40 Important Job Interview Statistics [2023]: How Many Interviews Before Job Offer - Zippia (2024)

Job interview research summary. Job interviews might be a nerve-wracking experience, but breaking the process down into facts and figures might make it seem a little less scary. After careful research, our team found that:

• It takes the average person 24 weeks to go through the hiring and interview process and find a job.

• On average, a candidate will get one interview request for every six applications they complete.

• On average, women are 30% less likely to be selected for a job interview than men with similar qualifications and professional backgrounds.

• The average corporate job opening gets 250 resumes — of those, between four to six will be called for an interview.

• The interview process takes an average of 23 days.

• The average applicant applies to 27 companies before landing an interview.

For further analysis, we broke down the data in the following ways:
Percentage | Average Length | Failure | Video and Phone | Age | Race | Gender | Education | Industry

How many interviews does it Take to get a job?

Interviews are certainly nice when they’re one and done, but this isn’t always the case. For many industries and fields, you’re actually pretty unlikely to get the job after just one interview. What to learn more? Consider these fascinating statistics:

• All job seekers have a 26.24% probability of receiving a job offer.

  Generally speaking, those who apply for 21 to 80 job postings have a 30.89% chance of receiving a job offer and getting hired, while job seekers who submit more than 81 applicants have a 20.36% chance of getting hired.

  After a job interview, it takes 20 to 40 days, on average, to receive a job offer. A rejected job offer usually comes five to eight weeks after a candidate’s first job interview.



• Job seekers have a 36.89% chance of receiving a job offer after having one interview.

  Professionals who have had at least one job interview after two months of submitting an application have a 36.89% chance of receiving a job offer, while those who have had no interview after two months have a 9.94% chance of receiving an offer.

• Job seekers who have had three job interviews have a 51% chance of getting hired.

  According to recruiters, people who have been selected for three job interviews have the greatest probability of receiving a job offer.

  Those who have had two interviews have a 17% chance, those who have had four interviews have a 22% chance, and those who have five or more interviews have a 9% chance of getting hired.

What percentage of applicants get an interview?

Receiving an interview can largely depend on the size of the applicant pool. Some jobs have hundreds of applicants to choose from, making your goal to receive an interview an uphill battle. To learn more about your odds of landing an interview, here are some essential facts:

• Job seekers who apply for more positions receive more interviews.

  Professionals who apply for one to ten jobs in a two-month period typically are asked to interview for 0 to two positions, while those who apply for 21 to 80 jobs usually have one to seven interviews.

• Most job seekers receive one interview offer for every six applications they submit.

  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 47.3% of people who submit up to ten job applications and 35.1% of people who submit between 11 and 20 job applications receive one or two interview invitations.

Average length of a job interview

The average length of a job interview can vary based on the industry, hiring manager, and other factors. Some candidates might spend a half-hour in an interview, while others have to endure a full-length movie. If you want to know the average length of a job interview, take a look at these statistics:

• Face-to-face interviews last an average of 40 minutes.

  On average, interviews run for 40 minutes, but the typical interview ranges from between 30 and 90 minutes. Job seekers typically hear back from the company within 24 hours to two weeks.

• The first minute and a half of a job interview are the most important.

  Approximately 33% of interviewers decide whether or not they want to hire a candidate during the first 90 seconds of a job interview.

• The average interview process for a single job takes 27.5 days in the United States.

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  Job seekers can expect the average company’s interview process to take just under one month, from submitting an application to being selected for an interview, completing pre-employment screenings, and possibly receiving a job offer.

Job interview failure statistics

Interview failure is a fear many Americans face, but there are many ways you can mitigate the risk. Here are some facts that show what’s more or less likely to result in interview failure:

• Unemployed people have a harder time securing job interviews and getting hired.

  The probability of getting called in for an interview and receiving a job offer decreases the longer a person is unemployed.

  Job seekers who are unemployed for less than five weeks have a 30.94% chance of receiving a job offer, while those unemployed for more than 27 weeks have an 18.44% chance.



• 50% of hiring managers believe that the way a candidate dresses and acts at a job interview can be grounds for elimination from consideration for the job.

  In fact, 20% said they would not consider someone for the role who sat with their arms crossed during a job interview, and 65% said they would not consider someone who failed to make eye contact.



• 40% of recruiters will not hire candidates who are not confident in themselves.

  Just under half of all job recruiters consider a lack of a smile at a job interview a good enough reason not to consider or hire an otherwise qualified applicant and 40% of interviewers consider the quality of a candidate’s voice before deciding whether or not to continue the interview process.

  HR managers a;sp report that 47% of candidates fail their interview because they don’t have enough information about the company.

Video and phone interview frequency and other statistics

Video and phone interviews have become more popular in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These types of interviews can save employers and candidates time and money, but they do have their disadvantages. Here are some interesting facts about video and phone interviews:

• Phone interviews usually add up to eight days to the recruiting process.

  While the interview process commonly takes about a month, phone interviews can extend that time by more than one week.

• Video interviews are increasing in popularity faster than ever before.

  About 60% of job recruiters use video technology to interview candidates remotely.

  81% of recruiters have claimed that virtual recruitment will continue well after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, 74% of recruiters say that video interviews have made their life easier.

• Initial phone interviews usually last about 15 minutes.

  Phone interviews are most typically used as a screening tool before a longer and more structured job interview is scheduled.

• Recruiters use targeted approaches to evaluate job candidates.

  Human Resources representatives use structured interview techniques 74% of the time, followed by behavioral interviews 73% of the time, phone screenings 57% of the time, and panel interviews 48% of the time.

