Whoever said life wasn't stressful has never been to a job interview. The pressure of looking professional, trying to impress your interviewer, and not coming off as nervous or overly confident can stress out even the best of us.
On top of that, recent years haven’t been great for job seekers due to more and more companies closing down in the wake of the pandemic, which has only added to the hardship. Therefore, as people begin their search for a new job, we decided to dive in and collect the latest interview statistics to help people get through their interviews with flying colors.
So instead of sweating it out and trying to figure out the right way to act, dress, or speak during an interview, go ahead and take a look at these job interview statistics that are bound to make the interview process a little easier.
Top Facts and Stats on Interview Statistics in the US (Editor’s Pick)
- 77% of recruiters see grammatical mistakes and typos as dealbreakers.
- Job interviews usually last between 45 and 90 minutes.
- Roughly 40% of people lie on their resumes.
- You only have 7 seconds to make a good first impression.
- Millennials and Gen Z will comprise 75% of the global workforce by 2025.
- The unemployment rate in the US is 3.5% as of September 2022.
Interesting Interview Statistics
1. On average, 118 people apply for a single job.
(Forbes)
Whenever you apply for a job, it's only natural to have some competition. The average number of people who tend to apply for a single job is 118, while only 20% of them get invited to an interview. So, next time you’re wondering how many applicants get interviews, know that it’s roughly only 1 in 5.
2. In-person job interviews last between 45 and 90 minutes on average.
(Indeed)
If an interview lasts 15 minutes or less, it's probably not a good one. If it’s 30 minutes long, it’s just not long enough. That said, 45 to 90 minutes is the golden number - and that’s not just one of the random interview facts. The more time you spend with the interviewer, the better the chances of getting to know them, and the other way around.
3. 90.6% of employers prefer their candidates to have work experience.
(National Association of Colleges and Employers)
Nearly 91% of employers have stated that they preferred candidates who had work experience. Specifically, 64.5% indicated that they preferred candidates with relevant work experience, and 26.1% said they preferred work experience of any type. Only 5.1% said that work experience isn't a significant factor when hiring.
4. 77% of recruiters see typos or poor grammar as dealbreakers, and 35% feel the same about unprofessional email addresses.
(Careerbuilder)
It goes without saying that your resume should be formatted in a professional manner. You should always proofread it before submitting it to prevent any typos and check for grammatical errors, as such mistakes are one of the most common reasons behind rejections.
Moreover, a high number of resumes get discarded over an unprofessional email address, so make sure that your email username is appropriate.
5. 47% of recruiters said they would reject a candidate who had little knowledge about the company where they’re applying.
(Twin Employment)
Job interview statistics show that nearly 50% of the applicants wouldn’t get a job offer because of a lack of knowledge about the company where they’re applying for the job. Therefore, doing some research about the company and the job you’re applying for is highly recommended.
6. 47% of job seekers get invited to one or two interviews after submitting up to 10 applications.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)
It takes up to 10 applications for 47% of job seekers to receive an invitation to one or two job interviews. Meanwhile, 14.4% get more than three invitations. That leaves 38.3% of those who don’t get invited to an interview at all after 10 applications.
This may sound demoralizing at first, but it’s important to stay persistent and take steps to improve your chances of getting an interview, such as including a well-written cover letter when submitting your resume.
7. 27% of job seekers get a job offer after submitting up to 10 applications.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Data obtained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that 27.2% of applicants receive a job offer after up to 10 applications. While this may seem disheartening at first glance, the likelihood of receiving a job offer rises with the number of applications submitted, so there’s no need to get demoralized if an interview doesn’t go well or you don’t hear back from a recruiter on your first few attempts.
8. The average length of the job interview process in the United States is 23.8 days.
(Glassdoor)
The average interview process length in the United States is somewhere between 3 and 4 weeks. When it comes to other countries, the shortest interview process was identified in India at only 16 days, while the longest interview processes happen in France and Brazil, where you’d have to wait up to 39 days before knowing whether you landed a job or not.
9.92% of companies use social media platforms to look up candidates.
(Time Doctor)
Nowadays, it's normal for companies to have social media accounts. Therefore it’s very easy for a recruiter to look you up online. According to job interview statistics for 2022, 92% of recruiters screen candidates via social media, and 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn.
