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What Job Boards Let You Apply on the Company Website?

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • 2 days ago
  • 7 min read


If you’ve ever applied for a job online, you’ve probably noticed that some job boards let you apply directly on their site—while others send you to the company’s website to apply. This small difference can have a big impact on your application experience.

So, what job boards actually allow you to go to the company’s site? And why does that even matter?

In this article, we’ll explain which job boards offer external application links, why some employers prefer that route, and how this can help you stand out in your job search.



Why Direct Applications Matter

Applying through a company’s website instead of a job board can change the quality and visibility of your application. Here’s why:


More Control for Job Seekers

When you apply directly on the employer’s website:

  • You’re using their system, which means you’re submitting the information exactly how they want it.

  • You often get the chance to upload tailored documents, answer employer-specific questions, and see other job openings at the same company.

It also shows greater intent, which some recruiters take as a sign of interest and initiative.


Fewer Application Errors or Glitches

Third-party platforms may parse your resume incorrectly or auto-fill fields with outdated data. Applying on the company site usually ensures:

  • Your resume formatting stays intact

  • Custom questions aren’t skipped

  • Technical issues are minimized

This reduces the risk of getting overlooked due to application errors.


Better Employer Branding and Candidate Experience

Company websites are designed to reflect their culture. When you apply directly:

  • You get a feel for their brand, tone, and values

  • You may learn more about the team, perks, or open roles

  • You often receive more timely updates and confirmations

Some companies even allow you to create an applicant profile to track your status or receive updates.



Job Boards That Allow Direct Company Site Applications

So which platforms offer the “Apply on Company Website” option? Let’s break down the top ones.


Indeed

Indeed is both a job board and an aggregator. Many jobs on Indeed allow users to apply with one click using a saved resume. However, a large number of listings link directly to the employer’s site.

When this is the case, you’ll see a button labeled:

“Apply on company site”

Clicking it opens the employer’s career page or applicant tracking system. Indeed is one of the most widely used platforms for this feature.

Related: Is Indeed a Job Board?


LinkedIn

LinkedIn Jobs also includes a mix of application options:

  • “Easy Apply” keeps the process inside LinkedIn

  • “Apply on company site” opens a new window and takes you to the employer’s portal

This is especially helpful for candidates who want to browse jobs without uploading their resume to every platform.


Google Jobs

Google for Jobs isn’t a job board—it’s an aggregator built into Google search results. It scans jobs across the web and offers links to:

  • The company’s own site

  • Major job boards (LinkedIn, Monster, etc.)

Google usually prioritizes the direct employer site when available. This is perfect for job seekers who want to go straight to the source.


SimplyHired & CareerJet

These are job aggregators that don’t host applications themselves. Instead, they pull listings from:

  • Company career pages

  • Staffing firms

  • Other job boards

Nearly all links on these platforms redirect you to the source, often the employer’s own application page. They act as directories rather than application portals.


Niche Job Boards Like AngelList and BuiltIn

Many industry-specific boards link directly to the company site, especially for:

  • Startup roles

  • Tech positions

  • Remote jobs

AngelList, for example, often redirects to employer portals or uses its own messaging tool to start a direct conversation with the hiring team.

BuiltIn, focused on tech and startup roles, frequently offers both “Apply on BuiltIn” and “Apply on Company Site” buttons, giving job seekers a choice.



How “Apply on Company Site” Works

So what actually happens when you click that link?


What Happens After You Click?

You’ll typically be taken to:

  • The company’s official careers page

  • A third-party applicant tracking system (like Workday, Greenhouse, or Lever)

From there, you might need to:

  • Create a login

  • Upload documents

  • Fill out custom fields

While this adds a step or two, it often improves your application’s visibility within the hiring system.


Common Differences in Employer Application Pages

Not all employer sites are the same. Some might ask for:

  • A full employment history

  • Short-answer questions

  • Portfolio links or references

This may feel repetitive, but it also helps filter out less serious applicants and increases the chance that your resume is reviewed.


Why Some Employers Prefer Direct Applications

Employers benefit from keeping applications on their own site because they:

  • Control the formatting and questions

  • Track candidate progress in their own system

  • Avoid job board fees for sponsored posts or resume views

They also get access to more robust analytics, which helps improve future hiring campaigns.



Pros and Cons of Applying Through Company Websites

While applying directly on company websites can be a smart strategy, it's not always the right move for every job seeker or situation. Here's a breakdown of the main pros and cons.


