Job boards other than LinkedIn: explore smarter alternatives
AT
Apt Team
A day ago
LinkedIn remains a powerful professional network—over a billion people use it—but it isn't the only way employers find talent. SHRM's Talent Access Report notes that 66% of companies use free job boards and 75% use paid boards. With such a large portion of hiring happening elsewhere, sticking to LinkedIn alone limits your exposure.
Another compelling reason to diversify is the hidden job market. Studies show that up to 70–80% of jobs are never publicly advertised. These roles are often filled through networking, referrals and niche communities. Instead of competing with hundreds of applicants in a crowded LinkedIn feed, exploring other boards and networking channels can uncover opportunities that aren't widely circulated.
TL;DR -- key take‑aways
LinkedIn isn't the only game in town:
66% of employers use free job boards and 75% pay for job boards, so diversifying beyond LinkedIn increases your exposure.
The hidden job market is huge:
Research suggests up to 70–80% of jobs are never advertised publicly, meaning that relying on any single job board leaves most opportunities unseen.
General‑purpose job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, Dice and FlexJobs offer huge databases, salary tools and resume builders. Each has different strengths—Dice excels in tech roles while FlexJobs specialises in screened remote work.
Niche and emerging platforms serve specific communities. Wellfound (AngelList Talent) lists startup roles and shows salary/equity up‑front; Hired lets employers pitch to you; Fiverr Pro and Contra cater to freelancers; and community‑driven networks like Jobcase, Fishbowl, Slack groups and Lunchclub provide insider connections.
Apt: more than a job board: Apt combines an AI‑powered career test, personalised coaching and a curated job board. A quick 10‑minute quiz analyses your strengths, interests and values. The platform has helped over
700,000 people with 4.9‑star satisfaction, and its AI uses more than 1.8 trillion data points to match you to careers. Users can access salary coaching, interview prep, a resume generator and 24/7 mentorship.
Why look beyond LinkedIn?
LinkedIn remains a powerful professional network—over a billion people use it—but it isn't the only way employers find talent. SHRM's Talent Access Report notes that 66% of companies use free job boards and 75% use paid boards. With such a large portion of hiring happening elsewhere, sticking to LinkedIn alone limits your exposure.
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Another compelling reason to diversify is the hidden job market. Studies show that up to 70–80% of jobs are never publicly advertised. These roles are often filled through networking, referrals and niche communities. Instead of competing with hundreds of applicants in a crowded LinkedIn feed, exploring other boards and networking channels can uncover opportunities that aren't widely circulated.
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Think of it this way: if LinkedIn is the bustling high street everyone visits, other job boards are the hidden boutiques and underground speakeasies where the real treasures are found.
Overview of general job boards
The following platforms are large, multifunctional job boards that collectively host millions of listings across industries. Each one offers unique tools to help you stand out.
Platform
Focus & unique strengths
Cost for job seekers
Indeed
Aggregates millions of job listings with filters by keyword, location, salary and experience. Resume builder and company reviews help applicants research employers; over 300 million unique visitors monthly. The Swiss Army knife of job hunting.
Free
Glassdoor
Began as an anonymous review site and now includes a job board. Provides salary ranges and employee reviews—like Yelp for workplaces, helping you spot red flags before you even apply.
Free (account required)
Monster
Long‑standing site with job categories, resume samples, writing services and salary tools. Good for recent graduates and those returning to the market. A reliable veteran that's stood the test of time.
Free to search and apply; resume services cost extra
Dice
Tech‑focused board listing over a million technology jobs. Offers resume‑building services, interview practice and salary comparison tools. If you speak Python or JavaScript, this is your home.
Free
FlexJobs
Subscription‑based board for remote, hybrid and work‑from‑home positions; screens every job to avoid scams. Provides webinars, career events and expert advice. Worth the investment if remote work is non‑negotiable for you.
Paid subscription starting at $2.95 for 14 days
CareerBuilder
Established job board (since 1995) with a resume builder, salary comparison tools and mobile app. A trusted workhorse with helpful resources but limited advanced filters.
Free
USAJOBS
Official U.S. federal government job board; lists 28,000+ federal openings and requires U.S. citizenship. Your gateway to public service and job security that's hard to beat.
Free
ZipRecruiter
Uses AI to match your resume to open roles and syndicates postings to over 100 job boards. Employers can automate outreach to suitable candidates—sometimes they come to you.
Free for job seekers
Tips for using general job boards
Optimise your keywords:
Use relevant terms in your resume and search filters to improve the accuracy of automated matching tools. Think like a hiring manager when choosing your words.
Leverage company reviews:
Sites like Indeed and Glassdoor provide insider reviews to evaluate employer culture. Read between the lines—if multiple reviews mention "fast-paced environment," that might be code for burnout central.
Beware of the crowd:
Popular boards attract many applicants; tailor your applications and follow up with networking to stand out. Being application number 437 isn't a winning strategy.
Niche and emerging job boards
If you want to escape the noise of mainstream platforms, niche boards and networking‑centric sites can connect you directly with the communities that matter. These are the secret weapons in your job search arsenal.
Wellfound (AngelList Talent) -- startup jobs: Focuses on startup and tech opportunities not generally found elsewhere. Many early‑stage companies post exclusively on Wellfound. Listings include salary, equity and benefits information upfront, and you often connect directly with founders. Perfect if you want equity, excitement, and the occasional free beer fridge.
Hired -- curated tech marketplace: A reverse‑search platform where vetted companies pitch offers to candidates. Hired provides interview requests that include salary and equity details, uses your profile to match you with roles and reduces application time by letting one profile reach multiple employers. It's like having recruiters audition for you.