Job interview statistics by age

Your age can also impact your chances of getting and then succeeding in a job interview. Here are facts about how your age impacts job interviews:

• Job applicants that are 55 years old are three times less likely to be called in for a job interview compared with younger people with less experience applying for the same role.

• Research shows that 95% of people try to look younger during job interviews in hopes of upping their chances of getting hired.

• Age discrimination in job interviews has been reported in 85% of finance positions, 84% of advertising positions, and 81% of digital marketing positions.

• 75% of older Americans have reported feeling discriminated against because of their age during a job interview.

Job interview statistics by race

Interview results can also be impacted as race, as unfortunate as that is in 2023. To learn more about which demographics are most impacted, here are some key statistics:

• Young white men are 1.8 times more likely to be invited for an interview than white men in their 50s.

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• Young white men are 2.3 times more likely to be invited for an interview than white women in their 50s.

• Young white men are 2.6 times more likely to be invited for an interview than black men in their 50s.

• And, young white men are 3 times more likely to be selected for an interview than black women in their 50s.

• 77% of hiring managers consider diversity a crucial aspect of job interviews and recruitment.

Job interview statistics by gender

Gender also impacts interview results. Despite the progress made for women in the workplace, there are still inequalities that remain, as seen in job interviews.

• Men are 33% more confident in their performance at job interviews than women.

• The chances of being selected for a job interview are 23.5% lower for women without children than for their male peers in almost identical circ*mstances.

• Female job applicants with children are 35.9% less likely to be called in for a job interview than male applicants with children.

Job interview statistics by education

Hiring managers often look for a certain education level during job interviews. Often, those with a higher education level perform better in interviews, due to employer preferences.

• About 35% of job postings require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree, and an additional 30% require an associate’s degree or some level of college education in order to be selected for a job interview.

• In addition to specific education requirements, many job seekers must complete assessments prior to being invited for a job interview. About one in four businesses require assessments prior to advancing to the interview round of the hiring process.

Job interview statistics by industry

Job interviews can be different based on the industry. For example, some industries may require long interviews, or multiple interviews. To find out more about how industry impacts job interviews, here are some crucial statistics:

• Across most industries, recruiters take approximately six seconds to scan a resume and determine whether or not to invite someone in for a job interview.

• The average corporate job attracts 250 applicants. Only four to six of those individuals get called in for an interview.

• 94% of sales professionals report salary being one of the most important discussions of a job interview.

• On average, 36% of recruiters hiring blue and white-collar workers evaluate a candidate for multitasking skills during a job interview, while 31% look for initiative, and 21% look for creative thinking abilities.

Job interview FAQ

1. How many candidates make it to the final interview?

   Only 3 candidates on average make it to the final interview. Competition for jobs is fierce, and 98% of candidates don’t even make it to the interview process.

   Luckily, 75% of candidates who apply for a job aren’t qualified for it, meaning that if you do have all the skills listed in the job description, you’ve already risen far above most of your competition.

2. What are the chances of getting a job after the second interview?

   Your chances of landing a job after the second interview are between 25% and 50%. Considering the fact that only 3 candidates typically make it to this stage, that means your chances are high just by the process of elimination. Though, do keep in mind that your competition at this point will also be highly qualified, meaning that you should take extra time to prepare for your second interview.

3. How many interviews does it take to get a job?

   The majority of recruiters agree that it takes an average of 3 interviews to get a job. Furthermore, 22% of recruiters say the average number is 4, and 9% believe it can even take 5 or more.

4. What is the average interview process length in 2023?

   The average interview is 45 minutes long, and the average time it takes to hear back from an employer is five days. However, the interview process can always take longer, with 40% of recruiters saying they spend more than two weeks on the interview process.

Conclusion

If you’re one of the millions of Americans on the job hunt, understanding some of the most telling job interview statistics like the fact that women are 30% less likely to be selected for a job interview than men could help you to be successful throughout the interview process and score your dream job 20 to 40 days after your initial interview.

While only 20% of applicants advance to the interview round of the hiring process, more job applications lead to more job interviews, especially ones conducted using video chat has a better probability of getting hired.

Wherever you’re at in the job interview process, it’s important to remember that it takes the average person 24 weeks to apply for jobs in their field or industry, be selected for job interviews, and eventually find a role they’re hired for.

Job offers usually come between 24 hours and two weeks after a job interview, while rejected offers tend to come after five to eight weeks.

References

U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. How Do Job Seekers Search For Jobs? New Data On Applications, Interviews, And Job Offers. Accessed 6/22/23.

Zety. 2021 HR Statistics: Job Search, Hiring, Recruiting Interviews. Accessed 6/22/23.

Forbes. New Study Shows Age, Race And Gender Bias In The Interview Process. Accessed 6/22/23.

SHRM. Have You Seen These Gender Biases During Job Interviews? Accessed 6/22/23.

Phys.org. Women Are 30% Less Likely To Be Considered For A Hiring Process Than Men. Accessed 6/22/23.

Twain Employment. 8 Surprising Statistics About Interviews. Accessed 6/22/23.

Ladders. 95% Of People Try To Look Younger During Interviews — And Other Findings Of Ageism. Accessed 6/22/23.

Simplilearn. Job Interview Statistics And Trends For 2021. Accessed 6/22/23.

The Washington Post. With A Degree No Longer Enough, Job Candidates Are Told To Prove Their Skills In Tests. Accessed 6/22/23.

Job Adder. The Top Video Interview Tips Recruiters Need To Know. Accessed 6/22/23.