Top 10 Job Board Websites in the UK

Whether you’re a recent graduate looking for your first big break, a seasoned professional seeking a new challenge, or a recruiter tasked with finding the perfect candidate, navigating the UK job market can be overwhelming.

According to the UK labor market statistics, from April to June 2025, there were 1.67 million unemployed people in the UK. At the same time, the number of job vacancies fell to 718,000 in May to July 2025. The figures highlight the reality of today’s job market, where more people are looking for work, while opportunities are tightening.

In a landscape with fewer vacancies and more competition, knowing exactly where to look is the first and most crucial step. Job boards remain a critical tool, with 68.6% of employers conducting all or most of their hiring through them and 79.5% of candidates relying on them. But with hundreds of job boards in the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin.

That’s why we’ve carefully curated the list of the top 10 job board websites in the United Kingdom, outlining how they serve both candidates and recruiters. Narrowing down this list was no easy task – we considered platform reach, niche specialization, usability, and overall value, to give you a clear roadmap for your next search or hiring campaign.

The Top 10 Job Boards in the UK

Here are the platforms that stand out for 2025, along with their dual purpose for job seekers and recruiters:

Indeed
Monster
Reed
CV-Library
Totaljobs
CW Jobs
Niche Jobs
Gradcracker
Adzuna
Find a Job

1. Indeed

Indeed is often the first port of call for anyone looking for a job online, and for good reason. As the world’s most visited job site, receiving 408.4 million visits just in Jul 2025, surpassing its competitors, it aggregates millions of listings from thousands of company websites and other job boards. This means you can find a vast array of opportunities without having to visit multiple sites.

For Job Seekers: Indeed’s primary strength is its comprehensive reach. You can set up custom job alerts to get daily emails with new listings that match your criteria, and the “Indeed Apply” feature allows you to send your application with just a few clicks. It’s an excellent platform for a broad, high-volume job search.

For Employers: Indeed provides a massive and diverse candidate pool. Recruiters can post jobs for free, but paid “Sponsored Jobs” get more visibility. The site also offers tools for managing applications, scheduling interviews, and even administering skills tests to help screen candidates more efficiently.

Cost: Free for job seekers – free job postings available, with optional paid sponsorships for better reach.

2. Monster

A pioneer in online recruitment, Monster has maintained a strong foothold in the UK market. Its brand is synonymous with job searching, and it continues to attract a large user base. It’s one of the most popular job search platforms UK-wide. Apart from the job listings and postings, it also provides tools, solutions, and resources for recruiters. For job searchers, it also provides career advice and a salary calculator tool to check potential earnings.

For Job Seekers: Monster’s user-friendly interface and robust search tools make it easy to find and apply for jobs. It also provides useful career advice, salary tools, and a CV-building service to help you present yourself in the best possible light.

For Employers: With its global reach and large user base, Monster offers employers a wide audience for their job ads. It provides various hiring solutions, including job posting, resume search, and branding opportunities to help companies attract talent.

Cost: Free for job seekers – employers pay for postings and access to CV databases.

3. Reed

Reed has been connecting people with jobs since 1995, making it a veteran of the online recruitment world. Since then, it has grown to become one of the UK’s leading job and career sites. It’s a trusted brand with a huge presence, listing a high volume of jobs across every sector.

For Job Seekers: What sets Reed apart is its focus on career development. In addition to a comprehensive job search function, it boasts a huge library of online courses. This makes it an ideal platform for those looking to upskill or reskill while searching for a new role.

For Employers: Reed offers a strong brand presence and a large audience. Employers can post jobs and access the candidate database to find qualified professionals. The site’s reputation and long history make it a reliable choice for attracting a diverse range of applicants.

Cost: Free for job seekers – employers pay for listings and CV database access.

4. CV-Library

CV-Library is the UK’s top-rated generalist job board on Trustpilot. It has built its success on its massive database of CVs. It’s a favourite among recruiters who prefer a proactive approach to hiring, but it’s just as useful for job seekers.

For Job Seekers: You can upload your CV and let the jobs come to you. The platform automatically matches your skills and experience with relevant vacancies, saving you time. The more detailed your CV, the better your chances of getting a call from a recruiter.

For Employers: This is the ideal platform if you want to source candidates directly. Instead of waiting for applications, you can actively search through millions of CVs, filtering by keywords, location, and experience to find the perfect match.

Cost: Free for job seekers – recruiters pay for job postings and CV search subscriptions.

