or tech company jobs
• Job seekers can apply to jobs directly through the site with just one click and track all open applications from the site
• Job seekers can filter job postings by company size, location, industry, salary and equity options, and more
• Job seekers can allow employers, recruiters, and founders to reach out directly to them 
• User-friendly interface—the platform is easy to use and navigate

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5. ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter is another job search engine site that many job seekers turn to to find their next job. The site uses AI to match candidates to open positions aiming to help employees find their next job and employers find their new hire quickly. ZipRecruiter has connected more than 162 million candidates to more than 3.8 million employers.

As one of the largest job search engines in the world, ZipReruiter allows job seekers to search for all types of jobs—from entry-level positions to executive leadership positions. 

Key features of ZipRecruiter as a job search engine: 

• Search filters allow job seekers to search for open positions by company, title, salary, location, and more
• Job seekers can set up notifications for new job postings and potential job matches
• Job seekers can browse existing job openings or search for a specific position by title 
• Job seekers can create a profile to help them apply for positions faster
• The website is free for job seekers to use

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6. Simply Hired

Simply Hired, owned by the Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd (the same owner of Indeed.com and Glassdoor), launched in 2003. It boasts job listings from 24 countries in 12 languages and an easy-to-use website. The site doesn’t currently offer customizable job alerts, but features job listings for a variety of job types including remote work, part-time jobs, entry-level positions, full-time jobs, etc.  

Key features of SimplyHired as a job search engine: 

• Job seekers can upload an existing resume or create one on the site to easily apply to jobs
• Job seekers can see job postings that have been promoted by employers with paid listings
• Search filters help job seekers find jobs by company, location, job type, and more
• Job seekers can also access a salary estimator tool to help them identify the right compensation for their role
• Job seekers can view company profiles and get access to social media communities 
• The website is free for job seekers to use

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7. FlexJobs

FlexJobs specializes in helping job seekers find remote work or jobs where they work from home. It also helps these job seekers find hybrid and other flexible job options. FlexJobs prides itself on vetting every listing to avoid any job listing scams for employees. Job postings range from entry-level to executive roles with both part-time and full-time options. 

Key features of FlexJobs as a job search engine: 

• Search filters help job seekers find jobs through keywords, location, job type, career level, schedule, education requirements, and more 
• FlexJobs requires a $2.95 subscription for a 14-day trial
• Subscribers get access to expert resources, virtual job fairs, webinars, and special events 
• FlexJobs also offers a skills test to help you prove your experience and qualifications 

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8. The Muse

The Muse is a job search engine focused on offering job seekers a behind-the-scenes view at employers and job opportunities. They claim to send team members to each company they partner with to gather everything they need to build a profile for each business. The Muse aims to build real connections between job seekers and companies before an application is even submitted. The site also offers best practices from experts and access to career coaches that provide customized career advice. 

Key features of The Muse as a job search engine: 

• Job seekers can search for open positions or specific companies to view open opportunities 
• Job seekers can view company profiles that feature information about company culture, benefits, and more
• Search filters help job seekers find jobs by experience level, job category, industry, company size, perks and benefits, and more
• All job listings and articles are free of charge to visitors of the site

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9. Monster

Labeled as one of the most popular online job search websites, Monster has been available to job seekers for more than 25 years. 

Key features of Monster as a job search engine: 

• Job seekers will see job listings from a wide range of companies—including smaller companies—because it offers free listings to companies 
• Search filters help job seekers find jobs based on keywords, location, part or full-time positions, internships, posting date, and more
• Job seekers can set their profile to public, private, or confidential
• Job seekers can upload their resume to their profile
• Monster features salary research information and company profiles to help job seekers in their job search
• Job seekers can sign up for email alerts to find out about new job postings
• The website is free for job seekers to use

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10. CareerBuilder

Founded 1995, CareerBuilder is one of the oldest job search engines available to job seekers. CareerBuilder operates in 24 countries, including the United States. It also owns and operates under a few other website names including: headhunter.com, careerrookie.com, miracle workers.com, jobsinmotion.com, workinretail.com, and sologig.com. 

Key features of CareerBuilder as a job search engine: 

• Search filters help job seekers search for jobs by skills, salary, location, and more
• CareerBuilder uses a one-click apply feature to help speed up the application process for job seekers 
• CareerBuilder also features a job recommendation engine that showcases open positions that might fit with a job seekers profile and resume
• Job seekers can build a profile and upload a resume or use the resume builder on the site
• Job seekers can access salary data to help them identify a salary number in the right range for their role

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11. Ladders

Ladders is a job search engine site that focuses on high-paying roles (over $100,000). Featuring listings from more than 22,000 employers, Ladders helps job seekers avoid open positions that might offer a salary that is too low for their current career stage. 

Key features of Ladders as a job search engine: 

• Job seekers can use Apply4Me and have Ladders submit applications for them
• Search filters help job seekers find jobs by location, job title, and company
• Job seekers can opt to get job recommendations sent via email every week—this email includes a roundup of job listings that match the job seekers skills and experience 
• Basic membership includes the job search engine, the ability to apply to jobs that are marked free, and a weekly email of job listings
• Premium membership includes full access to job search results, discounts, offers, and more

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12. Dice

Dice is a job search engine that prioritizes listings for job seekers in the tech industry. While open listings vary by day, the site typically posts 150,000 tech jobs every month. Users of the site are highly educated—75% have a bachelor’s degree or higher while 65% have at least 10 years or more of experience in their specific field. 

Key features of Dice as a job search engine: 

• Job seekers can create a profile on the site to increase their visibility to employers
• Search filters help job seekers find jobs by location, job title, skills, and company
• The website is free for job seekers to use

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13. Job.com

Job.com utilizes blockchain technology and a robust AI tool to help job seekers get matched with the right employers. The platform’s goal is to help employers hire the right candidates the first time—and get job seekers a job that fits their experience and career goals. 

Key features of Job.com as a job search engine: 

• Job seekers can upload their resume to the site and the site’s AI can help match skills to open job opportunities 
• Search filters help job seekers find open positions by keyword, title, and location 
• Job seekers can opt in for notifications from the site on new job listings 
• The site is free for job seekers to use, but access to the resume distribution services starts at $49.99

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Need more resources? Check out these links: 

The problem with Glassdoor and other salary data sources

The importance of salary data when negotiating job offers

How to make your job application stand out

7 signs you will get the job after an interview

Should you always negotiate salary? 

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