Where LinkedIn sits among the other places people look for work
This page is a briefing, not a shortlist. Each service is described in two parts: what it is for, and where it stops being useful. The order follows how people often use these tools next to LinkedIn, not how often they lead to a job.
Your field, city, seniority and whether you want a job or project work will change which of these matter. Nothing here is right for everyone.
Illustrative flow only. Line thickness is decorative and does not show measured volumes or success rates.
Where LinkedIn tends to help
Uses where a profile and a network sit in the same place.
LinkedIn
Being findable by recruiters
What it does
Recruiters can search profiles without waiting for an application. A complete profile can lead to approaches you did not start.
Where it stops
What they find depends on keywords, location settings and whether recruiters in your field still search there. Plenty of roles never pass through a recruiter search.
LinkedIn
Finding a person inside a company
What it does
You can see who works at a firm and, if you share a contact, ask for an introduction before you apply.
Where it stops
Messages to people you do not know are easy to skip. Paying for extra messaging does not change that.
LinkedIn Premium
Paid job seeker features
What it does
Paid plans can add extra messages and some insight into how an application sits. The exact extras change.
Where it stops
A paid plan does not create interviews on its own. Prices differ by country and billing period; LinkedIn's plans page is the only reliable source.
Run alongside it
General tools many people keep open at the same time.
Job board
Indeed
What it does
Collects a wide set of listings, including hourly, local and non-office roles, with short apply paths on many of them.
Where it stops
It does little for reputation or introductions. Popular ads can attract a large pile of applicants.
Research
Glassdoor
What it does
Reviews, pay reports and interview notes can help you prepare and read an offer more carefully.
Where it stops
The writing is anonymous and self-reported. It can be old or one-sided. Use it as one source, not a verdict.
Direct
Company career pages
What it does
The employer's own page is usually the most current wording of the role and the official way to apply.
Where it stops
You have to know which firms to check. Each site has its own form and login.
Specialist and regional
Narrower places that matter more in some fields than others.
Startups
Wellfound
What it does
Lists startup roles and often shows salary and equity ranges on the listing itself.
Where it stops
Mostly useful for startups. Less so for large employers, public bodies or hourly work.
Students
Handshake
What it does
Connects students and recent graduates with internships and first roles, usually through a university.
Where it stops
It is built for early careers and participating schools. Value drops once you have a work history.
Regional
Xing
What it does
Holds jobs and professional profiles with a focus on German-speaking countries.
Where it stops
Little use outside that region. Features have changed, so check what the site currently offers.
Portfolio
GitHub and Behance
What it does
Let developers and designers show finished work, which hiring managers in those fields often open.
Where it stops
They matter in those crafts only. They are not job boards.
Watch for
These points apply no matter which service you open.
Freelance
Upwork and Fiverr
What it does
Clients hire freelancers for projects and the platform handles payment.
Where it stops
Fees apply and price competition can be sharp. Project work is not employment. Contractor, tax and benefit rules depend on where you live; this page is not advice, so check with your tax authority or a qualified adviser.
Visas
Sponsorship filters
What it does
Some boards let an employer mark whether it sponsors work visas.
Where it stops
A filter is not a legal promise. Immigration rules are complex and change. This page is not immigration advice; use official government sources or a licensed adviser.
Your data
Uploading a CV
What it does
A stored CV can make later applications faster and can make you searchable.
Where it stops
A CV holds personal data. Read the privacy settings and drop details such as a home address. This is not legal advice; your data protection regulator explains your rights.
Scams
Too-good offers
What it does
Fake listings show up on many platforms, LinkedIn included.
Where it stops
Be wary of requests for payment, bank details or ID before a real interview. Check the employer on its own website.
It depends on your field
Office-based professional roles tend to see more recruiter activity on LinkedIn. Hourly, trade and local jobs more often sit on general boards or on the employer's own site.
It depends on your stage
Students may get more from early-career platforms. People with a longer record often lean on referrals, which a network can make easier to ask for.
It depends on your time
Keeping several profiles current takes work. Many people keep one profile complete and use the other sites only to search and apply.