October 18th 2023.
Software engineer Shikhar Sachdev knows first-hand how challenging and tedious the job hunting process can be. With the current state of the job market, more than 90% of people abandon online job applications before they are completely filled out. In an effort to find an easier way, Sachdev set out to fill out 500 software engineering job applications to uncover the root of the problem and find solutions.
Initially, Sachdev planned to apply for a wide range of jobs, including those from companies he encountered on the street and one his friend worked for. However, after committing to 250 applications, Sachdev realized 500 was too much and changed his goal. He filled out the applications but only submitted those he was interested in.
Bankrate reports 56% of workers intend to look for a new job this year, and Zippia estimates it takes 21-80 applications to get one job offer. With the Black unemployment rate hitting an all-time low of 6% earlier this year, Black workers are well aware of the struggles of applying online.
Sachdev took note of the length of time it took to complete each application. He told Wired the shortest application was for hedge fund Renaissance Technologies and only took 20 seconds, while the longest application was for the United States Postal Service and took over 10 minutes. He also found that applying for jobs using Workday took 128% longer than applications for similar-sized companies.
Sachdev determined three factors that affect the application duration: the size of the company, the industry, and the software used for applicants. He found that applicant software was the biggest issue, as many systems such as Workday require the creation of an account. Furthermore, he found that he was often required to retype information after uploading his resume because the software misread it.
Sachdev acknowledges that it’s not just the time it takes to fill out the applications, but the mental fatigue of having to do it over and over again. To make the process easier, he suggests prioritizing companies that use similar software or allow you to simply submit a resume. Additionally, he recommends making a connection on Linkedin with the hiring manager.
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