Best Entry-Level Job Sites for College Graduates and New Alumni was originally posted on The Balance.
By Emily Polner | Updated on September 20, 2022 | Fact checked by Matthew Klammer
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Find your first job and start your career strong
With 61% of entry-level jobs requiring three years of experience, searching for an entry-level job can be quite the catch-22.1 How can someone with little or no job experience get a job if every listing requires previous experience? That’s where entry-level job sites come in. Thanks to advanced search filters, networking features, and proprietary matching algorithms, entry-level job sites are well-equipped to help any recent graduate start their career.
In order to find the best job websites for college graduates, we examined over 15 different sites and evaluated each based on its ability to help entry-level job seekers find opportunities. The sites we chose as the best were those with the highest number and greatest variety of listings and industries served, the easiest user interfaces, and the lowest costs, as well as solid reputations among users.
8 Best Entry-Level Job Sites for College Graduates and New Alumni
- Best Overall: Indeed
- Runner-Up, Best Overall: CollegeGrad
- Best for Entry-Level Remote Jobs: FlexJobs
- Best for Undecided Career Paths: Avenica
- Best for Entry-Level Startup Jobs: AngelList
- Best for Networking: LinkedIn
- Best for Short Term/Seasonal Jobs: CoolWorks
- Best for Individualized Recruiting: Scouted
BEST OVERALL: Indeed
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free for job seekers
- A lot of jobs to look through (10 new jobs per second)
- Provides salary information and company reviews
Cons
- High competition for jobs
- Job postings are sometimes outdated
Why We Chose It
Indeed was founded in 2004 and is now the largest job website in the world, with 250 million monthly users with 10 new job listings added per second.23 Although it’s not marketed toward entry-level job seekers specifically, we chose Indeed as the best overall website for college graduates because of its size, number of industries served, and the rate at which new jobs are added.
Using Indeed, job seekers can find open entry-level positions in nearly every industry, including but not limited to customer service, finance, healthcare, marketing, real estate, and sales. To find entry-level positions, seekers can type in their desired job title and industry with the keywords “entry level” or “junior” added, or they can select “Entry Level” from the dropdown menu under the “Experience Level” filter.
Indeed is very easy to use and it’s completely free. You don’t need to sign up for an account to use the platform, but an account will allow you to sign up for email alerts when new jobs are posted, upload your resume, as well as send and receive messages from recruiters. Indeed also has a salary search tool and a company reviews section, so you can read about other people’s experiences at the companies you’re interested in before applying to a job or accepting an offer.
RUNNER-UP, BEST OVERALL: CollegeGrad
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Plenty of entry-level jobs
- Free for job seekers
- Educational and support resources
Cons
- Many jobs are low-paying
- Not as many job listings as some competitors
Why We Chose It
CollegeGrad was created in 1995 and is the only one of three original job sites for entry-level job seekers still operating.4 It is now the number-one entry-level job site for recent alumni according to Alexa rankings.5 Despite its reputation and specialization in entry-level positions, we ranked CollegeGrad as the runner-up because it has far fewer listings than Indeed.
Searching for entry-level jobs on CollegeGrad couldn’t be easier. Simply type in your desired role and location and check the box next to the search bar that says “Entry Level.” Doing so will ensure that only entry-level jobs appear in the search results. You can also create an account in order to create customized job alerts and complete a profile to help potential employers find you.
CollegeGrad is free to use and is an amazing resource for finding jobs across dozens of different industries, including but not limited to architecture, education, engineering, finance, human resources, IT, marketing, and sales. Recent college graduates say they love how simple it is to use, and the quality of the opportunities presented is hard to beat.
BEST FOR ENTRY-LEVEL REMOTE JOBS: FlexJobs
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Specializes in flexible work for freelancers
- Listing are professionally vetted
- Access to exclusive deals
Cons
- No free option or free trial
- Not all listed jobs are exclusive
Why We Chose It
Founded in 2007, FlexJobs was created to be the premier job search hub for legitimate work-from-home opportunities.6 It is now the largest site for remote jobs, with nearly 30,000 active listings with hiring information on more than 50,000 companies.7 We chose FlexJobs as the best site for remote entry-level jobs because each position listed is extensively researched to ensure a scam-free experience.
FlexJobs charges $24.95 for a one-month membership, $39.95 for a three-month membership, and $59.95 for a yearlong membership in order to apply to listings. There is also a month-long free trial that allows you to access some of FlexJobs’ resources. FlexJobs uses the proceeds from its paid subscriptions to pay its research team to vet each opportunity it adds to the site. This ensures that every listing on FlexJobs is legitimate, which helps prevent entry-level job seekers from falling for common job scams. All FlexJob members have access to listings across over 50 categories, such as education, engineering, finance, human resources, legal, translation services, writing, and web design.
Your FlexJob membership not only unlocks access to great work-from-home opportunities, it also unlocks exclusive discounts on products and services like tax software, new laptops, and professional career coaching. Job seekers cite FlexJobs for giving them peace of mind during job searches and rave about its well-curated listings.
