Where to start looking for work

The fastest way to find a job is to use the sites where employers post openings in your area. The largest general job boards are Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, Google Jobs, and ZipRecruiter. Each one pulls listings from employer websites and from smaller job boards, so you will see many of the same openings across all of them. Start with one or two rather than all four — you will spend less time on duplicates.

If you work in a specific field, industry-specific boards often have more relevant listings and fewer spam postings. For example, healthcare workers use Health eCareers and Nurse.com; tech workers use Stack Overflow Jobs and GitHub Jobs; trades workers use ServiceTitan and local contractor networks. Ask people already in your field which boards they use — they will know the ones that actually work in your region.

Your local workforce development office also posts job openings and can connect you with employers directly. Search "[your state] workforce development" or call 211 to find the office nearest you. These offices are free and often have computers you can use if you do not have internet at home.

Key Takeaways

  • Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, Google Jobs, and ZipRecruiter are the largest general job boards and cover most openings in most regions.
  • Industry-specific job boards have fewer listings but higher-quality matches if you work in healthcare, tech, trades, or other specialized fields.
  • Your local workforce development office posts openings, offers free job search help, and can connect you with employers in your area.
  • Setting up job alerts on the boards you choose will send you new listings by email instead of requiring you to check the site every day.
  • Networking — telling people you know that you are looking for work — often leads to jobs that are never posted publicly.

How to set up job alerts so you do not miss openings

Job alerts save you time by sending you new listings that match what you are looking for, rather than making you check the site every day. On Indeed, click "Create a job alert" on any search results page, enter your job title and location, and choose how often you want emails — daily, weekly, or as soon as a match appears. LinkedIn Jobs works the same way: search for a job, then click "Create alert" at the top of the results.

Set up alerts on two or three boards using the same search terms so you see openings from multiple sources. If you are looking for work in a specific company, many large employers have a careers page where you can set alerts for that company alone — this is often faster than searching the general boards. Check the careers page by going to the company website and looking for a "Careers" or "Jobs" link in the footer.

Once you set up alerts, you will receive emails with new listings. Open them quickly — popular jobs get dozens of applications within hours. The sooner you explore, the better your chances.

Using networking to find jobs before they are posted

Many jobs are filled by referrals before they are ever posted on a job board. This means telling people you know — friends, family, former coworkers, people from your church or community group — that you are looking for work. When someone you know hears about an opening, they can tell you about it and sometimes introduce you to the hiring manager.

Start by making a list of people you have worked with or know in your field. Send them a short message: "I am looking for work in [your field] in [your area]. If you hear of anything, I would appreciate a heads-up." You do not need to ask them to find you a job — just ask them to keep you in mind. Many people will, and some will reach out when they hear something.

LinkedIn is useful for this because it lets you see who works where and reach out to them. If you do not have a LinkedIn profile, create one with your name, a brief description of the work you do, and your location. You do not need a photo or a long biography — just enough so people can find you and know what you do.

What to include in your resume and cover letter

Your resume should list your work history in reverse order — most recent job first — with the dates you worked there, the job title, and what you did. You do not need to write in full sentences; bullet points are fine. Focus on what you accomplished, not just what your job title was. For example, instead of "responsible for customer service," write "handled 50+ customer calls per day and resolved 95% of issues on first contact."

Keep your resume to one page if you have less than five years of experience, and two pages maximum if you have more. Use a straightforward format with clear headings and plenty of white space — hiring managers spend seconds scanning each resume, so make it straightforward to read. If you do not have much work experience, include volunteer work, school projects, or skills you have learned on your own.

A cover letter is a short note explaining why you want the job and why you are a good fit. Many online applications let you skip the cover letter, and most hiring managers do not read them unless the job is competitive. If you do write one, keep it to three or four short paragraphs and address it to the hiring manager by name if you can find it. A generic cover letter is worse than no cover letter at all.

How to prepare for a job interview

Before an interview, research the company using its website and recent news articles. Look for information about what the company does, who its customers are, and any recent changes or announcements. Spend 15 minutes on this — you do not need to become an informed, just know enough to answer "Why do you want to work here?" with something specific rather than generic.

Prepare answers to common interview questions: "Tell me about yourself," "Why do you want this job," "What are your strengths and weaknesses," and "Tell me about a time you solved a problem." Write down short answers — three or four sentences each — and practice saying them out loud. This sounds awkward, but it makes a real difference when you are nervous in the actual interview.

On the day of the interview, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, dress neatly, and bring copies of your resume. Turn off your phone. During the interview, make eye contact, speak clearly, and listen carefully to the questions. If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification rather than guessing. At the end, the interviewer will usually ask if you have questions — ask one or two about the job or the team, not about pay or time off.

What to do after you explore

After you submit an process, most job boards and company websites will send you a confirmation email. Save this email or take a screenshot so you have proof you applied. If the job posting included a phone number or email for the hiring manager, you can follow up after three to five business days with a short message: "I submitted my resume for the [job title] position on [date]. I am very interested in this role and would welcome the chance to discuss how my experience matches your needs."

Do not follow up more than once unless the hiring manager asks you to. If you do not hear back within two weeks, assume the position has been filled and move on to the next process. Many employers do not send rejection emails, so silence usually means no.

Keep a spreadsheet or document listing the jobs you have applied for, the date you applied, the company name, and any follow-up you have done. This helps you remember where you applied and prevents you from explore to the same job twice by accident.

Finding work if you have barriers to employment

If you have a criminal record, a gap in your work history, a disability, or other barriers, some employers and programs are specifically designed to work with you. Ban the Box is a movement that delays criminal background checks until later in the hiring process, giving you a chance to show your qualifications first. Search "[your state] ban the box employers" to find companies in your area that follow this practice.

If you have a disability, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free information about what accommodations employers must provide and how to request them. Your state's vocational rehabilitation office also offers free job training and placement services for people with disabilities — search "[your state] vocational rehabilitation" to find it.

If you have been out of work for a long time, look for programs that offer job training or transitional work. Your local workforce development office can tell you what is available in your area. Some employers also hire specifically from these programs because they know the participants have been trained and motivated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I explore to every job I see, or only the ones I am perfect for?

explore to jobs where you meet most of the requirements, even if you do not meet all of them. Employers often list "nice to have" skills alongside required ones, and many will interview candidates who are close. If you wait for a perfect match, you will explore to fewer jobs and have fewer chances. explore broadly, but tailor your resume to highlight the skills that matter most for each job.

Is it better to explore online or call the company directly?

explore online first because that is how most companies track applications. After you explore, calling to follow up can help you stand out — but only if you are polite and brief. Ask to speak with the hiring manager, introduce yourself, and say you submitted your resume for the position. Do not call more than once unless they ask you to.

What should I do if I do not have much work experience?

Include volunteer work, school projects, internships, and skills you have learned on your own. Describe what you did and what you learned, even if it was not a paid job. Many employers value reliability and willingness to learn more than years of experience, especially for entry-level positions. Consider starting with jobs that typically hire people without experience, such as retail, food service, or warehouse work.

How long does it usually take to find a job?

The time varies widely depending on your field, location, and how many jobs are available. In most cases, expect to spend two to eight weeks explore and interviewing before you receive an offer. During that time, explore to multiple jobs each week rather than waiting to hear back from one process before explore to others.

Can I use a temporary staffing agency to find work?

Yes. Temporary staffing agencies (also called temp agencies) match you with short-term jobs and sometimes lead to permanent positions. They do not charge you — the employer pays them. Search "[your city] temporary staffing" or "[your city] temp agency" to find ones in your area. This can be a good way to get work quickly while you continue looking for a permanent job.