Where to Post Your CV for Maximum Impact
When job seekers ask, “Which job boards should I use?” the real answer is: not just one. Recruiters and employers spread their adverts — and they search candidate databases. If your CV isn’t sitting in the right places, you won’t get found.
This guide breaks down the top 10–12 UK job boards, what they specialise in, and exactly where you should upload your CV to make the most of the market.
The Main UK Job Boards & What They’re Good At
- Indeed UK
The UK’s largest job site and aggregator. Huge range of roles from entry-level to executive across every sector. Recruiters frequently search its CV database.
✅ Upload your CV here without question. - Reed.co.uk
A UK-centric board with strong coverage in office, admin, HR, education, healthcare and professional roles. Also offers training and courses.
✅ Upload your CV — widely used by recruiters. - Totaljobs
One of the “big four” UK generalist boards, with ~140,000 live jobs. Especially strong for professional and white-collar roles.
✅ Upload your CV for broad coverage. - CV-Library
Famous for its recruiter CV database. Covers almost all sectors and attracts agencies and SMEs.
✅ Upload your CV — vital for visibility. - Monster UK
International brand. Popular for mid-senior professional and some international roles.
✅ Worth uploading, but lower priority than the big three. - LinkedIn Jobs
More than a job board: it’s networking plus opportunities. Particularly strong for professional, leadership, and executive roles.
✅ Optimise your LinkedIn profile — treat it as your CV. - Adzuna
A job search engine that pulls adverts from multiple sources. Useful salary tools and CV scoring.
✅ Optional — handy for research and extra reach. - CWJobs
The go-to board for tech and IT. Covers developers, engineers, analysts, and digital specialists.
✅ Upload your CV if you’re in tech. - jobs.ac.uk
Focused entirely on higher education, research, and academic careers.
✅ Upload your CV if you’re in academia or research. - Guardian Jobs
Strong for public sector, creative, nonprofit, and values-led roles.
✅ Upload your CV if your target is media, charities, or government. - TES / Tes Jobs
Dedicated to teaching and education roles.
✅ Upload your CV if you’re in schools or educational leadership. - Specialist Boards (sector-specific)
Examples: nursing boards, legal boards, construction boards. Smaller audiences but very targeted.
✅ Upload your CV only if directly relevant.
How to Use These Job Boards
- Start with the “Big Five”
- Indeed, Reed, CV-Library, Totaljobs, LinkedIn
- These give maximum reach and guarantee recruiter visibility.
- Layer in Specialist Boards
- Tech → CWJobs
- Academia → jobs.ac.uk
- Education → TES
- Media / Public Sector → Guardian Jobs
- Other niches → use specialist boards in your sector
- Add Aggregators as Extras
- Adzuna, Google for Jobs, etc.
- Good for visibility and research, but not primary sources of recruiter outreach.
- Keep Your CV Fresh
- Update regularly to rise in search results.
- Use consistent job titles and keywords across every site.
- Activate “open to opportunities” flags where available.
- Track and Adapt
- Monitor which boards bring real responses.
- Drop boards that deliver nothing and double down on those producing recruiter contact.
Final Takeaway
There’s no single “magic” job board. Think of it like fishing: if you only cast into one pond, you’ll miss most of the catch.
- Upload your CV to the big five first.
- Add sector-specific boards that match your career.
- Use aggregators for extra reach.
- Keep your CV consistent, current, and keyword-optimised.
- Watch what works, then focus on the boards giving you results.
Follow this simple structure, and you’ll cover the UK job market properly — giving recruiters no excuse not to find you.