5. Totaljobs

Totaljobs is a household name in the UK. With a database of over 21 million registered candidates and over 280,000 live job adverts, it’s one of the most powerful and popular platforms for both job seekers and employers.

For the Job Seeker: The site is well-organized with intuitive filters that allow you to refine your search by salary, location, job type, and industry. Totaljobs also provides a wealth of career advice, from CV writing tips to interview guides, making it a comprehensive resource.

For the Employer: Totaljobs offers a range of services designed to streamline the hiring process. You can post vacancies, create and post job ads, or search its extensive CV database, and use features like automated email communication and candidate screening to find the right person quickly.

Cost: Free for job seekers – employers pay for listings, CV database access, and branded campaigns.

6. CW Jobs

In a market where tech roles are in high demand – with IT and tech often representing a significant portion of all job vacancies – a specialized board is a must. CWJobs is the UK’s leading platform for tech jobs and a perfect example of a niche job board in the UK.

For Job Seekers: If you are a developer, data scientist, or IT professional, this is the place to be. You’ll find a highly curated list of vacancies that match your specific skillset, without having to sift through irrelevant listings.

For Employers: Using a niche board like CWJobs means you’re not just casting a wide net – you’re targeting a highly specific and qualified audience. It dramatically increases your chances of finding the right person for a technical role, saving you time and resources.

Cost: Free for job seekers – employers pay to advertise vacancies to a targeted tech audience.

7. Niche Jobs

Niche Jobs is a highly specialized job board for the healthcare industry. Essential for healthcare professionals and a perfect place for employers to find qualified candidates in this specific field. There are three elements to this job board: jobs, training, and knowledge.

For Job Seekers: If you’re a nurse, doctor, or healthcare professional, using a niche site can give you a significant advantage. The jobs are highly relevant, and the employers on these platforms are specifically looking for your skill set.

For Employers: Advertising on a niche job board means less competition and a higher quality of applicants. You can reach a highly targeted audience of professionals who are already engaged in your industry. This is a must for top UK job sites for employers in a specific field.

Cost: Free for job seekers – employers pay to advertise healthcare roles.

8. Gradcracker

A highly targeted niche board for students and graduates in the STEM field. The UK job market is seeing a high demand for STEM skills, with many employers struggling to fill specialist roles. Gradcracker bridges this gap by focusing exclusively on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students and graduates.

For Job Seekers: It’s an indispensable tool if you’re a student or recent graduate in a STEM field. You’ll find a curated list of placements, internships, and graduate schemes from leading employers, making your job search incredibly efficient.

For Employers: If your business relies on STEM talent, Gradcracker provides direct access to a pipeline of the UK’s brightest and most relevant new graduates. It’s a highly effective way to build your talent pool and recruit future leaders.

Cost: Free for students and graduates – employers pay to advertise graduate schemes and internships.

9. Adzuna

Adzuna is not a traditional job board – it’s a smart search engine that aggregates job listings from thousands of other sources. It’s known for its powerful data analytics, which gives it a unique edge.

For Job Seekers: Adzuna goes beyond a simple search. It has a “ValueMyCV” tool that uses AI to give you a market salary estimate based on your skills and experience. The platform also provides valuable insights into local salary trends and high-demand skills, helping you choose the best career direction.

For Employers: Adzuna’s primary appeal is its pay-per-click model, which is a performance-based way to advertise. It also provides employers with deep labor market data, helping them understand what’s happening in their industry in real time.

Cost: Free for job seekers – pay-per-click model for employers (performance-based).

10. Find a Job

Here’s something different – Find A Job, this is a free official government service that is a crucial resource, particularly for roles in the public sector, including the NHS and local government.

For Job Seekers: Free access to thousands of government and private sector listings, ideal for public sector roles. The listings are always legitimate and cover a wide range of industries, from healthcare to civil service roles.

For Employers: A cost-effective way to post openings while reaching a diverse pool of candidates, including those receiving benefits. It’s a particularly effective channel for the public sector.

Cost: Completely free for both job seekers and employers.

While the top 10 job boards provide a solid foundation, a complete strategy in today’s hiring landscape also includes platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor.

Consider LinkedIn not as a job board, but as your professional brand headquarters. It’s a networking tool where both professionals and recruiters can actively connect and network. It’s the place to showcase and demonstrate your skills.

