7 Job Interview Stats You Need to Know in 2023

Whether you’re an industry veteran or just dipping your toe into the world of work, going for a job interview can make any of us nervous.

But with the possibility of career satisfaction, experience, and rewards on the other side, job interviews should be relished as life-changing opportunities.

Nevertheless, it’s important to approach a job interview armed with all the information you can. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare and not get caught out come the day of the interview.

Below, then, we’ve compiled a list of the seven most important job interview statistics you need to know going into 2023. Absorbing these stats can help you understand your competition and the expectations of companies, as well as how to impress.

1. Job interviews can be expensive

One of the more unwelcome facts about the interview process is that it can be quite taxing on your finances. Recent data shows that the average cost of attending a job interview is around £58. Expenses include clothing, accommodation, and transport. When you consider most people find themselves undergoing around 4-5 interview processes before landing a job, this can soon add up.

Things are even worse for graduates. Looking for specialist roles in specific fields, graduates tend to spend around £506 before finding their first job.

If possible, then, it can be a good idea to budget funds for the interview process to not leave yourself short.

2. You’ll be competing with around five other people

Most companies in the UK now invite six people to be interviewed. This means you will most likely be trying to show you are more suited to the job than five other people. For larger companies, this number can stretch to around ten people.

This is considerably lower than the global average, meaning competition for job roles in the UK is fairly tough.

The good news is that if you’ve gotten to the interview stage, you’ve already done well. While competition might be stiffer, you’ve also got a much better chance of being remembered and making a great impression.

3. Interviewing can take a while

According to the latest data, the entire interview process takes, on average, around 27.5 days to complete in the UK. This is up from 23 days, as reported in 2015, meaning the process is getting longer.

If you’re applying for a job in hospitality, you can expect this number to be a lot shorter, somewhere around a week. However, if you’re moving into the public sector, expect it to double!

For those who find themselves suddenly unemployed, this can mean around a month or two of financial hardship without a rainy day fund.

4. Expect to be video interviewed

While the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns were largely unwelcome, most employers did discover video interviews to be preferable.

Pre-pandemic, most first-stage interviews were conducted either in person or over the phone. Now, with most of us comfortable setting up and using conference software, video interviews have surged ahead.

Most employers kept video interviewing for the first stages after 86% claimed they preferred it. This means being acquainted with Zoom and other conferencing software while looking for a job in 2023 is almost a necessity.

As for the interviews themselves, they still last around 45 minutes to an hour. 

5. First impressions matter

Whether for good or bad, most recruiters claim they know if they’ll hire you within 90 seconds.

One of the most important things bosses claim to notice is how much eye contact occurs. Around 67% claim that avoiding eye contact is a bad sign and will put a dent in your chances. 

Unsurprisingly, clothing is also important. According to 65% of recruiters, clothing and appearance are often the decider between two equally competent candidates.

Perhaps surprisingly, visible tattoos are still a potential issue, too. More than 70% of hiring managers claim they would be a negative consideration.

6. Recruiters look for timekeeping, understanding the role, and enthusiasm

Like in most years, to give yourself the best chance, most recruiters look for interviewees to arrive at an appropriate time. Over 84% of interviewers found lateness to be a cardinal sin. With most people arriving at interviews via foot and public transport, planning ahead is vital.

You should also not be too early. Getting to an interview more than twenty minutes early can make come across as if you aren’t very good at timekeeping. Aim to get to your interview around ten to five minutes early to make the best impression.

Most employers also claim that one of the biggest problems they face is candidates not really understanding the role or lacking enthusiasm.

Companies want to hire knowledgeable and eager people to better their team. It’s important then to demonstrate these qualities during an interview.

7. Expect to hear back within two weeks

After an interview, most employers get back in touch with candidates within two weeks. As of 2022, the average time is twelve days, but some employees can take over a month before reaching out.

This means that a good deal of patience is required before hearing anything. Those applying for senior positions can expect to wait longer than those looking for entry-level roles.

With most roles requiring multiple interview stages, some people choose to apply for more than one job at once to keep their options open.

Conclusion

In 2023, those looking for a new job can expect a slightly longer interview process and a relatively small pool of competition. Appearances and first impressions still mean a lot, while competency and enthusiasm will still be valued. And, with video calling here to stay, those unfamiliar with the technology should brush up on their video interviewing skills sooner rather than later.