The 6 Best Job Search Sites for College Grads

Indeed | LinkedIn | Glassdoor | Google Jobs | Monster | College Recruiter

College graduates have a ton of resources when searching for a job these days, including a large number of sites that connect employers with potential applicants. You can also go directly to company websites to find open positions and submit your application.

It may feel like there are almost too many resources available. We’ll help you navigate the best job search sites and how to use them to land your dream job.

Indeed is one of the largest employment websites with tons of new jobs posted daily. According to Indeed, 10 new jobs are posted to its site every second. We found most search results will turn up thousands of jobs. You can filter by location, salary, job type, benefits, experience level, and the date the job was posted.

After you upload your resume to Indeed, you’ll see some jobs with an “Easy Apply” tag. This means that with a click of a button, Indeed will send the employer your Indeed profile and application. Your profile can also include a skills scorecard you receive when you take the Indeed skills tests.

LinkedIn is best known for being a professional social networking site. You can connect with co-workers and people in your industry to build a career-based network. Recruiters actively use LinkedIn to source candidates and research applicants. You can also set up job alerts, take skill assessments, view salary estimates, and see how many people have applied for each position.

We especially loved LinkedIn’s “resume builder” feature that checks how applicant tracking software will read your resume formatting.

If you pay for a premium account, you can compare your profile with those of others who’ve applied, message job posters, find jobs for which you might be a top applicant, and see who’s viewed your profile.

Glassdoor offers all the extra information you need to research a company, gauge salary expectations, and prepare for an interview.

Candidates who’ve interviewed with the company can leave a review of the interview experience and list specific questions they were asked. Take these reviews with a grain of salt, though — a disgruntled interviewee who didn’t get a job may leave an unfair negative review.

You’ll also find general company reviews and department-specific reviews from current and former employees on Glassdoor. In addition, employees can report their salaries to Glassdoor. You can calculate your market value and receive a personal salary estimate based on where you live, your experience, and what employers pay for that role.

Google Jobs aggregates job postings from other employment sites on the web, letting you see all your options in one place and select from a variety of filters. Job postings on Google Jobs will also include salary information and company reviews from multiple sources like Salary.com, Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter.

While Google Jobs doesn’t have the additional features like skills tests and career resources that other sites do, its simplicity makes its a great place to start exploring opportunities.

An old-school job search site that manages to stay hip, Monster was one of the first big sites for online job hunting.

Monster has remained relevant by offering resources to help throughout the entire job-search process, including a free resume review, a mobile app, and detailed guides for creating a strong application. You can also pay for more services, like having your resume or cover letter reviewed by a professional.

One downside to using Monster is that its job search tool isn’t quite as robust as other options. For instance, there are no filters to customize your search.

College Recruiter has more tailored opportunities for recent college graduates. The job postings on this site are mostly entry-level. You’ll find many part-time, seasonal, and internship positions listed as well.

You can search for a specific job title or by major. We found the search results included a lot of small local companies you might not otherwise come across, as well as big employers like Amazon. Overall, the site’s interface isn’t as seamless as other job search sites, and it has fewer filters to narrow your search.

Once you’ve used a few job search sites to find some promising opportunities, it’s time to apply. Here are some tips to help you with the next step.

Take advantage of the career resources offered by your university. Services typically include resume and cover letter review, interview practice, and networking opportunities. Your campus career center will also host career fairs where you can meet potential employers. Don’t forget about your alumni network, too!

College experiences can count on your resume and cover letter if you lack professional experience. Big projects, clubs, community involvement, leadership positions, and sports teams can all speak to who you are as a potential employee.

Don’t shy away from featuring jobs you had that don’t directly translate to your career. Think about the soft skills you learned that you can apply to the job. For example, a barista can say they learned about time management and prioritization, while retail employees can say they mastered customer service and sales. If you mowed lawns as a summer gig, you could talk about how adept you are at handling repetitive tasks.

The interview portion of your job hunt is the most important. It’s helpful to practice some standard questions with friends, family, and mentors and receive feedback. Preparation will help you feel more comfortable and confident for the real thing.

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