Ladders Reviews: Ratings & User Feedback [+ Alternative]

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October 10, 2024
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Edited by
Kayte Grady
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19
min read

TL;DR: Job seekers have looked to Ladders for years for career advice, resume writing help, and job board listings exclusively for high-paying roles. However, the reviews indicate the job board’s premium listings may return jobs that are no longer hiring or have a much lower salary range than advertised. For the best Ladders alternative, check out Teal’s free Job Board with fresh job post opportunities daily.

Looking into Ladders reviews and wondering if it’s the right tool for your job search? Let’s break down the feedback and see how it stacks up.

For professionals targeting six-figure roles, a job board like Ladders should be a game-changer. But are the features and service worth it? Reviews offer mixed opinions, highlighting both perks and drawbacks that could impact your decision.

In this article, you’ll learn what Ladders users are saying and how it compares to other job search tools like Teal.

Looking for a fast way to find $100K job listings? Check out Teal's free Job Search Board.

What is Ladders?

Ladders is a job board and career resource that caters to high-earning C-Suite and executive leadership candidates. For a monthly cost, you can access premium job listings and use the Apply4Me feature to apply to jobs more efficiently.

Ladders has undergone multiple iterations since its start in 2003. The resume writing service, for example, has been in-house, outsourced, and now appears to be in-house once more. The job board, however, has been a constant.

The history of reviews spans these years, offering a collage of experiences. However, Ladders continues to innovate. It recently hopped on the AI job search trend and introduced an AI resume optimization service.

Ladders key features:

  • Exclusively $100k+ positions
  • Hidden job postings for positions at top companies
  • Apply4Me feature

How does Ladders work?

Ladders is a job search platform tailored for professionals seeking positions with annual salaries of $100,000 or more. Like the best job search apps, Ladders aims to help you find the right jobs for your career goals.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Create your profile page

Sign up and enter details like your industry, job title, and salary expectations. Ladders will suggest roles.

2. Search and apply for new jobs

Ladders offers a curated list of high-paying roles, all marketed as six-figure salaries. Filters narrow your search by location, experience level, or skill. Once you find a match, you can apply directly from the Ladders site.

3. Consider upgrading for full access 

The free account gives you access to limited job post options, and upgrading to a premium membership unlocks more listings and boosts your visibility. Ladders members can also use the Apply4Me tool.

Although tools like Apply4Me seem like a useful hack, Teal’s Founder and CEO, Dave Fano, points out that they actually make a simple process more complicated.

"Email confirmation after you apply is now a built-in requirement in many ATS systems because of auto-apply tools. So, what was meant as a short-term hack has actually made the process harder and more time-consuming.

Auto-apply may seem like a quick win, but it can flood the system with unqualified applications, making it harder for qualified candidates to get noticed."

Ladders reviews

Ladders reviews on TrustPilot

3.9 / 5 ⭐️

Reviews on Trustpilot offer a mixed view of Ladders. Many users appreciate the platform's targeted job posts for experienced professionals and the job email alerts. However, common criticisms include outdated job postings, excessive promotion of the premium membership, and aggressive emails.

A Ladders review
This four-star review calls Ladders “[g]ood, but not perfect.”

A TrustPilot Ladders review
“Just average,” reads this three-star TrustPilot review.

Ladders reviews on G2

3.8 / 5 ⭐️

The G2 reviews mostly mention the recruiter side of Ladders, but there was also valuable input from employers and job seekers. Recruiters appreciate the platform’s ease of use and candidate matching ability, while job seekers wish the service were more upfront about the roles included.

Review of Ladders
This 2.5-star review specifies that although Ladders is not for entry-level candidates.

Ladders reviews on Google Web Store

3.6 / 5 ⭐️

The Google Web Store only has five reviews, and the reviews with text are evenly split with half 1-star and half 5-star reviews. The positive reviews appreciate the time-saving quality of the Apply4Me tool. The negative reviews voice frustration that the extension doesn’t advertise the pay gate or limit job applications per month. 

Two Ladders reviews on Google Google
Google Chrome extension reviews are half positive and half negative, ranging from “huge added value” to “scam!”

Ladders reviews by social media platform

Ladders reviews on LinkedIn

On LinkedIn, professionals and recruiters share mixed opinions about Ladders. There isn’t much regarding constructive criticism, but an indirect review includes Ladders as a recommended resource.

An indirect review of Ladders
Ladders in a list of helpful tech-related job search resources.

Ladders reviews on Reddit

On Reddit, opinions about Ladders skew critical. Many users suggest it for its focus on high-salary positions, specifically those offering $100k or more, as this targeted approach can simplify the job search for those at a more advanced career stage. However, other users express frustration regarding navigating the job board and creating an account before accessing the job posts and complaints about ongoing spam despite unsubscribing from emails.

