Indeed and LinkedIn are two of the most popular job search platforms available today. Both platforms offer job listings, but they have different approaches to connecting job seekers with potential employers. Indeed is a job board that aggregates job postings from many sources, while LinkedIn is a social network built around employment.
In this article, we will dive into all the details and explore the best options for both job seekers and employers.
This review will focus on comparing LinkedIn and Indeed. If you find that neither Indeed nor LinkedIn 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.
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Indeed vs LinkedIn At A Glance
When it comes to job search platforms, Indeed and LinkedIn are two of the most popular options available. Both platforms offer unique features and benefits that cater to different job seekers and employers. Here's a high-level comparison of Indeed vs LinkedIn:
Indeed
Indeed is a job search engine that aggregates job postings from various sources, including company career pages, job boards, and staffing agencies. It is a one-stop-shop for job seekers who want to find job openings from different sources in one place.
One of the key features of Indeed is its advanced search filters that allow job seekers to narrow down their search results based on location, salary, job title, and more. Indeed also offers a resume database that allows employers to search for and contact potential candidates directly.
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that connects job seekers with employers and recruiters. It allows job seekers to create a professional profile that showcases their skills, experience, and education. Employers and recruiters can use LinkedIn to search for potential candidates based on their skills, experience, and education.
In addition to job search and recruitment features, LinkedIn also offers a range of professional development resources, including courses, webinars, and articles. It allows job seekers to build their professional network and connect with other professionals in their industry.
Key Differences
The main difference between Indeed and LinkedIn is their focus. Indeed is primarily focused on job search and connecting job seekers with employers, while LinkedIn is focused on professional networking and career development.
Indeed is best suited for job seekers who want to find job openings from different sources in one place and want to apply to jobs directly. LinkedIn is best suited for job seekers who want to build their professional network, showcase their skills and experience, and connect with other professionals in their industry.
Employers and recruiters can use both platforms to find potential candidates, but LinkedIn is generally considered to be more effective for recruitment purposes due to its focus on professional networking.
Job Posting On Indeed vs LinkedIn
When it comes to postings, both Indeed and LinkedIn offer a variety of features that can help employers reach their target audience. However, there are some differences in pricing and features that employers should be aware of.
Job Posting On Indeed
Indeed is a popular job board that allows employers to post jobs and search resumes. While Indeed offers free job posting options, most employers choose to go with their sponsored job posting option for increased visibility to qualified candidates.
A sponsored job post allows employers to set specific criteria for applicants and only pay for quality applications that meet their requirements.
To ensure that employers receive quality applications, employers can add screener questions or Applicant Qualifications, which require a specific response, such as valid licenses, certifications, or years of experience. Employers can set deal breakers, which are mandatory requirements for the job, and applicants who do not meet these requirements will be placed in the rejected tab.
Before paying for a sponsored job post, Indeed creates a price per application, usually between $15-$50 based on historical hiring data from similar jobs, location, and the estimated number of applications needed to make a hire. Employers can set a target for the number of applications they need or pause the sponsored job post at any time.
Indeed offers a variety of features to help employers attract qualified candidates. Some of these features include:
- Sponsored job postings: Employers can pay to have their job posting appear at the top of the search results, increasing visibility and attracting more candidates.
- Company pages: Employers can create a company page on Indeed to showcase their brand and culture, and attract candidates who are a good fit for their organization.
- Resume search: Employers can search Indeed's resume database to find qualified candidates who have uploaded their resumes to the site.
For a more in-depth guide, check out our Indeed review.
Job Posting On LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking site that allows employers to post jobs and search for candidates. Single job postings are free to post to your connections. LinkedIn also offers a Pay-Per-Click (PPC) model to post outside of your network. The PPC model offers daily or total budgets, and determines price based on location and competing jobs.
