163+ Essential Recruitment Statistics to Know in 2023

27 December 2023
14 min read
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Finding a job can be a daunting task, especially if you consider the uncertainties of the current job market.

Job seekers face all kinds of new challenges, such as remote interviews and online application processes, as well as new benefits like hybrid work arrangements and an increased focus on diversity and inclusion.

But with so many changes across the recruitment industry, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends and statistics.

Understanding these changes is crucial for any job seeker’s career journey. 

Recruitment statistics can help candidates make informed decisions, stand out to employers, and increase their odds of successfully landing their dream job.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the most essential recruitment statistics that job seekers need to know to succeed in 2023.

11 Key Recruitment Statistics

Let’s start with the key recruitment statistics for 2023.

We’ve gathered the following statistics to help job seekers make informed decisions based on the current conditions in the job market:

  1. Two-thirds of all professionals aren’t formally on the hunt for a job but would consider an offer. (CareerArc)
  2. 50% of workers have declined a job offer because of a bad recruitment experience. (Thrive My Way)
  3. Out of all Fortune 500 companies, 99% use Applicant Tracking Software. (Recruitee)
  4. Over 70% of the employers that use ATS say it makes finding candidates easier. (TalentLyft)
  5. Hiring managers spend an average of 7 seconds looking at candidates’ resumes. (HRDrive)
  6. 41% of candidates use job search websites to find new career opportunities.
  7. On average, a job vacancy costs a company just under $100 per day. (JSG)
  8. The first thing 70% of job seekers want to hear from a recruiter is what salary range they can expect. (Zippia)
  9. Money remains the deciding factor for 67% of job seekers, and if recruiters aren’t upfront with the salary range an employee can expect, they may lose out on potential hires.
  10. Almost 90% of job seekers will accept a job offer faster when a recruiter contacts them. (Zippia)
  11. An average of 55% of candidates believe that a job offer should take less than two weeks after the first interview. (LinkedIn)

15 Remote and Hybrid Recruitment Statistics

Remote work has revolutionized the hiring landscape and the way companies attract and retain top talent.

With the rise of remote work, candidates increasingly look for opportunities that allow them to work from home or provide more flexibility.

From increased job satisfaction and productivity to expanded candidate pools, these remote work statistics shed light on the advantages of remote and hybrid recruitment:

  1. In recent years, virtual recruitment methods have become the most important part of the hiring process. (Yello)
  2. To give you an idea, 61% of recruiters expect video interviews to completely replace face-to-face interviews. (Onrec)
  3. This makes sense since, so far, about 86% of interviews are virtual anyway. (Zippia)
  4. Over 86% of employees want to be remote or at least hybrid employees. (Glassdoor)
  5. And it’s not surprising, considering that another 83% of companies have found that remote work has had a positive impact on their flexibility, cost savings, and access to talent. (Pwc)
  6. A further 95% of employers report their productivity wasn’t negatively affected while working remotely. (Flex Jobs)
  7. And 51% account for an increase in productivity outside of the office.
  8. 68% of hiring managers say that candidates often ask for work-from-home options. (LinkedIn)
  9. And 54% have had candidates turn down interviews or job offers due to a lack of remote work options or flexibility.
  10. Two-thirds of remote employees say they would go back to on-site work if the employers pay for the commute. (LinkedIn)
  11. Since 2019, remote job opportunities have risen by over 135%.
  12. Remote workers have reported a 75 out of 100 Workforce Happiness Index score, while in-office employees reported 71. (CNBC)
  13. Roughly 66% of employers around the world are redesigning their offices to allow for hybrid work models. (Microsoft)
  14. Up to 90% of hiring managers expect remote work to keep being available in the future. (Gartner)
  15. And they might be onto something, as over 70% of companies planned to adopt the hybrid work model. (Mercer)

15 Diversity Hiring & Inclusion Statistics

Inclusive and equitable workplaces are built on diverse candidate sourcing.

Where diversity and inclusion go, increased profit, innovation, and employee retention follow. And the importance of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts only goes up when companies want to attract top talent.

