You could spend 10 hours applying on one platform or 2 hours on another—and get the same results. Not all job boards are created equal, and in 2025, the data is clear about which ones work best.
Response Rates by Platform (2025 Data)
Here's what the latest research shows:
| Platform | Response Rate |
|---|---|
| Government Jobs | 13.55% |
| Google Jobs | 9.3% |
| Indeed | 4.7% - 25%* |
| 2.3% - 13%* | |
| Company Websites | 2-5% |
*Varies significantly by industry
Why Such Big Differences?
Government Jobs leads because there's less competition and more structured hiring processes. If you're open to public sector work, this is your best bet for getting responses.
Google Jobs aggregates listings and tends to surface more relevant matches, reducing the "spray and pray" problem.
Indeed varies wildly by industry. Healthcare and education see response rates up to 20%, while tech can be as low as 5%.
LinkedIn is the most popular platform but has the most competition. Despite 95% of recruiters using it, the sheer volume of applicants drives response rates down.
Industry-Specific Response Rates
- Healthcare & Education: Up to 20%
- Finance: ~11%
- Tech: As low as 5%
If you're in tech, you need to work harder on direct outreach because the application funnel is most competitive.
The Platform-Agnostic Strategy
Here's the truth: the best "platform" is direct email to recruiters. When you bypass job boards entirely, you're not competing with 250+ other applicants. You're one of 5-10 emails in someone's inbox.
Use job boards for discovery—to find companies that are hiring. Then research who the recruiter or hiring manager is and reach out directly.
Maximize Your Job Board Strategy
- Apply within 24 hours of a posting going live
- Use niche boards for your industry (not just LinkedIn and Indeed)
- Set up alerts so you're first to apply
- Follow up with direct outreach after applying
- Track your response rates and double down on what works
Stop treating all platforms equally. Focus your energy where the data shows you'll get results.