Seven places to post a job without paying for it.
Finding the right place to post is the part of hiring that decides everything after it. These are the free boards worth your time, what each one is good at, and where the free tier stops.
The free boards, and what each is actually good for.
Whichever you use, point the apply URL at your applicant tracking system so the applicants land in one place. If yours tracks traffic sources, the campaign URL builder will tag them for you.
Snagajob
Around a long time, and the postings carry real SEO weight. You can build a career site and point applicants at it. The free tier posts jobs but does not give you automation or screening.
Jora
Free, and international if you need it. Founded in Australia in 1998 and newer to the US, but experienced at job posting.
Jobspider
Classified-style, much like Craigslist. Fill in the job and it goes up. Plain, but free and quick.
Jobinventory
Unlimited postings, with an XML feed requirement. If you are on AvaHR, your feed URL is already generated in settings, so it is a copy and paste.
ZipRecruiter
There is a paid tier, but many applicant tracking systems syndicate postings across for organic reach into their database. Fewer applicants than paying, at no cost.
Activehire
Austin based, with thousands of résumés on file. Their matching puts your posting in front of people who fit rather than waiting for them to search.
LocalWork
Free for the first two weeks of the trial, no card required. Worth it to see whether the posting gains traction before you commit.
Three things that decide how the posting performs.
None of these cost anything, and all three matter more than which board you picked.
Sell in the first paragraph
Most postings open by describing the job to the candidate. Open by giving them a reason to want it. The first paragraph is the only part everybody reads.
Use bullet points
Job descriptions with bullets rank better in job-search algorithms. More bullets, better placement, and an easier read for the person deciding whether to apply.
Do not invent a job title
Nobody searches for a clever title. Use the words your ideal candidate is actually typing, even if it reads plainly.
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