A recent report from Career Group highlights a concerning trend: approximately 20% of job seekers have been searching for employment for 10 to 12 months or longer. This prolonged search isn't solely due to external factors; both candidates and hiring managers contribute to the extended process.
For many job hunters, submitting applications often feels like tossing résumés into a void. According to Career Group's survey of 765 candidates across various industries, around 30% have been searching for four to six months, 23% for two to three months, nearly 17% for up to one month, and about 7% for seven to nine months. The fact that almost a fifth of professionals have been job hunting for over a year is not surprising, even with a relatively strong labor market and low unemployment rates.
The struggle is real. One job seeker mentioned applying to over 1,700 roles without hearing back until venting on TikTok. In 2024, a Harris Poll found that 40% of unemployed professionals hadn’t had a single job interview that year. These findings can be valid for those feeling isolated and mentally drained by the opaque application process.
Several factors contribute to the lengthy job search, impacting both job seekers and recruiters.
**Job Seekers’ Changing Expectations**
While applicants have every right to be selective, being overly choosy can hinder their chances. Despite concerns about potential unemployment, a 2024 Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey revealed that professionals wouldn’t accept less than $81,500 in new roles. While understandable, such salary expectations narrow their options.
Additionally, some candidates engage in "career catfishing," ghosting employers after reaching the final interview stage. According to 2025 PapersOwl data, 29% of Gen Z and young millennials admitted to doing this, either as a dare, believing they'd find better opportunities elsewhere, or simply losing interest.
Susan Levine, CEO of Career Group, emphasizes the importance of flexibility. “Candidates should remain open to new possibilities. Careers are rarely linear, but rather a winding path to success,” she says. “In a competitive market, preparation and genuine interest in prospective companies are crucial.”
**Recruiters' Role in Prolonged Searches**
The job hunt’s length cannot be attributed solely to job seekers. Some eyebrow-raising hiring trends also play a role:
**Ghost Jobs**: Many job seekers complain about radio silence after sending hundreds of applications. About 81% of recruiters admit their employers post “ghost jobs” — positions that don’t exist or are already filled, according to a 2024 MyPerfectResume report. Around 36% of these hiring managers acknowledge that a quarter of their postings are fake. Jasmine Escalera, a career expert at MyPerfectResume, explains that companies use these tactics to project growth and stability, even if it mislead applicants.
**Lengthy Application Processes**: Recruiters now expect more from candidates. What was once considered excessive — a two-page résumé — is now preferred by over half of recruiters, according to a 2024 Criteria report. Additionally, the number of interviews has increased, with some professionals enduring five, six, or more rounds before receiving an offer. The standard used to be two or three interviews. Weeks or months may pass between rounds, causing frustration and discouragement.
“We hear job seekers say, ‘I’m tired, depressed, desperate,’ using harsh words about the job market,” Escalera notes. “This loss of faith in organizations is a significant issue.”
In summary, the job search process is challenging for both sides. Job seekers need to balance their expectations and remain flexible, while recruiters must improve transparency and streamline the hiring process. Addressing these issues could make the job hunt less daunting and more fruitful for everyone involved.