For most job seekers, getting hired isn’t as simple as submitting a few applications and waiting for a call back. The modern job hunt often involves dozens of applications, hours of paperwork, and multiple rounds of interviews. All before landing a single offer.
To better understand what today’s job search really looks like, we surveyed Americans about their most recent job search, asking about how long their job hunt took, how many applications they submitted, and what toll the process took on them.
Below, we break down how much time the average person spends looking for work, which industries require the most effort, and how the job search is affecting workers across the country.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Job?
Job hunting can feel like a full-time job in itself, and it turns out that may not be too far from the truth.
According to our survey, the average job search lasts about 6.5 months. To better understand what really goes into that timeline, we asked job seekers across the country to walk us through their most recent job hunt. From searching job boards to submitting applications and taking interviews, here’s what they reported:
Job board visits: 62
- Most applicants visited job boards more than once a week over several months, showing how consistent job seekers need to be to find the right opportunity for them.
Applications submitted: 32
- That’s nearly five applications per month for the average job search.
Cover letters written: 9
- While many roles no longer require cover letters, job seekers are still writing more than one for every four applications they submit.
Interviews taken: 4
- Fewer than 1 in 8 applications lead to an interview.
Job offers: 2
- Most respondents said they received a couple of offers before selecting the right fit. A sign that persistence pays off.
Minutes spent per application: 50
- Between tailoring resumes, answering screening questions, and writing cover letters, each application takes nearly an hour.
Total time spent on applications: 26.5 hours
- That means job seekers spend more than a full day of their lives just filling out forms and clicking "submit" — not including interviews, follow-ups, or prep time — to land a job.
That 26-hour figure highlights just how demanding the job search process can be. Every application adds up. And it’s not just the time, but the mental and emotional energy spent on repeating the process over and over.
“The sheer volume of applications it takes to land a job today shows just how noisy the hiring landscape has become,” says Nicholas Roarty, Chief Operations Officer at Employers.io. “Job seekers shouldn’t just focus on quantity — tailoring applications to the right roles can dramatically improve success rates. And don’t underestimate the power of networking. Personal connections can shortcut the process, helping candidates bypass crowded job boards and get straight to decision-makers.”
The Industries With the Longest Job Hunts
We also looked at how the job search timeline varies by industry. Some fields seem to demand significantly more effort before landing a role:
Insurance: 47.8 hours
- Applicants in insurance spend nearly two full days' worth of time on applications before landing a job.
Technology: 40.9 hours
- Competitive roles and technical screenings often mean longer search times in the tech world.
Retail: 27.7 hours
- Retail job seekers submit about 25 fewer applications than those working in insurance and technology, but they spend a bit longer filling out each application. The extra time they take could be attributed to trying to differentiate themselves in an industry with so many other applicants trying to fill the same roles.
Other industries required much less time:
Consumer services: 3.9 hours This was the lowest figure in the study by far, suggesting more accessible roles or a faster hiring process.
Construction: 8.6 hours Applicants in construction tend to spend about one full workday on the job hunt.
Manufacturing: 10.2 hours Manufacturing roles are also below the overall average, potentially due to faster hiring timelines, straightforward requirements, and more immediate staffing needs.
These differences show how job hunting timelines can vary depending on industry expectations, role competitiveness, and how streamlined the hiring process is.
While the average job hunt stretches over half a year, the time spent actively applying adds up quickly. Next, we’ll take a closer look at how big of an effect that process has on workers.
The Toll Job Hunting Takes On Workers
Finding a job isn’t just time-consuming. It can take a real toll mentally, too. For many job seekers, the process itself becomes a source of stress, frustration, and burnout.
We asked Americans about their most recent job search to understand how it made them feel and how much effort it required.
To put it simply, it takes a toll.
- Three-quarters of Americans would rather work 50-hour weeks than apply to 50 more jobs
- 7 in 10 said the process felt like a job in itself
Here’s what else they told us:
- 43% used one resume for every application
- 62% completed assessments or skills tests
- 68% said they felt at least somewhat burned out by the process
Even when job seekers have the relevant experience, the process of landing a role can really wear them down.
Closing Thoughts
Job hunting takes time, energy, and persistence. Our survey found that the average American spends more than six months — and over 26 hours on applications alone — just to land one job. Along the way, many face burnout, lengthy assessments, and a process that feels like a full-time role.
These challenges are especially tough on young professionals trying to get their careers off the ground.
By matching job seekers with roles that align with their skills and experience, Employers.io helps cut through the noise. With smarter job recommendations and real programmatic job advertising, finding your next opportunity doesn’t have to feel like a second job.
Methodology
To determine how many applications it takes to get hired, we surveyed over 1,500 Americans over a week in March 2025. We got insight into how many applications job seekers complete when searching for a role, how much of their time it takes up, and how taxing they feel the job-hunting process is.