How Long Does It Take To Find A Job?

Finding a new job can be a stressful and difficult process. If you’re looking for work, you need to be prepared for the time and effort it takes to find a job. The good news is that there are things you can do to speed up the process (and we’ll get into those below). But first, let’s look at what factors affect how long it takes to find employment:

Time Expectations Of Finding A New Job

When you’re looking for a job, it can be tough to know how long it will take before you find that perfect position. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it can take over 20 weeks on average – but many factors affect this time frame.

Another study from Randstad US, of 2,000 respondents, said it takes an average of five months. Executive searches can take from four to seven months; in fact these positions are often posted online and filled quickly by companies or headhunters who have their own pipelines into companies looking for top talent.

Factors Affecting The Job Search

There are several factors that may affect how long it takes to find a job. These include:

• Job market conditions
• Your industry
• Your personal experience and qualifications
• Your location (i.e., city, state)

The following are also important factors in determining how long it will take to find employment:

• Do you have the right mix of skills? If not, can you acquire them quickly? What certifications do you need to add value to your resume? Are there any gaps in employment history that should be explained before sending out resumes for consideration? 
• Are the resumes and LinkedIn profiles professional-looking and targeted correctly for the type of job being applied for (and does it match the company’s needs)? Is your social media presence professional and appropriate for the company brand?
• Job search strategy – Have you developed a clear, well-defined plan for pursuing job opportunities? Are you using tools and resources that are appropriate to your situation (e.g., LinkedIn, job boards)? Why are you looking for work — is it because of an immediate need or desire to move into something new?

OTHER STATISTICS

Some other interesting statistics, “How Many Applications Does It Take to Get a Job (2022),” Zippia.com: 

• It takes 21 to 80 job applications to get one job offer, on average.
• The average corporate job opening receives roughly 250 applications.
• 61.7% of job seekers get at least one interview by sending between 1-10 job applications.
• 51% of job seekers receive a job offer after having three job interviews.

APPLICATIONS PER JOB BY DEMOGRAPHICS

• Women apply to 20% fewer jobs than men.
  

Most women will only apply to a job in which they meet 100% of the criteria, while the majority of men will apply for a job if they meet at least 60% of the criteria. This translates to women being, on average, 16% less likely than men to apply for any given job.

• Women are 16% more likely than men to get hired after applying to any given job and 18% more likely than men to get hired after applying to a senior-level job.

Although women are less likely to submit a job application than men, they are more likely to be hired once they apply for a job.

• Since 1990, White applicants have received roughly 36% more callbacks than Black applicants with identical resumes and professional qualifications.

In addition, White applicants also receive about 24% more callbacks than Latino applicants with identical resumes and professional qualifications. Clearly, hiring discrimination continues to exist against people of color in the United States.

• Job applicants aged 29 to 31 receive approximately 35% more callbacks than job applicants aged 64 to 66 with similar skills and abilities.

Middle-aged candidates receive more callbacks than older candidates. Age discrimination is also alive and well in the hiring process.

Tips To Speed Up The Process

The job search process can be stressful and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. You can speed up the process by being flexible and patient, taking advantage of your network, following up after interviews and applying for jobs you are qualified for.

• Networking: It’s important to use your personal connections (friends, family members) during your job search. Ask them if they know anyone who works in the field that interests you. For example, if you’re interested in working at an animal shelter or pet store, ask one of your friends who works at one of these places if there are any openings or if they know anyone else looking for employees.
• Apply for jobs: You may think this sounds obvious but many people don’t apply for jobs just because they think their resume isn’t good enough or because they are afraid that employers won’t call them back after submitting their application online or sending it via email.
• Double check that you are submitting all the information required: For example, if starting out transcripts may be required. Alternatively, if applying for a federal position, additional documents may be needed.
• Make sure you are qualified for the position.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to fit the job target. This helps to show the interest in the position and the relevancy for the open job in the applicant tracking system.
• Develop a plan and tracking spreadsheet for your job search. This should include wish list companies, positions that you applied to, interviews (first, second, third, final, etc.), rejections, positions that you followed up with, etc.

Once you’ve applied for a job, it’s important to follow up with the company. It shows that you’re interested in working there and are willing to go above and beyond what most people would do. Send an email thanking them for reviewing your application and let them know how much you would enjoy working there and why (be specific).

If you’re looking for a job, it can be hard to know how long the process might take. No one wants to wait too long for a response after submitting an application, but there are many factors that go into the hiring process and it can seem like a frustratingly slow process at times. 

We are here to help throughout the entire job search process. Check out our Career Accelerator Program and Job Search Kickstarter to quickly start receiving traction on your job search. If you would like a customized approach to your needs, contact us today for a quote.