Study: 9 in 10 Candidates Report Starting a New Job After Searching for Less Than a Month

CHICAGO, April 8, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- While 90 percent of job seekers report starting a new job less than a month after submitting an application, recruiters, on the other hand, expect a slightly longer timeline. According to a study released today by Addison Group, a professional services firm specializing in consulting, staffing, and executive search, only about half (56 percent) of recruiters believe candidates will start a new job in less than one month after applying.

For its 'Keys To Cutting the Job Search Short' report, Addison Group surveyed 145 in-house recruiters in HR, finance and accounting (F&A), IT and healthcare to gauge their expectations and preferences when working with prospective candidates on finding a new job. Complementing their insights on the average time it takes to find a job are the opinions of job seekers who were surveyed in Addison Group's recent 2018 Workplace Survey, 'How Hiring Managers Can Navigate a Candidate's Market.'

The report found that where 70 percent of recruiters spanning those industries cited responsiveness as the strongest factor they want to see when interacting with a prospective candidate, only 22 percent of candidates noted responsiveness as an important factor in the interview process. Candidates put the most weight on transparency regarding benefits and compensation (29 percent) and the amount of information recruiters share with them about the position and company (28 percent).

"While there are differences in expectations amongst candidates and recruiters, it's important recruiters set the stage for a mutually beneficial relationship by giving candidates a chance to share what they're looking for from a prospective employer," said Thomas Moran, CEO of Addison Group. "Maintaining an ongoing and honest conversation from the start will help eliminate potential roadblocks later on, and, ultimately, streamline the job search process for both the hiring manager and the candidate."

Forty-six percent of F&A and healthcare recruiters agree experience has the biggest influence over the length of a candidate's job search. When it comes to IT, that number drops to 38 percent. Not surprisingly, nearly half (48 percent) of all HR & administrative recruiters cite interviewing skills as the most important factor in determining a candidate's job search length. Though there are many factors that can influence the length of a candidate's job search, recruiters would benefit from detailing the importance of factors like experience and interviewing skills in job descriptions to shorten the time it takes for them to identify top candidates in their industry.

Additional findings from the report include:

    --  Nearly three-quarters of F&A and 69 percent of IT recruiters believe two
        rounds of interviews - are appropriate before receiving a hiring
        decision.
    --  Over half of healthcare recruiters expect candidates to apply to an
        average of one to five jobs before securing a position vs. 27 percent of
        F&A recruiters and 45 percent of IT recruiters.
    --  After submitting an application, 43 percent of candidates would wait a
        week to hear back from a company before losing interest.

To learn more about keys to cutting the job search short, download the full report HERE.

About Addison Group
Addison Group is a professional services firm offering industry-leading expertise with a national reach and a localized touch. Specializing in Information Technology, Finance & Accounting, Healthcare, Administration, Human Resources, and Engineering, Addison Group offers a full suite of professional services, including consulting, staffing and recruiting, and executive search through its network of companies and dozens of offices throughout the United States. Founded in 1999, Addison has been repeatedly recognized by the media as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States as well as a top workplace and a Best of Staffing Company by Inavero. Learn more at addisongroup.com.

SOURCE Addison Group