Check out the following statistics that highlight the importance of embracing diversity and fostering inclusive work environments for successful recruitment:

  1. In a poll of 1,300 full-time employees in the USA, Deloitte found that inclusive company culture is crucial for finding and retaining talent.
  2. Glassdoor reports that 76% of job seekers consider a diverse workforce an essential factor when evaluating companies and job offers.
  3. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are listed as the top five priorities for 2023 by HR leaders. (Clear Company)
  4. 57% of employees believe their current company should be more diverse. (Apollo Technical)
  5. Meanwhile, 37% of them would leave their current employer for a more inclusive one.
  6. Over one-third of employers report that candidates expect to hear about a company’s DEI efforts, which is a record-high number. (LinkedIn)
  7. Diversity pays off for employers, as companies with culturally diverse executive employees are 33% more likely to rake in above-average profits. (Forbes)
  8. Racially diverse businesses are also 35% more likely to generally outperform their competitors. (Apollo Technical)
  9. Diverse perspectives come naturally with a diverse group of employees, and the results speak for themselves. Companies with greater diversity are 70% likelier to expand their market.
  10. Companies that publicly embraced diversity and post about it on LinkedIn receive 26% more applications from women than companies that post less. (LinkedIn)
  11. While women are nearly 50% of the workforce, the gender wage gap remains at an average of 17% worldwide. (Pew Research Center)
  12. Gender diversity has a long way to go, as men are twice as likely to get hired according to Builtin.
  13. Women are 46% more likely to get hired with a blind recruitment process that prevents unconscious bias. (Vervoe)
  14. A 20% increase in geographical diversity is expected among applicants thanks to the rise of remote work. (Zippia)
  15. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace lead to creativity, innovation, better decision-making, and a vibrant workplace culture that enriches employees. (Forbes)

14 Onboarding Statistics

Whether a new hire is set up for success is often determined by the onboarding process they’re met with.

A well-designed onboarding process can ensure long-term engagement, productivity, and overall job satisfaction for employees.

We’ve found the following onboarding statistics to show you how job seekers and recruiters feel about onboarding:

  1. Communication and regular candidate engagement in the pre-onboarding process can improve the onboarding experience itself by 83%. (The Talent Board)
  2. A company’s onboarding process can improve the retention rate of new hires by over 80% according to Glassdoor.
  3. Smooth onboarding also boosts employee productivity by 70%.
  4. Workers who had a structured and robust onboarding experience are reported to be almost 60% likelier to stay with the company after three years. (Recruiting Division)
  5. In contrast, bad onboarding experiences make new hires 50% more likely to look for another job. (Digitate)
  6. A whole 31% of new hires leave their new job within six months. (Thrive My Way)
  7. 1 in 10 employees thinks their employer provides a good onboarding experience (Zippia)
  8. In fact, 88% of employees say their organizations don’t onboard well at all.
  9. Less than 29% of fresh hires feel prepared to thrive in their new role after onboarding. (Gallup)
  10. Onboarding is solely focused on paperwork for 58% of organizations. (Techjury)
  11. 62% of recruiters believe that in-person onboarding is more effective than virtual onboarding. (LinkedIn)
  12. Automating onboarding tasks can give companies a 16% improvement in employee retention rate. (Outsystems)
  13. But 56% of new employees would prefer having a mentor, buddy, or other work coach to assist them. (ClickBoarding)
  14. 54% of recruiters plan to combine remote and on-site onboarding. (LinkedIn)

Are you considering a career change? Take a look at these helpful career change statistics!

13 Workplace Culture and Recruitment Statistics

Employees spend a third of their lives at work so it goes without saying that they want a positive work environment that helps them thrive.

On top of that, hiring managers note increased employee satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and higher profit all thanks to making a good cultural fit.

Here are the top workplace culture and recruitment statistics:

  1. The candidate’s cultural fit makes for 10% of a hiring decision, compared to a full 90% of importance for skills and experience. (Zippia)
  2. One in five recruiters believes cultural fit is determining factor in hiring decisions. (HR Magazine)
  3. Over 90% of recruiters have rejected a candidate that was a poor cultural fit for the company. (Talogy)
  4. Company culture is the key to keeping top talent, as 70% of employees in the US say they wouldn’t tolerate a poor workplace culture. (LinkedIn)
  5. 46% of job seekers report that company culture is an essential factor when looking for a new gig. (Teamstage)
  6. Workplace culture is the leading reason for switching jobs according to 25% of professionals. (LinkedIn)
  7. And 15% of job seekers have turned down a job offer because of the company’s culture. (Builtin)
  8. Considering how important the work environment and cultural fit are, it’s no surprise that satisfied employees are 12% more productive than the average worker. (Teamstage)
  9. But less than 35% of workers in the USA receive weekly recognition for their work, so employers beware - undervalued employees are more likely to quit within their first year.
  10. And employees are 26% likelier to leave if there’s no trust between coworkers.
  11. 88% of employers believe that a distinct, positive workplace culture is essential for productivity and profitability. (Deloitte)
  12. Candidates these days prioritize work-life balance, mental health, and ultimately - flexibility. 86% of workers believe flexibility would reduce their stress. (FlexJobs)
  13. A further 27% of candidates report they are seeking caring work environments. (LinkedIn)

10 Employer Branding and Recruitment Statistics

A candidate’s first impression of an organization is often its reputation, so company branding and image are of increasing importance when it comes to recruitment.

