Job board

Some job board platforms allow employers to advertise jobs for free, while others offer only paid, premium job ads. Typically, job board websites are free for job seekers to search and apply for job vacancies.

What is the difference between a job board and a job search engine?

Job boards are just one kind of online platform available to recruiters and employers to advertise for job vacancies. There are also job search engine sites and social networking platforms where employers can find candidates and job seekers can search for jobs.

Suggested read: The best free job boards

Job board

• Websites where recruiters and employers can post open positions
• Example: Monster

Job search engine

• Searches the internet and aggregates job listings from company career sites and job boards
• Example: Indeed

If you want to learn more about job posting on Indeed, check out our content on how to post a job on LinkedIn. 

Social networking platform

• Offers similar functions as both job boards and search sites but has other niche functions
• Example: LinkedIn

If you want to learn more about job posting on LinkedIn, check out our content on how to post a job on LinkedIn. 

What is a generalist vs. a specialist (niche) job board?

A generalist job board reaches a broad, diverse audience across all industries, sectors, and employment types. A specialist board focuses on one industry or sector or specific types of jobs.

Generalist job board

• Posts jobs for all industries and sectors
• Reaches a wide range of candidates
• Examples: LinkedIn, Indeed, XING

Specialist (niche) job board

• Posts jobs targeting one industry or sector
• Reaches a smaller, niche group of candidates
• Examples: Behance, Dribbble, GitHub Jobs

Check out our full list of the best job boards for employers in 2023!

What are the best job boards for startups and small to medium-sized businesses?

When it comes to figuring out what the best job board is for employers, there’s no one answer. The best job board for posting jobs will depend on the industry and sector, the location, skill set, and experience level required to fill the role. Of course, your budget will also play a role in finding the best job board website for your needs. 

JOIN helps you fulfil your recruiting and hiring goals by multiposting your job ad to the most relevant job boards and offering data-driven recommendations on which platforms you will likely see the best ROI.