25 Fun Facts About Resumes, Interviews, & Social Recruitment

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Think you know what the job search market looks like in 2016? These figures tell quite an intriguing story. Enjoy!

  • In the US, there are 3 million unfilled jobs and 11.8 million unemployed workers.
  • The average time spent by recruiters looking at a resume: 5 to 7 seconds.
  • 76% of resumes are discarded for an unprofessional email address.
  • 88% rejection rate when you include a photo on your resume.
  • In 2000, 22% of resumes were submitted via email or posted on the web. In 2015, over 90% of resumes are now posted online or sent via email.
  • Only 35% of applicants are actually qualified for the jobs they apply to.
  • Applicant Tracking Software, the robots that read your resume, are able to quickly eliminate 75% of the applicants.
  • 427,000 resumes are posted each week on Monster.
  • 68% of employers will find you on Facebook.
  • There are 15 million brands and organizations on Facebook.
  • 18,400,000 applicants found their job on Facebook.
  • 10,200,000 applicants found their job on LinkedIn.
  • 89% of recruiters have hired someone through LinkedIn.
  • 8,000,000 applicants found their job on Twitter.
  • 93% of recruiters are likely to look at a candidate’s social media profile.
  • 43% of job seekers have used their mobile device to engage in a job search with 7% of all job seekers conducting their job search online while in the restroom.
  • While the average length of an interview is 40 minutes, 33% of 2000 surveyed bosses indicated they know within the first 90 seconds if they will hire that candidate.

How can they make such a decision in less than 2 minutes? In the same survey, respondents noted the following nonverbal mistakes as some of the reasons why you may be eliminated during the interview:

  • 70% indicated applicants were too fashionable or trendy.
  • 67% indicated failure to make eye contact.
  • 55% the way the candidate dressed, acted or walked through the door.
  • 47% of clients who had little or no knowledge of the company.
  • 38% was a tie – quality of voice and overall confidence; and lack of a smile.
  • 33% for bad posture.
  • 26% because the handshake was too weak.
  • 21% for crossing their arms over their chest during the interview.