Stop missing out on remote jobs! Learn how to use Google search operators to find hidden job openings directly on company ATS career pages. Discover roles before they hit major job boards and get ahead of the competition.
Tired of endlessly scrolling through crowded job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed, competing with hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants for the same remote positions? Did you know that some of the best remote job openings are hiding in plain sight, directly on company career pages?
Many companies don't post all their roles on major job boards, or they list them on their own sites first. These goldmines are often powered by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and with a few smart Google search techniques, you can unearth these opportunities before the masses do. This guide will show you exactly how to do it.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to streamline their recruitment and hiring process. From posting job openings on their career pages to collecting applications and managing candidates, ATS platforms are central to modern hiring.
Key takeaway: Companies host their job boards directly on these ATS platforms. These often have predictable URL structures, which is the secret sauce to our search strategy. By understanding these structures, you can use Google’s powerful search operators to pinpoint remote job openings across numerous companies simultaneously.
The Power of Google Search Operators for Job Hunting
Google search operators are special commands that extend the capabilities of regular text searches. For job seekers, the most valuable operator is site:.
Understanding the site: Operator
The site: operator restricts your search results to a specific website or domain. For example, searching site:boards.greenhouse.io "remote" will only show results from Greenhouse job boards that contain the word "remote."
This precision allows you to bypass the noise of general web searches and target the exact places where companies list their direct jobs.
Step-by-Step: Finding Remote Jobs on ATS Platforms
Let's break down how to apply this strategy to your remote job search.
Step 1: Recognize Common ATS Platform URLs
The first step is to know the URL patterns of popular ATS platforms. Companies often use subdomains like jobs.company.com or specific paths hosted by the ATS provider. Here are some widely used ATS platforms and their common URL structures (there are hundreds!):
- Greenhouse:
boards.greenhouse.ioorjob-boards.greenhouse.io/ - Lever:
jobs.lever.co - Workday:
wd5.myworkdayjobs.com(Often, you can search this directly or usesite:) - Ashby:
jobs.ashbyhq.com/ - JazzHR:
applytojob.com/apply - Jobvite:
jobs.jobvite.com(or company-specific subdomains likecompany.jobvite.com) - iCIMS:
*.icims.com/jobs(The asterisk*acts as a wildcard for company-specific subdomains) - Taleo:
*.taleo.net/careersection - Paylocity:
recruiting.paylocity.com - Breezy HR:
*.breezy.hr(often companyname.breezy.hr) - ADP Workforce Now:
workforcenow.adp.com(usually followed by specific paths) - JobScore:
careers.jobscore.com - PayCom Online:
www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats - Freshteam:
*.freshteam.com/jobs - PrismHR:
*.prismhr-hire.com/job - The Resumator (now JazzHR):
theresumator.com/apply/ - Applicant Pool:
applicantpool.com/jobs/ - Hirebridge:
hirebridge.com/v2/Jobs/
Step 2: Craft Your Google Search Queries
Now, combine the site: operator with your target ATS URL and the keyword "remote."
Examples:
- To find remote jobs on Greenhouse:
site:boards.greenhouse.io "remote"site:job-boards.greenhouse.io "remote"
- To find remote jobs on Lever:
site:jobs.lever.co "remote"
- To find remote jobs on Workday (you can try with or without
site:):wd5.myworkdayjobs.com "remote"site:wd5.myworkdayjobs.com "remote"
- For iCIMS (targeting company-specific subdomains):
site:icims.com/jobs "remote"(This might be broad; specific company subdomains are better if known)
- To find remote jobs on Ashby:
site:jobs.ashbyhq.com "remote"
Note: You can sometimes omit the site: operator if the domain name is unique enough (like wd5.myworkdayjobs.com), but using site: is generally more precise.
Step 3: Add Keywords to Target Specific Remote Roles
To make your search even more effective, add keywords related to your desired role, industry, or skills.
Examples of Targeted Searches:
- Find remote software engineering roles on Greenhouse:
site:boards.greenhouse.io "remote" "software engineer" - Look for remote marketing jobs on Lever:
site:jobs.lever.co "remote" "marketing manager" - Search for customer service jobs that mention remote or work from home on iCIMS:
site:icims.com/jobs ("remote" OR "work from home") "customer service"
Using Boolean operators like AND (implied by spaces), OR (must be uppercase), and parentheses () for grouping can further refine your search.
Pro-Tip: Vary Your "Remote" Keywords
Don't just stick to "remote." Companies use various terms to describe remote positions. Try these alternatives:
- "work from home"
- "WFH"
- "telecommute"
- "distributed"
- "virtual"
- "work from anywhere"
- "home-based"
For example: site:jobs.lever.co ("remote" OR "work from home" OR "distributed") "product designer"
Benefits of This Direct ATS Search Method
- Less Competition: Find jobs before they hit the mainstream job boards.
- Discover Hidden Gems: Uncover roles that are never advertised widely.
- Direct Applications: You're usually applying directly through the company's preferred system.
- Expand Your Company List: You'll identify more companies hiring remotely in your field.
Overwhelmed? How FlexHired Simplifies Your Remote Job Search
While incredibly powerful, manually searching across dozens of ATS platforms and keeping track of different URL patterns can become time-consuming. You might spend hours crafting search queries instead of perfecting your resume or networking.
This is where FlexHired comes in.
We built FlexHired because we believe finding great remote jobs shouldn't be a full-time job in itself. We use the very techniques described in this article (and many more!) to meticulously scan company career pages and ATS platforms.
Here's how FlexHired helps you:
- Curated Listings: We manually identify and aggregate remote job openings directly from company websites, saving you the detective work.
- Save Time: Instead of juggling multiple Google searches, find a comprehensive list of remote roles in one place.
- Easy Filtering: Quickly sort and filter jobs by role, keywords, and company to find the perfect match for your skills and preferences.
- Discover More Companies: We're constantly adding new remote-first and remote-friendly companies to our database.
Think of FlexHired as your dedicated assistant that does the heavy lifting of finding direct-from-source remote job postings, so you can focus on what matters most: applying and landing your dream remote role.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Remote Job Hunt
By understanding how companies use ATS platforms and leveraging the power of Google search operators, you can significantly enhance your remote job search strategy. This direct approach helps you find opportunities faster, avoid saturated application pools, and connect directly with companies looking for your skills.
Give these techniques a try! And if you want to streamline this process even further, we invite you to check out FlexHired and see how we can help you find your next remote job more efficiently.
Happy job hunting!
