the 5 best job boards for your search
You’re finally ready to start your job search – and I mean really start. Your resume is ready. You have a draft of a cover letter that is ready to be adapted for each position. You’ve thought about what types of positions you’re going to apply for.
Now you have to figure out what websites to use for your job search. It can be overwhelming. And that’s okay! I’ve got you.
ML’s Favorite Job Search Websites
Industry Specific Job Boards
When I worked in higher education, you bet I was using HigherEdJobs.com as my favorite job board. Industry specific job boards are often the best place to find those specific postings. If you don’t know where to find a job board for your industry, Google it!
If you are ready to jump into LinkedIn, then it’s a great job board to use. However, you need to commit to creating a robust LinkedIn profile. I’m talking profile photo, header photo, engaging summary, and a full job history. You need to make connections with people you’ve worked with and also educational peers. THEN you’re ready to start using LinkedIn as your job board.
Here’s the thing, if you’re searching for it, odds are Google can find it. Google has a job board that you can use but I also found that searching the specific job title I was looking for plus my location was really helpful. It’s actually how I found the posting for my current job.
Examples:
Kindergarten Teacher positions in Chicago, Illinois
Human Resources jobs in San Diego, California
Marketing Internships in Dallas, Texas
Entry-level Engineering positions in Boston, Massachusetts
That’s it! You’ll be surprised what comes up and how easy it is to find positions in your local area. You’ll often be taken to the specific company’s job board which is a great place to submit your application. I actually recommend applying directly on the company’s website if you can over using a second party application.
Handshake
If you’re a college student or an alumni, Handshake is the website for you. What I like about Handshake is that the postings are typically reviewed by your college or university’s career services staff. The employers posting on Handshake are looking for college-level students or recent graduates. You shouldn’t be seeing as many postings that have 10+ years of experience required for the position. Handshake also has an events tab where you can see networking opportunities and career fairs. If you’re currently in college, make an appointment at your career services center! You won’t regret it.
Honorable mentions: Indeed & ZipRecruiter
You can create free profiles on these websites as well. You’ll want to make sure you have a current resume and fill out the entire profile. You can set up notifications to receive recommended jobs to apply for and you can hear directly from recruiters.
As with anything online, be wary if it sounds too good to be true.
Trust your gut! If it doesn’t feel right, then take a step back. If you are offered a position without ever interviewing, that’s a red flag. If you are offered a salary that is way higher than normal for that type of position, that’s a red flag. If you have to respond to accept or decline the position very quickly, again without every meeting with anyone, that's a red flag.
We can dive in deeper to what to look out for when you are applying online in another blog post. If you are unsure, be sure to pull in a trusted friend or mentor to take a look at the posting. Ask questions. Always trust your gut and never feel pressured to give personal information to an employee before you’re being onboarded for the job.
