The Best Way to Find Your Next Job in 2024

Are you thinking about changing your job, but you aren't quite sure where to begin? Looking for a job you're actually passionate about can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. This is especially true when 96% of Americans are also hunting for a job. With so many job seekers competing for jobs, how do you choose a career that's perfect for you and makes you excited to go to work in the morning?

Knowing the best careers to get a job in 2024 is an important part of your job search. The best places to find a job are sometimes places you'd least expect. Using the right job top tool can save you time during your search and help you land your next job quickly.

Below, we'll dive into some of the best job search websites and cover different search tools, both online and off, that will help you during your job search.

Best Online Job Search Websites

One of the easiest places to find a job is an online job site. These are where recruiters and employers post vacancies and where job seekers come to see new jobs that are available. Here are some of the best online job search sites to use as you start your search.

• Best Place for General Job Search: Indeed
• Best Place for Salary Info: Glassdoor
• Best Place for Entry-Level Jobs: Monster
• Best Place for Remote Jobs: FlexJobs
• Best Place for Jobs Posted by Recruiters: ZipRecruiter

Indeed

Indeed is one of the most popular job sites out there. It's easy to use and has a simple design that makes searching for your next job a breeze. You can upload your resume and save jobs that you're interested in. You can also certify your proficiency in specific skills and connect with employers hiring for those skills. Plus, you can set alerts to get notified of new job openings when they're posted.

Because job hunting on Indeed is so popular, it's also filled with a lot of white noise. Many postings are for jobs that have already been filled, and some may not even lead to a job at all. It isn't the best way to get in contact with a recruiter, either. Using the site can help you find jobs that excite you and are aligned with your personality, but those jobs might not lead to an offer.

Indeed is the best place to start by doing a general job search. It'll show you what's out there and who's hiring, pointing you in the right direction as you do your job search.

Pros:

• Upload Resume
• Certify skills
• Set alerts

Cons:

• Not all job postings lead to real jobs
• The skills certification process might not be recognized by employers

Glassdoor

Glassdoor is known for publishing salaries and company reviews which makes it a great job search tool. Using a salary-based job search tool like Glassdoor can save you time during your search. Instead of applying to every job opening you find, you can apply to positions that meet your salary expectations.

You can also evaluate potential employers before starting the application process. Glassdoor evaluates management, provides reviews from other employees, and shares key questions asked during the interview process with job candidates. Looking at a company's profile can help you determine whether or not it might be the right fit for you.

While Glassdoor can help you find a job that meets your salary expectations, it does have its flaws. Salary information and company reviews are submitted by other users. These aren't necessarily objective and can skew the results.

Pros:

• Salary data
• Employee reviews
• Information about management and benefits

Cons:

• Reviews might not be objective
• Primarily a database not a search tool

Monster

Another popular job site, Monster, is a top pick for entry-level job seekers. It allows you to post a resume directly onto the site's database to connect with employers. Monster also offers a free resume review service that helps applicants fine-tune their resumes before submitting them to a hiring manager.

If you're new to the job market, Monster can save you time as you start your search. There are advanced search filters that allow recent grads to search for jobs based on their college major or jobs specifically flagged as entry-level.

While Monster is trying to appeal to a younger crowd, it is on the older side. The site has been around since 1999. It doesn't offer things like applicant tracking, which makes it unappealing for hiring managers. If they're not using it, you might not be exposed to jobs that fit your skills and personality.

Pros:

• Resume review service
• Advanced filters for entry-level job seekers
• One of the oldest, most well-known search tools

Cons:

• Limited tools for hiring managers
• No skills assessment

FlexJobs

With the shift to work from anywhere, more and more workers are looking for remote jobs. The ability to work from home saves you time and money on your commute, plus it helps you find more work-life balance. FlexJobs is a job search site that makes searching for remote jobs easier.

The site screens employers to give job seekers access to vetted jobs. That means you won't waste time applying for a role that's already been filled or doesn't exist. The site also provides a number of tools for candidates to use, including educational tools and weekly Q&As.

Unlike most job sites, FlexWorks isn't free. It costs $9.95 per week or $24.95 per month. This might be a friction point for you if you're unsure whether or not a remote role aligns with your work style.