LinkedIn offers a variety of features to help employers attract qualified candidates. Some of these features include:
Employers posting a job on LinkedIn have a range of features available to optimize their job listings. Some of these features include:
- Company Insights: Showcase information about the company, its culture, values, and any additional details to attract potential candidates.
- Salary Insights: Employers can add salary information to their job posts, helping to attract candidates who align with the offered compensation.
- Application Management: Tools for managing applications, tracking candidates, and communicating within the LinkedIn platform.
- Sponsored Job Listings: Employers can pay to sponsor job listings, increasing their visibility to a wider audience.
LinkedIn's platform offers a variety of features aimed at helping employers effectively promote their job openings and connect with potential candidates.
Job Searching on Indeed vs LinkedIn
When it comes to job searching, both Indeed and LinkedIn are popular platforms that job seekers use. Each platform has its own unique features and benefits. In this section, we'll discuss the job searching experience on both Indeed and LinkedIn.
Job Searching On Indeed
Indeed is a job search engine that aggregates job postings from various sources, including company career pages, job boards, and staffing agencies. Job seekers can search for jobs by keyword, location, salary, and other criteria.
One of the benefits of using Indeed is the ability to set up job alerts. Job alerts allow job seekers to receive email notifications when new jobs that match their search criteria are posted. This can save job seekers time and ensure they don't miss out on any opportunities.
Another useful feature of Indeed is the company reviews section. Job seekers can read reviews from current and former employees to get an idea of what it's like to work at a particular company. This can help job seekers make more informed decisions about where to apply.
It is 100% free to job search on Indeed.
Job Searching On LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that also has a job search feature. Job seekers can search for jobs by keyword, location, industry, and other criteria.
One of the benefits of using LinkedIn for job searching is the ability to see who you know at a particular company. This can be helpful for getting a foot in the door and making connections with people who can help you in your job search.
LinkedIn also has a feature called "Easy Apply" which allows job seekers to apply for jobs with just a few clicks. This can save time and streamline the application process.
Another useful feature of LinkedIn is the ability to research companies. Job seekers can view a company's page to learn more about their mission, values, and culture. This can help job seekers determine if a company is a good fit for them.
There is no cost for job searching on LinkedIn.
For a more in-depth guide, check out our LinkedIn review.
Pricing: Indeed vs LinkedIn
When it comes to pricing, both Indeed and LinkedIn offer different options depending on the needs of the user. Here is a breakdown of the pricing options for each platform.
Pricing On Indeed
Unlike many subscription-based platforms, Indeed allows unlimited job postings for free, but to boost visibility, employers pay to sponsor job ads, a cost determined by job specifics and market conditions. While offering valuable hiring insights, the sheer volume of free postings might diminish visibility for urgent positions, urging consideration for sponsored postings to stand out in the competitive job market.
Indeed's pricing for job postings varies depending on the location and category of the job. For example, a job posting for a software engineer in San Francisco may cost more than a job posting for a customer service representative in a smaller city.
In addition to job postings, Indeed also offers a resume subscription service for employers who want access to their resume database. The cost of this service varies depending on the number of resumes the employer wants to access.
Pricing On LinkedIn
LinkedIn offers a free job posting option with certain limitations—employers can only post one job at a time and reach out to their connections. Even though the free option helps your listing appear in job searches, it might get lost amid other posts.
The paid option, called Promoted Job Posts, ensures top visibility, appearing at the forefront of job searches and receiving more applicants. This option functions on a pay-per-click model, allowing you to set budgets, with charges accruing daily, and offering flexibility in cost control. Your job post will pause automatically if it reaches the budget cap, preventing overspending. Remember, it’s crucial to manually close the job post to stop any further expenditure.
LinkedIn's pricing for job postings also varies depending on the location and category of the job. In addition to job postings, LinkedIn offers a resume subscription service for employers who want access to their resume database. The cost of this service varies depending on the number of resumes the employer wants to access.
