Job Search / General job boards and job search engines are used most often

This year’s survey represents a significant departure from previous surveys – it allows us to look at a random sample (labeled ‘Random) and compare it to a career-oriented sample (labeled ‘Active Seekers’) with regard to usage of job search tools and techniques. The results should be extremely useful to individuals and organizations in the online recruiting industry.

Job Board Doctor has been conducting surveys of job seekers, recruiting professionals, and job boards since 2009.

Key findings from this year’s survey:

• LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+ are most widely used by those job seekers active on social media
• General job boards and job search engines are used most often by both sets of respondents
• Referrals, company career sites, and professional networks (online & offline) proved most important to job seekers in both sample sets
• 76% of active seekers search their own name on search engines occasionally or regularly
• The random sample relied most heavily on search engines, general job boards, and newspaper ads when looking for work; the active seeker sample used professional networks, social media, referrals, and niche boards as well
• Desktop and laptop computers continue to be the primary tool in job search; mobile devices are used primarily for job search and employer research.
• 65% of the active seekers have found work via a referral from a friend or colleague
• 71% say that lack of response from employers is the most frustrating aspect of job boards

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at