Pros:

• Strong reputation for remote work
• Jobs are verified
• Educational tools and resources

Cons:

• No free version
• Limited to remote work opportunities

ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter is a popular pick among HR professionals. This is helpful to know as you're looking for the best place to find a job because it means hiring managers are regularly posting jobs here. You'll have access to a variety of fresh jobs, which can save you the frustration of applying for a job posting that ends up going nowhere.

Because HR professionals love it, ZipRecruiter is also a top platform for many large companies. This increases the pool of job openings to search from, giving you a better idea of what's actually out there. As an added bonus, ZipRecruiter uses AI to efficiently match candidates based on their strengths with employers looking to fill vacancies.

Where ZipRecruiter excels in technology, it lacks in education of how to use it. If you are tech-savvy, you will have no problems. 

More good news is that CareerFitter integrates with ZipRecruiter. After taking CareerFitter's personality assessment for who you are at work, you'll get a list of careers that fit you best and a Fit Score for every modern career to help you uncover how your natural work personally aligns with each job.

CareerFitter's advanced career matching empowers you to pursue the careers you are most likely to succeed. Most careers have videos, salary information, long-term hiring demand, and links to companies hiring for positions in the fields that are best for you. This simplifies the job search and saves you time by connecting your best jobs with immediate openings.

Pros:

• Millions of job postings
• AI matches candidates to vacancies
• Easy application process
• Integrated with CareerFitter.com

Cons:

• No educational resources

Best Places to Find an Industry-Specific Job

Job sites are a great place to start, but they might not connect you with the actual job you're looking for. Industry-specific job boards can help you narrow your search, increasing the likelihood of landing a job you'll fall in love with.

• Best Place for Seasonal Work: Cool Works
• Best Place for Sports: The Gist
• Best Place for Web3: Web3 job boards
• Best Place for Startups: Wellfound

Cool Works

Cool Works is arguably one of the coolest job boards out there. It connects seasonal workers with jobs in national parks, vacation resorts, and other highly sought-after destinations. Want to spend the summer working at the Grand Canyon or be a ski bum in Utah? Cool Works probably has a job for you.

Like other job boards, Cool Works has advanced filters to narrow your search. Because most of the jobs posted on Cool Works are for national parks or seasonal gigs, you can search by where you'd like to work or the time of year you're looking for a job.

Most positions also post how much compensation you expect to earn in a role as well as housing. Some roles come with free housing, but others don't, so you'll definitely want to make sure you find something that suits your needs.

Pros:

• Unique job postings in places like national parks or on cruise ships
• Compensation information included in the job description
• Ability to search by destination, job type, or time of year

Cons:

• Jobs are limited to tourism and hospitality (think working in a kitchen or being a river guide)
• Some jobs can be hard or might require working in difficult conditions

The Gist

Think professional sports meets ESPN. That's The Gist in a nutshell,  aside from covering women's sports. The Gist has a job board highlighting open positions in sports. Want to intern with Major League Baseball or run social media for your favorite football team? This is one of the best places to find a job if you have a niche career. Many of these jobs are hard to find and probably won't end up on a regular job search site.

One of the perks of looking for a job on this kind of job board is that employers usually have to pay a fee to get their job posting in front of you. That means they aren't kidding around – no fake job postings here.

That being said, ultra-specific job postings like these can be limiting. You'll get exposed to industry-specific jobs, and that's about it.

Pros:

• Specific job postings you might not find on bigger job boards
• New postings sent via email straight to your inbox

Cons:

• The Gist focuses on women in sports which can limit your search results
• No opportunity to store your resume in a database for a future employer to discover

Web3 Careers

Ready to dive into web3? Lots of new job boards are popping up to connect tech talent with new tech startups. Some of these job boards include web3.career and crypto.jobs. They'll connect you not only with job openings but also with companies you might be interested in working with in the future.

A lot of forward-looking companies are bypassing traditional recruiting strategies altogether. They're looking for recruits who are already using web3 products or services. If you want to find a job in this sector, your best bet is to look at a specific job board.

But be cautious to avoid having the rug pulled out from underneath you. Not all of these companies are legitimate. Scammers abound so you'll want to make sure you do your due diligence to vet potential employers and apply to jobs that are legitimate.

