We may receive compensation when you click on product links from our partners. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Last Updated on January 29, 2025
If you’ve followed CareerAlley for a long time, you will have read some of our posts regarding the “Four Legs of Job Search.” One of those “legs” is
Indeed.com has been around for a long time (although not as long as Monster.com) and helped create the popularity of “job aggregators” (sites that pull in job search leads from recruiters, company career sites, and many other sources). The great news about digital
What This Article Covers
- Understanding
Job Search Engines: Learn how platforms like Indeed.com function and why they are essential for modern job seekers. - Focusing Your
Job Search : Discover key strategies to refine your job search, target relevant roles, and avoid wasting time on outdated listings. - Creating an Indeed Account: Step-by-step instructions on signing up, setting up a dedicated
job search email , and uploadingyour resume effectively. - Optimizing
Your Resume Visibility: Understand the importance of making your resume visible to recruiters andhiring managers to increase job opportunities. - Using Advanced Search Filters: Learn how to leverage Indeed’s advanced search options to find job postings that closely match your skills and preferences.
- Automating Your
Job Search : Set up job alerts andemail notifications to stay updated on the latest opportunities without manually searching daily. - Applying for Jobs Efficiently: Tips on submitting applications effectively, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring
your resume passes applicant tracking systems (ATS). - Tracking Applications and Managing Alerts: Use Indeed’s job tracking tools to monitor your applications, revisit past searches, and adjust job alerts to stay organized.
Resume review, cover letters and interview preparation. Learn about the critical mistakes you may be making in your resume and cover letters. Find out how to fix it and start getting job interviews.
Focus Your Search
There are several steps you should take to focus your search and maximize the time you spend on your search:
- Target Roles That Match Your Qualifications: Apply only to positions where your skills and experience align closely with the job requirements. If your qualifications are only somewhat relevant, there’s a high chance that a more qualified candidate will be selected for an interview.
- Focus on Recent Job Postings: Prioritize applications for job listings no older than seven days. Older postings may already have a large pool of qualified candidates, reducing your chances of getting noticed.
- Customize
Your Resume andCover Letter : Tailoryour resume andcover letter for each position to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences. This increases the likelihood of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catching a recruiter’s attention. - Utilize Advanced Search Filters: Use job board filters to narrow down results based on location, job type,
salary , and company size. This helps you focus on opportunities that best fit your career goals and preferences. - Leverage Networking and Referrals: Reach out to connections in your industry, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and seek employee referrals. Many jobs are filled through networking rather than online applications.
Do you need career support solely focused on you and your goals? Explore Career.io, the only Al and human-powered platform where you can find everything you need. For any step of your job search or career growth. All in one place.
Getting Started – Sign-up
If you already have an indeed.com account, skip to Set-up below.
Signing up for Indeed.com is quick and easy, allowing you to start applying for jobs in minutes. Follow these simple steps to create your account, upload
- Go to Indeed’s Website: Open your web browser and visit Indeed.com.
- Start the Sign-Up Process: Click the “Sign In” button at the top right corner, then select “Create an account” at the bottom of the sign-in page.
- Choose Your Sign-Up Method: Select to register using your
email address, Google account, Apple ID, or Facebook account. - Select Your Role: Choose whether you’re “Looking for a job?” or “Hiring an employee?”
- Create Your Password: If using
email registration, create a password at least 8 characters long. - Verify Your
Email : Check youremail inbox for a verification message from Indeed. Click the confirmation link to verify and activate your account. - Upload or Build
Your Resume : After confirming your account, you can upload an existing resume or build one using Indeed’s resume builder tool.
The content is mostly accurate but needs a few adjustments based on the current Indeed process.
From kicking off your career to career transitions to the challenges of the experienced professional — TopResume has resources for you every step of the way. Get started with an expert... get the job... and thrive!
Set-up:
The next few steps are important to ensure
Resume Visibility Settings: When managing
- Searchable: Employers can find
your resume in searches and may contact you about relevant opportunities. Your phone number andemail will be visible to employers when you apply. - Not Searchable:
Your resume will only be visible when you directly apply for positions, giving you more control over your privacy.
To change these settings, access your profile, click on Resume, then click the three-dot menu and select “Privacy Visibility”.
Company Reviews: Indeed offers the option to leave company reviews, which show only:
- Star ratings (out of five stars)
- Review text
- Job title
- Work location
- Review date
Reviews are anonymous and are never attached to your future job applications.
Important: Employers may receive alerts about resume updates if you’ve previously applied to their company through Indeed, so consider setting
Get 10X more Job Interviews with JobCopilot
Automatically apply to jobs from 50,000+ companies worldwide
Find Jobs:
Indeed’s search interface provides powerful tools to help you find the right opportunities quickly. Follow these steps to refine your
Basic Search:
- Enter job titles, skills, or company names in the “What” field.
- Use the “Where” field to specify a location or type “remote” for work-from-home jobs.
Search Optimization Techniques:
- Search for Exact Phrases: Use quotation marks for precise keyword matches (e.g., “project management”).
- Include Multiple Terms: Use parentheses with “OR” to broaden search results (e.g., (teacher OR instructor OR professor)).
- Exclude Unwanted Terms: Add a minus sign (-) before words to remove them from results (e.g., marketing -intern -temporary).
- Filter by Job Titles: Use title: followed by the desired position to refine results (e.g., title:”data
analyst “). - Search for Jobs at a Specific Company: Use company: followed by the company name (e.g., company:”Google”).
Use Indeed’s Built-in Filters:
- Date Posted: Choose jobs posted within the last 24 hours, 3 days, or 7 days.
- Job Type: Filter by full-time, part-time, contract,
internship , or temporary jobs. - Salary Estimate: Set a
salary range to match your expectations. - Location Proximity: Adjust your
job search radius from a specific location. - Experience Level: Select entry-level, mid-level, or senior-level roles.
- Education Requirements: Filter jobs based on degree or certification requirements.
- Remote Work Options: Choose on-site, hybrid, or fully remote positions.
Pro Tip: Set up Job Alerts to receive daily notifications for new listings that match your search preferences.
Automate Your Search:
Setting up job alerts helps you stay updated on new opportunities that match your preferences. Here’s how to set them up:
Create Job Alerts:
- Enter your desired job title in the “What” field
- Enter the location in the “Where” field (or “remote” for work-from-home)
- Click “Find Jobs”
- Scroll to the bottom of the results page
- Look for “I want to receive job alerts”
- Click “Activate” to confirm
Manage Your Alerts:
- Click the Menu button (three horizontal lines)
- Select Settings > Communication Settings >
Email - Customize alert frequency (daily or weekly)
- Edit job titles and locations
- Pause or delete alerts as needed
Pro Tip: Set alerts to daily frequency for the most current opportunities, especially during active job searches.
Final Thoughts
While Indeed.com makes job searching easier than ever, the platform’s accessibility means early applications and targeted searches are crucial for success. Remember to apply within the first few days of a posting, as most
Focus on positions that closely match your qualifications, keep
TopResume analyzes more resumes and LinkedIn profiles than any other service in the world. Let our experts provide you with objective feedback and personalized recommendations to improve your resume and land the right job sooner. Get started with a free, confidential review!
