Apr 24, 2024

Question of the Day: What are your odds of getting at least one job interview if you submit 1-10 applications?

If at first you don't succeed...try, try again.

Answer: 61.7%

A pie chart showing you have a 61.7% chance of receiving a job interview when submitting 1-10 job applications.

Questions:

  1. Did you think the average number of interviews when submitting 1-10 applications would be lower? Higher? Explain why.
  2. The study claims the “sweet spot” is 21-80 applications. Would you agree with this? Why or why not?
  3. How do these numbers make you feel about the job search process? Should people let these kind of statistics affect their efforts?
  4. What are some tactics you can use to improve your chances of receiving a job offer, no matter how many applications you’ve submitted?

 

Here are the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

 

Behind the numbers (Zippia):

"It takes between 1-100 applications to get an interview. Job seekers who sent between 1-10 applications have a 61.7% of getting at least one interview, while those who sent 81 or more applications have an 85.2% chance.

The sweet spot, however, seems to be between 21-80 applications. This gives you an 81.8% chance of getting at least one interview, and the greatest odds of converting an interview into a job offer as well."

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For more resources related to career planning, check out NGPF's Career unit.

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About the Author

Ryan Wood

Ryan is the Partnerships and Adoption Manager for Next Gen Personal Finance’s midwest region. He brings his experience as a former teacher, curriculum designer, and sales and marketing professional to state organizations and school districts in supporting the implementation of their personal financial education efforts. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and earned his teaching credential from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. He proudly taught at two rural high schools in Wisconsin before transitioning to curriculum design at NGPF, and is now excited to be on the front lines in delivering the best possible financial education in the midwest. He and his wife have three beautiful daughters, each of which inspire him to share the impact of being sound financial stewards both at home and as lifelong learners.

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