ZipRecruiter vs Indeed: Which Job Site is Better

The creation of this post has been sponsored by ZipRecruiter, and we may get a commission for purchases made through links on this page.

There used to be only a handful of job sites, and each one seemed to have a theme.

Some were for veterans, others for college students. Today, there are hundreds of job boards. However, ZipRecruiter and Indeed have proven to be in the top 5 job listing sites. What sets these two apart?

When it comes to ZipRecruiter vs Indeed, they both work for finding talent or your next employment, but there are some major differences in how these sites promote these listings as well as other features that set them apart.

In addition, ZipRecruiter offers a no-cost trial for employers wanting to try their premium features.

Here is an in-depth look at both of these job boards with a detailed look at how each handle job postings, resumes, applications, and pricing.

Indeed vs ZipRecruiter: How the Job Sites Compare

One of the first things you’ll notice about ZipRecruiter is that it’s designed to re-post your job posting across hundreds of other job boards. Indeed offers this service, but employers must set up targeted promotions.

Job posters and recruiters should also consider the features, dashboard, and pricing.

Truthfully, the sites are so similar that you have to look into the details to really see which one will benefit you as a job poster or a job seeker.

Overview of ZipRecruiter

Have you noticed that even Google now has a job board syndicate? If you search for any job on Google, you’ll receive search results from all kinds of websites.

ZipRecruiter is likely to be one of them, and if you posted your job on this site, that job posting will likely appear on hundreds of others. This is the beauty of posting a job on ZipRecruiter.

While at its core, ZipRecruiter is a simple job board site, the technology behind the postings is what can help an employer who has a specific job post and needs exposure across hundreds of other job sites.

Thanks to syndication, any post you make on ZipRecruiter is shared on other job boards as well as social media sites. More people see your job listing, which improves the odds of you finding a good candidate.

ZipRecruiter actually is known as the highest-rated job seeker app.

Once your resume is posted, it’s added to a database where it can be searched by employers.

You can add keywords, location, salary requirements, references, and all kinds of skills to make your resume look more attractive.

ZipRecruiter will also automatically send you notifications for any new job postings that match your resume.

Posting a Job on ZipRecruiter

Once you’ve made an account with ZipRecruiter, you’ll be offered a free trial.

Depending on the plan selected, employers get a number of job slots. To start, ZipRecruiter’s basic plan offers 3 job slots, which means you can post no more than 3 jobs without upgrading.

• Limited job slots are available based on your payment plan
• The basic plan includes 3 slots
• Change out job postings as needed
• Must upgrade to post more than allotted slots
• No limits on the number of applicants
• Search resume database and contact potential candidates
• Manage everything from the sophisticated dashboard

To post a job, you’ll simply go to your dashboard, click the “+” or “post a job” link in the top left corner, then fill in all the details.

The standard job posting includes a title, description, company description, salary description, and a few more fields to give more information about your company.

Once your job posting is created, you can go back to your dashboard and add screening questions that candidates must answer.

If you don’t have all the information ready, ZipRecruiter offers job description templates that you can customize. However, all the basic job description information is pre-written for you.

Once posted, your job is syndicated and broadcast to over 100 job boards, as well as social media sites.

Candidates can apply for the open position directly through ZipRecruiter, and you can review all resumes and profiles through your dashboard. You can also message candidates and ask for more information.

Looking for a Job on ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers. You can create an account and start searching for jobs based on skills, location, salary, and other factors. You can also upload your resume to your own page on ZipRecruiter, which can be searched by recruiters and employers.

A tracking system also actively searches for the best jobs that match your requirements. It’s easy to check in with your dashboard and look at all of your matches as well.

In addition to your resume, you can add a profile picture, social handles, desired salary, and references to enhance your profile.

If you don’t want to make it public, you can set it to private and simply one-click apply to jobs you find on ZipRecruiter.