Pros:

• Many web3, crypto, and AI jobs are posted to industry-specific job boards
• Opportunity to apply to jobs with high salaries and good growth potential

Cons:

• Not all jobs are legitimate, especially if you’re asked to pay to apply
• Many of these companies are young startups that can’t provide long-term job security

Wellfound

Speaking of tech, Wellfound is another job board that connects you with employers ready to hire. Formerly part of AngelList, Wellfound posts jobs at well-known startups like GoodRX and Instacart. The jobs posted here are mostly in tech and the site can help you build a network with companies in that space.

Similar to web3 job boards, Wellfound is your place to look for gigs in emerging tech. One of the things that sets Wellfound apart from other sites is that it also functions as a weekly email. If you sign up for their newsletter, you'll get new job postings sent straight to your inbox.

That being said, this job board will probably only appeal to a small group of workers looking for jobs at tech startups. You won't find established corporations like Walmart or Target posting job vacancies here.

Pros:

• Postings for top tech companies
• Advanced data like top investors backing a specific company

Cons:

• These jobs are highly competitive – even if you find a posting you like, you might not get the job
• Working at a startup isn't for everyone

Best Places to Find a Job Using Social Media

Believe it or not, more and more job seekers are turning to social media to land their next gig. Unlike job boards that match your resume to a top job title or vacancy, social media allows you to show off your skills and highlight your unique personality.

• Best Place to Connect With Hiring Managers: LinkedIn
• Best Place to Find a Part-Time Gig: Facebook
• Best Place for Vetted Jobs: Nextdoor

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is arguably the most professional social media platform out there. It's also one of the most trusted for finding a job. Employers can post jobs directly on the site and accept applications through LinkedIn Easy Apply. In some cases, the job posting might even list the recruiter who you can direct message to learn more about a job that catches your eye.

One of the reasons LinkedIn is a popular job search tool is that it creates a dynamic profile of your work history. You don't need to apply with a separate resume because LinkedIn is your resume builder. Because recruiters are also on LinkedIn, you have a better chance of getting in front of your profile in front of them, rather than waiting for a job board's algorithm to make a match for you.

That being said, while LinkedIn is a great tool, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially for recruiters. When anyone can slide into your DMs, it makes it harder for recruiters to sift through candidates which can make it more difficult for you to connect with them.

Pros:

• Your profile doubles as your resume
• Ability to search and connect with recruiters directly
• Easier tool for companies to connect with potential candidates

Cons:

• It is still a social media platform so you’ll want to be mindful of what you post
• Not all employers use LinkedIn Easy Apply which can result in you duplicating your application

Facebook

Facebook is an everything social media platform – that includes finding a job. Local employers with business pages can post jobs and recruit candidates directly from the site. You'll also find Facebook Groups where employers and job seekers connect to find work.

You're more likely to find the contact information of the person hiring for a job in a Facebook Group. This makes it easier to reach out to them directly rather than working through a recruiter or applying for a vacancy on a job board

While Facebook can be a great way to find a local job, it might not lead to your next career. Many postings found in Facebook Groups are for hourly jobs that aren't necessarily high-paying jobs. It can be a great tool for finding a part-time gig but, it probably won't be the best way to launch a career.

Pros:

• Job postings by employers in your area
• Many postings have contact information for the hiring manager

Cons:

• Facebook doesn’t have good search features or advanced filters
• Limited types of jobs are posted, mostly hourly roles

Nextdoor

Nextdoor is another great local platform for finding a job. Neighbors use the site to post things they need help with and employers use it to recruit local talent. It can be a simple way to pick up a part-time job or even start a side hustle.

Like Facebook, Nextdoor is also limited in the types of jobs that are available. You're more likely to find a weekend gig as a pet sitter on Nextdoor than you are a 9 to 5 office job. What makes Nextdoor unique is that many job postings are shared and vetted by your neighbors. If there's a job posting from a company that doesn't have a great reputation, you'll be sure to know about it.

Pros:

• Job postings are for local companies
• Opportunities to get hired immediately

Cons:

• Limited search features
• Roles are limited to hourly work or labor-based gigs