There are tons of online job search sites available that connect job seekers with companies that are hiring. Indeed is one of the largest job search sites. Craigslist is an online classified advertisement site that includes job postings, among other products and services. Both represent very different ends of the spectrum when it comes to online job posts. Keep reading to learn more about Indeed and Craigslist and the services available to job seekers and employers through each company.
This article will focus on comparing Indeed vs Craigslist. If you find that neither Indeed nor Craigslist are a good fit for you, we recommend trying ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and it is free for employers to get started.
Indeed
Founded in 2004, Indeed is now one of the largest online job search sites. The website welcomes more than 250 million unique visitors each month from over 60 countries around the world.
Indeed features a simple structure designed to make the job search process easy for individuals. Job seekers can create a free account and profile and start searching for jobs. There's also an option to upload your resume. Companies can create free job postings. There's also an option to upgrade to a paid sponsored post to increase the listing's visibility on the site.
INDEED FOR AN EMPLOYER
Companies can create and post job listings on Indeed for free. You can also pay for a sponsored job posting, which gets your job listing in front of more eyes. With sponsored posts, you set a daily budget, running from $5 to $499. There's no contract or long-term commitment. Companies can change or end a sponsored job campaign at any time. With a wide price range, sponsored posts are accessible to almost any company, no matter its size.
INDEED FOR A JOB SEEKER
Job seekers can create a free account through Indeed. From there, they can fill out their profile and add a resume. You can set your resume to public or private depending on whether you want potential employers to have access without requesting it. Career and skills assessments are option additions you can use to round out your Indeed profile.
Applying for jobs is at the discretion of the companies listed. Some let you apply directly through Indeed, while others redirect you to company sites to fill out an application. You can also view company reviews on Indeed. This gives you insights into a specific company from current and former employees.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
Craigslist
Craig Newmark founded Craigslist in 1995 as an email list for friends about the San Francisco area. Now, it's grown into one of the largest online advertisement sites in the world, with dedicated pages for major cities and areas around the world.
CRAIGSLIST FOR AN EMPLOYER
Craigslist isn't a traditional job search site, so it doesn't offer many of the modern tools you find with other job sites. That doesn't mean it's not a viable tool for finding qualified job candidates. Job postings range from $10 to $75. Specific posting amounts vary based on the area.
When posting jobs, you have the option to use your real email address or have Craisglist relay messages to you through its system. You can also choose to show your phone number and accept phone calls and text messages.
There's also an option to prepay for multiple job postings, saving you from entering your credit card information each time you post a job. If you're part of a team, you can utilize the option to allow multiple users to share one account.
There's no option to allow applicants to apply for jobs directly through Craigslist. You'll need to provide instructions within your job posting, so they know how to apply.
CRAIGSLIST FOR A JOB SEEKER
Like most job search sites, Craigslist is free to use as a job seeker. Searches start in your desired area or city. From there, you can search for jobs by title through the search bar. You can also search listings by job category or browse jobs by date posted.
Applying for jobs depends on the employer. Instructions on how to apply for a position are typically included in job postings. There's no option to apply for a job directly through Craigslist.
For more information, check out our Craigslist review.
The Difference As An Employer
Indeed is a traditional job search site, while Craigslist is a throwback to the classified ads you might find in a newspaper. Indeed is the only one to offer free job postings and offers ways for employers to attract more applicants through paid sponsored posts. There are no premium services available through Craigslist. Also, pricing depends on your location, so employers in certain sections of the U.S. could pay higher fees to post job listings on the site.
The Difference As A Job Seeker
Indeed and Craigslist are both free services for job seekers. If the goal is to find the best possible job, you should use both sites in your search. With Indeed, you can set up a profile and add your resume, none of which is possible on Craigslist. However, many local and regional companies post jobs on Craigslist. Although it's a less modern take on online job searching, Craigslist is still a good place to search for a job.
The Bottom Line
The choice between Indeed and Craigslist depends on your goals and needs for finding potential candidates. If you only need access to basic posting and are ok with a more manual process, Craigslist can probably save your company money. Indeed offers more potential if you want more potential candidates to see your job postings.
Indeed and Craigslist are good options if you're on the hunt for a job. Maximize your chances by searching both sites for jobs.
If you are looking for a different option, we recommend checking out ZipRecruiter.