Pros

Custom Experience

Each company’s website is built with its own application process in mind. This allows you to:

  • See the full job description in context

  • Get introduced to the company’s mission and culture

  • Upload exactly the documents they request

Some employers even include team introductions, day-in-the-life videos, or application tips to help you stand out.


Fewer Barriers and Errors

With job board applications, resumes often go through auto-parsers that can distort formatting. On employer sites:

  • Uploads usually retain original design and formatting

  • You can often preview submissions

  • Form fields tend to match the role more closely

This leads to cleaner, more accurate applications.


Less Competition

Not every job seeker clicks through to the employer’s website. Many stop at the job board stage. By taking the extra step, you may enter a smaller applicant pool, especially for competitive roles.

Related: How to Build a Scalable Marketing Operation


Cons

Extra Steps Can Slow You Down

Unlike 1-click applications on job boards, company sites often ask for:

  • Account creation

  • Re-entering resume details manually

  • Completing pre-screening questions

While this weeds out low-effort applicants, it adds time—and can discourage people from applying to multiple jobs in one session.


Inconsistent Formatting

Each employer’s website is different. Some are sleek and modern, while others may:

  • Have outdated design

  • Be difficult to navigate

  • Lack mobile optimization

This inconsistency can create a frustrating user experience, especially if you're applying to multiple roles in a day.


No Centralized Tracking

When you apply directly to different company sites, you lose the unified dashboard many job boards offer. That makes it harder to:

  • Track the jobs you've applied to

  • Get status updates

  • Set reminders to follow up

To stay organized, it helps to use a simple job application tracker spreadsheet or tool.



Tips for Applying Through External Company Pages

If you're using job boards that redirect to employer sites, here's how to make the most of the experience:


Keep Your Resume Ready and Formatted

Have both:

  • A PDF version with clean formatting

  • A text version for copy/paste into forms

This ensures your resume looks good whether uploaded or entered into fields manually.


Create a Job Tracker

Use a Google Sheet, Airtable, or app like Huntr to record:

  • Company name

  • Job title and link

  • Date applied

  • Any follow-up notes

This helps you stay on top of your job search without depending on a single dashboard.


Look for Red Flags

Some links might:

  • Lead to dead pages

  • Be outdated

  • Send you to third-party agencies rather than the employer

Always double-check that you're applying on a verified company website with a secure connection (https://).



How OpsArmy Simplifies the Job Search

Job boards are helpful—but they aren’t always the fastest or most personalized way to find a great role. That’s where OpsArmy comes in.


Curated Remote Job Matching

OpsArmy connects remote talent with companies actively hiring for:

  • Virtual assistants

  • Sales development reps (SDRs)

  • Executive assistants

  • Back office support roles

Rather than applying blindly, you’re matched based on your skills, availability, and goals.


Vetted Companies and Roles

You won’t waste time applying to outdated listings. Every role on OpsArmy is:

  • Verified by our team

  • Active and ready to fill

  • Clearly described with pay, hours, and expectations

No scams. No spam. Just real, remote work opportunities.


Support Before and After Hiring

OpsArmy doesn’t stop once you’re matched. You also get:

  • Interview prep

  • Feedback on your application

  • Post-hire support to ensure success

This human-first approach is something job boards can’t offer.



Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some job boards redirect to company websites?

Redirection ensures applications are submitted through the employer’s preferred system, helping them maintain consistency, gather better data, and streamline internal reviews.


Is it better to apply directly to the company?

In many cases, yes—especially if:

  • You’re serious about the role

  • You want your resume to be seen in its original format

  • You want to stand out with a tailored cover letter

Direct applications may also allow you to track your status through a company portal.


Can I track my applications when applying directly?

You’ll need to use an external tracker like a spreadsheet, CRM, or job search tool. Most company sites don’t offer centralized dashboards across multiple applications.



Conclusion

So, what job boards allow you to go to the company website?

Many of the top platforms—including Indeed, LinkedIn, Google Jobs, SimplyHired, and niche boards like BuiltIn—offer the ability to apply externally. These redirects give you access to better formatting, deeper insights into the company, and sometimes even a better shot at getting noticed.

But managing applications across different websites can be time-consuming. That’s why platforms like OpsArmy offer a smarter solution—curated roles, pre-vetted companies, and a streamlined path to remote job success.



About OpsArmy

OpsArmy helps businesses hire skilled virtual assistants, executive support staff, SDRs, and remote professionals from around the world. We offer curated job matching and personalized support to help candidates succeed—no mass applications, no wasted time. 👉 Explore remote job opportunities at www.operationsarmy.com



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