What Are Popular Job Search Engines in 2026? Top 8 Picks

Key takeaways

Job search engines have become a top method of recruitment in many industries.

• According to a 2025 report by iHire, 68.6 percent of employers conducted almost all or most of their recruiting through job boards [1].

• Job search engines include websites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Dice, and Indeed.

• You can decide which job search engine is best for your job search by determining your current career stage, your job industry, and the type of role you’re searching for, such as entry-level or advanced. 

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What is a job search engine?

A job search engine is an online database of job openings posted by employers, searchable by job seekers. They have become a top recruitment method in many industries. According to a report by iHire, 68.6 percent of employers conducted almost all their recruiting through job boards in 2025 [1]. This is good news if you plan to take your job search to the internet. 

What are the best job search engines?

The best site for you as a job seeker may depend on many factors, such as the stage you’re at in your career, the types of jobs you’re searching for, and the industry you work in. For example, if you want a wide variety of job postings, you may choose Indeed. If you want an entry-level job or an internship, you may look at roles on LinkedIn. If your area of experience is information technology (IT), you may consider looking at current postings on Dice.

1. LinkedIn

Over a billion people worldwide use LinkedIn [2]. This international professional network combines social networking with recruiting on a platform that has many benefits for both employers and employees alike. Employers can post specific job openings on their business profile; however, companies and recruiters also use LinkedIn for more passive recruitment and networking.

The profile you create on LinkedIn becomes a sort of job application that shows who you are as a professional. Like on other social networking sites, you can create and post content, join groups, follow others and organizations, comment on posts, and more. The main difference between LinkedIn and other social networks is how people use it: networking in hopes of finding employment or furthering their careers. 

How it works 

1. Go to LinkedIn and sign up for a basic or premium account.

2. Create a profile with your photo, summary, professional experiences, education, skills, and previous employers.

3. Use relevant keywords in your profile for better visibility.

4. Build your network by following companies and individuals, messaging, and posting comments.

5. Apply for jobs directly through LinkedIn via “Easy Apply” in the app or click the “Apply” button to access the hiring organization’s web page, where you can follow the steps to apply there.

Cost:

• Basic: Free

• Premium: Log in to your LinkedIn account to view personalized pricing and see if you qualify for a free trial [3]

Pros:

• Great for networking with other professionals and organizations 

• Simple to apply for positions within the site 

• Easy for recruiters to find you

Cons:

• You may receive a lot of spam 

• Premium career accounts can be pricey 

• A large pool of applicants may dilute your chances of getting hired

2. Glassdoor

Glassdoor is an employment search engine that allows you to research jobs and apply for specific positions. You can narrow your job search using filters and criteria like salary and location to help you make more informed decisions about possible careers. You also have the option to follow organizations and set alerts when job postings go up. It’s also a helpful tool if you want to research an organization’s reputation as an employer and how much you can expect to earn based on certain criteria. As with some other job search engines, Glassdoor also has a blog and helpful resources that can help you navigate your job search. 

How it works 

1. Set up an account.

2. Add your resume and professional details.

3. Search for jobs.

4. Click on “Easy Apply” to send your application and resume to the company in real time, or click on “Apply Now” to be redirected to the company’s website.

Cost: Free, but you'll need to create an account and provide content to access all the resources [4]

Pros:

• Access to multiple company reviews from current and former employees 

• The salary comparison tool shows you an expected range of pay 

• Many different types of jobs across multiple industries

Cons:

• Not many ways to engage with organizations beyond applying for positions

• Salary information may not be accurate because it is self-reported by other users

3. Monster.com

On Monster.com, you can browse job categories, titles, and locations, and also have the option to search for a job by keywords and location for more specific results. Other helpful features for job hunters include career advice, resume samples, resume writing services, and a salary tool that lets you see how much you can expect to earn, given criteria like industry and location. When you create your free account, you can upload your resume to your profile.

This search engine is helpful for job seekers who are recent graduates and those who haven't looked for a job recently and need some help navigating the job market. If you fall into one of these groups, you may benefit from being able to generate a resume from your profile or create a profile from your resume. Monster is a free job site with a solid reputation that's been around for more than two decades, but you'll only be able to filter results by posting date and distance.

How it works 

1. Search for jobs without a profile or create a profile for applying. 

2. Upload your resume or use your profile to submit applications. 

3. Keep track of saved jobs and applications via the dashboard.

Cost: Free to apply for jobs; resume writing services range from $179 to $599 [5]

Pros:

• Good reputation as a longstanding employment search engine 

• The salary comparison tool filters by location and major 

• Automatically generate a resume based on your profile content

Cons:

• Fewer filters are available to use when searching for jobs 

• Searching through the large number of job postings can be time-consuming 

4. Dice

Designed for job seekers, recruiters, and organizations looking to hire highly qualified candidates in the tech industry, you can find over 5,000 employers hiring on this niche job search engine, with over 200,000 jobs added each month [6]. Dice costs nothing for applicants, and you can browse jobs by title, skill, and category, or search for specific job titles using keywords and location. Save jobs, set up alerts, and monitor your status for positions to which you’ve applied via the dashboard. Other features include resume-building services, interview practice techniques, career advice, and information on hiring events.

