Indeed vs. LinkedIn: What Are the Differences?

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There are a little over 10 million jobs available out there, but it feels like nobody is hiring. It makes looking for a career more than a bit discouraging. All you can do is keep at it and showcase your skills.

The best way to do that is by uploading your resume to job sites like Indeed or LinkedIn.

Indeed vs. LinkedIn, which option is better for both job seekers and employers alike? It depends on how fast you’re looking to land your next gig.

Both platforms have their own sets of pros and cons to bring to the table. Check out this guide to learn more.

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What Is Indeed? 

Indeed has been around since the early 2000s, and it shows. It’s one of the largest online job boards out there. With over 60 million active users, it’s the perfect way for employers to find candidates and vice versa.

You can search and apply for openings with the same ease that you scroll through your social media. All you have to do to get started is create an account and upload your resume/job opening.

What Is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is first and foremost, a platform where professionals can upload their resumes and network with each other. It’s Facebook with a job board attached.

This being said, the job board isn’t lacking. Like Indeed, this platform has millions of active users. That means that there are plenty of jobs/candidates to choose from.

Indeed for Employers 

If you’re an employer on a budget, you’ll love Indeed. You can post basic job openings for free.

With the free version, you will have some issues with getting eyes on your opening. There’s a lot of competition on the site.

If you can’t seem to attract qualified applicants, you can pay a few dollars a day to turn your listing into a sponsored job. Not only will Indeed make sure more people see your opening, but you’ll also be able to invite candidates to apply.

Indeed also makes the screening process a snap. It automatically declines unqualified candidates and even schedules interviews for you. You can also use the free version to add screening questions to your opening.

LinkedIn for Employers 

LinkedIn uses community insights to match candidates with current job openings. Like Indeed, the simple act of posting a job on LinkedIn won’t cost you anything.

You can also bring more attention to your opening by paying for sponsorship. How much you pay depends on what kind of job you’re posting. If you need a senior manager for your company, it’s going to cost more than if you were trying to fill an associate position.

Every candidate has a profile page on LinkedIn. It’s sort of like a Facebook account with a resume attached.

You can click on any applicant’s page, check out their qualifications, and message them directly to set up an interview.

This platform doesn’t only allow you to find employees. Taking a LinkedIn marketing course will help you with generating client leads, as well.

Indeed for Job Seekers

Job seekers don’t have to pay a cent to use Indeed. With the number of employers on the platform, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to pursuing your next career. The second you upload your resume, you leave yourself open for job offers.

The interface is user-friendly. All you have to do to start searching for jobs is type in the name of the position you’re looking for and the geographic location of where you want to work.

If you want to narrow down things even further, you can filter your criteria to include certain salary ranges, companies, and experience levels.

You don’t have to be on the site to job hunt. You can sign up for email alerts that will tell you when someone posts a job that meets your needs.

LinkedIn for Job Seekers

You can search for jobs on LinkedIn, but that’s not why you should have an account. The best part of LinkedIn is the networking potential it provides. You can reach out to professionals in your field to obtain industry knowledge and advice.

You’ll stand out on this platform not with your resume, but with your profile page. You can upload your resume, add pictures, and get endorsements from professionals who can back up your skillset.

The actual job search is much more passive than Indeed. Employers will visit your profile and reach out to you to apply for a position for the most part. All you have to do is wait for the career offers to come in.

Similarities and Differences 

The main difference between LinkedIn and Indeed is that Indeed is a proper job board. LinkedIn is a social media platform with a job board attached.

You can upload your resume/job posting to Indeed to seek out qualified candidates, but it doesn’t have much to offer when it comes to networking.

Both platforms have a paid version, but if that’s not in your budget, you can use them for free.

If you need a job in a hurry, you’ll want to go with Indeed. You’re likely to get matched up with an opportunity within a few days. The job-hunting process is a bit slower and more specialized on LinkedIn.

Indeed vs. LinkedIn: Everything You Need to Know

Indeed vs. LinkedIn, which is the best option for both job seekers and employers? As you can see, both have their own sets of pros and cons.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll gain access to millions of job openings and candidates. Get started today!

For more tips that will help you find the perfect job or employee, visit the Business section of our blog.