Having access to a robust resume database can be invaluable for recruiters and hiring managers looking to source great talent. But finding a high-quality database of resumes takes a bit of work. Here’s a look at the top options for accessing large candidate resume databases to aid your hiring efforts.
What is a Resume Database?
A resume database, also called a candidate database, is a centralized collection of resumes you can search through to find potential candidates for job openings. Resume databases store the resumes and candidate profiles of people seeking new job opportunities and make it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to search for qualified applicants.
Resume databases offer several key benefits for recruiting, including:
- Time savings – Quickly search for and filter candidate resumes that match your requirements instead of manually sourcing resumes.
- Larger candidate pool – Access a wide range of candidate resumes in one place instead of going through individual job board listings.
- Targeted searches – Use advanced search to find candidates with specific skills, titles, locations and other criteria.
- Candidate information – Resume databases include detailed candidate profiles with resumes, contact info, work history and more.
Having a large pool of resumes at your fingertips can significantly improve the speed and quality of your talent sourcing and hiring outcomes.
Paid Resume Database Providers
The best resources for accessing large resume databases are through paid providers that specialize in aggregating and managing resume data. Here are some top options:
LinkedIn Recruiter
LinkedIn Recruiter offers access to over 750 million candidate profiles and an extensive resume database you can use to find qualified applicants for jobs. Benefits include:
- Search the full LinkedIn member database.
- Filter by skills, experience, location and other criteria.
- Save resumes and profiles to a talent pipeline.
- message candidates through InMail.
Pricing starts at $8,668/year for a LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate account.
Monster
Monster provides access to their large resume database along with other recruiting tools. Features include:
- Search a database of over 55 million resumes.
- Keyword and Boolean search capabilities.
- Filter by location, experience level, skills and more.
Pricing for Monster resume database access starts at $4,995/year.
Indeed Resume
Indeed Resume offers a resume database with 130 million candidates. Benefits include:
- Search resumes on Indeed to find qualified people.
- Filter and save resumes to review later.
- Add notes to keep track of top candidates.
Pricing for Indeed Resume begins at $149/month for up to 10 users.
Dice
Dice provides customized access to their resume database focused on technology and engineering roles. Features include:
- Search a database of thousands of tech candidate resumes.
- Get resume alerts based on selected criteria.
- Bookmark and organize top resumes.
Pricing starts at $2,199/year for a Dice recruiting package subscription.
Comparisons
Resume Database | Size | Pricing |
---|---|---|
LinkedIn Recruiter | 750 million+ | $8,668+/year |
Monster | 55 million+ | $4,995+/year |
Indeed Resume | 130 million+ | $149+/month |
Dice | Thousands | $2,199+/year |
The size and capabilities of each resume database can vary, so assess which option best fits your recruiting needs in terms of candidate volume and search functionality.
Alternative Resume Database Sources
Beyond the major paid resume database providers, there are some alternative methods of accessing resumes including:
Niche Job Boards
Specialty job boards focused on particular industries, jobs or locations can provide targeted resume databases. For example, boards like Dribble for designers or MedReps for pharmaceutical sales reps.
University Career Sites
Many college career sites include searchable resume databases and profiles of students about to enter the job market. This can be a great source for entry-level and graduate roles.
Recruiting Agencies
Recruiting and staffing agencies often have large internal resume databases you may be able to access through a partnership agreement.
The downside of these options is the resume databases are typically much smaller than the major providers. But they can be worth exploring for specialized needs.
Should You Pay for a Resume Database?
Is purchasing access to a paid resume database service worth the investment? Here are some pros and cons to weigh.
Pros
- Large candidate pool – Get an abundance of resumes to filter through.
- Time savings – Reduce time spent manually sourcing candidates.
- Search capabilities – Advanced tools to pinpoint top candidates.
- Candidate information – Get full candidate profiles beyond just resumes.
Cons
- Costs – Can be an expensive subscription fee, especially for smaller companies.
- Database overlap – Many similar candidates across different databases.
- Candidate relevancy – High volume but still need to filter for best fits.
For most corporate recruiting teams and staffing agencies, the productivity boost of using a massive resume database outweighs the costs. But evaluate if an external database aligns with your existing recruiting workflow and budget.
Getting the Most From a Resume Database
Follow these tips to maximize the value of using a paid resume database provider:
Define Specific Search Criteria
With millions of resumes to comb through, searches can quickly become overwhelming. Define the specific skills, titles, locations and qualifications for your open roles upfront when searching the database.
Use Advanced Search Features
Take advantage of advanced search filters, Boolean operators and keyword targeting offered by most databases to narrow down results.
Manage Resumes in a Talent Pipeline
Tag and organize candidate resumes that meet your criteria in a pipeline to track your progress and streamline future outreach.
Supplement with Other Sourcing
A resume database should complement but not fully replace other sourcing like job ads, employee referrals, events and more.
Resume Database FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about accessing and using resume databases:
How do you get access to resume databases?
The primary options for accessing large resume databases are through paid subscriptions offered by recruitment sites like LinkedIn, Monster and Indeed. Some niche job boards provide resume search capabilities too. You can also sometimes get limited access to resumes through university career centers and staffing agencies.
How much does a resume database cost?
Pricing can range from around $100-$200 per month for entry-level resume database subscriptions up to over $8,000+ per year for corporate accounts with full access and additional recruiting features. Niche databases are sometimes cheaper.
Are resume databases worth it?
For most corporate and high-volume recruiting, YES – the time and efficiency gains of being able to search millions of resumes in one place to quickly find qualified candidates greatly outweighs the cost. But carefully evaluate if it aligns with your hiring needs and budget.
What is the biggest resume database?
LinkedIn has the largest resume database with over 750 million candidate profiles. Indeed also has one of the biggest at over 130 million resumes. But several providers have databases in the millions, so focus on the quality and search capabilities versus just total volume.
How do you effectively use a resume database?
To use a resume database effectively:
- Define specific search criteria upfront for your open roles.
- Leverage advanced search filters and Boolean operators.
- Organize top prospects in a pipeline or talent pool.
- Use resume databases to supplement other sourcing methods.
Conclusion
Tapping into a robust resume database can significantly enhance your recruiting efforts by giving you a vast selection of candidate resumes to discover qualified people for open jobs. Paid providers like LinkedIn, Monster, Indeed and Dice offer the largest searchable databases of resumes, along with powerful screening and search functionality.
Define your needs, research provider options, and leverage resume databases strategically alongside your existing pipelines to take your sourcing to the next level.