We’re facing record-breaking unemployment, up by 1.8 million for July with a rate of 10.2%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. These staggering numbers mean many people are looking for new jobs.
If you’re one of them you’re probably wondering where to begin. You might wonder where to find the best job search websites, and the best job search apps.
There are many websites where you can look for jobs. There are three main sites that I recommend for most jobs: LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Indeed. Each has a great app.
If you work in certain specialized fields, there are other sites you should also be aware of. If you’re looking for a government job, for example, you should check out usa.gov. If you looking for a job related to sports, check out teamworkonline.com. There are many other sites, but let’s start with the basics of the top three.
LinkedIn offers job seekers many features, including the ability to create an online profile that is essentially an online resume or portfolio of your work. LinkedIn also offers the opportunity to connect with people who work at the companies you’re interested in.
And, it has job postings. The job postings offer various data points, including how many people have applied to a job and how you rank in comparison to other candidates. In addition, you may be able to see an estimated salary and the human resources recruiter who posted the job.
Applying is fairly straightforward, and there are optional features available such as asking for a referral.
Glassdoor and Indeed are now owned by the same parent company. They’re both excellent websites with unique features.
Glassdoor is built on employee feedback. It has job postings similar to those offered on LinkedIn plus in-depth information about each company. Users can look at how well ranked a company is by its employees, as well as how much the company pays employees for specific roles.
There also are interview questions the company might ask.
Indeed has long been hailed as the world’s largest job website with more job postings than any other website. Indeed also shares estimated salary data with job seekers, along with company reviews.
As you can see, each job website adds its own value.
That said, not every company puts all its job openings on all three sites, so you don’t want to miss jobs by focusing on only one.
Use each site in the way that it best fits you. Then, go directly to company websites for companies you really love. And, keep your eyes open for other sites that may be more specific to your career.
Last, remember that applying online is a numbers game. Get started if you want to play.
Angela Copeland, a career expert and founder of Copeland Coaching, can be reached at copelandcoaching.com.