Since LinkedIn is the preferred professional social media platform, it’s a good idea to make sure your profile is up to date, and to make an account if you don’t have one already.
10. An astonishing 40% of people lie on their resumes.
(Indeed)
This has turned into just one of many job interview facts. Most people who lie on their resumes do so just because they don’t have enough work experience or don’t have the required skills for the job.
However, it’s important to understand that interviewers are trained to recognize discrepancies. They usually do this by asking in-depth questions about previous work experience, buying background checks, and contacting former employers to verify CV information. Statistics show that roughly three out of four recruiters have discovered misinformation on resumes.
First Impression Job Interview Statistics
11. You only have seven seconds to make a strong first impression.
(Forbes)
Everybody knows how important first impressions are. That said, it’s also important to keep in mind that you only get a brief chance, or about seven seconds, when you get to the interview stage of the recruiting process. So smile, shake hands, speak clearly, and be as genuine as you can be.
12. 71% of employers wouldn’t hire someone who doesn’t follow the appropriate dress code.
(Inc)
Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. You may have great qualities and a winning attitude, but if you don't dress to impress, you'll have a hard time landing a job.
Although many leaders are trying to diminish this form of selection bias, it won’t hurt to take note of how the other people in the company dress prior to your interview. After all, it counts toward the first impression.
13. 67% of recruiters feel that eye contact is crucial to making a good impression.
(Jobspin)
The main advice here is to make a reasonable amount of eye contact with the interviewer and try to be engaging so that you demonstrate your interest in the role. Statistics on how kindness affects a job interview show that employers look for confidence and self-esteem, in addition to friendliness, and appropriate eye contact goes a long way towards showing all of those things.
14. 39% of the candidates leave a bad impression due to their overall confidence level, voice quality, or lack of a smile.
(Jobspin)
A person will always have the same voice, but their tone can change. The tone of their voice is a reflection of how they feel. With that said, you should always have a positive, friendly, and confident tone. Remember to always put on a smile during these meetings, too.
15. 30% of hiring managers identified bad handshakes as a prominent reason why candidates might leave a bad impression.
(Careerbuilder)
Nothing makes a better first impression in a job interview than a steady handshake and a friendly greeting accompanied by a smile. Statistics on how many people are turned down during a job interview indicate that as many as 30% of hiring managers identified bad handshakes as one of the main reasons why applicants leave a lackluster first impression.
Namely, 22% of recruiters noted weak handshakes as a major body language mistake, whereas 8% were put off by handshakes that were too firm. In addition to putting in some practice in order to leave the best first impression possible, it’s a good idea to follow it up with a thank you letter, as this shows courtesy and can increase your chances of getting the job.
Hiring Statistics To Keep in Mind
16. The number of managerial and teaching jobs that require both analytical and social skills has increased by 94% since 1980.
(Pew Research Center)
The employment landscape has changed drastically since the 1980s. Many jobs require higher-level social as well as analytical skills, especially managerial and teaching jobs. That’s why jobs now call for more extensive preparation, whether through education, experience, or other forms of training.
17. 63% of recruiters say that their biggest problem is not being able to find enough suitable candidates to fill open positions.
(MRINetwork)
Hiring statistics for 2022 show that the lack of talent is more than three times higher than a decade ago. A recent survey from the Martec Group, which conducts market research, shows that nearly 70% of employers reported lacking expertise in 2017.
18. Referred candidates are five times more likely to be hired.
(Jobvite)
This exciting interview fact shows that referred applicants are significantly more likely to be hired: five times more likely than the average applicant, and 15 more likely than an applicant who found the position via a job posting.
Moreover, as many as 78% of recruiters feel that referrals are the best way to find qualified candidates, and referral hires reportedly have better job satisfaction and stay with companies longer.
19. The US recorded 10.1 million job openings in 2022.
(Trading Economics)
According to data released by Trading Economics, the US recorded 10.1 million job openings as of August 2022. That’s 1.8 million less than in March 2021, which saw a record high. However, there was a mismatch between available positions and worker qualifications.
