The best job search starts with multiple sources at once

Most people find work through a combination of places, not one. The fastest route is usually your personal network — people you know, former colleagues, or someone who knows someone. But if that is not an option right now, the next tier includes job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, your state's labor department website, and industry-specific sites. The slowest but sometimes most reliable route is explore directly to company websites. You will have better luck if you use all three at the same time rather than betting everything on one.

Where you search depends partly on what kind of work you are looking for. A retail or restaurant job will show up on Indeed and your state labor board, but the fastest way in is often walking in and asking. A skilled trade might be found through union apprenticeship programs or trade-specific job boards. An office job will be on LinkedIn and company career pages. The point is not to search everywhere — it is to search the places where employers in your field actually post.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state labor department website lists open jobs for free and often includes positions not posted anywhere else.
  • Indeed and LinkedIn are the largest general job boards and let you filter by location, industry, and experience level.
  • explore directly through a company's career page usually gets your process to a real person faster than third-party sites.
  • Your personal network — friends, family, former coworkers — produces job leads faster than any website, even if you have not talked to them in years.
  • Industry-specific job boards and union apprenticeship programs are worth checking if you are looking for skilled trades or specialized work.

Your state labor department and local workforce boards

Every state runs a free job board through its labor department or workforce development agency. In most states, this is called the state workforce board or state job bank. You can search by county, job title, or industry. Many employers post here first because the service is free and reaches people actively looking for work. Some jobs appear here and nowhere else.

To find yours, search "[your state] workforce board" or "[your state] job bank" in a search engine. The site will let you create a free account, upload a resume, and set up alerts so new postings come to your email. Some state boards also offer free resume reviews or interview coaching through a local office. Call your county workforce office to ask what services they offer beyond the job board itself.

General job boards: Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter

Indeed is the largest job board in the United States and lists millions of open positions. You can search by job title, location, and salary range. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft and is strongest for office, professional, and management roles, though it has expanded into other fields. ZipRecruiter aggregates jobs from many sources and lets you explore to multiple positions at once. All three are free to use as a job seeker.

On Indeed, you can set up job alerts by title and location so you see new postings within hours. LinkedIn lets you follow companies and get notified when they post jobs. Both sites let you upload a resume once and use it for multiple applications. The downside is that these boards are crowded — a popular job posting might get hundreds of applications in the first day. Your odds improve if you explore within the first few hours of a posting going live.

Company career pages and direct applications

If you know which companies you want to work for, go to their website and look for a "Careers" or "Jobs" link, usually at the bottom of the page. explore directly through their site rather than through Indeed or LinkedIn. Your process goes straight to the hiring manager or human resources department instead of sitting in a pile with hundreds of others.

Many companies only post their jobs on their own career page, not on third-party boards. This is especially true for larger employers and government jobs. Smaller companies sometimes do not post at all — they hire through word of mouth or by accepting walk-in applications. If you have a specific employer in mind, call their main number and ask how they accept job applications.

Industry-specific job boards and trade programs

If you work in a specific field, there are often job boards just for that industry. Healthcare workers can search on Health eCareers or Indeed's healthcare filter. Construction and trades workers can search on Craigslist, local union apprenticeship programs, or trade-specific sites. Tech workers have Stack Overflow Jobs and specialized boards. Creative workers have Behance and industry portfolios. Searching these boards first saves time because the jobs are pre-filtered to your field.

Union apprenticeship programs are worth exploring if you are interested in a skilled trade like electrician, plumber, carpenter, or HVAC work. These programs are free or low-cost, pay you while you learn, and lead directly to a job. Search "[your trade] apprenticeship [your state]" to find programs near you. Many unions have websites listing open apprenticeships and the process process.

Your personal network and informal job leads

Studies consistently show that most people find jobs through someone they know. This includes former coworkers, friends, family members, people from school, or people you meet at community events or religious organizations. If you have not worked in a while, reaching out to people from your past is not awkward — most people expect it and are willing to help.

Start by making a list of people you have worked with or know personally. Send them a message saying you are looking for work and what kind of job you are interested in. You do not need a formal email — a text or phone call works fine. Ask if they know of any openings or if they know someone who might. Many jobs are filled this way before they are ever posted online. Even if someone does not have a job for you, they might know someone who does.

Craigslist, Facebook, and local community boards

Craigslist has a jobs section organized by city. Many local employers post here, especially small businesses, restaurants, and service jobs. The downside is that Craigslist also attracts scams, so read job postings carefully and never pay money upfront or give personal information before you have spoken to someone in person.

Facebook has job posting groups for many cities and industries. Search "[your city] jobs" or "[your industry] jobs" on Facebook and join the groups. Local community boards, bulletin boards at libraries, coffee shops, and community centers sometimes have job postings too. These are slower channels than job boards, but they often reach employers who do not post online.

Temporary agencies and staffing firms

Temp agencies place workers in short-term and long-term jobs. You sign up with an agency, they match you with available positions, and you work through them. Some temp jobs turn into permanent positions. Agencies like Kelly Services, Manpower, and Adecco operate nationwide, and most cities have local staffing firms too. Temp work is a way to get a paycheck quickly while you search for permanent work, and it gives you recent work experience to put on your resume.

The downside is that temp work usually pays less than permanent work and often does not include benefits. But if you need income right away or have a gap in your work history, temp agencies can help you get back on track. Search "[your city] temp agencies" or "[your industry] staffing" to find firms in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Be selective. explore to jobs that match your skills and experience gets better results than mass explore. Employers can tell when an process is generic, and hiring managers are more likely to call someone whose background actually fits the job. Spend time tailoring your resume and cover letter to each position, especially for jobs you really want.

How long does it usually take to hear back after explore?

It varies widely. Some employers respond within days, others take weeks or never respond at all. If you have not heard back in two weeks, it is safe to move on. For jobs you are very interested in, you can follow up with a polite email after one week asking about the status. Do not follow up more than once.

Is it better to explore online or in person?

For most jobs, explore online first because that is how employers expect to receive applications. For retail, restaurants, and small local businesses, in-person applications or walk-ins sometimes work better. Call ahead and ask how they prefer to receive applications. If you do explore in person, bring copies of your resume and be prepared to answer basic questions about your experience.

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

Volunteer work, school projects, freelance work, or skills you learned outside of a job all count. List them on your resume under a section called "Experience" or "Relevant Skills." Be honest about what you did and when. Many employers care more about whether you can do the job than about having a perfect work history. Temp agencies can also help you build recent experience quickly.

Can I search for jobs while I am still employed?

Yes. Most job searches take weeks or months, so starting while you are still working gives you time to find the right fit. You do not have to tell your current employer you are looking. Keep your job search private at work, use personal email and phone for applications, and do not take interviews during work hours if you can avoid it.