How to Respond to a Job Listing on Craigslist

Last Updated: December 2, 2022

With unemployment levels at record highs, people are looking for jobs in every possible place, especially online. Craigslist is a popular place for employers to place help wanted ads because they are usually free to post. Craigslist sites in every city and state include a job board, which separates ads by industry. Job seekers can scroll through the recent job postings in any field they choose, and respond to those they are interested in. Respond to a job listing on craigslist with a cover letter, resume and any additional information that is requested.

1

Find the right job market.

Go to Craigslist.org and select a city or a state. You'll see the region options on the right side of the screen. This will bring you to the page that is specific to the job market you are searching.

2

Find a field that interests you.

Click a field under the "Jobs" header to browse jobs. The listings will load onto your screen, filtered by date. The most recent jobs are on top, and you can browse the headlines. You can also see the specific part of town in which the job is located by looking at the city or neighborhood that appears in parentheses next to the job title.

3

Read the job listing carefully.

Employers who post on Craigslist report getting a large volume of responses. Be sure you are qualified and interested in the job before you spend the time responding to it.

4

Find the email address that you will need to respond to.

Check the upper left hand corner of the post. You will see a regular email address or an anonymous craigslist email address. Email addresses are often highlighted in blue.
- Copy the email address with your computer by highlighting it and pressing the right button on your mouse. Paste it into the email application you are using to send your email. You can also write the email address down if you plan to use it later.

5

Put the job title in the email subject line.

You will want the employer to know what your email is regarding. For example, use a subject line such as "Receptionist position" or "Truck driver job."

6

Use the body of the email as your cover letter.

Write your email as you would a cover letter. Stand out to employers by mentioning you saw the ad on craigslist, and giving a brief and interesting overview of your experience and accomplishments. Really try to show off your personality and explain why you'd be the right person for the job.

7

Attach your resume.

Your email application should have a button that says Attach Files, or something similar. Click on the Attach button, browse the documents you have saved on your computer, and double-click the resume so it is highlighted. Your email will capture that file, and attach it.

8

Review the job posting and your email.

Make sure that your cover letter is free from errors and answers questions that were asked in the job posting. Check the post again to make sure there is not any additional information required, such as writing samples, references or salary requirement.

9

Send the email.

Click the send button after checking your work. This sends your job application to the hiring manager.

10

Follow any links that are provided.

Some employers on craigslist will require that you fill out an application on their website. If they provide a link, click on the link and follow the application instructions.

11

Follow any other instructions listed in the ad.

Some employers will ask you to respond by calling them, showing up to fill out an application or faxing a resume. Follow these instructions precisely for the best chance at landing the position.

Community Q&A

Question

Should I send a resume to a Craigslist job post where no experience is required and no instructions to do so are given?

Community Answer

On your first contact, you should just send a cover letter, if nothing else has been requested.
Question

How long does it take Craigslist to notify a potential employer?

Community Answer

Craigslist doesn't notify anyone for you. It just provides a place for people to post, search for, and respond to listings. You can respond to a listing using the contact information provided in the listing, i.e., generally through email. The person will receive your email and will then decide when or whether to respond to you - it could be within the same day, could be in weeks, could be never.
Question

How can I respond to a Craigslist posting that requests a phone response if there's no phone number listed?

Community Answer

Unfortunately, sometimes people forget important details. Really, the only thing you can do is follow up through the internet reply link.

Warnings

Craigslist postings are often anonymous, so you cannot be sure who is on the other side of that employment ad. If you are asked for any money, or to provide private information such as your social security number, you should reconsider applying for the job as it might be a scam.

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