Fiverr Pro & Contra -- freelance marketplaces: Fiverr Pro is a curated network for experienced creatives and developers; it covers 500+ digital service categories and offers business‑friendly project management tools. Contra is commission‑free—freelancers keep 100% of earnings, showcase portfolios and find gigs within a community of independent professionals. Freedom and flexibility without the middleman taking a cut.
Prosple -- graduate and early‑career: Designed for students and graduates; lets users filter jobs and internships by industry, location and employer size. Your launchpad into the professional world.
Behance & Dribbble -- creatives: Visual‑first networks for designers, illustrators and animators where your portfolio doubles as your resume. If your work is visual, words can wait—let your designs do the talking.
Jobcase -- hourly and blue‑collar jobs: Community‑driven platform aimed at retail, warehouse and service workers. Offers discussions and peer support along with job leads. Real jobs, real people, real conversations.
Fishbowl -- insider chat + jobs: Combines anonymous industry conversations with verified hiring channels, enabling users to ask candid questions about employers. Get the unfiltered truth about what it's really like to work somewhere.
Slack communities & Lunchclub -- networking hubs: Slack groups by industry provide moderated spaces for job leads and referrals. Lunchclub uses AI to match professionals for one‑on‑one meetings, tailoring introductions to your goals and schedule. Because sometimes the best job leads come from a casual virtual coffee.
The hidden job market and why networking matters
Despite the abundance of online job boards, a large share of hiring happens outside public listings. Studies show that up to 70–80% of job openings are never advertised. These roles are often filled through referrals, internal promotions and direct outreach. Limiting your search to public boards therefore only targets 20–30% of available jobs.
Think about it: companies save time and money by hiring people their employees already vouch for. Why sift through 500 applications when Sarah from accounting knows someone perfect for the role?
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Networking unlocks this hidden market. Employee referrals account for 30–50% of hires despite representing a small fraction of applicants. Joining Slack communities, attending industry events, and engaging on niche platforms like Lunchclub or Fishbowl can lead to warm introductions and insider opportunities. Use job boards as part of a broader strategy—research roles and companies online, then connect with insiders to access hidden openings.
Meet Apt: an AI‑powered career mentor and job board
While many job boards deliver raw listings, Apt stands out by combining an AI career assessment, personalised coaching and a curated job board in one platform. It's not just about finding a job—it's about finding your job. Here's what makes it unique:
10‑minute AI career test: Apt's quick quiz analyses your personality, strengths and interests. It uses advanced AI and more than 1.8 trillion data points to identify careers uniquely suited to you. In the time it takes to make a cup of coffee, you could discover your ideal career path.
Trusted and well‑reviewed: The platform reports being trusted by over 700,000 people and holds a 4.9‑star rating from more than 1,500 reviews. Testimonials note significant increases in life satisfaction and income after using the service. These aren't just numbers—they're real people who found their calling.
Comprehensive mentorship: After receiving your results, Apt provides ongoing mentorship, salary coaching and interview preparation. Tools include resume and LinkedIn optimisation, job application assistance and 24/7 expert guidance. It's like having a career coach in your pocket, without the hefty consulting fees.
Curated job board: Based on your profile, Apt recommends jobs that align with your values and strengths and updates listings daily. This targeted approach reduces time spent sifting through irrelevant openings. No more scrolling through roles that make you think, "I'd rather eat glass."
How Apt compares to traditional job boards
Feature
LinkedIn
General job boards (e.g., Indeed)
Apt
Purpose
Professional networking + job postings
Large databases of open roles
Personalised career discovery and guided job search
Matching method
Keyword‑based search; employers view your profile
Keyword and filter‑based search
AI matches your strengths and aspirations to roles using trillions of data points
Free test with optional paid plans; pricing varies
Tips for maximising your job search
Mix and match platforms: Use a combination of general boards (Indeed, Glassdoor), niche sites (Wellfound, Hired) and networking communities (Slack groups, Lunchclub). Each offers different opportunities. Don't put all your eggs in one basket—or all your resumes on one board.
Leverage data and coaching: Tools such as Apt's AI assessment or FlexJobs' webinars can help you refine your career direction and negotiation skills. Knowledge is power, especially when negotiating salary.
Build relationships: Engage in Slack communities or community platforms like Jobcase and Fishbowl to tap into hidden roles. Your next opportunity might come from a conversation, not an application.
Customise applications: Tailor your resume and cover letter to each platform's audience, using relevant keywords to improve algorithmic matching. Generic applications get generic results—or worse, no results at all.
Stay persistent and curious: Job searching is rarely linear. Experiment with new platforms, attend virtual meetups and continuously refine your profile. The right opportunity is out there; you just need to keep looking in different places.
Conclusion
The modern job market is too complex to rely on a single platform. Job boards other than LinkedIn—from large aggregators like Indeed and Monster to niche hubs like Wellfound, Hired and Contra—offer diverse paths to employment. Meanwhile, networking platforms and hidden opportunities account for the majority of hires.
Incorporating an AI‑driven tool like Apt can further personalise your journey by identifying careers that align with your strengths and providing guided mentorship. It's the difference between throwing darts in the dark and using a laser‑guided targeting system for your career.
Diversify your job search strategy, cultivate relationships and let technology work to your advantage. With the right mix of platforms and proactive networking, you'll uncover opportunities that LinkedIn alone might never reveal. Your dream job is out there—it's time to find it.
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