19+ Candidate Experience Statistics & Trends [2025 Study]

Job hunting is the worst, right? We feel you.

The endless rounds of applications, decoding vague rejection emails, getting ghosted by recruiters…let’s be real, it’s enough to make anyone want to give up. 

But here’s the tea: it doesn’t have to be this way.

See, we did some digging into what really makes a good hiring process, and lemme tell ya, it turns out the candidate experience matters way more than companies think.

Crazy right? 500,000 job seekers spilled the beans on what they love and hate about job hunting, and the results were wild.

Top Candidate Experience Statistics: Editor’s Pick

1. Over a third of candidates spend 1 hour on just one application. [1]
2. On interview: 27% said compensation and benefits didn’t meet their expectations. [2]
3. 1 in 5 candidates experienced unpleasant encounters with interviewers who were rude or unprofessional. [4]
4. 44% only hear back within a couple of weeks. [5]
5. While 80% are left hanging even after interviews. [6]

Common Frustrations of Job Seekers

Tedious Novel Applications

Job applications aren’t fun on a good day.

But some companies take it over the top with crazy lengthy, repetitive applications that take hours or even days to complete!

60% report these intense War and Peace-style applications drain their soul. [1]

How long are these digital beasts taking to fill out?

More than one-third spend 1 hour just on one application.

An hour to submit one application? That stings when you’re applying to dozens a week! [2]

Terrible Interrogation Interviews

And get this: 42% turned down job offers because of it. [8]

Let’s break that down:

84% of people had a bad experience, and then nearly half rejected offers they actually got because that bad taste was still in their mouths.

That’s right, half of all offers made ended up getting rejected. Ouch!

So what exactly constitutes a “bad experience” for candidates?

Here’s the tea:

• 27% said compensation and benefits didn’t meet expectations. [4]
• 20% had negative run-ins with rude or unprofessional interviewers. [3]

Other turn-offs included:

• lack of communication (45%) [2]
• misleading job descriptions (64%)
• drawn-out hiring processes (50%) [2]

Crickets After Applying

You anxiously hit submit on an application you worked tirelessly on, then…nothing. Just silence.

Over 70% say they’ve never received any communication after applying. Rude!

Here’s the silence killing candidate experience:

• 60% get zero response to their application. Crickets! All that work for nothing. [4]
• 44% only hear back within a couple of weeks. [5] 
• And 80% are left hanging even after interviews. Awkward! [6]

You interview and think it goes well. But despite follow-ups, you never hear if you got the job or not. So unprofessional.

But There’s Hope!

And over half said it totally swayed their decision to accept the job. Talk about a happy ending!

Positive experiences also impact your employer brand. In fact, 57% of candidates left positive online reviews after good experiences. [7]

That’s free advertising right there!

So how can you avoid disasters and create great experiences?

We’ve got the inside scoop…

How to Get Recruitment Right?

Treating job candidates right should be Recruiting 101.

But let’s get real – employers drop the ball all the time.

From lack of communication to outright ghosting, too many hiring processes give applicants the cold shoulder.

How can you fix this fumble and get recruitment right?

Take notes on these pro tips:

Be upfront about pay and benefits

27% of job seekers expect to see compensation info in the initial job posting. Don’t make candidates wait till the offer stage to find out they can’t afford the role! [4]

Share the salary range upfront so people can decide if it’s worth their time.

Provide accurate job descriptions

Nobody likes showing up on day one to find the actual job duties don’t match the original listing.

In fact, 61% of job seekers nod on the truth. Be clear and thorough in describing responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications. [7]

Remember, the job posting is the candidates’ first impression of you!

Improve communication

Job seekers crave regular and transparent communication throughout the hiring process. Be sure to:

Respond promptly to applicants (say within 48 hours). Don’t be like the 76%!

Share next steps and timelines upfront. Give status updates if candidates check in. Don’t go ghost!

Speaking of ghosting…

The Ghosting Goes Both Ways

Candidate ghosting is super frustrating, especially if they bail after interviews.

Remember, your treatment of candidates can make or break your employer brand. 

Even if you don’t hire someone, create a positive experience that won’t send them complaining about you online afterwards.

FAQs

How soon after an interview should I follow up?

For real, hit up the interviewer like the next day to say thanks and all that. Keep it short n’ sweet. Mention something cool you talked about so they remember you. Gotta strike while the iron’s hot!

What’s the best way to prepare for a video interview?

So for video chats, test that tech so you don’t get glitched up. Dress to impress on top but wear sweats below if ya want!

Stare into that camera like your life depends on it. Have your smart notes and prep nearby. Oh and speak real clear and chill. Basically act like it’s in person. You got this!

Is it okay to ask about next steps in the hiring process?

Asking what’s next is no sweat! Just be polite, like “Hey, was hoping to see if you got an update on next steps after our chat? Still really interested in the job.” Shows you’re eager, which they’ll dig.

How can I stand out when applying for a competitive job?

If it’s a tough job to get, customize all their resume bullets to match what they want. 

Here’s a pro tip:

• Show off how you got the skills already.
• Research the biz and say how you can help them crush it.
• Ask solid questions to learn more.
• Send a thank you note right after about why you’d rock the role.

What should I do if the employer doesn’t respond after the interview?

If after the interview they ghost you, wait 1-2 weeks then hit them back up like “Hey, just circling back to see if you got an update on where I’m at in the process?” If still nada after another couple weeks, call them up to check in. Otherwise, keep grinding and reapply later.

Wrap Up

There you have it folks! 

Now you’re armed with insider intel on what candidates love and loathe about hiring processes.

Treat ’em right and they’ll happily accept your offers. Keep it shady and they’ll head for the hills. The stats don’t lie!

We know you can do it.

Go get ’em recruiters! And may the job hunting odds be ever in your favor.

Sources

1. SHRM. Study: Most Job Seekers Abandon Online Job Applications
2. HeroHunt. Recruiting statistics 2021: hiring questions answered
3. HR Dive. Candidates more likely to accept a job offer after a difficult interview process
4. HiringThing. 2024 Job Application Statistics
5. Indeed. How Long Should You Wait To Hear Back About a Job?
6. Simplilearn. Job Interview Statistics and Trends for 2024
7. Medium. How to Achieve a Positive Candidate Experience
8. Forbes. 1 Surprising Trait Has 42% Of Job Seekers Declining Offers
9. HRO Today. Survey: 77% of Employers See Increase in Job Ghosting

Rachelle Ann Conchada

Rachelle is a digital marketer with experience in project management and marketing. She crafts content supported by data, advocating innovative solutions for job-seekers and professionals involved in hiring.

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