How long does it take to get hired?

The time required to get hired varies depending upon the three factors:

1. Experience
2. Demand
3. Luck

There are cases where candidates with required skills and experience get jobs within days of applying while others might remain unemployed for more than half of the year without getting an interview. On average it takes a month or so in the process of sending out applications, scheduling interviews and waiting for a callback for the employer. You should analyze your profile and the vacancies out there for that particular job profile to get a better idea for the time required to find a job.

Factors affecting the time required to land a new job!

While looking for a new job it’s very important to set realistic goals for yourself so that you can stay motivated throughout the process and apply proper strategies to enhance our process of job search. You should consider how different factors would interact with each other in the process and what you can do to land a job sooner. Let’s look at some of the factors that can affect the time required to land your first job:

• Economic situation
• Job Location
• Relevant Experience
• Unemployment Period
• Job Search Technique
• Professional network

Economic Situation 

Economic situations have a huge impact on how long it will take you to land a job. During recession it is difficult to find a job as compared to finding it in a booming economy. Economic situations also affect the kind of jobs available in the market.

Location

Location plays a vital role in the job search. Metro cities and big cities have more opportunities in terms of jobs as compared to small towns. If your job search is restricted by a particular location you may find it even more time taking to land a job.

Experience 

Since higher-level jobs are generally more competitive, people with experience at the executive level might take more time to land a job as compared to people looking for an entry level job. Also if you have experience in a particular niche that doesn’t fit into another position then it can be a barrier to finding a new job. 

Unemployment Period

Difficulty in finding a new job increases with the period of unemployment. The longer you are unemployed the harder it is for you to land a suitable job. Generally employers are biassed against a longer term unemployment period as a longer unemployment period can make them question your skills and ability. You can take up a volunteer project or undergo different skill enhancement training to cover up this thing.

Job search Technique

The different strategies and methods you apply to find and apply for jobs affects the time taken in landing a new job. In order to increase your visibility you should apply for a good number of jobs and use different job portals and sites. You can also opt for a placement agency to help you in landing a job. If you are not good with looking and applying for new jobs it’s always better to take help from a placement agency for the same.  

Professional network 

It’s quite easy to land up a job by getting a referral or recommendation from your personal or professional network. Reaching out to your professional network can increase your chances of landing a job as compared to other candidates. A referral can help you stand out from other applicants.  Also expanding your professional network increases your chances of connecting with a great job opportunity.

Breakdown for Job search timeline 

Let’s break the job search process into different stages and look at how long each step would take  in the job search process.

After submitting application 

After submitting your application you need to wait for some time to hear back from the employer. This period may vary depending upon your profile as well as the employer’s requirements. There are times when people hear back from the employer within a day of applying while in some cases it may even take a week or so to hear back from the employer.

Interview

The interview process for all the companies are different. There are companies that decide with a single round of interview while there are companies that may take even three rounds to finally pass a judgment. Also depending upon the number of candidates it may even take two or three wells before finalizing the candidate.

Offer Letter

Generally it takes about a week to receive an offer letter after the final round of interview. However in some cases people get on spot offers while some candidates are left waiting for several weeks. Some companies also have a time taking background verification and check process.

How to find a job in less time?

Although finding a job is a tedious and time taking process yet you can follow several steps You can find a job faster by following these steps:

1. Proofread your general resume and cover letter.
2. Update your social media.
3. Send out applications regularly.
4. Contact companies directly.
5. Adjust your expectations.
6. Ask for feedback.
7. Improve your skills.

1. Proofread your general resume and cover letter

First, thoroughly proofread your resume and cover letter. Although the best applications target a specific job, you should have a strong general resume that you can make small modifications to instead of rewriting a resume for each position. Include common keywords related to the job you are applying for to attract employers on job sites and connect you with the most relevant opportunities based on your experience.

2. Update your social media

Use your professional social media pages to advertise that you are on the market for a new job. Social media is a great way to use your network to find a job. Upload your resume onto job boards and seek out connections with other people who work in your field as a way to attract the attention of employers.

3. Send out applications regularly

Keep a steady pace of sending out applications every day to remain active in the job market and increase your chances of finding a job. Try different strategies to reach a variety of employers and make adjustments to your applications to keep your qualifications relevant. Maintaining a positive attitude and staying motivated in your job search are essential for finding a job, especially in a tough job market or a highly competitive field.

4. Contact companies directly

You don’t have to wait for a company to post an open position to let them know you are interested in a job. If there are any particular organizations you would like to work with, write them a note with a copy of your resume inquiring about open positions. Even if they don’t have any open positions, they may consider you for future opportunities.

