Here's How Long It Really Takes to Get a Job

Here's How Long It Really Takes to Get a Job

• Saturday

How long does it take to find a job? It’s really difficult to know how long to wait when you’re in the job search process. Should you send one more follow-up email? Should you just give up and try again in a few months time? We already know that job hunting can take from a few days for lucky applicants or, unfortunately, up to a few months for others. Even though there are many variables that impact the length of time it takes to find a job, this article talks about the exact data and percentages on the average job search time taking into account different positions and industries.

What do studies say?

In a study carried out in August 2019, the Bureau of Labour Statistics states that the average time it took people looking for jobs to land one was 22 weeks (5 months approx.).

Randstad also indicates an average of 5 months from the time job applicants are interviewed until they are offered a position.

When it comes to new college graduates, though, it takes them an average of 23.6 days to get hired.

How long does it take to find a job based on my position and sector?

The higher the position you’re looking for, the longer it will take to get the job. Therefore, jobs with either ‘vice-president’ or ‘director’ in the title take longer to fill than the starting-out jobs, probably because those entering the professional world need to prove they have less-specialized skills for these types of job offers. As your CV grows and you become more experienced, the average job search time increases.

The Hospitality sector has the hardest time looking for people with the right qualifications, with 43% of the job openings being unfilled after 3 months. People looking for jobs in the Manufacturing industry also have it hard to land a job offer: 38% of the manufacturing job vacancies are still open after 3 months of being posted online.

Right now, sectors like arts/entertainment and professional services that have had a stronger employment increase have been able to fill job positions quicker than the average job search time. The technology industry, which has shown a persistent growth over the last few years, tends to find the right applicants quicker.

How many people are applying for your position?

In a study carried out by Jobvite to analyze the competition for jobs, we can see that the average of people who apply for a position is 59 applicants. Out of them, only 12% manage to be called for a first interview whether it’s a phone call or face-to-face interview. Once you get past this first interview, your odds get a little higher, because 17% of the candidates who are interviewed are offered a job position. And on average, it takes companies 3 weeks to get back to the applicants, so don’t stress if you haven’t heard from your interviewee the week after the interview! The good news is, that even if you’re not successful, you could still end up getting the job as 1 in 10 people who are offered a position turn it down.

If you're one of the many people looking for a job right now, be patient. Even if you work hard on your resume, have a great portfolio and have gone to plenty of networking events, there are many factors that can slow your job search process. For starters, the overall state of the economy and the economic conditions in your area are a major factor we have zero control over and notably impact the average job search time. So, make sure you’re prepared and the right job will come along, making the wait worthwhile!

Keep reading: How to master your first remote interview