When it comes to finding talent for your company or the next opportunity for your career, ZipRecruiter is the top place to find talent online.
But don’t worry. We’ll share the highlights of both options so you can decide which one may work best for your search.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is an employment marketplace that connects companies and job seekers. The platform offers many features to both parties and is a frontrunner in the recruiting industry. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do with ZipRecruiter.
ZipRecruiter for an Employer
When you use the platform as an employer, you can post jobs, search for resumes in a vast database, and manage all of the candidates in your pipeline. It’s easy to post a job on ZipRecruiter because the company offers more than 500 customizable job description templates to get you started. Then, your listing gets sent to over 100 other websites, significantly expanding your reach.
The platform will also email your opportunity to prospective candidates that match the listing. Once your job is live, ZipRecruiter will mine their directory of resumes and invite potential matches to apply to your role. On your ZipRecruiter dashboard, you can review and rate the talent identified. The system learns from your ratings and will try to present you with more profiles similar to those you rated highly. You can also search via ZipRecruiter’s resume search feature to find your ideal candidate.
ZipRecruiter offers three employer plans, catering to different needs and budgets. Not all plans include all features. For example, if you want to search the platform’s resume repository, you’ll need to purchase a Premium plan.
ZipRecruiter currently offers a four-day free trial, so you can explore the system before spending any money. Once the trial is over, you can continue with a daily, monthly, or annual subscription. Pricing depends on the plan you select, how many jobs you want to post, and other factors. If you recruit for a large organization (more than 5,000 employees), ZipRecruiter will work with you to create a custom, scalable solution.
ZipRecruiter for a Job Seeker
If you use ZipRecruiter as a job hunter, you can list your resume, search for jobs, and apply to the best matches. Creating a profile and listing your resume on the website is straightforward, and the system walks you through the process. Once your information is live, employers can find you and reach out with new opportunities.
Finding and applying for jobs is also a breeze. First, enter in your desired title or keywords and target location. Then, refine the results by date posted, employment type, distance, salary, and other parameters. When you’re ready to apply, you may be able to do it with one click through the ZipRecruiter system. The platform will also tell you when your background is an excellent match to the details in the job posting.
On your candidate dashboard, you can track your applications, view suggested jobs, respond to messages, and more. ZipRecruiter also has a mobile app so that you can manage your job search on the go. Plus, the company offers resources and tools to help you negotiate a higher salary and navigate the job hunting experience.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a well-known digital classified ads directory. While people use the website for many reasons, it can help job seekers find employment and companies find workers. Let’s look at how.
Craigslist for an Employer
If you use Craigslist to recruit talent, you can search through listed resumes and post job openings. It’s free to review resumes and simple to do. Once you’re on your local Craigslist page, click on ‘resumes’ at the bottom of the ‘jobs’ column.
Then, search through the listings using titles or keywords. You can filter the results by adjusting the criteria on the left-hand side of the page. Once you see a potential match, click on the listing to review the resume. If you’re interested in the candidate, you can contact them by clicking the reply button in the top left corner.
If you need to post a job, click ‘create a posting’ near the top left corner of your region’s Craigslist page. The system will ask you a series of questions to generate your listing. Once you’re satisfied with it, you’ll have to pay before it gets published on the platform. Depending on your location, each listing will run between $10-$75 per month.
Craigslist for a Job Seeker
When you use Craigslist to find a new opportunity, you can post your resume to get found by employers or search for and apply to job listings. As a job seeker, it’s free to use the platform. To list your resume, go to the Craigslist page of the location where you want to work.
Then, click on ‘create a post’ in the top left-hand corner. Follow the prompts to create your listing, and include your work history and credentials in the description field. Once your resume is live, companies will be able to see it in search results.
To look for open positions, select your profession from the list of categories in the ‘jobs’ column. Then, enter search criteria in the search bar and use the filters on the left-hand side of the page to narrow down your results. To apply for a role, follow the instructions in the post, or click on the ‘reply’ button in the top left corner.
The Difference Between ZipRecruiter and Craigslist as an Employer
ZipRecruiter offers employers a more robust suite of features than Craigslist. The platform also takes an active role in pairing qualified talent with posted opportunities. However, using the service can get pricey as a single job posting can run hundreds of dollars. While Craigslist’s reach is more localized and the website’s functionality is more limited by comparison, the price to post a job reflects that.
Related: Best Free Job Posting Sites
The Difference Between ZipRecruiter and Craigslist as a Job Seeker
ZipRecruiter also offers more bells and whistles to candidates than Craigslist. The platform’s AI-based recruitment assistant and other resources provide guidance to job seekers, where Craigslist takes a more passive role in the process. However, Craigslist may be a better option if you’re looking for a gig close to home because the website exists to facilitate local connections.
Bottom Line
Both ZipRecruiter and Craigslist can have a place in your recruiting or job search strategy. However, ZipRecruiter has the edge for employers who need to broadcast their open roles to a wide net of potential candidates. But, if you’re a job seeker, you should consider trying each platform since neither option will cost you any money.
