The Job-Search Statistics All Job Seekers Should Know

Job searching? Get the stats, stat!

Searching for a job can be one of the most frustrating, challenging things you'll ever experience. Whether you're looking to make a career change, searching for your first job out of college, or somewhere in between, the job search brings about the same headaches for all of us.

We get it — finding the right formula to help you land your dream job is a hassle. But no matter how frustrating the process becomes, don't lose hope. These job-search statistics will shed a little light on why the process is so difficult and give you the insight you need to make the experience easier.

60 percent of jobs are found through networking — not online

While websites like Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter are certainly helpful tools for your job search, it's important to look beyond these online job boards. A majority of job postings are not available online, with 60 percent of jobs being found through networking instead.

What does that mean for you as the job seeker? Simple: You need to start networking. A good strategy is to go directly to the website of the companies that you're targeting, do a little digging, and pinpoint a few decision makers. Don't go too high up the ladder and try to connect with the C-level team to ask about available job positions — they likely won't reply. Instead, target those with titles like Director and Manager. They are often the ones who'll be in charge of making hiring decisions.

Connect with those professionals on LinkedIn and let them know that you're interested in their company. Either through email or a face-to-face informational interview, communicate why you would love to work there and your enthusiasm for the industry itself. Then, ask them if they are aware of any job positions that might be a fit. Don't force your resume on them, however; wait until they ask before you send it along. You don't want to seem overeager.

75 percent of resumes are rejected before they reach the hiring manager

That's right — most resumes don't get past the applicant tracking system - ATS, meaning they aren't seen by human eyes. This is because the ATS collects, sorts, scans, and ranks the resumes it receives for open positions, rejecting the “least-qualified” candidates based on format and content. It also eliminates resumes that don't match up with the job description due to lack of keywords. Take the time to thoroughly read the job description of each application and note all the keywords that stand out. Then add them to your resume to help it get into the hands of the hiring manager.

This statistic also highlights the importance of a well-crafted resume. A professional resume writer is an expert in making sure your document not only highlights your best professional self, but is also ATS compatible and able to get past these hiring bots.

77 percent of recruiters rely on LinkedIn

While LinkedIn is a powerful job-search tool, it is also a way for recruiters to reach out to prospective candidates about job opportunities. In fact, LinkedIn remains the most-used channel for recruitment efforts. This means that if you don't have a LinkedIn profile, or you haven't touched your profile in a while, you are missing out on ample job opportunities.

The key to getting noticed by recruiters on LinkedIn? Optimize your profile with your experiences and skills using appropriate keywords, write a captivating profile summary, interact with other users, share important articles or findings about your industry, and stay active on the site.

Not sure how to create an effective LinkedIn profile, or need a little help rewriting it? That's where the professionals come in. Getting a professional LinkedIn profile makeover will help you stand out to recruiters online in all the best ways.

54 percent of employers have rejected candidates based on their social media profiles

While social media can be a great tool, there are negative repercussions for not representing yourself appropriately. No matter how qualified you are for the position, if employers find something that portrays you in a negative light, they'll likely move onto the next job candidate.

Since prospective employers are bound to review your social media profiles at some point during your application process, remember these tips: If you think something you're about to post might potentially be offensive, don't post it. Keep your ranting and raving about sensitive subjects like politics and religion to a minimum, and, of course, remove any photos of yourself in questionable situations. All of these, plus more, are cause for employers to eliminate you from consideration.

A professionally written resume boosts your earning potential by 7 percent

According to a TopResume study, recruiters consider candidates with a professionally written resume to be worth seven percent more than those with a self-written resume.

Just like you would bring your car to a mechanic when it needs to be fixed, bringing your resume to a professional will ensure it's working at its full capacity. A professionally written resume accomplishes three important aspects of a successful resume: visual appeal, a compelling career narrative, and quantifiable results that highlight a job seeker's value. No wonder that when all these boxes are checked, candidates land the jobs and salaries they deserve.

Only about 5 applicants out of hundreds actually earn a face-to-face interview

Landing the right job is a numbers game — the more resumes you send out, the more likely you are to get a callback. An extremely small percentage of those who apply for a job are actually called in for an interview (only about five out of 250 applicants that is), so by applying to more jobs, you increase your chances.

Of course, make sure the jobs you apply to are a fit. Don't apply to jobs just to raise your numbers. Interviewing for a job that you aren't interested in will just waste the employer's time and yours.

More than 70 percent of people who are currently employed are considering a new job

The limited number of callbacks for resumes isn't the only reason to play the numbers game. Keep in mind that you aren't only competing with those without jobs. In fact, over half of current employees are keeping an eye out for better job opportunities, so you have them to contend with as well. According to a TopResume survey, more than 70 percent of the employed respondents said that they were in an “open relationship” with their job; they were open to new job opportunities if they were to arise.

This means the competition for jobs is fierce. These individuals will likely bring a good deal of experience to the table, so put yourself and your resume in front of as many employers as possible to give yourself the best shot at landing the job.

The average job search in the U.S. takes 5 months

The reality is that job hunting can be a long process. While some professionals can find a new job right away, others take months to find a fit. With the average search lasting five months, that's a lot to think about in terms of your daily life, finances, etc. We get it — no one has infinite time to spend on their job search. That's why it's important to continue to network with other professionals who could help you, brush up on your interviewing skills, do your research, and create a polished resume that highlights your value.

Another trick that might help is a professionally written resume. According to this TopResume study, most candidates who use a professionally written resume land the job in three months or less. Trust us — you don't want to get stuck in an infinite job search. Instead, let us help you land the job you deserve in no time at all.

By paying attention to job-search statistics like these, you can more readily prepare yourself for success and make the job search easier on yourself. The insights contained within these statistics give you a blueprint for how to position yourself to stand out more prominently among the job-search noise and land the job of your dreams faster.

Does your resume beat the job-search odds? Check today with a free resume review.