The best part is that ZipRecruiter has a mobile app and real-time notifications. This means that if a job is posted within your skill range and salary preferences, ZipRecruiter automatically notifies you.

What Makes ZipRecruiter Unique

Created in 2010, ZipRecruiter has evolved beyond being a job board site. The algorithm actively looks for jobs and candidates that match what you’re looking for, sending you real-time alerts so you can find a candidate or job even faster.

Effectively, ZipRecruiter is more of a SaaS platform that intuitively helps its users match up and move beyond the job-hunting process as quickly as possible.

Unlike many other job boards, ZipRecruiter offers an activity dashboard that shows you what’s going on with your posts. You can also use this to search for resumes in their online database.

Companies can create profiles and add customizable branding to their posts. This makes it easy for candidates to learn more about your company. However, it doesn’t have reviews like Indeed.

Another feature that sets ZipRecruiter apart is its algorithm technology and real-time notifications. Employers and job seekers alike receive alerts in real-time about new candidates and job postings, as well as communications.

In addition, ZipRecruiter has a “TrafficBoost” option that allows employees to send out applications via email and post on even more job boards. While this option isn’t free, ZipRecruiter has a referral program where you can earn $100 in credits to use for this option.

Finally, ZipRecruiter’s mobile app is extremely easy to use. While you probably will need to set up your account online, once you do have this setup, you can access your dashboard on your phone and receive real-time alerts. You can search for resumes or jobs on the mobile app, contact candidates or employers, and make changes as needed to your profile. The mobile app is also free.

ZipRecruiter Support Options

Even though ZipRecruiter makes it easy to sign up and get started, there are always questions and things that come up during the process.

ZipRecruiter offers both online and phone support for its account holders.

ZipRecruiter Pricing For Job Postings

ZipRecruiter has changed its pricing over the years. Currently, there are 3 plans: Standard, Premium, and Enterprise. Their lowest plan includes one job slot for $299 per month. However, you can try all plans using the free trial option.

Overview of Indeed

Indeed has been the largest job posting site for many years based on monthly traffic. While it’s free to use, employers must pay for advertising and job promotion if they want to have their jobs listed at the top of the page on Indeed. Currently, it accounts for 16.36 percent of the total job board market.

However, is this massive job board effective for employers?

In some cases, the site provides access to candidates who you may not find anywhere else, but many recruiters have reported older, defunct resumes that haven’t been updated in years.

However, because of its free plan, Indeed has some benefits for employers on a budget who simply want to get their job postings online.

Posting a Job on Indeed

When it comes to ZipRecruiter vs Indeed for employers, some employers may think it’s best to post on both. However, can you advertise job postings the same way on Indeed as with ZipRecruiter?

The two job boards advertise positions quite differently.

After creating an account, you can start posting open positions. These job posts go into the job pool with thousands of others in your location and industry. In order to make them stand out, employers have options to “boost” their posts, which costs money.

For example, one boost option allows you to show your open positions at the top of all searches within a location and industry. These are called sponsored jobs, and they work much like Google Adwords. You’ll be charged on a per click basis, but you can set a daily budget that these listings must not go over.

Sponsored job postings may or may not help you find qualified candidates. The added visibility may actually pull in more unqualified candidates as they don’t need to search by skills to see your job post. If you want to advertise job postings solely on one job site, then Indeed offers this option. However, it won’t syndicate any of your postings to other partner job boards or even social media sites.

When creating a job post, you can choose a template and add screening questions. You can also create company pages with a description of your business, photos, logos, and other information. Both applicants and employees can visit your page and leave reviews if allowed.

Looking for a Job on Indeed

Job seekers can easily find jobs on Indeed. It’s pretty easy to use and free to sign up. Once you have created an account, you can upload your resume. If set to public, then recruiters and employers can find you. In addition, you can take assessments to boost your profile and skills level.

After uploading a resume, you can also search for jobs and apply directly via Indeed’s platform or navigate to the company’s website. However, this feature is up to the job poster. You can also look at company reviews to see what it’s like to interview with the company or what employees think of the company.

