The fastest places to search for jobs

The biggest job boards — Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor — list the most openings and let you filter by location, industry, and pay. Indeed and ZipRecruiter send alerts to your email when new jobs match what you're looking for. LinkedIn shows you which of your contacts work at companies that are hiring. All four are free to use.

Government job boards exist too. USAJobs.gov lists all federal positions. Most states run their own job boards — search "[your state] jobs" to find yours. City and county governments post openings on their websites under "careers" or "employment". Government jobs usually have set pay scales and benefits listed upfront, so you know what you're getting.

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace still have job postings, though they're mixed in with scams. If you use them, never pay money upfront and never give your Social Security number before you've met the employer in person. Local newspaper classified sections sometimes list jobs too, especially for small businesses that don't post online.

Key Takeaways

  • Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor are free and let you set up email alerts so new jobs come to you instead of you hunting for them.
  • USAJobs.gov lists federal jobs; your state's job board lists state positions; city and county websites list local government openings.
  • Staffing agencies and temp services can place you in work within days if you need income quickly, though the pay is usually lower than direct hire.
  • Networking — telling people you know that you're looking — often leads to jobs that never get posted publicly.
  • Industry-specific job boards exist for nursing, tech, trades, and other fields and often have fewer applicants per opening than the big general boards.

Staffing agencies and temp work

If you need to start earning money fast, staffing agencies can place you in temporary or permanent work within days. You go to their office, fill out paperwork, and they send you to jobs that match your skills. Common national agencies include Kelly Services, Adecco, Manpower, and Robert Half. Most cities have local staffing firms too — search "staffing agency near me" or "temp agency near me".

Temp work pays less than permanent jobs at the same company, and you usually don't get benefits. But it's a way to earn while you search for permanent work, and sometimes temp jobs turn into permanent ones if the employer likes you. The agency takes a cut of your pay, so ask upfront what percentage you'll actually receive.

Networking and word-of-mouth

Many jobs never get posted. Employers fill them by asking current employees if they know anyone. Tell people you know — friends, family, former coworkers, people at your church or community center — that you're looking. Give them your phone number and email. People are more likely to refer someone they know than to hire a stranger from the internet.

LinkedIn is useful for this too. Update your profile to say you're open to work. Connect with people in your field. Comment on posts from companies you want to work for. Recruiters sometimes reach out to people with active profiles, even if they haven't applied for a specific job.

Industry-specific job boards

If you work in a specific field, there are job boards just for that industry. Healthcare workers use Indeed Health, Nurse.com, and MedReps.com. Tech workers use Stack Overflow Jobs, GitHub Jobs, and AngelList. Trades workers use ServiceTitan and Thumbtack. Teachers use TeachingJobs.com and EducationAmerica. Writers and designers use Behance and Dribbble.

These boards have fewer total listings than Indeed, but they also have fewer applicants per job. Employers on these boards are specifically looking for people with your skills, so your resume is less likely to get lost in a pile of hundreds.

Company websites and direct contact

If you know which companies you want to work for, go to their website and look for a "careers" or "jobs" page. Large companies post all their openings there. You can also call the company's main number, ask for human resources or the hiring manager for the department you're interested in, and ask if they're hiring. This takes more effort than clicking "explore" on Indeed, but it shows you're serious and gets your name in front of a real person.

Small businesses often don't post jobs online at all. If you want to work somewhere local, walk in, ask if they're hiring, and leave a resume with the manager. Restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and service businesses hire this way all the time.

Job fairs and hiring events

Many cities hold job fairs where dozens of employers set up tables and interview people on the spot. Search "[your city] job fair" to find upcoming events. Libraries, community centers, and workforce development offices often host them. Bring copies of your resume, dress professionally, and be ready to talk about what kind of work you're looking for.

Some employers hold their own hiring events. Target, Amazon, and other large retailers hire dozens of people at once during busy seasons. Check their websites or call the store nearest you to ask when they're hiring.

Workforce development and training programs

If you're unemployed or underemployed, your state's workforce development office may offer job search help for free. They're usually called the Department of Labor, Department of Employment Services, or Workforce Solutions. You can find yours by searching "[your state] workforce development" or calling 211. They offer resume help, interview coaching, and sometimes job placement services.

Some programs teach you a trade or skill while you're looking for work. If you're interested in a field like nursing, welding, HVAC, or coding, ask your local workforce office what training programs are available and whether they're free or low-cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Indeed and LinkedIn for job searching?

Indeed has more total job listings and is better for searching by keyword and location. LinkedIn is better if you want to see which of your contacts work at companies that are hiring, and recruiters sometimes reach out to people with active profiles. Most job seekers use both.

Do I have to pay to use job boards?

No. Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and USAJobs are all free. Some sites offer paid upgrades that let you see who viewed your profile or get your resume to the top of the pile, but you don't need to pay to search and post your resume.

How long does it usually take to find a job?

It depends on your field, location, and experience. Temp agencies can place you in work within days. For permanent jobs, the average is four to six weeks from first process to job offer, though it can be faster or slower depending on how many people are explore.

Should I explore to every job I see or be selective?

Being selective gets better results. Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job so the employer sees why you're a fit. explore to 50 jobs with a generic resume gets fewer interviews than explore to 10 jobs with a resume that matches what they're looking for.

What if I don't have much work experience?

Start with entry-level jobs, temp work, or jobs that hire without experience like retail, food service, or warehouse work. Many employers will train you on the job. Once you have a few months of experience, you can move to better-paying work. Staffing agencies are also good for people with little experience because they place you quickly.