Wondering how others land dream jobs?
Are you hunting it right? Or are you missing steps and trends?
Well, 10.7 million Americans are currently searching for jobs.
Out of these, 54% of job seekers are confident in their ability to find a new job within the next six months.
Where are they looking for jobs?
While 61% of job seekers believe the online job search process is time-consuming and frustrating, about half of the jobs are filled via job boards.
Here are the job search statistics you need to navigate.
Top Job Search Statistics: Editor’s Pick
- Only 15% of job seekers attended job fairs to find a job. [1]
- 61% of job seekers said that the online job search process is time-consuming and frustrating. [1]
- The pay gap is one of the most important things that repel applicants. [8]
- 73% of applicants only apply to the companies they feel are connected and have similar values as themselves. [8]
- 48% of candidates admitted to applying for jobs they were overqualified for. [2]
- 70% of jobs are not published publicly. [4]
- 85% of jobs are filled through networking. [5]
- There are 11.5 million jobs available as of March 2022. [2]
General Job Search Statistics
Who is looking for job opportunities? Are they all unemployed?
No. Both unemployed and employed are actively looking for new jobs across the globe.
30% of the workforce is actively searching for jobs, rest are looking for jobs passively. [1]
As of 2022, 65% of currently employed individuals are looking for new jobs. [1]
On average, 250 resumes are received for every job application. [1]
The average time spent in finding a new job in 2023 is five months. [6]
54% of job seekers are confident in their ability to find a new job within the next six months. [6]
About half of the jobs are filled via job boards. [7]
Only 15% of job seekers attended job fairs to find a job. [1]
61% of job seekers said that the online job search process is time-consuming and frustrating. [1]
Jobs in Demand and Expectations of Applicants
As Gen Z is entering the job market, the scenario, and demands are changing drastically.
Technology is impacting lives. Is it affecting the job market too?
Statistics state yes!!
The most in-demand jobs among job seekers are software engineers, software developers, sales associates, mechanical engineers, data analysts, and business analysts.
The most popular industries among job seekers are tech, finance, business services, and retail.
According to data, the pay gap is one of the most important things that repel applicants.
Other benefits that come with the job account for 12% of employee satisfaction. [8]
Employees expect a positive and supportive company culture and are discouraged from applying if the company holds a bad reputation. [8]
73% of applicants only apply to the companies they feel are connected and have similar values as themselves. [8]
Skills in Demand By Employers
67% of large companies believe that lack of talent is the main reason behind not filling job positions. [2]
48% of candidates admitted to applying for jobs they were overqualified for. [2]
So, what are in-demand skills according to employers?
Recruiters look for people who are eager to learn and adapt to changing workplace conditions by constantly upgrading skills. [10]
After Covid, companies have shifted to hybrid working models and employees are expected to adapt to both in-office and remote working models. [10]
Companies prefer dedicated employees with problem-solving approaches. [10]
Online Job Search Statistics
61% of job seekers believe the online job search process is time-consuming and frustrating.
63% of job seekers admitted that most job search sites are somewhat helpful in finding new job opportunities.
59% of job seekers complained of receiving no response after submitting an online job application.
Mobile-friendly applications attract more applicants by 11.6%.
Challenges Faced By Job Seekers
Before looking at the job hunt trends and platforms, let’s have a glance at common problems faced by job seekers.
70% of jobs are not published publicly. [4]
40% of job seekers admitting to applying for 11-20 jobs before getting hired indicates high competition and the need for patience and perseverance in job searching. [4]
32% of job seekers complain about a lack of clear job listings with appropriate titles and job descriptions on company websites. [4]
Complex application format also discourages applicants. An easy-to-fill online form can increase the application rate by 2.3%. [4]
Here we have curated a list of common challenges faced by job seekers:
| Challenges Faced By Job Seekers | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Lack of clarity and inside information | 18% |
| No response from recruiters | 40% |
| Not being noticed | 21% |
| Creating resume | 21% |
Networking and Social Media Job Search Statistics
50.8% of job seekers become involved in personal and professional networking during their job search. [5]
Job searchers relying on networking have a better chance of getting the desired job within one to three months.