What Makes Indeed Unique

There are a few features that make Indeed different, but the one thing to note is that it’s been marketed as the “#1 job board worldwide.” The site is made to be easy to use, and because it’s free to post any number of jobs, many employers start here. However, there are some issues with this platform that make it difficult to find high-quality candidates.

You can search its resume database and pay to contact prospects. The site also has more functionality for skills tests, cover letters, and company pages.
You don’t need a credit card to sign up for Indeed, but you will need one to create an advertising account and start sponsoring your job posts. Indeed offers customizable company pages, a built-in database, and social recruiting for an additional cost.

Indeed Customer Support

While there is some online support for Indeed’s paying account holders, you’ll have to rely on a help desk option if you only have a free account. There’s also no phone support available. If you have issues with your account, you’ll have to wait for someone to respond to your ticket online.

Indeed Pricing for Job Postings

Indeed’s payment model is that you post jobs for free, but you can boost them with some budget. These boosts allow you to create targeted ads on Indeed.com, and your job posts may also be emailed and published on social media sites.

You’ll pay per click every time a candidate clicks on your ad. The cost depends on the daily budget you set for the sponsored listing.

Does Indeed have a resume builder?

Indeed also has its own resume builder that’s widely used by millions of job seekers to create one that’s tailored to their specific qualifications.

It also offers a wide range of customizable templates and tools to help job seekers craft their resumes in the best way possible.

ZipRecruiter, on the other hand, also offers free downloadable templates on their website for job seekers of all types to use as a starting point for building their resumes.

So what’s better for job seekers and employers: ZipRecruiter vs Indeed?

Even though these job boards may look the same on the outside, you won’t be able to use them without paying in some way.

Indeed’s free posting plan may seem beneficial for small businesses, but it only drops your job post in with thousands of other posts in the same industry.

To stand out, you’ll have to pay Indeed, but even then, your job post is only sponsored on Indeed.com, not any other job board.

ZipRecruiter is like an AI hiring recruiter that actively seeks out candidates that match what you’re looking for. Your job posting goes to hundreds of job boards, rather than just one.

Essentially, ZipRecruiter actively seeks out candidates, whereas Indeed is more of a traditional, passive job listing site.

When it comes to ZipRecruiter vs Indeed for employers, it really depends on your budget. We suggest trying ZipRecruiter’s no-cost trial first to see how many qualified candidates you get. However, there’s no harm in setting up a free account on Indeed to compare.

Which is the Best Job Posting Site For Employers?

Both of these sites are hailed for their technology. While Indeed has more of a legacy and a free platform for employers, it doesn’t have the distribution. You may pay hundreds of dollars on Indeed to boost your post on the website, but your jobs aren’t posted to hundreds of other job boards. There is no syndication.

With ZipRecruiter, you can start a no-cost trial and see how this job board uses its algorithm to automatically send your job posts off to hundreds of other job boards and communicate with you in real time about a qualified candidate.

It’s a great value if you are looking for highly skilled candidates in a short amount of time, and you won’t pay as much as a real recruiter, which can cost thousands of dollars to find the right candidate.

Our verdict is ZipRecruiter offers more features and visibility for employers seeking qualified candidates.

Which Job Board is Best For Job Seekers?

Job seekers should post their resumes wherever they can, but we liked that ZipRecruiter has real-time notifications and a mobile app that lets you apply on the go. You can easily message employers and send resumes to jobs you want without ever having to pay anything.

Indeed also allows you to upload your resume, and the skills testing is definitely a boost if employers like your resume. There seems to be a lot of competition in specific locations and markets that leave many candidates invisible on this site, however.

Due to the real-time notifications and high-quality employers on ZipRecruiter, we think it’s the better site for job seekers who want to find a job quickly.

