Record UK job applications and steady rise in vacancies

Kaonix, the UK’s leading provider of joined-up online recruitment and talent management solutions, has today released its annual report into the state of the UK recruitment market. The report represents one of the most accurate snapshots of the UK jobs market, being based on actual statistical information compiled from hundreds of customers nationwide.

Overall, the number of jobs advertised in the past 12 months has fallen by 33%.

Each job is being advertised on an average of seven different channels, including companies’ own websites and Jobcentre Plus, as well as commercial job boards and, increasingly, social media such as twitter. 

The average number of applications per job has more than doubled to 35 compared to last year.

Interestingly however, the number of times each job is re-advertised has fallen slightly, suggesting that with an increase in applications, jobs are being filled more quickly from the first round of advertising.

Commenting on the report, Mark Keane, Product Manager at Kaonix, said, “Whilst the figures make for sobering reading, there is clear evidence of an upturn in recent months.  From a low point at the end of the second quarter the number of new jobs being advertised has risen by over 16%.” Mark went on to note that  “The number of new jobs is set to increase even more dramatically as seasonal recruitment for Christmas begins to kick in over the coming weeks.”

Other notable figures show that the average completion rate for online application forms has continued to rise year on year, and now stands at 83%.

The difference in completion rates between direct employer and recruitment agency application forms is notable however. When recruitment agencies are excluded, the completion rate for applications to direct employers stands at 91%. 

Mark Keane observed, “This difference would tend to indicate that job seekers show a higher degree of commitment when applying directly to employers.”

“In both cases however, Kaonix is pleased to note that our customers’ average application form completion rates remain significantly above the industry average.”