Hiring Speeds Up as Job Seekers Send Fewer Applications, ZipRecruiter Survey Finds

Job Search Accelerates as Candidates Apply More Selectively

According to ZipRecruiter’s latest quarterly survey of 1,500 recent hires, the hiring process is becoming more efficient, with candidates securing jobs faster and submitting fewer applications than earlier in 2025. In August, 49% of respondents reported finding a role within one month of beginning their search, a notable increase from 39% in May.

The survey also found that the median number of applications sent before receiving a job offer declined to 24 from 30 in the previous quarter. Additionally, 52% of candidates heard back from hiring managers within three days, up slightly from 45%.

Better Alignment Between Job Seekers and Employers

ZipRecruiter’s labor economist Nicole Bachaud attributes the faster hiring to improved alignment between candidates and available roles. “There’s a better match between job seekers, the types of jobs they pursue, and what employers require,” she explained. Job seekers are focusing more narrowly on specific roles, while employers are posting openings with the intent to fill them quickly.

Amid this dynamic, workers are prioritizing job stability over aspirational career goals. Although fewer people reported landing their “dream job” compared to previous quarters, a growing 91% expressed satisfaction with their new positions. Salary gains have become less central, with many candidates emphasizing cultural fit and schedule flexibility instead.

Healthcare and Seasonal Roles Lead Hiring Growth

Healthcare workers continue to experience strong demand, particularly outside traditional hospital settings. While hiring in hospitals remains weak, openings in public administration for healthcare roles have increased significantly as local public health authorities prepare for new federal policies and the approaching flu season.

Other healthcare sectors such as personal care, nonprofits, and domestic services are also expanding. Bachaud noted, “Demand is dispersing beyond hospitals to local governments, retail pharmacies, and med spas.”

Seasonal hiring is also picking up in retail and transportation as businesses gear up for the holiday shopping season. This anticipatory hiring suggests expectations of sustained consumer spending despite concerns over inflationary pressures from tariffs.

Economic Outlook and Labor Market Implications

Recent data from the Labor Department indicates roughly one job is available per job seeker, a tightening from the peak of the Great Resignation in 2022 when two jobs existed for every candidate. This scarcity is fostering “job hugging,” where workers hold onto their positions due to limited alternatives.

The Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut in 2025, announced on Wednesday, aims to lower borrowing costs and stimulate economic activity. Bachaud anticipates that further rate reductions may encourage increased business hiring through the end of the year.