Early‑career hiring works differently. Students and new grads need platforms that support internships, entry‑level roles, campus recruiting, and fast applications. This guide highlights the best job boards for students and new grads and shows how to use each one efficiently.
Quick Comparison: Best Job Boards for Students & New Grads (2026)
| Platform | Best For | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Handshake | Students & new grads | Campus recruiting network |
| LinkedIn Jobs | Networking | Easy Apply + recruiter visibility |
| Indeed | Volume | High volume + alerts |
| Glassdoor | Company research | Reviews + salary insights |
| ZipRecruiter | Quick apply | Fast application flow |
| WayUp | Entry‑level roles | Early‑career focus |
| Chegg Internships | Internships | Student‑focused listings |
| Built In | Tech‑startup roles | Filters for junior roles |
| Wellfound | Startups | Startup roles + transparency |
| USAJOBS | Government roles | Federal internships & pathways |
| Idealist | Nonprofit roles | Mission‑driven entry‑level roles |
| AngelList Talent (Wellfound) | Startup network | Startup hiring community |
| SimplyHired | Search engine | Aggregated listings |
| CareerBuilder | General search | Quick apply + alerts |
| Jobcase | Community support | Job search + community |
How to Use These Platforms Effectively
Create a short, focused profile, set alerts, and apply early. For internships, search “intern,” “co‑op,” “graduate,” and “entry‑level.” For campus recruiting, use Handshake and LinkedIn together.
Best Job Boards for Students & New Grads
1) Handshake
Handshake is the top platform for students and new grads. It powers campus recruiting and connects students with employers offering internships and entry‑level roles.
2) LinkedIn Jobs
LinkedIn Jobs is great for networking and early‑career visibility. Optimize your profile and use Easy Apply where available.
3) Indeed
Indeed offers the largest volume of entry‑level listings and strong job alerts.
4) Glassdoor
Glassdoor helps new grads compare salaries and company culture before applying.
5) ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is built for fast applications and alerts.
6) WayUp
WayUp focuses on internships and entry‑level roles.
7) Chegg Internships
Chegg Internships is a long‑running internship directory for students.
8) Built In
Built In is strong for tech‑startup roles, with filters for experience level.
9) Wellfound
Wellfound is a startup‑focused board with transparency around salary and equity.
10) USAJOBS
USAJOBS is the official federal job board and includes Pathways internships and entry‑level roles.
11) Idealist
Idealist is best for nonprofit and mission‑driven early‑career roles.
12) SimplyHired
SimplyHired aggregates listings and provides alerts for new roles.
13) CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is a high‑volume board with alerts and quick apply.
14) Jobcase
Jobcase blends job listings with community support.
15) Otta / Welcome to the Jungle
Welcome to the Jungle (formerly Otta) focuses on candidate‑first matching and startup roles.
FAQ: Student & New Grad Job Boards
Which platform is best for internships?
Handshake and Chegg Internships are the top choices for internship searches.
Which board is best for tech‑startup internships?
Built In and Wellfound are the strongest options.
Build Your Own Job Board (Bonus)
If you want to build a student‑focused job board with WordPress, start simple: choose a job‑board‑ready theme, install a job board plugin, define categories (internships, entry‑level, campus roles), and add email capture early. Once you have traffic, you can add paid listings or memberships. Wbcom Designs can help you build the right stack and monetize it. Contact them here: Wbcom Designs.
