For those of you on the job hunt, it may be time to rethink your outreach methods. With today’s myriad of job recruitment services, there is a virtually endless stream of ways to find work. From message boards to resume searching sites to job search engines and beyond, it has never been easier to find a new career. Even so, some methods are more efficient than others — not to mention safer. Job search engines are one of the most common tools that potential candidates use. While they can come in handy, they are not without their detractors. Let’s take a look at some of the arguments for and against them.

Detractors put emphasis on the fact that many employers only look for passive recruits. This means that they frequently peruse job-related sites like LinkedIn instead of relying on search sites. Some jobs aren’t even advertised, which makes landing a position there virtually impossible with a traditional job search site. Supporters of job search engines point to the fact that you’re going to be exposed to a plethora of jobs related to your skills. By typing in the specifics of the job you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find qualified employers at a rate that was never before possible. For every negative thing that gets said, there are pros to go along with it.

Simply put, it depends on what kind of career you’re looking for. If you’re gunning for an executive position, that type of job will normally need to come with some sort of networking avenue. By putting yourself on a number of different platforms — like Beyond, Monster, and Indeed — you’ll be able to keep your options open and let the employers come to you.