Dice® also features a social networking aspect. You can use the instant messaging feature to directly send messages to potential employers, as well as review and track messages on the dashboard.

Read more: 10 Technical Careers to Study at Night (or Any Time)

How it works 

1. Register for a free account and set up your profile with industry-specific keywords. 

2. Use the "Dice Match" feature to match skills with potential employers. 

3. Apply by clicking "Apply Now" or save jobs for later.

Cost: Free for job seekers [7]

Pros:

• Ideal for job seekers looking for specific positions in tech 

• Company pages provide in-depth details about top companies and available openings 

• Salary comparison tools allow users to understand possible earnings

Cons:

• Not a good option for job seekers who don't work in the tech industry

• A large number of international applicants can make it harder to get noticed by recruiters

• No way to set real-time job alerts

5. Indeed 

Indeed is one of the world's most popular job search engines, and more than 3.3 million employers hire on the site [8]. This free job board features two types of job postings. Hosted jobs are posted directly on Indeed by employers. Indexed jobs are aggregated from other sites.

In addition to applying for jobs on Indeed, you have access to many helpful career-building tools. These tools include resume scans and reviews, career assessments, and job-searching tips. Review company profile pages and view reviews and ratings under the “Company reviews” tab to assess a potential employer’s reputation. You can also research salaries for the types of jobs you are pursuing to learn more about what you can expect to earn in certain positions. 

How it works 

1. Create a free profile with your resume and contact information.

2. Use the resume builder tool if needed.

3. Apply via “Apply Now” on Indeed’s site or “Apply on Company Site” for external applications.

4. Track and save jobs on your dashboard.

Cost: Free [9]

Pros:

• Free to use 

• The career guide features topics relevant to job seekers 

• Lower risk of fraudulent jobs

Cons:

• The large number of users makes it hard for individuals to stand out 

• Job seekers may have trouble finding resources for specific topics relevant to their search

6. FlexJobs 

FlexJobs' subscription-based job search engine features full-time, part-time, hybrid, remote, and work-from-home positions. Find a wide range of industries and over 100,000 positions ranging from entry to executive-level jobs [10]. The company enlists a live human to review each posting to ensure it's advertising a remote or hybrid position so job seekers can confidently search for a position that will let them work from home.

Find other resources like career advice, access to webinars and career events, and even expert career advice in addition to job listings.

How it works 

1. Register and choose a subscription level.

2. Set up multiple profiles for different positions.

3. Apply through FlexJobs for featured employers or via company websites.

Cost: Starts at $2.95 for 14 days of full access [11]

Pros:

• Ideal for anyone seeking legitimate alternatives to full-time, in-person jobs

• Access to many helpful career resources like resume building, skills assessment, and more

• Features job openings from larger companies

Cons:

• Can be expensive 

• No free trial option

7. CareerBuilder 

CareerBuilder features an expansive database of job listings used for recruiting and hiring purposes. Employers pay to post jobs, but it’s free to apply for jobs. The site has been around since 1995, so it’s a trusted and respected source for employers and employees alike [12]. CareerBuilder is also available through a mobile app that uses augmented reality for a better search experience and instant notifications to keep you up to date with your searches and applications.

Through CareerBuilder, you have access to a database full of helpful career-based articles and salary comparison tools to assess salary ranges by location and other factors. The site also features valuable information like trending job titles and locations searched by job seekers around the country.

How it works 

1. Create a profile and upload your resume.

2. Use the built-in resume builder.

3. Filter job searches by various criteria and apply directly or via the company’s site.

4. Set up job alerts.

Cost: Free for job seekers [13]

Pros:

• Features helpful resources like a resume builder tool 

• Ability to compare salaries across job titles 

• Easy, intuitive dashboard for job seekers

Cons:

• Advanced search and filters are not as robust as they could be 

• Listings appear to be targeted toward entry-level workers

8. USAJOBS

USAJOBS is the US government's official job board and is available for recruiters and candidates seeking positions within the agencies and organizations of the federal government. On average, you can find more than 28,000 open jobs at any given time [14]. It’s free to use and includes a wide range of job listings from multiple branches of the federal government. You must be a US citizen (through birth or naturalization) to apply for jobs on this search engine. 

How it works 

1. Create a login.gov account, and set up two authentication methods.

2. Create a USAJOBS profile with personal information, including details about citizenship and previous federal or military service.

3. Search for jobs by agency, keyword, or location.

4. Complete the multi-step application process and submit via “Continue to Agency Site.”

Cost: USAJOBS is free to use [14]

Pros:

• Easy to find and search in-demand positions and places with the greatest hiring needs

• Multiple hiring paths are available for users based on demographics and experience

• Access to free career events 

Cons:

• Application process involves multiple steps, making it more complicated than other sites

• May experience longer wait times when receiving correspondence from employers

No-fluff help for when you’re stuck

Subscribe to our Career Chat newsletter on LinkedIn for industry insights, career tips, and skill-building resources. Then, discover free, digital resources to guide your job search:

• Watch on YouTube: ChatGPT for Job Seekers: What to Do (and Avoid)

• Take a quiz: Career Test: What Career Is Right for Me Quiz?

• Hear from experts: Reimagining Work and Learning with AI: Expert Insights from Dr. Jules White

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