11 Job Search Statistics Few People Know

Join us as we talk about…

In this week’s episode…

• You’ll learn what levers to pull to get hired
• Next, you’ll learn 11 job search statistics few people know
• Finally, you’ll learn how knowing these stats and changing your behavioral will help you get hired

When I was first applying to jobs coming out of school I felt invisible. What a waste of time I thought. Nothing I did mattered. Looking back though, I had no idea how a job search worked. I didn’t realize just how much the numbers were against me, which means I didn’t know which levers to pull statistically to get hired.

Stats matter when you’re looking to get hired. Of course as the saying goes there are lies, damn lies and statistics. Who is making the stats? We’re not going into p-values and references here but instead I’m going to share what I’ve seen over the past year in terms of numbers across the job market.

Here are the most interesting current job search statistics that you might not be aware of:

Online Job Applications Are Highly Competitive: On average, a job posting receives approximately 250 applications. That’s for all size companies from 2 employees to 200,000+ The larger companies get up to 2,000 per open position. This means that competition for job openings is fierce, and standing out is crucial.

Resume Scanning Software is Common: About 75% of resumes are never seen by human eyes. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes for keywords and qualifications, so tailoring your resume is essential.

Networking Matters: Approximately 70-80% of job openings are not publicly advertised. Networking, both online and in-person, can be a powerful way to uncover hidden job opportunities.

Recruiters Spend Little Time on Each Resume: Recruiters typically spend an average of 6 seconds reviewing a resume. This underscores the importance of a clear and well-organized resume.

Job Interviews Can Be Quick: In some cases, interviews can be as short as 15-20 minutes. Candidates should be prepared to make a strong impression quickly.

Hiring Managers Value Soft Skills: While technical skills are important, 93% of employers say they prioritize soft skills like communication and teamwork when making hiring decisions.

Salary Negotiation is Underutilized: Between 53-91% of job candidates do not negotiate their job offers. This can result in missed opportunities for higher compensation.

LinkedIn Profiles are Valuable: Over 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn to source and vet candidates. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile can enhance your visibility to potential employers.

Cover Letters Still Matter: While not always required, a well-crafted cover letter can improve your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and hiring managers by up to 60%.

Positive Online Presence is Crucial: Nearly 70% of employers have rejected candidates based on information they found online. Maintaining a professional online presence is vital.

Between 21-50% of job postings are ghost job postings that employers have no intention at all, or best case, no intention of hiring for 6 or more months. Why? They can collect competitive intelligence, resumes, demographic data all for free while maintaining visibility and the illusion of growth to competitors, shareholders, investors and the overall market.

If you take these stats to heart and use them to change your behavior in your job search, you’ll get hired much faster than any other job candidate.