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Using Job Search Resources

A guide on how to conduct a job search efficiently using different job search databases.

Conducting a Job Search

If you are new to the process of conducting a job search, there are hundreds of websites you can use to find job postings.  It can feel overwhelming at first, so it is important to conduct your search efficiently.  Job search websites function similarly to databases because they typically have the same features as other databases.  These features include a search bar, filters, and search results pages.  Most websites may also require you to create an account with the site to apply for a position.  Click on the links below to learn more about how to use different websites during a job search:

Google

While Google has a reputation of not being the most traditionally "reliable" source of information, it can be a great place to start searching for jobs.  There is a job search function in Google's search engine that connects users to job postings from different organizations.  To conduct a job search with Google:

  1. Visit Google's home page and type in "jobs" into the search bar.
  2. Click on the blue "jobs" bar, which should be one of the your first search results.  This will take you to Google's job search page.
  3. On Google's job search page, you will see a search bar at the top with several filters below.  The filters are category, title, location, date posted, type, company type, and employer.  Using the search bar, type in words relevant to your field of study or desired job position and use the filters to determine job location, category, and/or company.  You can also use the search bar to include content from the filters.
  4. View the list of job postings and click on a position that interests you.
  5. To apply for a position, click on one of the blue "apply" icons.

A job posting will have information about the position.  This includes a description of the job's duties, the organization, pay range, job qualifications, and consumer reviews (if applicable).  By clicking on the "read more" icon underneath a job posting's profile, it will display all available information about the position.

 

Google Search Results "Jobs" Bar

google jobs bar

 

Google Job Posting Profile

google jobs profile

 

Extra Features

There are extra features that Google offers that can help users view job postings in the future.  They are located in the top right corner of any job posting profile.  Extra features include:

  • A "save" icon that saves the job posting to your Google account.
  • A share feature that allows you to share the posting on other platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, or email.

Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a career development website where users create an account, find jobs, read reviews about different companies, compare salaries, and prepare for interviews.  Creating an account is not required to search on the site, but it is recommended if you plan on using the site for future job searches.  You can create a Glassdoor account with your Google account, Facebook account, or email address.  if you are using a mobile device, they also have a mobile application.

Glassdoor Home Page: Login/Account Creation Screen

glassdoor home page

 

To access Glassdoor's features without an account, scroll down and click on the dropdown arrow that says "explore Glassdoor."  Click on any of the search suggestions and it will take you to that feature without logging in.

 

Basic Features

The basic features in Glassdoor are visible on the top bar of the site's jobs, company reviews, salaries, interviews, and salary calculator.  The content below covers how to utilize each feature.

Jobs

The jobs feature functions like any other job search website because it lets you search for open job positions.  You can search by keyword, location, job type (full time, part-time, temporary, internship, etc.), time posted, salary, and distance from your current geographic location.  You can use any combination of these boxes to help you find open positions.  Clicking the "More" dropdown menu lets you filter your search results by the following criteria:

  • City
  • Company ratings
  • Industry
  • Job function
  • Seniority label
  • Company
  • Company size (by number of employees)
  • Easy apply only
  • Work from home only

To restart your filters, click on "clear filters" next to the dropdown menu.  Your search results will display on the left side of the screen, from most relevant to least relevant.  To view more details about a job (description, pay, etc.), click on the position title and read the information posted by the employer on the right side.  To apply for a position, click on the blue "apply" or "easy apply" icon and it will take you to an application form or the employer's online application.  To save the job posting for later, click on the heart icon (account required).  You can view your saved postings in your notifications tab on your Glassdoor account.

 

Company Reviews

The company reviews function displays whenever you conduct a job search with a 5-star rating system (green stars).  This page focuses specifically on overall perceptions from employees and other affiliates.  The main page shows the most well-known companies with the highest ratings.  You can use the filter on the left side of the main page to search for specific companies (see below).  Search options include location, industry, job title, company rating, and company size.  After selecting your filters and clicking "search", you will see results in boxes.  Each box contains information about a company, including rating (out of 5 stars), number of employees, location, industry type, number of reviews, salary, and number of jobs.  Click "Continue reading" at the bottom of the box and it will take you to the company's Glassdoor profile page.  On the company's profile page, you can follow them to see new job postings and updates, write a review, read reviews, and see a list of locations.  Click on the "Reviews" tab on the profile page to view all written reviews of a company.

 

"Company Reviews" Main Page

company reviews main

 

Company Profile Page

company profile page glassdoor

 

Salaries

The salaries tab allows you to search for jobs by salary, pay, and/or compensation.  You can only use this function if you submit an anonymous review about the company.  To use the search bar, type in your search terms (job title or company name), location, and click the green magnifying glass to search.  The site will identify your current geographic area as the default location, but you can change this manually.  Your best matches will display on the next screen.  When you find a company in which you are interested, click on the company name or salaries icon to view more information.

 

Salaries Search Bar

salary search bar

 

Interviews

The interviews tab lets you search for interview questions and answers in their database by job title, company name, and/or location.  If your browser can access your location, it will put your current city in the "location" box by default.  You can modify this manually.  Once you fill in the boxes with a location and job title or company, click on the magnifying glass to view your results.

 

Interviews Search Bar

interviews search bar

 

The search results page will display relevant results to your search criteria.  Your top matches will display first, but you can view more of them by clicking on "see all."  Each result will have a difficulty rating, which pertains to how challenging the interview questions are.  The rating scale is as follows:

  • 0 to 1.8: Very easy
  • 1.9 to 2.4: Easy
  • 2.5 to 3.1: Average
  • 3.2 and above: Difficult

If there is a company that interests you, click on the company name and it will take you to the company's main profile page with the "interviews" tab opened.