5. Adjust your expectations

You can find a job faster by looking for jobs outside of your field or considering part-time work while you seek out a full-time position. Try to set reasonable expectations and be open to opportunities, even if they aren’t your dream job. Consider all options that can help you get a job within the time frame you need.

6. Ask for feedback

If it’s taking longer than you would like to find a new job, consider asking a trusted mentor or friend to look at your application materials and make suggestions. If you have been able to interview, you can ask your interviewer for feedback and gain valuable insight into how you can improve your chances of getting the next job you apply for.

7. Improve your skills

Gaining qualifications to make your resume more competitive and meet the demands of the market can speed up the job search process. If you notice that many different employers are looking for a certain skill in your line of work, take a class or gain a certification that shows your expertise in that area.

How to find a job faster? 

Although finding a job is a tedious and time taking process yet you can follow several steps to get a job in a short period of time:

1. Be ready with your resume and cover letter.
2. Update your professional social media platform.
3. Send out applications regularly.
4. Try to contact companies directly.
5. Ask for feedback from the interviewer.
6. Enhance your skills and personality.

1. Be ready with your resume and cover letter 

It is very important to be ready with your resume and cover letter properly. You should be able to justify each and every point mentioned in the resume in front of the interviewer. Although it is advised to prepare a resume that targets a specific profile but if you are not targeting a particular profile then you should prepare a general resume in which you can make small alterations and make it fit for different roles and positions. Try to include attractive and commonly used keywords related to the profile you are looking for to attract the employers from different online job portals.

2. Update your professional social media 

You can use your professional social media platform like LinkedIn to reach out to employers. You can also post your job requirement on LinkedIn.  Through LinkedIn you can find a job easily through your network. You can connect with other people who work in the same profile to attract the attention of the employers.

3. Send out applications regularly

Try to send out applications almost every single day to increase your chances of landing a new job. Try to reach out to companies directly for any vacant position. Reaching out to companies directly increases your chances of getting hired. Work on different strategies on how you can reach out to different employers and companies. Make adjustments in your profile and application to fit in companies requirements. Maintaining a positive attitude and staying focussed is very important during this process especially when the market is tough and competitive.

4. Try To Contact companies directly 

Generally applicants wait for a company to list out vacant positions but you need not wait for the company to roll out vacant positions, it’s better you write out to those companies with your resume inquiring about vacant positions. Chances are that if they don’t have any vacant position they may contact you in future if your profile matched with their requirements.

5. Ask for feedback from the interviewer 

If you make it to the interview and get rejected in the final round you should consider asking for feedback from the interviewer. It will help you gain valuable insights into how you can improve your mistakes and increase your chances of getting hired.

7. Enhance your skills and personality 

Undertaking different training and qualifications in order to make your profile more competitive and meet the demands of the market can help you in landing a job faster. If you notice that  a  particular skill is in high demand by employers for a profile try to undergo that training.

Some facts about hiring and jobs

• The average length of the job interview process stands at about 27.5 days. Source: CMD Recruitment.
• It costs employers 33% of an employee’s annual salary to hire a replacement if that worker leaves. Source: CMD Recruitment.
• 84% of companies use social media in recruiting. Source: Finances Online.
• 93% of Millennials see ongoing skills development as an important part of their future careers. Source: Manpower Group.
• 7.6 million US workers will be working in the ‘gig economy’ regularly by 2020. Source: Paycor.
• 4 in 5 job seekers research a company’s online reviews and ratings when deciding whether to apply for a job. Source: CMD Recruitment.
• More than 5 million information technology jobs are to be added globally by 2027. Source: Finances Online.
• An analysis of more than 20,000 firms in 91 countries found that companies with more female executives are more profitable. Source: CMD Recruitment.
• 68% of women accept the first salary offer and don’t negotiate. Source: Paycor.
• 52% of job hunters say a lack of response from employers is their biggest frustration. Source: Finances Online.
• 56% of companies have paid for employees to get skills-based training outside the office, so they can move up to a higher-skill job within their organisation. Source: G2.com.
• The top reasons given by employees for leaving their jobs include lack of career development (22%), lack of support with work-life balance (12%), their manager’s behavior (11%), unsatisfactory compensation and benefits (9%), and poor well-being (9%). Source: G2.com.

Conclusion

Everything can be achieved if one can be determined to chase it, all it requires dedication, discipline and desire. One can always perform a reverse outlook approach for the job of their dream or keep climbing the ladder upward by improving their skills. Be Persistent and Keep improving your skillset is the key however showcasing your skills is equally important, social media platforms like LinkedIn are excellent for job hunting, improving skill set, demonstrating experience and most importantly allows seeker to perform outreach to hunters.

All the best for your dream job and we are confident you are going to get it.