BONUS:
MommyBear Tips and Advice for Employers and Job Seekers using ZipRecruiter or Indeed

If you want to make your life easier when using these two popular job boards, here are a few tips and advice for you.

Recruitment Tips for Employers

For employers, finding the right candidates is crucial to keeping their businesses afloat.

However, with so many applicants flooding the market, it can be difficult to find qualified candidates in a timely manner.

Here are some tips for recruiting that can help you cut through the noise:

1. Create a strong job posting.

A well-written job posting will attract top talent, regardless of whether or not they are currently looking for a new position. Use keywords that your target audience is likely to use when searching online. For example, if you are looking to hire a web developer, include keywords such as “web development,” “programming,” and “web design” in your posting.

2. Be specific about the position you’re looking for.

If you don’t mention a specific position, it’s likely that all jobs posted on a board are generalist positions that may or may not be applicable to your company. Specify exactly what type of position you’re looking for and narrow your search accordingly. For example, if you’re looking for an Appointment Setter, don’t just type in “Virtual Assistant” or “Sales Representative”, since these are two broad terms. Be specific and narrow your search to “Appointment Setter”.

3. Create a good campaign

When sponsoring a job listing, make sure you are posting the right job ad and targeting the right demographic of candidates with tailored content and creative advertising campaigns. This way, you don’t waste time and money running ads that don’t perform well.

4. Take the time to browse job seeker profiles or resumes.

Many times, the best candidates are ones we don’t expect; they might be someone we overlooked who has all of the right qualifications but isn’t familiar with your company or industry. By simply taking time to pre-screen candidates before inviting them to apply, you can save yourself a lot of time by doing so.

5. Include all the necessary information on your job posting.

Be sure to include a detailed description of the position and any required qualifications. This will help potential applicants understand what they need to bring to the table.

Employment Tips for Job Seekers

There are many job opportunities available today, and it can be difficult to know where to start.

If you are looking for a new job, whether it’s on Indeed or ZipRecruiter, here are some tips to help you be noticed on these two platforms:

1. Make sure your profile is up to date.

Make sure all the information is accurate and up-to-date, including current skills and experience so that it reflects the most current version of who you are.

2.Write a good introduction.

This is the first thing that a potential employer will see when they come to your profile. If you don’t have something interesting and unique to say, it will be very difficult for them to wade through all of the information you have posted on Indeed or ZipRecruiter. Also, try to use keywords you’d like employers to see when searching for your resume on an online board.

2. Tailor your cover letter for each job opening you apply to.

While your cover letter will be similar in style, it’s the content that will vary. Write a cover letter for each position you apply to in a concise and direct manner. You don’t want to spend time writing something that doesn’t present you in the best possible light.

3. Set up job alerts.

Get notified whenever new postings matching your criteria become available. This way, you can quickly review new openings and respond to them as soon as they become available. While you might not be able to apply for a job immediately, you can still take advantage of the information that is being put out there.

4. Avoid writing errors.

Make sure that your cover letter is free of typos and grammar mistakes. It seems obvious, but for some reason, people can be incredibly careless when it comes to this. A simple typo in your resume and cover letter can cost you a job at the very least.

4. Research the company.

Before applying for any job, be sure to do some research on the company. Check out their website, Google search results, and other online sources to get a good understanding of what they do and how they operate. This will help you decide if the opportunity is a good fit for your skills and interests.

5. Be patient when searching for a new position.

It can take several weeks or even months to find a suitable job. Don’t give up hope if you don’t receive any responses after posting your resume online or interviewing with several companies.

Find Your Next Job or Employee on ZipRecruiter

With so many options out there, ZipRecruiter remains to be the best place for employers and job seekers.

The job board has been around for over a decade and has built a strong reputation as the go-to resource for businesses and individuals.

In addition, ZipRecruiter provides users with a host of benefits such as free search capabilities and live customer support that’s available 24/7.

This makes it an excellent choice for both employers and job seekers looking for the best possible experience when searching for a new position or filling a current one.