8 Alternative Sites to Try Instead of LinkedIn

No doubt – LinkedIn is a valuable tool. It’s a behemoth networking site with more than 546 million users, and it’s clearly cornered the work-related social media market. 

But there are hundreds of sites that offer some of what LinkedIn does, and plenty of stuff it doesn’t. Many are worth a look based solely on the fact that they’re more focused on creating professional connections with others in your specific industry.

We researched seven strong LinkedIn alternatives professionals use to further their careers, find new sales opportunities or hire that next rising star.

#1. Opportunity

This “professional matchmaking” site uses an algorithm to connect you with other professionals who provide employment, sales, networking, and relationship opportunities. There’s a mobile app that sends alerts when a new – you got it – opportunity pops up. Members can also create separate dating profiles on the site, so there’s always that to keep you occupied while you wait to be matched with the perfect job.

#2. Jobcase

Jobcase has an edge over its competition because it powers more than 100 job sites. Members have access to a huge range of employers and listings. The site has more than 70 million users, and members create profiles that contain the most relevant information for recruiters.

Aside from job experience and education, you can also list a personal summary and work preferences like salary range and preferred location. Lastly, you can praise friends, coworkers and service providers and anonymously review companies you’ve worked for. 

#3. Indeed

This well-known job site has more than 200 million unique visitors each month from more than 60 countries. Users create free profiles and upload resumes, and can search listings that are gathered from a number of Internet sources. The site also offers a mobile app and email alerts. And employers can browse resumes in their searches for the perfect fit.

#4. Monster

You didn’t see this ‘90s relic coming, did you? Well, it turns out Monster is still a big hit with job searchers. It has more than five million listings and alerts you when new potential jobs are posted.

The site also offers a number of career tips pertaining to resumes, salary negotiation and interview questions, and has company profiles that give potential applicants an idea of company culture, pay, and benefits.

#5. Glassdoor

This site is a goldmine for job seekers who want to know more about the companies they might work for. You’ll find millions of company reviews, plus information on CEOs, salaries, benefits, interview reviews and questions, and even pictures of offices.

It also has a robust search database that lets you filter by job, location, etc. And recruiters and companies find it simple to promote their brands on the site.

#6. Dice

Dice operates on the notion that “one career site doesn’t fit all careers.” Indeed, there are a number of career sites that cater to folks looking for jobs in specific industries, and this is one of them.

Dice is tailored to professionals who work in technology, security-clearance, financial services, energy and hospitality. It seems to cater mainly to tech workers, which makes sense since it was originally founded as a tech career site. Dice also offers tech news and insights that keep its users up to date on hiring practices and pay information.

#7. Ladders

Ladders touts itself as the top career site for earners of $100,000 and more, and is pretty well known among executive job seekers. It offers news and advice and even helps its members strengthen their resumes.

Basic memberships are free and allow users to search the database of more than 200,000 positions. To apply for the positions through Ladders, you’ll need a premium membership – there’s a sliding scale that starts at $29.99 a month. A yearlong membership will run you $9.99 a month.

#8. Adzuna

Adzuna helps you “zero in on the right role” by using data and artificial intelligence to match you with the right employers. Job searches can start off by using their “Value My Resume” feature, which tells you what you should be earning based on the information in your resume.

Once you know what your experience and skills are worth, you can use their platform to search for over 6 million live jobs, but you won’t have to do this yourself. Their unique tools and salary stats will only show you roles you’d be interested in, saving you time.

Profession-Specific Sites

There are many more extremely useful career sites, particularly the industry-specific ones. Check out SmartRecruiters’ list of “50 Best Niche Job Boards,” which has links to sites that cater to a range of industries, including sales (SalesHeads and Sales Gravy), tech, internships and the arts.

LinkedIn Tips

Even though this post is about alternatives to LinkedIn, we couldn’t let you go until we listed posts for getting the most from LinkedIn:

• Best Practices for Doing Sales Outreach via LinkedIn