When I talk to job seekers who are challenged with finding new job opportunities, I ask them where they’re looking. Typically, I hear LinkedIn and Indeed. And while these are good places to look for jobs, are they the best?
The issue is that looking on only two pages limits your options. To be the most effective in your job search, you need to broaden the scope, going to places you might not have even known were viable search options. And it’s not just about looking for posted roles either. In fact, many people are able to successfully identify opportunities that were never available for the general public on any job board. Truly, a proper job search is about exploring multiple options and creating a diversified strategy. And you know I’m going to share the details.
LinkedIn: An Essential Component of Your Job-Search Strategy
Let’s start with the most likely culprit and, from many job seekers’ perspectives, one of the best places to look for jobs. LinkedIn is many things, and one of the primary ways those who are looking use it is as a job board. To do that, you’ll want to set up alerts first. This allows you to not have to pop onto the site daily to search; instead, opportunities come straight to your inbox.
To set up alerts:
- Search the job title that appeals to you.
- Set your location parameters (LinkedIn defaults to United States).
- Choose if you want onsite, remote, or hybrid.
- Get more specific by defining the industry you’re targeting.
- Slide the alert button to “on.”
- Repeat for all your different searches.
If you pay for LinkedIn’s Premium option, you can also search for people and companies that are hiring, which is a huge boon to your search.
In addition to setting up alerts, you can search recent posts for jobs by typing in “hiring + [position],” which will return results of people posting about roles. This cannot be automated, however, so you’ll need to return to the site regularly to see what’s new.
You’ll also want to follow companies to see what they’re up to and when they are hiring. Comment on their activity to stay visible.
Google: A Hidden Goldmine of Opportunities
When I tell people that they can look on Google for jobs, they often think I mean jobs at Google. Nope, but remember: Google is the #1 search engine, meaning that nearly everything you want to find can be found there. And you can create alerts on Google’s job listing just as you can on LinkedIn.
How to look for jobs using LinkedIn:
- On Google, type “[position] jobs.”
- You should see a list of jobs appear, after which you’ll see “see more jobs.”
- When you click “see more,” you’ll go to a new page of jobs—and the jobs tab will appear at the top of the search results.
- In your list, you’ll see follow, which you can toggle on to get your jobs emailed to your inbox.
When searching for jobs on Google, it will serve up positions closest to you. You’ll also see a remote button that you can push for that option. And if you’re looking for roles in a specific industry, add the location to the end of your query: “[position] jobs in [industry].”
Positions will pull from across the internet because, after all, Google is a powerful search engine. While you’ll see where you can apply to the jobs, I suggest skipping those sites and opening up a different window where you’ll type “[company] careers,” taking you directly to the company’s website to apply there. No fuss, no muss.
Discord and Reddit: Unconventional—Yet Effective—Options
If you haven’t considered Discord or Reddit as places to look for jobs, you’re not alone. These platforms are community first, which means jobs often surface organically—sometimes before they’re ever posted elsewhere. If you’re not already on one of these platforms, it’s unlikely you’ll jump in as part of a new job search, but if you’re already in the conversation, go for it!
I previously covered how to look for jobs on Discord and Reddit, which is more about relationship building and community connections.
Industry Associations: Niche Opportunities
Whether or not you’re currently a member of an industry association, you can often access their job boards. You can do a search for associations in your arena and then look on their sites for careers or jobs. Since these sites are so targeted, employers often find better results by going right to their audience, rather than linger on LinkedIn or Indeed.
In addition to looking on these websites specifically, check out LinkedIn for association groups. Here again, they’re talking to the people who are most closely aligned with those they seek. You can even search for “hiring” within a LinkedIn group to find posts that mention that they’re looking.
Alumni and College Job Boards: Good for All Ages and Stages
It doesn’t matter if you graduated this year or two decades ago; your college probably has access to some opportunities that fit with your goals. Plus, the people who work in the career center will know people who are hiring. It can sometimes be a hidden gem to review college job boards or reach out to the career center for suggestions.
Another option is to look on LinkedIn for alumni groups as well as individuals who attended your alma mater. Instant connections!
AI: Smart Research to Look for Jobs
Have you considered using AI as part of your job search? While it doesn’t always give you access to currently posted opportunities, it’s a great way to conduct research. For instance, you can look for companies in your area (or remote) that might be hiring for the position you’re seeking. If your aim is to work for a start-up, AI can help you find those companies as well. It’s a great resource when you’re not quite sure where to start your research. Consider it your personal assistant.
Networking: Truly the Best Option to Look for Jobs
You didn’t think I’d provide you with resources for your job search without mentioning networking, did you? If you’re just applying to jobs, you’re playing a numbers game—that often turns into wishing and hoping. In 2026, with a market as crazy as this one, you’re also looking at a 4- to 6-month waiting time.
But when you supplement your online job application with networking, you could cut that timeline in half. Seriously.
Whether you prefer networking online or in person, getting in front of the right people will help you:
- Generate referrals to people who may be hiring.
- Learn about potential opportunities before they’re shared publicly.
- Stand out among the hundreds, if not thousands, of other applicants.
Nothing these days is a magic bullet, but by incorporating networking into your job-search strategy, you will see better, faster results. Not sure where to start? Check out my blog on how to make personal connections for job-search success.
Keep Looking for Jobs and Stay Positive!
There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to your job search. There are plenty of other sites out there that might be a place for you, such as Ladders, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Trabajo. If you want to create accounts and look there, that’s great. You can also use all the suggestions I’ve outlined here. The big thing is that you can’t just rely on applications and finding jobs online anymore. Yes, it is absolutely how many people find jobs. But what if you could apply to a job at a great company and back that up with a referral? Wouldn’t that help more than merely applying? And that’s where networking—along with a diversified approach—makes all the difference.
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Need help navigating the job-search process? There’s a reason I named my company Your Career Advocate: I’m here to guide and support you from initial application through salary negotiation. Learn more about my services here.