 

Interviews Search Results Page

interview search results page

 

Salaries

There are four functions in the "Salaries" feature on Glassdoor, which are:

  • Discover Salaries: Allows you to search for salaries within different locations and professions.
  • Salary Calculator: A personalized analysis of your current job experience and what it might be worth in terms of a salary.
  • Analyze Offer: Compares a job offer with other similar jobs.
  • Add a Salary: Allows you to add an anonymous salary to their database.

Each function may ask you a series of questions about your current position or new job offer.  Once you answer the questions, it will provide salary data based on your answers.  It is important to remember that these calculators may not be 100 percent accurate, so be mindful when viewing the results!

Indeed

Indeed is a web site that allows you to search for jobs, read company reviews, and find salaries.  It functions similarly to other job databases in this guide.  You do not need to create an account to search the site, but you will need to create one to apply for jobs.  Below are instructions on using each of Indeed's functions and how to create an account.

 

Creating an Indeed Account

To create an account with Indeed:

1. Click on "sign in" in the top right corner of the home page.

2. Click on "New to Indeed? Create an Account" at the bottom of the sign in page.  Or, you can click on any of the "sign in with..." icons to use your Google, Apple, or Facebook profiles to create a new account.  If you choose this option, you will need to sign in to your Google, Apple, or Facebook account.  This will connect your Google, Apple, or Facebook account to the new Indeed account.

3. If you are not using a Google, Apple, or Facebook account to register, you will be taken to a form to create a new account.  Type in an email address that you would like to be associated with your Indeed account and create a password.  You may have to verify that you are not a bot by clicking the checkbox that says "I am human."

4. Create "create account" to complete your registration.

 

Indeed Account Creation Screen

indeed create account

 

Once you create your account, you have the opportunity to customize your profile by uploading your resume or creating a new one with Indeed's custom form.

 

Indeed Home Page (Signed In)

indeed home page

The home page displays the site's primary functions, which are along the banner at the top of the page.  From left to right, Indeed's primary functions are:

  • Find Jobs: Allows you to search for jobs by title, company, location, and/or keyword.  While conducting a search, you can use the filters to make your search more specific.  Filters include date posted, salary estimate, job type, specialty, location, company, and experience level.  You also have the option to save a job for later or apply from this function.
  • Company Reviews: Allows you to search for employee reviews of companies by company name, job title, city, state, and/or zip code (optional).  Reviews are given on a 5-star scale and can have written comments to supplement them.  You can also read reviews by topics, such as work-life balance, pay and benefits, job security and advancement, management, and culture.
  • Find Salaries: Browse salaries by job or industry, or search for job salaries based on position and location.
  • Indeed Messages: An inbox where you can receive messages from potential employers.
  • Notifications: These notify you of new job postings according to your career interests, as well as update you on any active job applications.
  • Profile: This is where you can edit your employee profile (resume), view saved jobs, set email preferences, and modify your settings.

 

Find Jobs Search Results Page

find jobs results page

Monster

Monster is a job search site similar to Indeed and Glassdoor in that it has several functions:

  • Find Jobs: Lets you search for jobs or companies by location, keyword, or title.
  • Salary Tools: Matches job positions and experience level with a salary.
  • Career Advice: Provides short articles about career-related news.
  • Get Started: Lets you create a new account or sign in to an existing account.  You can create an account through Facebook or Google, or sign up with a separate email address.

 

Monster Sign In/Sign Up Page

 

monster log in page

 

Find Jobs

There are three search options under the "find jobs" function, which are jobs, companies, and advice.  The "jobs" options lets you search for open job positions by keyword, title, or location.  "Companies" lets you search for jobs by company or affiliation.  "Advice" lets you search for career advice by typing in key words or phrases.  The search results will display articles that are most relevant to your search terms.

 

"Jobs" Search Results Page

jobs search results page

 

 

"Advice" Search Results Page

advice search results page

 

Salary Tools

Monster can estimate what your salary might be based on your job title, location, and level of experience.  You can also browse salaries by location by clicking on "browse salaries" at the bottom of the page.  To get a salary estimate, type in job title and location and click "search."  You must select one of the suggested jobs from the dropdown menu before conducting your search.  The next page will display information about the job you selected, such as median salary compared to the national average, salaries for related jobs, and potential next steps for that career path.

 

Salary Estimate Page (Teller)

salary estimate page teller

 

 

Career Advice

Career advice is a database of articles that answer common questions about finding a new job, the interview process, negotiating salaries, and creating resumes and cover letters.  The main page has highlighted articles on several topics and have job search resources at the bottom of the page.  Resources include resume and cover letter templates, thank you note templates, interview practice questions, and company reviews and profiles.  You can search this database of articles by typing in key words into the search bar on the right side of the page.

 

"Career Advice" Main Page

career advice page

 

Get Started

The "Get Started" tab is another way to get to the new account/sign in page.  You can create a new account with your email address, Apple ID, Google account, or Facebook account.

Workforce Recruitment Program

The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a recruitment program that connects employers across the country to college students and recent graduates with disabilities.  It is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense.  Those who register have access to summer jobs and permanent positions as well as careers in the federal and private sectors.  You can only access applications if you are eligible for the program and have registered.

 

Features

  • About Us: Describes the organization's mission and credentials.
  • Students: This page is directed at college students where they can access thousands of Federal Government jobs and internships within the United States.  It also provides instructions on how determine eligibility for the program and how to register.
  • Recruiters: This page is meant for employers to register with the organization so that they may post their jobs on their website.
  • Employers: Explains how the WRP benefits employers by recruiting talented candidates.
  • School Coordinators: Provides instructions on how schools can register to be a part of the WRP program.
  • Resources: Has public resources that assist with professional development and career preparation (building a resume, drafting a cover letter, information for WRP candidates, etc.)