BEST FOR UNDECIDED CAREER PATHS: Avenica
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive interview process
- Personalized job search
- Free for job seekers
Cons
- Relatively small job site
Why We Chose It
Avenica was originally founded in 1998 as an entry-level-only staffing agency called GradStaff, but was rebranded as Avenica (from the French words for “future” and “career”) after being acquired by University Ventures in 2017.8 Thanks to a proprietary behavioral interviewing process, Avenica helps entry-level job seekers launch meaningful careers, making it the best choice for grads who are uncertain about their future career paths.
Avenica works with college graduates to tap into their strengths, personality, career and organization fit, and long-term goals through individualized coaching. To land a job through Avenica, you’ll need to be added to their talent network by completing a short form on their website and speaking with a staff member. Once the team at Avenica has a better sense of who you are and what you can do, they’ll assist you with finding open entry-level jobs that match your skills. Despite its more personalized process, Avenica is 100% free to use for any entry-level job seekers.
BEST FOR ENTRY-LEVEL STARTUP JOBS: AngelList
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free for job seekers
- Provides salary and equity information upfront
- Local and remote startup jobs
Cons
- Small job database compared to some other sites
- Only startup jobs
Why We Chose It
AngelList was founded in 2010 as a way to make it easier for startups to hire quality talent.9 We picked AngelList as the best site for entry-level startup jobs because not only is it trusted by over 100,000 startups of all sizes, AngelList provides an unmatched level of transparency by providing candidates with salary ranges and equity options upfront. It also allows job seekers to reach out to CEOs and hiring managers directly, making it a valuable networking tool for entry-level job seekers looking to break into their field of choice.
To find entry-level roles on AngelList, first create a login and complete your profile. You can browse open positions by job title, location, and time commitment (full-time, part-time, internship, etc.). Typing “entry level” into the search bar will help collect any entry-level positions, as will selecting “0-1 years of experience” under “Filters.” AngelList caters to many sectors in tech, such as online publishing, fashion, health, and fintech.
With AngelList, you won’t need to submit a standard resume for each position. Your profile on the site serves as your resume instead, so filling it out completely is key to finding success on the platform. For every job you apply to, you’ll need to write a cover letter explaining why you’re a good fit for the role. All cover letters must be written in the text box provided by the platform; you won’t be able to upload any external files. AngelList will also tell you the name and title of the person who will read your submission materials, which will allow you to tailor your application materials more accurately.
AngelList is completely free to use and a powerful way to start conversations and network with startup founders.
BEST FOR NETWORKING: LinkedIn
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great for networking
- Easy to find and contact recruiters and managers
- Easy to show off previous employment and accomplishments
Cons
- Many spam and scam messages
- Some job postings are filled or expired
- Best job searching features reserved for premium memberships
Why We Chose It
LinkedIn was launched in 2002 and is now the largest professional networking platform.10 With almost 800 million registered users from around the world, LinkedIn serves as a database for open opportunities, a digital resume, and a social network all in one. Because of its social networking functions, LinkedIn allows you to add recruiters and other people of interest to your virtual network, making it the best job website for networking.
Your LinkedIn profile serves as a public digital resume and portfolio. It also gets sent to recruiters once you’ve applied for a role, so it’s important to take time and effort to make sure it’s detailed, accurate, as well as optimized for search. It’s free to make a profile, search opportunities, and grow your network, but LinkedIn also offers a Premium membership. With a Premium membership, you can see who viewed your profile, detailed insights on the other applicants who applied for jobs you’re interested in, and the ability to send messages to people outside of your immediate network.
LinkedIn is especially valuable for entry-level job seekers because you can use it to send connection requests (similar to Facebook friend requests) to grow your professional network, even if you don’t personally know anyone who works in your desired field. You can make connections with people in your dream roles or industries to gain valuable insight, find mentors, and stumble across opportunities that aren’t listed anywhere else.
BEST FOR SHORT TERM/SEASONAL JOBS: CoolWorks
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Seasonal jobs at farms, ski resorts, theme parks, etc.
- Free for job seekers
- Some employers provide lodging
Cons
- Most jobs tend to be relatively low-paying
- Job types are somewhat limited
Why We Chose It
Since 1995, CoolWorks has been the go-to site for seasonal jobs at hotels, camps, national parks, ranches, and more, with the aim of sparking passion, adventure, and connections for thousands of workers annually.11 Because of their clear commitment and dedication to connecting people to life-changing seasonal experiences, we chose CoolWorks as the best job site for entry-level seasonal jobs.