Employer branding can be a determining factor in attracting top talent and staying ahead of the competition in recruitment.

Take a look at some of the statistics that show the impact of employer branding:

  1. About 45% of candidates check a company’s online reputation before applying for a job with them. (OnHires)
  2. 54% of candidates read employer reviews before applying.
  3. In fact, employer reviews can be crucial, as another 55% of candidates decline job offers after reading negative reviews.
  4. And 50% of workers outright refuse to work for an organization if it has a bad reputation. (CBIZ)
  5. Employee or leadership scandals can lead 33% of applicants to drop out of the recruitment process.
  6. Over 67% of candidates visit a company’s official career pages before submitting an application.
  7. And a further 68% of millennial candidates visit a company’s website to evaluate their brand for themselves.
  8. Employers with strong brands attract nearly half of all qualified candidates. (LinkedIn)
  9. And the cost of recruiting can be cut down by 43% with strong company branding.
  10. Once candidates are hired, companies with strong brands improve employee retention by 28%. (Thrive My Way)

Want to learn more about branding? Learn all about personal branding with our article!

10 Job Advertisement and Recruitment Statistics

While professional job boards seem to be losing popularity, job advertisements remain in use throughout different platforms.

Employers are changing their requirements for candidates, and job advertisements reflect it. The candidates themselves, on the other hand, are changing the way they look at job advertisements and what they’re looking for is shifting.

See what the following statistics say about job advertisements and recruitment:

  1. Job listings are active for an average of 30 days. (Zippia)
  2. The most common soft skills listed in job ads are teamwork skills and problem-solving.
  3. Applications are increased by 34% when job ads include images or video testimonials. (OnHires)
  4. But over one-half of candidates complain about lack of information about salary and benefits in job advertisements.
  5. Adding a salary to a job advertisement can increase candidates’ interest by up to 75% on online job boards. (G2)
  6. An increasing number of job seekers consider mobile devices a necessary part of job searching, with up to 89% considering them essential.
  7. With 45% of job seekers using their mobile devices at least once per day to look up new opportunities, employers need ads and applications that are mobile-friendly.
  8. The language used in a job advertisement, such as gendered language or uninclusive language, can deter candidates from certain backgrounds. (SHRM)
  9. On average, 118 people apply for a single job advertisement.
  10. Out of those, only 20% will be called in for an interview.

Need an edge in your job hunt? Try our job search statistics article for more information!

15 Social Media Recruitment Statistics

The digital age has brought rapid developments across all fields, but the most game-changing factor remains social media.

The labor landscape has shifted and through the use of social media, so have the ways people learn about job opportunities and cultivate their professional network.

We’ve found the following social media recruitment statistics to illustrate just how crucial your digital footprint is:

  1. Social media is consistently playing a bigger role in recruitment - over 44% of recruiters use the information that’s publicly available on candidates’ profiles to speed up their recruitment. (OnHires)
  2. And a further 83% of companies use social media in their recruiting process.
  3. 86% of job seekers look for new opportunities through social media, with the majority of them being young workers in the first ten years of their careers. (Recruitee)
  4. So it’s a good thing that 66% of recruiters post jobs on social media. (LinkedIn)
  5. Employers are 21% less likely to consider a candidate with no social media presence. (Zippia)
  6. 41% of employers won’t interview a candidate if they can’t find them online. (LinkedIn)
  7. And up to 54% of employers will reject an applicant based on something seen on their social media profile that doesn’t align with their principles. (Zippia)
  8. For example, 20% of recruiters say that seeing a candidate perform in viral challenges on social media would negatively impact their hiring decision. (LinkedIn)
  9. According to a CareerArc, traditional job boards have become less effective in comparison to social media.
  10. Half of all professionals keep tabs on other companies’ social media profiles to stay afloat of any employment opportunities. (LinkedIn)
  11. A considerable amount of salaried employees are recruited through social media - upwards of 87% for non-management roles, and 82% for management. (Zippia)
  12. Recruiters looking for hourly wage employees score fewer candidates - about 55%.
  13. And in comparison to these, only about 45% of executive or upper-management salaried employees are hired through social media.
  14. Around 35% of job seekers use professional networking websites. (OnHire)
  15. But LinkedIn is far ahead of other professional social media sites. Over 75% of workers who recently started a new job say LinkedIn had a pivotal role in their job hunt.

18 Statistics on Recruitment Challenges

Finding the right person for a vacant position can be a difficult task.