20. The average cost per hire is $4,700.
(SHRM)
According to the Society of Human Resource Management, the average cost per hire is almost $5,000. When this is taken into account, it’s clear why employers prefer hiring through referrals, as it’s much more cost-efficient.
21. Millennials and Gen Z will make up 75% of the global workforce by 2025.
(Inc)
The workplace of the future is almost here, according to millennial and Generation Z interview statistics. Currently, millennials constitute half of the American workforce, while the percentage of Gen Z and millennial employees in the global workforce is expected to reach 75% by 2025.
Video Interview Statistics
22. 60% of hiring managers use or have used video interviewing in the hiring process.
(Softwareadvice)
Video interviewing platforms have helped organizations deliver a better hiring experience for their candidates. Some of the most popular video interviewing software solutions used by HR are VidCruiter, MyInterview, SparkHire, AllyO, HireVue, OutMatch, Harver, RecRight, and Interviewer.
These programs allow recruiters to get to know the candidates, evaluate their communication skills and personality, and get all of their questions answered while saving valuable time and making the recruiting process more efficient.
23. Video interviews are six times faster than phone interviews.
(Otvideochat)
Video interviews are becoming increasingly popular in recruitment, according to virtual interview statistics. Due to the amount of information that can be conveyed via a video interview, they are much faster and more efficient than traditional phone interviews. Companies are always looking for ways to make their hiring processes more streamlined and efficient, and video interviews contribute greatly to that.
24. 84% of the candidates schedule an interview within 24 hours of receiving an invite.
(Modernhire)
Job interview statistics have shown that applicants are eager to schedule interviews as quickly as possible upon receiving an invite. While this is only natural, it’s not always a good course of action, as 24 hours often isn’t enough time to properly prepare for an interview.
Virtual Interview Statistics
25. The popularity of online job interviews has increased by 49% since 2011.
(SBAM)
Online job interviews have been rising in popularity throughout the 2010s, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, even more companies have turned to virtual interviewing. As interview method statistics show, as many as six out of 10 recruiters found that video interviews made it easier to interview and shortlist candidates.
26. 82% of hiring managers employ virtual interviews.
(Indeed)
A study conducted by Indeed in 2021 showed that 82% of employers conduct virtual interviews. Even now that the pandemic is almost over and social distancing is no longer being enforced, many recruiters are still using this interview method due to the convenience and efficiency that it offers.
Job Search Statistics 2022
27. The unemployment rate in the US stands at 3.5% as of September 2022.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics)
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the US fell to 3.5%, thus returning to pre-pandemic levels. In terms of demographics, the unemployment rate stood at 3.3% for adult men and 3.1% for adult women, while it was at 11.4% for teenagers aged 16 to 19.
The African-American population had the highest unemployment rate at 5.8%, the Asian population had the lowest at 2.5%, with the White and Hispanic populations in the middle with 3.1% and 3.8%, respectively.
28. The average number of annual work weeks increased to 46.8 in 2015.
(Pewsocialtrends)
In comparison, the average number of working weeks in 1980 was 43. Additionally, the number of positions that required average to above-average education, experience, and training rose from 49 million in 1980 to 83 million in 2015, constituting an increase of roughly 69%.
29. As of 2022, job satisfaction is at 60%.
(The Conference Board)
According to the Conference Board, job satisfaction is at its highest point in a decade, which means that fewer people are looking for new jobs. As indicated by statistics regarding employee satisfaction, employees who are satisfied with their jobs and their working conditions are significantly more productive.
30. Millennials have the highest rates of unemployment and underemployment.
(Marketwatch)
Millennials are the rising generation of adults born between 1981 and 1995 - 34% of millennials who have a Ph.D. report being underemployed, while 30% of millennials with an M.D. have said the same. Millennials are also considered the most educated, with almost 79% holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
The Bottom Line
The abovementioned interview statistics can serve as a guide to help you navigate the interview process better, including everything from tips on how to make a better first impression to facts you should keep in mind when hunting for a new job.
However, they should by no means be taken as gospel, as something that applies to one industry as a whole won’t necessarily apply to every particular situation. In any case, the best approach is to keep this information in mind, take the time for adequate preparation, and always remember that landing your dream job might take some time.
