- Recruiters received an average of 22 job applications per vacancy, with only five making it through to the interview stage, highlighting a market-wide issue in application quality
- Lack of skills and relevant work experience were the most cited reasons for rejecting a job application
- Over one in five recruiters rejected applications for noticeable spelling errors
Half of all job applications never make it past the first stage of the hiring process, according to new research from Totaljobs, underscoring widespread concerns about application quality across the job market.
Recruiters who recently made a hire reported receiving an average of 22 applications per vacancy. However, only half of these candidates progress beyond the initial screening stage. Beyond the initial application, a further 55% of candidates were eliminated at the phone screen stage, leaving an average of just five candidates progressing to the final interview.
When asked about the reasons for rejecting applications, 70% stated a lack of relevant skills, while 58% cited a lack of relevant work experience.
In addition to these reasons, the research, conducted among 624 recruiters found several common pitfalls preventing candidates from advancing:
- 33% of recruiters rejected applications due to poorly formatted application forms
- 26% cited incomplete application documents
- 22% didn’t progress candidates due to noticeable spelling errors
Natalie Matalon, Chief People Officer at the Stepstone Group said: "While competition for jobs is fierce, candidates can greatly improve their chances by ensuring their skills and experience align with the role. Tailoring applications, providing clear examples of achievements, and avoiding common errors can make a significant difference in standing out to recruiters.
"Simple improvements—such as using tools to check grammar and spelling, or ensuring applications are well-structured—can prevent candidates from being ruled out unnecessarily. Attention to detail matters."
The Hiring Trends Index also sheds light on the reasons candidates abandon applications before submission. Nearly half (49%) cited a lack of clarity about required job skills, while 45% said applications take too long to complete. Technical issues with application forms affected 38% of job seekers, preventing them from finishing their applications.
The research on application quality also reveals a disconnect when it comes to job descriptions. 74% find clear and detailed job descriptions helpful in improving application quality. However, 69% of job seekers found expectations in job ads unclear in their recent search. 40% said too many requirements are listed, and 39% said job titles are unclear.
Matalon continued: "There’s a clear disconnect between the hiring expectations of businesses and candidates. While skills and experience remain the biggest barriers to progression, job seekers are struggling with unclear expectations in job ads. Businesses must ensure they’re not inadvertently eliminating strong candidates with vague or overly complex job descriptions, as well as unnecessarily complicated application processes. Lengthy forms or technical issues can deter applicants before they even submit, leading to missed opportunities for both sides. A well-crafted, transparent job ad—paired with a seamless application experience—attracts better-quality candidates and helps recruiters connect with the right talent more effectively.”