Related: LinkedIn Job Posting Cost
Recruitment Tools: Indeed vs LinkedIn
Recruitment tools are essential for businesses to find the right talent quickly. Both Indeed and LinkedIn offer a range of recruitment tools to help employers find the right candidates for their job openings. In this section, we will compare the recruitment tools available on Indeed and LinkedIn.
Recruitment Tools On Indeed
Indeed offers a range of recruitment tools to help employers find the right candidates for their job openings. These tools include:
- Job Posting: Employers can post their job openings on Indeed for free or opt for sponsored job postings to increase visibility.
- Resume Database: Employers can search Indeed's resume database to find the right candidates for their job openings.
- Indeed Assessments: Employers can use Indeed Assessments to evaluate candidates' skills and abilities before inviting them for an interview.
- Indeed Hiring Events: Employers can host hiring events to meet and interview candidates in person.
Recruitment Tools On LinkedIn
LinkedIn also offers a range of recruitment tools to help employers find the right candidates for their job openings. These tools include:
- Job Posting: Employers can post their job openings on LinkedIn for free or opt for sponsored job postings to increase visibility.
- LinkedIn Recruiter: Employers can use LinkedIn Recruiter to search for and contact potential candidates directly.
- LinkedIn Talent Insights: Employers can use LinkedIn Talent Insights to gain insights into the job market and the competition for talent.
- LinkedIn Learning: Employers can use LinkedIn Learning to provide their employees with training and development opportunities.
Features Comparison
When it comes to features, both Indeed and LinkedIn have their own strengths and weaknesses. Here's a comparison of some of the most important features of each platform:
Job Postings
Both Indeed and LinkedIn allow employers to post job openings. However, Indeed is primarily a job board, while LinkedIn is a social network for professionals. This means that while Indeed is focused solely on job postings, LinkedIn offers additional features such as the ability to connect with other professionals, join groups, and share content.
Resume Database
Indeed has a resume database that allows employers to search for and contact potential candidates. LinkedIn also has a similar feature, but it's integrated into the platform's social network. This means that LinkedIn's resume database is often more up-to-date and comprehensive than Indeed's.
Screening Tools
Both Indeed and LinkedIn offer screening tools that allow employers to filter candidates based on various criteria such as education, experience, and skills. However, LinkedIn's screening tools are often more advanced and customizable than Indeed's.
Integration With Other Platforms
LinkedIn can be integrated with other platforms such as applicant tracking systems (ATS) and customer relationship management (CRM) software. This makes it easier for employers to manage their hiring process and keep track of candidates. Indeed also offers integrations with some ATS platforms, but the options are more limited.
Cost
Indeed and LinkedIn both offer free and paid options for job postings. However, the cost of posting a job on LinkedIn is generally higher than on Indeed. LinkedIn's paid options also come with additional features such as the ability to contact candidates directly and access to analytics.
How We Evaluated Indeed Vs LinkedIn
To compare Indeed and LinkedIn, the team evaluated several important factors. Our research team considered the following:
- User interface: Our team evaluated the user interface of both platforms, including the ease of use, navigation, and overall appearance.
- Job listings: We compared the number and quality of job listings on both platforms.
- Applicant tracking system: We also evaluated the applicant tracking system of both platforms, including the ability to manage applicants and track their progress.
- Pricing: Our team compared the pricing options of both platforms, including the cost per job posting and any additional fees.
- Employer branding: We evaluated the employer branding features of both platforms, including the ability to create company pages and showcase company culture.
We also considered the reputation of both platforms, including user reviews and industry recognition.
Bottom Line
Neither Indeed nor LinkedIn is the “better” job platform. Indeed is the better choice to find the greatest number of open positions, while LinkedIn is more likely to help you find specialized positions. LinkedIn also has the advantage of giving you a permanent profile on a popular professional network. With that profile you’ll hold yourself continuously open to new opportunities.
If neither Indeed or LinkedIn are a good fit for you, we would recommend checking out ZipRecruiter.