85% of jobs are filled through networking. [5]
What Are Social Media Job Search Statistics?
79% of job seekers use social media when conducting their job search. [7]
73% of millennials found their last job role with the help of a social media site. [7]
84% of organizations use social media as a recruiting tool. [7]
9% of recruiters confirmed planning to shift to the social media platform to boost recruiting. [7]
Only 44% of companies actively track their brand image on these social media platforms, while 96% of the companies are aware of its impact. [8]
Which is the most popular job search social media platform?
LinkedIn is the most popular employment-seeking platform, with over 50 million companies, and 46 million students and graduates having their presence on LinkedIn. [1]
The US has one of the highest audiences (65%) reach on LinkedIn. [1]
87% of recruiters depend on LinkedIn to check job candidates. [1]
Job Interview Statistics: Who Makes Up There?
On average a company only interviews around 6 to 10 people for an open position. [9]
Employers prefer interviewing about at least two to three times the vacancies. [9]
Attaching a cover letter with a job application increases the chances of getting hired by 40%. [9]
Referral employees showing up for an interview have 40% more chances of getting hired than others. [10]
Referrals account for between 30% to 50% of hires in the US. [10]
Latest Job Search Trends
There are 11.5 million jobs available as of March 2022. [2]
98% of Fortune 500 companies use an applicant tracking system to manage their applications. [3]
Workplace culture is very important for job seekers. 69% of job seekers would not work for a company with a poor work culture and bad reputation, even if they were unemployed. [6]
20.6 million jobs were lost due to the pandemic. [2]
According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment rate decreased to 6% in March 2021. [2]
It Leads to 87% of the workforce looking for better working conditions. [2]
If you found this article interesting, you might enjoy these too:
FAQs
Which is the most effective job-searching method?
Though online platforms and social media are growing and are helping to bring recruiters and job seekers together, networking is the most effective method to easily find job opportunities.
Which industries are predicted to have the highest job growth rates in 2024?
Industries predicted to have the highest growth rates include technology, e-commerce, and renewable energy. These sectors are expanding and require skilled professionals.
Which is the most popular job search social media platform?
LinkedIn is the most popular job-seeking platform, with over 50 million companies, and 46 million students and graduates having their presence on LinkedIn.
What challenges are faced by job seekers?
Job seekers go through many hurdles including 61% of job seekers believe the online job search process is time-consuming and frustrating.
32% of job seekers complain about a lack of clear job listings with appropriate titles and job descriptions on company websites. Complex application format also discourages applicants.
What is the average job search duration?
Though job search duration depends on various factors, on average it takes 3 to 6 months for job seekers to find a suitable position.
Conclusion
Candidates claim that job searching is the most tiring task in the whole cycle of hiring. The situation has somewhat improved by the widespread use of online job boards and social media platforms for job searching.
79% of job seekers use social media when conducting their job search. 73% of millennials found their last job role with the help of a social media site.
Companies release job listings on their websites and online job boards. And 9% of companies are planning to shift their hiring process to LinkedIn while a majority of companies (84%) are already there.
Sources
- Expresspros. On the Job Search: Leverage Your LinkedIn Connections
- CNBC. How to get a job often comes down to one elite personal asset, and many people still don’t realize it
- Real-Life Career Advice. Applicant Tracking Systems: how to beat them in 2021
- YourStory. What are the biggest challenges job seekers face today?
- Economic Research. How Does Networking Affect Your Job Search?
- Indeed. How Long Should You Wait to Hear Back About a Job?
- Apollo Technical. Surprising Social Media Recruiting Statistics (2021)
- CareerArc. 29 Surprising Stats on Employer Branding – Infographic
- Career Sidekick. How Many Interviews For One Job? (Stats from a Recruiter)
- Quartz. Employers ignore almost everything on your application – except this
Manisha is a digital writer providing guidance in career development and growth. She facilitates skill development and implementation of the right strategies for advancement. At Jobera, She documents content around the latest market trend analysis, insights, and career planning.