CalJOBS is the State of California’s official job board, run by the Employment Development Department (EDD), and it is where most state, public-sector, and many private postings live. If you are job hunting in California or hiring here, it is the first site worth knowing, because the listings, your resume, and your work-search history all live in one state-controlled account.
How to access CalJOBS
Go to the CalJOBS website and either register a new account or log in. Registration is free and takes a few minutes: you create a user ID, set a password, and fill in basic profile and work-history fields. If you only want to browse, guest access lets you search openings without an account, though you cannot save resumes or apply. If you forget your login, the site has recovery prompts to reset the username or password.
Account types
CalJOBS has three main account types:
- Individual/job seeker. Browse and apply for jobs, build and store multiple resumes and cover letters, set up saved searches and job alerts, and research employers and labor-market data.
- Employer. Post openings, search and browse candidate resumes, and pull local wage and labor-market information.
- Training provider. List courses with schedules, costs, and credentials, and request WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) approval so the training counts toward program funding.
Features for job seekers
- Education and training search. Find programs by field, location, and cost.
- Customizable searches. Filter by keyword, location, occupation, and salary.
- Resume builder. Create several versions and mark specific ones viewable to specific employers you apply to.
- Employer and market research. Look up companies and regional wage data before you apply.
- Job alerts. Get email notices when new postings match your saved search.
- Direct apply. Submit applications through the platform.
- Unemployment services. Links and information for unemployment insurance (UI) claimants.
CalJOBS if you are on unemployment
If you are collecting unemployment insurance, EDD generally requires you to register on CalJOBS and post a resume unless your notice says otherwise. You have 21 days from the Notice Date on your “Notice of Requirement to Register for Work” to comply, and you should keep the profile and work history current while you claim. Failing to register or update can affect your benefits. The site posts step-by-step tutorials for registering and posting a resume; the EDD website is the official source for the current rules.
Features for employers
Employers can post openings, browse the resume database, run candidate searches by skill, location, education, and experience, widen the search radius beyond the local area, and track candidates through the hiring steps. The tools are built for high-volume hiring as well as single postings.
Takeaway
Start at the CalJOBS site, not a third-party clone: create the account, build one resume, and set up saved searches. The official board is where most state and public-sector postings land.
