30+ Job Application Statistics [2024]

by The Withe Team
Updated on January 7, 202410 min read
Job application statistics report

We’re kicking off a 3-part series on the most important statistics related to talent acquisition. Today, we’re starting at the top of the talent acquisition funnel with job application statistics.

In this article, we’re going to explore application drop-off rates, the optimal number of questions to ensure a candidate will actually complete the application, what industries are seeing an uptick in applications, and what devices they're applying for roles on. With that said, let’s dive into 30+ interesting stats related to job applications!

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Key Job Applications Statistics to Know

  1. 92% of candidates drop-off in the application process - over half quit because of application length or complexity
  2. Candidates are 38% more likely to accept a job offer if they are satisfied with the application process
  3. 55% of job seekers are rarely or never kept informed about their application status after completing an application
  4. Job descriptions containing 201-400 words have the highest apply rates of 8-8.5%
  5. About 70% of job applicants completed their application on mobile devices in 2022

Job Application Process

An astounding 92% of those who click “Apply” fail to finish the entire job application process (SHRM). In other words, there is a 92% drop-off rate in the application process.

8% completion rate in job application process

60% of candidates quit in the middle of the online job application process because of the application length or complexity (SHRM).

49% of candidates would consider applying for a role instantly if the process appeared simple (Hays).

Candidates are 38% more likely to accept a job offer if they are satisfied with the application process (Glassdoor).

43% of companies say the application phase is the area where most candidates drop off (Fountain).

  • 47% of candidates are dropping off due to finding other jobs
  • 46% of candidates are dropping off due to poor candidate experience

95% of job seekers rate the ability to follow-up on application as the most important feature on a career website (Talentegy).

The survey by Talentegy also revealed:

  • 56% of job applicants encountered a technical issue during the application process.
  • 63% of job seekers who are dissatisfied with the communication after applying.
  • 55% of job seekers indicated that they are rarely or never kept informed about their application status after completing an application.
  • 75% of job seekers were never or rarely asked for feedback after submitting an application.
  • 69% of job seekers are likely to provide the feedback for the application process

64% of job seekers spend time researching before applying after reading a job posting (CareerBuilder).

37% of job seekers move on to the next company or job listing if they can't find the info they need on the company (CareerBuilder).

58% of candidates expect to hear back from companies in one week or less regarding their initial application (Greenhouse).

76% of job seekers state that not hearing back after submitting a job application trumps the frustration of not hearing back after a first date (iCIMS).

93% of applicants who get offered a job within 24 hours accept them (Fountain).

Apply Rate

Apply Rate is the number of job seekers who visit a job posting and actually apply for the job.

In 2022, both Gig and Food Service have the highest application rates, each at 6.31% (Appcast).

Technology follows at 5.97%, trailed by Finance at 5.87%, Customer Service at 5.62%, Security at 5.60%, and Hospitality at 5.46%.

While Gig has increased apply rate over the last three years, Food Service has seen a downward trend.

Apply rate for Gig and Food Service from 2020-2022

The length of job descriptions has an impact on apply rates (Appcast).

  • Job descriptions containing 201-400 words have the highest apply rates of 8-8.5%.
  • Job descriptions over 401 words result in decreased apply rates.
  • Job descriptions under 200 words see appy rates hovering around 4.5%.

75% of candidates respond positively to job descriptions that use generic language, as opposed to more casual or formal tones (LinkedIn).

The number of questions also has an impact on apply rates (Appcast).

  • 10.60% of apply rate: 1-25 questions
  • 7.51% of apply rate: 26-50 questions
  • 5.68% of apply rate: 50+ questions

Candidates with 50 or more questions are 46% less likely to apply compared to candidates with 25 questions or less.

The length of job application also has an impact on apply rates (Appcast).

Job applications that take longer than 15 minutes to complete result in an apply rate of 3.61%, whereas those completed within 1 to 5 minutes have a notably higher apply rate of 12.47%.

Recruiters can boost conversion rates (candidates viewing a job ad who go on to complete an application) by up to 345 percent by reducing the length of the application process to five minutes or less.

Apply rate by length of job application

73% of applicants abandon job applications if they take longer than 15 minutes (Hays).

1 in 3 companies state that the application process takes longer than 30 minutes for high-volume hiring roles (Fountain).

76% of job seekers want to know how long it will take to fill out an application before they apply (CareerBuilder).

However, the majority of job seekers said they would be willing to endure a lengthy application process if the company offered a higher base salary.

The average job application requires 51 clicks to complete (SHRM).

Mobile Apply

About 70% of job applicants completed their application on mobile devices in 2022 (Appcast).

Percentage of mobile applicants from 2017-2022

Mobile applications surpassed desktop applications for the first time in 2020, with almost 21% of increase from 2019.

Over the course of six years, from 2017 to 2022, the percentage of mobile applicants more than doubled, increasing from 30.05% to 66.99%.

% of Mobile Applicants from 2017 to 2022

Appcast analyzed job ad data from nearly 1,200 employers in the United States

Year% of Mobile ApplicantsYoY ChangeTotal Applicants Surveyed
201730.55%-5 million applicants
201847.10%+56.48%5 million applicants
201949.01%+4.05%7 million applicants
202060.70%+23.79%7 million applicants
202167.24%+10.77%8 million applicants
202266.99%-0.37%12 million applicants

Mobile application rates have increased across the board, and here are the top five industries/job functions in 2022, ranked by the percentage of applications submitted via mobile devices - 24 industries/job functions surveyed.

Gig has the highest percentage of mobile applications, at 85.66%. This is followed by Transportation (76.46%), Warehousing & Logistics (74.38%), Security (74.10%), and Construction & Skilled Trades (72.65%).

Percentage of mobile applies by industry/job function in 2022

The healthcare sector has seen the most significant surge in mobile applications, experiencing an impressive growth rate of nearly 41% from 24.59% in 2018 to 65.97% in 2022.

Here are the top 5 industries/job functions that saw a significant increase in mobile applications.

Top 5 Industries with Mobile Job Application Growth from 2018 to 2022

Some industries, such as Hospitality, do not have 2018 data and are not included in the table

Industry or Job FunctionMobile Applicants in 2018Mobile Applicants in 2022% of Change
Healthcare24.59%65.97%+41.38%
Science & Engineering13.83%52.23%+38.40%
Retail50.10%71.65%+21.55%
Administration37.28%57.74%+20.46%
HR & Staffing28.59%42.00%+13.41%

Conclusion

The job application process is evolving quickly. Winning in today’s hiring market means companies should focus on mobile-first technology, a simple and streamlined application process, as well as improved communication. Employers who embrace these trends are more likely to succeed in attracting and retaining top talent in today's competitive job market. Staying informed about these application statistics is crucial for anyone involved in hiring to make informed decisions that benefit both job seekers and employers.

Continue your exploration into the vital statistics of talent acquisition – we've got you covered:

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Author Bio

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The Withe Team

Meet the team behind the revolutionary on-demand video interview software that connects great companies with top talent. Their user-friendly solution streamlines the hiring process and helps people find the right opportunities. With a customer-centric approach, this team of experts is dedicated to helping you find the perfect match.

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