A screenshot of a Ladders review on Reddit
Job salaries don’t match what’s listed on the site, cautions this Reddit user.

A Reddit Ladders reivew example
“Money down the drain,” warns this Reddit review.

Ladders job search board review

Overall, people using the Ladders job board website to source jobs typically feel like they have to dig through a lot of mess to find a job as advertised: high-paying, accurate, and open. Some people have successfully found and landed these coveted jobs, while others find alternative—and free—job boards more useful.

Reviews on TrustPilot and other third-party sites mentioned that the jobs on Ladders are primarily based in the US, with some opportunities in Canada. This doesn’t seem to be a good option for people seeking positions outside of the USA.

“You need to be in the US to apply and be considered.”

Ladders Apply4Me auto apply on job sites review

The Apply4Me feature is only available for paying members of Ladders. It is a Chrome extension and an app that helps you fill out applications based on your provided answers to common application questions. According to Ladders, it relies on people, not automation, to complete job applications on your behalf. 

Apply4Me reviews mention it’s limited to 50 applications per month, which is not well advertised, but does save time. One reviewer had a particularly bad experience with the tool and cautions against automating something as important as a job application.

A review of Ladders on Reddit
This Reddit user successfully used the Ladders to find a new job in healthcare 

A screenshot of a Ladders review
This user had a “mortifying” negative experience with Apply4Me’s unexpected automated responses.

Ladders pricing reviews

Pricing reviews for the Ladders were polarized; some members thought the price delivered value, and others did not.

A screenshot of the Ladders pricing model
The Ladders’ membership pricing range.

Ladders review pros

Across review sites, here are some positive things people had to say about Ladders:

  • Appreciated focus on senior-level professionals with a high earning potential
  • Frequent, relevant job posting notifications
  • Good filtering ability to narrow down the search results
  • Useful career advice and career development resources

Ladders review cons

Here are what users said in terms of cons for Ladders:

  • Paid service listings were underwhelming
  • Only for US jobs
  • Browser-only; no mobile app for free users
  • Membership was not as expected or as advertised

Best for exclusive job post opportunities

The Ladders experience is best for high-level career professionals who want access to job post options that aren’t widely available. The premium job listings are best for people who are willing and able to pay for it.

Teal reviews vs Ladders reviews

When you compare Ladders' 3.5 rating to Teal's 4.3 rating on TrustPilot, the choice is clear. Google Chrome shows a similar preference, with a 3.6 rating for Apply4Me and a 4.9 rating for Teal’s Job Tracker extension. Teal reviews show the platform delivers on everything it advertises, and users are impressed with the results.

A Teal review
"I got a 10% interview rate with Teal," shares this review

Why job seekers prefer Teal to find a job online

Like Ladders, Teal offers a variety of career services. One of Teal’s advantages is its many tools, including a Resume Builder, Cover Letter Generator, Job Tracker with Chrome extension, AI-powered Autofill Application tool, and Public Job Board. 

Ladders allows job seekers to set up an internal profile to share with recruiters–another one of many such profiles job seekers feel pressured to create. In contrast, Teal's Job Board requires no membership or profile.

Teal’s free Job Search Board is designed to help you discover the best job opportunities with advanced filters, such as your minimum salary requirements, remote only, particular city, date posted, location, skill, and more. 

Not only does Teal’s job board offer high-paying professional and executive jobs, it also includes:

  • Thousands of new jobs posted daily
  • Open positions in the US and internationally
  • Advanced filters that can exclude certain keywords
Screenshot of Teal's jobs with 100K salary
Teal's jobs with a 100K salary filter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ladders job search free?

Ladders offers both free and paid memberships. While the free version provides access to limited job listings, premium membership unlocks more exclusive six-figure roles and advanced tools, such as the Apply4Me feature.

Is the Ladders Apply4Me worth it?

The Apply4Me feature can save time by filling out job applications for you, but it’s limited to 50 applications per month and may complicate the application process due to ATS systems. Many users report mixed experiences, with some finding it helpful and others disappointed by its limitations.

Is the Ladders job search legit?

Ladders is a legitimate job board targeting high-paying executive roles. However, user reviews are mixed, with some finding success while others report outdated or inaccurate job postings. For those seeking verified, premium job listings, it may be worth considering alongside alternatives like Teal.

How much does Ladders cost?

The cost of Ladders job search site ranges from $49.97 for a one-month basic membership to $27.97 per month for 12 months.

Caitlin Proctor Huston

Caitlin is a career advisor and certified professional resume writer who has been quoted in Business Insider, Fortune, Forbes, and The Muse on topics related to remote work and landing the right job.

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