The job market is now candidate-driven, and potential hires often drop out of the application process before even making it to an interview. 

Hiring managers face their fair share of challenges in today’s job market, and understanding them can help you meet them halfway. 

Take a look at the statistics on the biggest recruitment challenges we’ve found:

  1. Over 52% of recruiters think that going through the resumes of a large pool of applicants is the most challenging aspect of screening candidates. (OnHires)
  2. Finding candidates with particular skills is a challenge reported by more than 73% of recruiters.
  3. Hiring managers report that competitors hire over 85% of their potential candidates.
  4. Talent is hard to find and top-tier candidates go off the market in less than two weeks.
  5. It takes companies an average of 42 days to fill in vacancies. (OfficeVibe)
  6. Traditional recruiting practices make it harder to find candidates since around 70% of potential employees are passive talents that aren’t actively looking for new jobs. (OnHires)
  7. This means that only 30% of potential hires are actively job-hunting.
  8. Every 9 out of 10 employers are struggling to fill in job vacancies. (Monster)
  9. And 29% of employers think that the skill gap has increased.
  10. The application process comes with its own drawbacks, as more than half of candidates give up on online applications that they find too complicated. (G2)
  11. And 75% of recruiters have encountered candidates changing their minds before being hired. (Zippia)
  12. 44% of candidates drop the application process for companies that announce layoffs. (Zippia)
  13. First impressions matter - over 40% of candidates drop out of the recruitment process after a poor interaction with a hiring manager.
  14. But 39% of candidates decline a job because they received a better job offer elsewhere.
  15. Interviews remain daunting for employers, too. Over 83% of employees say that a bad interview experience can change their mind about a company they previously liked. (Recruitee)
  16. Despite a thorough employee vetting process, nearly 75% of employers say they’ve hired an unsuitable candidate for certain positions. (CareerBuilder)
  17. The cost of hiring the wrong candidate can come out to $15,000 per bad hire.
  18. Companies should budget accordingly when looking for new staff, as the average cost per hire in the USA is over $4000.

Want to know what job seekers are experiencing? Read the result of the Job-Seeker’s Survey by Novorésumé for the statistics you need to know!

20 Candidate Sourcing Statistics

Hiring managers overwhelmingly report that there’s a talent shortage. So how are HR experts sourcing their potential hires?

Ranging from professional networking, internal hires, and outbound resourcing, most methods can give you an idea of how to find your next job. 

Here are the top statistics on candidate sourcing:

  1. 62% of hiring managers say that they find better candidates through outbound applications than by waiting for candidates to come to them. (LinkedIn)
  2. Employee referrals come out on top as the best method for high-performing candidates, according to 88% of businesses. (TalentLyft)
  3. Referred candidates are also over 55% faster to hire compared to other candidates.
  4. And potential candidates are 46% more likely to accept a job offer if they’re referred by your current employees. (Zippia)
  5. Sourcing candidates through referrals applies to 65% of contingent workers, too.
  6. About 39% of employers that use contingent workers rely on direct sourcing for candidates. (Zippia)
  7. Direct sourcing proves to reduce hiring costs by 30% since it’s faster than using third-party headhunters. (Zippia)
  8. Third-party sources like agencies, talent marketplaces, and consulting firms are rated as the least important source for candidates. (LinkedIn)
  9. Professional networking is a great way to source candidates, and companies that recruit through their employees’ networks have a talent pool that’s ten times bigger than that of their competitors who don’t. (Zippia)
  10. Over 67% of employees will refer candidates for the sake of helping the applicant or the company.
  11. Less than 26% of employees will refer someone to be seen as a valuable coworker.
  12. And only 6% would do it for money or recognition at work.
  13. Nearly 50% hear about vacant job positions through word of mouth. (LinkedIn)
  14. Given all this, it’s no surprise that nearly 80% of jobs are filled by professional and personal connections. (Payscale)
  15. And that 80% of vacancies are never advertised. (OnHires)
  16. Internal hiring is six times more effective than all other hiring sources.
  17. Around 36% of organizations lean on internal hiring. (Thrive My Way)
  18. Nearly 70% of all potential hires are open to learning about new opportunities but too hesitant to apply. (OfficeVibe)
  19. And 87% say they would be open to new job opportunities if sought out by a recruiter.
  20. Technology should be leveraged, and according to 70% of respondents to a Hubspot survey, automation in candidate sourcing would increase productivity all around.

Conclusion

And those are our 164 recruitment statistics to help you land a job in 2024!

We hope you feel confident in navigating the job market and understand the current recruitment trends and predictions for the future.

Check out our career blog if you need any more information to help on your job hunt!