The Real Odds of Landing a Job Online
Last week I found myself in an internet debate with a so-called “influencer” on Linkedin. They are known for their straight-to-the-point advice regarding job searching from a recruiter’s lens, and they often tackle subjects that dispel myths surrounding online job applications. In this instance, I responded to a post that shared 50-60% of all hires come from people who apply to job openings online. The purpose of the post was to encourage people to apply online, as most hires come from this pool of applicants. What was missing from this post was that your chances of getting an interview when applying online are very low - 2% low. I’ve heard other numbers that hover around this mark, but for the most part, it’s pretty low. The number one driver of that number is the high percentage of unqualified applicants applying for these roles.
This number didn’t sit well with the “influencer,” they responded with bullying, claiming I was throwing out sham numbers to frighten people. A. Why the hell would I want to frighten people? B. I was sharing what anyone could find by doing a Google search. Since this site is a reputable source and outlined how they reached this percentage (1,500 recruiters surveyed), I felt it was OK to share. My intent was not to scare anyone but set realistic expectations that applying to a job online does not give you a 50-60% chance of getting an interview.
I decided to do some more research and found the following:
According to a study by SilkRoad, only about 30% of all jobs are filled through online job ads (much fewer than what the influencer was touting).
The same study found 24% of all jobs are filled through employee referrals.
Zippia surveyed employers and found 88% prefer to hire referrals (cost savings and better performance).
A Jobvite survey found 34% of jobs are filled by applying directly on the company’s job portal vs. applying through a third-party site like Indeed or LinkedIn.
The same Jobvite survey found 38% of jobs are filled internally.
And here is where it gets interesting:
Another report by TalentWorks (separate from the Workoplis links above) found:
2% of all applicants get an interview.
And a report from Mango found:
Referrals are 10X more likely to get an interview, meaning you have a 20% chance of getting an interview.
This might not seem very encouraging, but it’s a reminder of why having a top-notch resume and a top-notch job search strategy is important. Even with a top-notch resume, you aren’t guaranteed to get an interview. Don’t limit your chances by applying online only.
Every job search is unique, and your chances of getting an interview vary depending on your industry, position, and background. The point is not that applying online is a waste of time. The fact is that applying online is the most popular way of applying for a job when there are other options, like employee referrals. I hate the phrase, but it’s true: Your network is your net worth.
Your next job is just one application away.
PS Don’t be like the bully on LinkedIn when you are called out for not providing the whole story. Treat people with respect and refrain from being condescending. It’s not a good look.
PPS This “influencer” tried to claim the reason for the low interview rate was due to the high number of unqualified applicants. The problem with this statement is that unqualified to you is not unqualified to the next recruiter. Some take the time to understand the transferrable skills. Some can see the potential. Others pass on resumes if they don’t check all the boxes. Recruiters are overworked, especially at big companies with a lot of job requisitions. They rely on technology and quick glances to make decisions vs. reading every resume that comes through.
