Why Landing a Job is Taking 9 Months on Average Right Now
Isaiah, one of our clients at Work It DAILY, recently reached out with a question many job seekers are wondering about: Why is it taking so long to get hired right now? He had noticed a lot of people complaining about lengthy job searches and really wanted to understand what was causing the delays.
The Sobering Reality 😲
If you've been job searching recently, you've probably noticed something: Getting hired is taking much longer than usual. In fact, the average time to land a new job in this market is a staggering 9 months. Let that sink in for a moment - nearly an entire year to find employment!
This timeframe is even worse than the aftermath of the 2008 recession, despite the deceptively low 3.8% unemployment rate being reported. The media portrayal doesn't align with the harsh realities modern job seekers are facing.
Three Roadblocks to Landing a Job Quickly 🚧
So what's behind this prolonged job search cycle? I'll outline the three primary culprits:
Relying Too Heavily on Online Applications Submitting resumes through online portals has always been an inefficient approach, with only around 3% of applicants typically receiving interviews. But in today's climate, those odds have plummeted to just 1%. With large applicant pools competing for a limited number of roles, getting lost in the online shuffle is all too easy.
Lengthy Hiring Processes It's not just getting that initial call that's the struggle. Companies themselves are taking much longer to actually hire candidates. During the "Great Resignation," the desperation to fill roles led many employers to make rash hiring decisions after minimal vetting. Now, the tables have turned - I've heard of firms putting applicants through a gauntlet of up to 7 interview rounds before making an offer! One LinkedIn study found the hiring process now averages over 3 months from job posting to hire date.
Outdated Job Search Strategies The final factor I see continually hindering people is an over-reliance on traditional, reactive job search tactics that are no longer effective. Spending weeks obsessively tailoring your resume and waiting for online applications to hopefully bear fruit are low-yield activities in this market. To land quickly, you need to take a proactive, focused approach that gets your credentials directly in front of the right hiring influencers.
The Path to Accelerated Success 💯
So how can you overcome these obstacles and land that dream role faster? It starts by recognizing the current landscape and adjusting your strategies accordingly.
At Work It DAILY, we teach a concept called "Job Shopping" – a proactive, highly targeted approach to penetrating your desired companies and connecting with key decision makers. We show techniques for circumventing online application blackholes and getting noticed. With the proper training on modern job search best practices, that 9-month average can be cut dramatically.
Your Next Career Move 👍
The job market realities are daunting, but not insurmountable with the proper guidance. If you're struggling with a stagnant search and eager for effective strategies, I invite you to claim a FREE 7-day trial to Work It DAILY's comprehensive programs. Our expert career coaches can provide the insights and action plan to help you sail past the roadblocks and land that next great role in weeks rather than months.
Don't resign yourself to the 9-month slog – empower yourself with the tools to accelerate your success. Your dream job is waiting.
Go get ‘em!
J.T. O’Donnell
Reply