AOL Jobs states that the average job search is taking around seven months; however, they also report that candidates give up after five. Unfortunately, that’s the job search reality these days. But getting a better understanding of why the job search process takes so long can help individuals stay motivated through the long haul of finding, applying, interviewing and waiting to hear back.
Applying. You know by now that applying to a job isn’t as simple as emailing a potential employer with your cover letter and resume. There are oftentimes forms to fill out as well as specific instructions for guaranteeing your resume gets seen by hiring recruiters and managers. Any deviation from the forms or instructions could have your application automatically thrown out.
That’s why it’s not surprising that Recruiter.com says in their infographic below that it takes Jim 45 minutes just to apply to one job. Now, if you’re seriously looking to change jobs, chances are you’re applying to more than one. As you can guess, finding and applying for jobs is going to take up a huge chunk of time during your job search process.
Interviewing. The odds that you’re the only applicant for a job opening are pretty slim. With that, you could be waiting quite a while for a job interview. In fact, we see that Jim waits three months just to hear that there is another job opening that he might be interested in at the same company.
While you’re waiting, research the company and practice your answers to interview questions. With job interviews, it’s best to be ready at a moment’s notice. By researching and prepping as soon as you know you’ll be interviewing, you’re guaranteed to be ready when the hiring recruiter calls.
Hiring & salary negotiating. A week or two may pass, and at that point, Jim is sure he did not get the job. And you probably would be too. But lo and behold, the hiring manager calls a few months later to congratulate him on landing the job. Now, it’s time for salary negotiations.
Filling out new hire paperwork and going back and forth with human resources over salary and benefits takes a few weeks as well, and that’s if the human resources department doesn’t have a lot of other issues on their plate. But when it comes to salary negotiation and benefits, don’t skimp on what you deserve for the sake of starting the job faster. Do the research to find what others in the field are making as well as company benefits that work to your advantage.
While it would be ideal if the job search process took a month, that’s not the job search reality. Candidates should sit tight during the process, never lose focus and persevere until they get the job they want.
How long have you had to wait to get a job interview or job offer? Tell us now in our comments!
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