To start your search on CoolWorks, you can filter jobs by category, season, or location. Some jobs only last for a single season, i.e., summer or winter, whereas others are year-round positions. Since most employers on CoolWorks are in the hospitality/travel industry, a large majority of the positions on CoolWorks are hospitality/service-related, such as cooks, bartenders, housekeepers, and front desk attendants. You can also sort by employers who provide housing versus those who do not. Many jobs on CoolWorks come with no-cost or low-cost lodging, so you won’t have to worry about finding a place to stay near the job site. There are no designated filters for entry-level positions, but typing in “entry level” into the search bar will return jobs that don’t require any previous experience. Each employer will require different steps to complete an application; some may require a resume and cover letter, while others may require a phone call.
It’s totally free to use CoolWorks, but keep in mind that you’ll most likely need to cover the cost of traveling to the job site if you successfully land a position.
BEST FOR INDIVIDUALIZED RECRUITING: Scouted
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free for job seekers
- Virtual interview questions for better screening
- Matchmaking software is good for recent college grads
Cons
- Relatively small jobs database
- Requires more time than some other companies
- Matchmaking can sometimes be inaccurate
Why We Chose It
Born out of a frustration with typical hiring processes, Scouted was founded in 2015 with the goal of changing recruiting for the better.12 Instead of getting judged based on a resume and cover letter, Scouted’s artificial intelligence help find the best match. Scouted’s matchmaking-style approach and career coaching make it the best choice for individualized recruiting for recent college graduates.
You can build your profile on Scouted by uploading your resume, adding links to your portfolios, websites, or other platforms like LinkedIn, and most importantly, answering Scouted’s virtual interview questions. Once you’ve completed your profile, you can apply for jobs with just one click to see if you’ll be matched.
Final Verdict
Indeed is our top pick for entry-level jobs for recent college graduates and alumni thanks to its vast database of jobs and its detailed information about employers and salaries. Our other top picks are worth checking out too, especially if you’re looking for certain types of jobs like startup positions (AngelList) or if you want to up your networking game (LinkedIn).
Compare Providers
COMPANY | PRICE |
---|---|
Indeed Best Overall | Free |
CollegeGrad Best Overall Runner-Up | Free |
FlexJobs Best for Entry-Level Remote Jobs | $9.95/week; $24.95/month; $39.95/three months; $64.95/year |
Avenica Best for Undecided Career Paths | Free |
AngelList Best for Entry-Level Startup Jobs | Free |
LinkedIn Best for Networking | Free; Premium for $39.99 |
CoolWorks Best for Short Term/Seasonal Jobs | Free |
Scouted Best for Individualized Recruiting | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Job Search Sites?
Job websites serve as both search engines and databases for open jobs. Beyond that, some offer additional services for job seekers, like advanced networking features and interview coaching. Entry-level job sites can help candidates with any education level find employment in any sector, with little to no previous job experience. Anyone actively searching for an entry-level job should strongly consider using a job website to find as many relevant opportunities as possible.
How Do Job Sites Work for Entry-Level Jobs?
Most job sites are free to browse and use. Some require an upfront payment to unlock full browsing privileges. There is no guarantee that you will land a position through a job site whether you use a free or paid service.
To find entry-level jobs on most sites, you can type “entry level” into the search bar or use filters to remove any higher-level job opportunities. After you’ve submitted your application through a job site, a hiring manager or recruiter will review it and reach out to you if it matches what they’re looking for. Some platforms allow employers to reach out to qualified candidates even if they haven’t yet applied for an open position with the company.
How Much Do Job Sites Cost?
Most job sites are completely free to use, but there are a select few that charge membership fees. Membership fees can range from $8.99 per week to $59+ per year.
Is Using a Job Site Worth It for Entry-Level Jobs?
Open positions can be found through your college’s career center, social media platforms, or on company websites, but it’s always a smart move to expand your search as widely as possible. Job sites sort through thousands of openings and put them in one convenient place. This not only saves you a ton of time and energy, but it can also introduce you to opportunities that you otherwise may not have found. Most entry-level job sites are free to use.
How We Chose the Best Entry-Level Job Sites
We reviewed 15 job websites before selecting the best ones. We looked at the number of listings, ease of use, costs, advanced features, industries served, and reputation of each site.
Article Sources
- Society of Human Resource Management. “Entry-Level-Experience Requirements Could Be Hurting Your Hiring.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.
- Indeed. “About Indeed.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.
- Indeed. “Our Company – Indeed.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.
- College Grad. “About CollegeGrad.com.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.
- College Grad. “About CollegeGrad.com.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.
- FlexJobs. “Where Did FlexJobs Come From?.” Accessed Jan 16, 2022.
- FlexJobs. “FlexJobs Job Search Tip.” Accessed Jan 16, 2022.
- PR Newswire. “National Entry-Level Recruiting Firm GradStaff Acquired by University Ventures to Accelerate Development of College-to-Career Pathways.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.
- AngelList. “What is AngelList?.” Accessed Jan 16, 2022.
- Linkedin. “About LinkedIn.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.
- Coolworks. “About CoolWorks.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.
- Scouted. “Announcing: Scouted, A Recruiter.com Company” Accessed Jan. 16, 2022.