Where to Find Jobs: Platform Guide
There's no single "best" job board. Different platforms work better for different industries. Here's where to actually spend your time:
- Largest professional network (900M+ users)
- Direct recruiter contact
- Easy Apply feature
- Company insights
Turn on 'Open to Work' (visible to recruiters only), set up Job Alerts, engage with content daily
Best for: All industries, especially corporate roles
Indeed
Job Aggregator- Largest job database
- Resume database feature
- Salary transparency
- Company reviews
Upload resume to database, set up email alerts, use salary filter to find competitive offers
Best for: High volume searching across industries
Glassdoor
Research + Jobs- Detailed company reviews
- Interview questions shared
- Salary data
- CEO approval ratings
Research companies before applying, check interview experiences for preparation
Best for: Company research and salary negotiation prep
Handshake
Campus Recruiting- Designed for students/new grads
- Campus recruiting centralized
- Virtual career fairs
- Employer messaging
ESSENTIAL for new grads - many companies recruit exclusively here. Complete your profile 100%
Best for: Students and recent graduates
Wellfound (AngelList)
Startups- Startup jobs concentrated
- Transparent salary + equity
- Direct founder contact
- Startup culture fit
Great for startup-minded candidates. Filter by funding stage and company size
Best for: Startup and early-stage company roles
Levels.fyi
Tech Focus- Verified compensation data
- Level comparisons
- Tech-focused
- Negotiation insights
Use for salary research and benchmarking before negotiations
Best for: Tech roles and compensation research
Otta
Curated Tech Jobs- Curated job matches
- Company culture insights
- Salary transparency
- Modern interface
Complete the quiz for personalized matches. Great for discovering companies you haven't heard of
Best for: Tech, product, and design roles
Company Career Pages
Direct Application- First to see new postings
- Direct to hiring team
- Shows genuine interest
- No middleman
Create a target list of 20-30 companies and check their career pages weekly
Best for: Dream companies you've researched
Industry-Specific Job Boards
Tech / Software
Finance / Banking
Consulting
Marketing / Creative
Healthcare
Weekly Job Search Schedule
Treat your job search like a job. Here's a structured weekly schedule that balances applications, networking, and skill development.
- Review newly posted jobs from weekend
- Submit 3-5 highly customized applications
- Follow up on last week's applications (1 week mark)
- Update job tracking spreadsheet
- LinkedIn engagement: comment on 5 posts
- Send 2-3 personalized connection requests
- Send 1-2 cold outreach emails
- Research people at target companies
- Submit 3-5 customized applications
- Tailor resume for specific roles
- Write customized cover letters
- Research companies before applying
- Attend virtual networking event or webinar
- Conduct 1-2 informational interviews
- Follow up with new connections
- Post or share content on LinkedIn
- Submit 2-3 applications
- Weekly summary: track applications, responses, interviews
- Plan next week's targets
- Skill development: online course or project
- Work on portfolio projects
- Take online courses
- Read industry news
- Rest and recharge (important!)
Total Weekly Commitment: 15-20 hours
If you're job searching full-time, aim for 25-35 hours. The key is consistency - showing up every day matters more than occasional marathon sessions.
Application Strategies: Quality vs. Quantity
The best approach combines both quality and quantity. Here's how to allocate your effort:
Targeted Applications (Quality)
60-70% of your applicationsCustomize resume and cover letter for each position. Research company thoroughly. Reach out to employees.
Pros
- • 3-5x higher response rate
- • Better interview preparation
- • Shows genuine interest
- • Builds relationships
Cons
- • Time-intensive (45-60 min per app)
- • Fewer total applications
Semi-Targeted Applications
25-35% of your applicationsUse a strong base resume with minor customizations. Generic but quality cover letter. Quick company research.
Pros
- • Good balance of quality and quantity
- • Sustainable pace
- • Covers more ground
Cons
- • Lower response rate than targeted
- • May miss nuances
Volume Applications (Quantity)
10-15% of your applicationsUse Easy Apply or one-click applications. Generic resume. No cover letter unless required.
Pros
- • High volume possible
- • Catches opportunities you might miss
- • Good for learning market
Cons
- • Very low response rate
- • Can feel discouraging
- • May waste time
Application Tracking System
Stay organized with a simple spreadsheet. Track every application to identify patterns and optimize your approach.
Recommended Columns
Status Options
Tips for Effective Tracking
- Update daily - don't let it get stale
- Track response rates by source to optimize
- Set follow-up reminders for 1 week after applying
- Note any contacts or referrals for each application
Free Tools
Use Google Sheets, Notion, or Airtable for free tracking. There are also dedicated tools like Huntr, Teal, and JobScan that offer additional features like resume optimization and job matching.
Follow-Up Email Templates
Following up is essential but often overlooked. Here are templates you can customize. Click to copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow many jobs should I apply to per week?
Aim for 10-20 quality applications per week. Focus on 3-5 highly targeted applications to dream companies, 5-10 semi-targeted applications, and a few volume applications. Quality matters more than quantity - a 10% response rate on 15 apps beats 2% on 50 apps.
QShould I apply to jobs I'm not 100% qualified for?
Yes! Apply if you meet 60-70% of the requirements. Job descriptions are wish lists, not strict requirements. Women and minorities especially tend to under-apply. The worst that happens is you don't hear back.
QHow long should I wait before following up?
Wait 1 week after applying before following up. After an interview, send a thank-you within 24 hours. If you haven't heard back 1 week after their stated timeline, follow up politely. Don't follow up more than 2-3 times total.
QIs it okay to apply to multiple positions at the same company?
Yes, but be strategic. Apply to 2-3 roles maximum that you're genuinely qualified for. Applying to 10+ roles looks desperate. If possible, reach out to a recruiter to discuss which role is the best fit.
QShould I use Easy Apply on LinkedIn?
Use it strategically. Easy Apply is great for volume applications, but targeted applications through company websites often get more attention. Use Easy Apply for 10-15% of your applications, not as your primary method.
QHow do I stay motivated during a long job search?
Set a schedule and treat job searching like a job. Celebrate small wins (interviews, connections made). Take breaks and maintain hobbies. Connect with other job seekers for support. Remember that rejection is normal - even great candidates face it.