How Many Resumes Does It Take To Land a Job In 2023? | Career Nuggets

If you're reading this, chances are you're in the middle of a job hunt, sending out resumes, and perhaps feeling a little lost in the sea of applications. We get it. Job searching can often feel like an endless game of hide and seek--emphasis on the hide. 

It's not just about finding a job — it's about finding the right job, a place where you can grow, contribute, and feel valued. And after weeks or months of firing resumes off into the void only to be ghosted or told “not right now,” you’re left wondering: what am I doing wrong?  

The numbers, statistics, trends, and different advice from all over can make you feel like you're walking in the dark, hoping to stumble upon the right path. So let’s shine a little light on the matter, starting with the biggest, most important career nugget: you are not alone.

It's okay to feel frustrated. Remember, job hunting is a process that requires time, patience, and a fair amount of resilience. It also helps to understand what the landscape looks like out there—and why standing out is now a must-do rather than a nice-to-have.  

By The Numbers: 

• Job seekers who submit between 21 and 80 job applications are more likely to land an offer than those who submit 20 or less, or over 80.

• It takes most job seekers between 1 to 10 job applications to get an interview (though that number can rise up to 100).

• A typical corporate job listing attracts about 250 applicants on average.

• Cast your net wide and aim for applying to about ten to fifteen unique job positions weekly, or two to three daily.

What We’ve Heard: 

If recruiters were getting 250 applications before, they’re getting at least 4x that now. The market has shifted quickly and formal job data tends to lag behind. To paint you a picture, that 250 applications statistic was reported on Glassdoor back in 2015, and it STILL gets reported as the latest number today! No wonder the career search blogs haven’t quite caught wind of it yet.

Standing out from the crowd is a challenge on the best of days. Now it’s harder than ever. On top of all that competition, each application needs care and attention to give it a personal touch. The good news is, you can speed up the process and cut through that inbox full of resumes with the right tools (hey, why not try something new, like a video application?). 

The key takeaway here is this: yes — it’s a challenging job market right now as we write this post. But companies are still hiring. And with a little help from your friends at Uvaro, you can make the most of those opportunities with personalized career support, a dedicated sales job board, and one-on-one coaching!