Let's be real for a second. Job hunting in 2025 is a nightmare. It’s a broken, soul-sucking loop of uploading the same resume to fifty different portals, only to get ghosted by a bot named "Talent Acquisition AI." You’re tired. I’m tired. We’re all tired.
But you need a paycheck. So here we are.
The problem isn't that there aren't enough jobs. The problem is that there are too many places to look, and 90% of them are trash. They're filled with "ghost jobs"—listings that have been open for eight months because the company has no intention of hiring but wants to look like they're growing.
I’ve spent years navigating this mess. I’ve seen the rise of AI spam and the fall of human decency in recruiting. So, I’m not going to give you a fluffy list of "great opportunities." I’m going to tell you which sites are actually worth your limited sanity points.
The Real Numbers
Before we get into the specific platforms, let’s look at the data. This is what you’re actually up against.
| Platform | "Ghost Job" Rate | Response Rate | Pain Level (1-10) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (40%+) | Low | 9 | Networking, not applying | |
| Indeed | Very High | Very Low | 8 | Volume applying (desperation) |
| Otta | Low | Medium | 3 | Tech/Startups |
| Wellfound | Low | High | 4 | Direct founder contact |
1. LinkedIn: The Necessary Evil
We have to start here. Not because it’s good, but because it’s unavoidable. LinkedIn is the "social network" where everyone pretends to be thrilled about working weekends.
The Scenario
It’s Tuesday night. You’re doom-scrolling. You see a post from a "Career Influencer" saying, "I applied to 0 jobs and got 5 offers! DM me 'HUSTLE' to find out how!" You want to throw your laptop out the window. Meanwhile, you apply to a "Promoted" job listing that has 1,400 applicants. Two minutes later, you get an automated rejection email. This is the LinkedIn experience.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
- 2021: You could set your status to "Open to Work" and recruiters would actually message you with relevant roles. It was annoying, but it worked.
- 2025: Your inbox is full of AI-generated spam from "recruiters" who clearly haven't read your profile. "Hi [Name], I see you are a [Job Title]. Would you like to be a door-to-door insurance salesman?"
Why You Still Need It
Despite the cringe, it’s where the people are. You don't use LinkedIn to apply. You use it to find the hiring manager and annoy them until they look at your resume.
2. Otta: The Only One That Doesn't Make Me Angry
If you work in tech or startups, Otta is the only breath of fresh air in a room full of farts. They actually curate the jobs.
The Scenario
You log in. The interface is clean. Dark mode is on by default (thank god). You see a job at a Series B startup. It tells you the salary upfront. It tells you the funding. It tells you the tech stack. You click "Apply" and it takes you directly to the company's Lever or Greenhouse page. No account creation loop. You feel... fine? Is this what hope feels like?
The Old Way vs. The New Way
- 2021: You had to dig through AngelList (now Wellfound) and guess if a startup had money or if they were paying you in "exposure" and worthless equity.
- 2025: Otta filters out the garbage. If it’s on there, they probably have funding and a real product.
3. Indeed: The Dumpster Fire
Indeed is the Walmart of job sites. Everything is there, but it’s messy, crowded, and you feel dirty after using it.
The Scenario
You search for "Software Engineer." Result #1: "Senior Architect - $40k/year." Result #2: A promoted ad for a trucking school. Result #3: A job posted 30+ days ago. You apply anyway because you're desperate. You get an email asking you to take a 45-minute "assessment" test before a human even looks at your name. You close the tab.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
- 2021: Indeed was the default. It was ugly, but it had the most jobs.
- 2025: It’s overrun by scams and low-quality listings. It’s useful only as a search engine to find company names, then you go apply on their actual website.
4. Wellfound (formerly AngelList): For When You Want to Talk to Humans
If you want to work at a startup, go here. It’s the only place where you might actually get an email back from a founder.
The Scenario
You find a small company working on AI for cat toys. It sounds ridiculous, but they just raised $10M. You apply. Three hours later, the CTO emails you. "Hey, saw your GitHub. Can you chat?" No HR screen. No behavioral questions about your "greatest weakness." Just code.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
- 2021: It was called AngelList. It was buggy but functional.
- 2025: It’s rebranded to Wellfound. It’s slicker, but the core value remains: direct access. The signal-to-noise ratio is infinitely better than LinkedIn.
5 Steps to Not Losing Your Mind
You need a process. Flailing around on these sites will burn you out in a week. Here is the only way to survive.
- Pick Your Battles: Do not apply to everything. Pick 3 sites. I recommend Otta (for quality), LinkedIn (for networking), and one niche board for your specific industry. Ignore the rest.
- The "24-Hour" Rule: Only apply to jobs posted in the last 24 hours. If it’s been up for a week, they already have 500 applicants. You are wasting your time.
- Bypass the "Easy Apply": Never use the "Easy Apply" button on LinkedIn or Indeed. It goes into a black hole. Find the job, then go to the company’s careers page and apply there. It shows you can do basic research.
- Track the Data: Use a spreadsheet. Track where you applied, when, and if you heard back. If you apply to 50 jobs on Indeed and get 0 responses, stop using Indeed. Data doesn't lie.
- The Follow-Up: After you apply, find a human on LinkedIn. Not the recruiter. Find the manager of the team. Send a connection request. "Hey, just applied to the X role. Big fan of what you're doing with Y. Hope to chat." It’s aggressive. It works.
See our guide on Resume Mistakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I never hear back from applications submitted on LinkedIn?
Because you are one of 2,000 people who clicked a button. LinkedIn's "Easy Apply" feature has gamified the application process to the point of absurdity. People apply to jobs they aren't qualified for because it takes one second. This floods the recruiter's inbox with noise. To filter this, they use aggressive keyword matching (ATS) or just ignore the pile entirely after the first 50 applications. If you want a response, you have to be in the first batch, or you have to bypass the system entirely by reaching out to a human.
Is it worth paying for LinkedIn Premium or other "Pro" job site features?
Short answer: No. Long answer: Mostly no. LinkedIn Premium allows you to see "how you compare" to other applicants, which is usually depressing and inaccurate data based on self-reported skills. It lets you send InMails, which can be useful, but you can often guess someone's email format ([email protected]) for free. Unless you are in a very high-level executive search where networking is the only way, save your money. The free version of these tools is sufficient if you use them correctly.
How do I spot a "Ghost Job" before I waste time applying?
There are tell-tale signs. First, look at the posting date. If it’s been up for more than 30 days, it’s likely a ghost job. Second, check if the same exact job has been reposted multiple times over the last few months. Third, look at the company's career page. If the job isn't listed there, but is still on Indeed or LinkedIn, it’s a ghost job. Companies often forget to take down external listings. Finally, if the description is incredibly vague and reads like a template, run away.
Should I use AI to write my cover letters?
Yes, but don't be lazy about it. If you copy-paste the output from ChatGPT, you sound like a robot. Recruiters can smell "I hope this email finds you well" from a mile away. Use AI to generate the structure. Use it to match keywords from the job description to your skills. But then, go in and rewrite the sentences to sound like a human being. Add a specific detail about the company that an AI wouldn't know from 2021 training data. Use your voice. If you sound generic, you get rejected.