For Job Seekers: Beyond applying to posted jobs, LinkedIn allows candidates to network, showcase skills, and receive direct outreach from recruiters. It’s an essential tool for passive job searching and professional branding. Post articles, share insights, and engage with content to show your expertise. This makes you more visible to recruiters who are actively sourcing candidates.

For Employers: Your company page on LinkedIn is your most valuable recruitment asset. Post regular updates about company culture, team successes, and employee testimonials to build an authentic brand that attracts top talent. Use LinkedIn’s powerful search and advertising tools to reach a highly specific demographic of professionals, from passive candidates to active job seekers.

Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a major player in the job market by providing something that no other platform can – transparency. It’s where employees leave anonymous reviews and share honest insights.

For Job Seekers: Offers insights into company culture, salaries, and employee reviews, allowing candidates to make informed decisions before applying.

For Employers: Glassdoor is a direct channel for feedback. Actively respond to reviews, both positive and negative, to show that you are a company that listens and cares about its employees. A strong Glassdoor profile with positive reviews is a powerful recruitment tool.

How to Choose the Best Job Boards for Your Needs

Choosing the right platform depends on your goals, industry, and target audience. Here’s how to approach it for both sides of the hiring process:

For Job Seekers:

Define Your Niche: Are you a STEM graduate, tech professional, or a generalist? Your answer determines if you should focus on a niche board (like Gradcracker or CW Jobs) or a general one (Indeed, Totaljobs). Most platforms also let you filter by region, whether in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, so you can align your search with both your profession and preferred location.
Do Your Homework: Before applying, use platforms like Glassdoor to research company culture, salaries, and interview questions. This helps you make an informed decision and prepare for the process.
Don’t Overlook Networking: Remember that a significant number of jobs are never publicly advertised. Invest time in building your professional network on LinkedIn to gain access to these hidden opportunities.

For Employers:

Know Your Audience: Are you looking for a broad pool of candidates or highly specialized talent? Your answer dictates whether to use general boards like Indeed or niche boards like CW Jobs or Niche Jobs.
Build Your Brand: A strong online presence on Glassdoor and LinkedIn is essential for attracting top talent. Transparent reviews, culture content, and detailed job postings make your company appealing to quality candidates.
Analyze ROI: Don’t just post everywhere. Consider the cost of posting against the quality of applicants. Track engagement metrics, application rates, and hire success to optimize platform selection.

Conclusion

The UK job market is a dynamic and competitive landscape for both job seekers and employers. The key to success is not just using a single platform, but building a strategic approach that combines the strengths of different tools. By understanding the unique purpose of each of these platforms, you can navigate the job market with confidence and precision, turning your search or hiring challenge into a strategic success.

FAQs

What are the best job boards in the UK for job seekers?

The top job boards for UK job seekers combine reach, usability, and specialization. Key platforms include Indeed, Monster, Reed, CV-Library, Totaljobs, and Find a Job for general roles. For niche industries, consider CW Jobs (tech), Niche Jobs (healthcare), and Gradcracker (STEM graduates). Adzuna is useful for aggregated listings and salary insights. Using a mix of general and niche boards maximizes opportunities.

Which UK job boards are best for employers to post jobs?

Employers should choose boards based on audience and role specialization. Generalist boards like Indeed, Monster, Reed, CV-Library, and Totaljobs reach a wide pool of candidates. For specialized roles, niche boards such as CW Jobs, Niche Jobs, and Gradcracker target qualified professionals directly. Free government platforms like Find a Job are excellent for public sector hiring.

Are there any free job posting sites in the UK?

Yes. Platforms like Indeed offer free job postings with optional paid sponsorships, and Find a Job is completely free for both job seekers and employers. Many other boards provide free access for job seekers but charge employers for listings or advanced features like CV database searches.

What is the difference between general and niche job boards?

General job boards (e.g., Indeed, Monster, Totaljobs) list opportunities across multiple industries and attract a broad audience. Niche job boards (e.g., CW Jobs, Niche Jobs, Gradcracker) focus on specific sectors or professional groups, allowing employers to target highly relevant candidates and job seekers to find specialized roles without sifting through unrelated listings.

Do UK job boards integrate with recruitment software or ATS?

Many UK job boards offer integrations with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruitment software, allowing employers to post jobs, manage applications, and track candidate data efficiently. Platforms like Indeed, Monster, Reed, and CV-Library support various ATS connections, streamlining large-scale or enterprise hiring workflows.