If the UK jobs market in 2024 was tight, 2025 has cooled. Vacancies are down and unemployment has nudged up to a four-year high at 4.7%, which means more choice for employers but also more scrutiny from candidates on where they invest their time.
We’ve just published our Q3 edition of the Candidate Insights Market Report - built from 9,500 candidate responses across 21,000 vacancies in 18 sectors. The picture is clear: candidates are more intentional, mobile usage is dominant and accessibility is now a direct driver of application completion. Want to see the data? Download the report here.
What's new in candidate behaviour
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Mobile first is the norm, not a nice-to-have
Across sectors, 70% of applications start on mobile. If your process isn’t fast and friendly using a phone, then you’re potentially leaking candidates.
Accessibility tools change outcomes
60% of candidates say visible accessibility tools make them more likely to complete an application. That’s a meaningful uplift you can activate with simple changes like contrast controls, text resizing and screen-reader support.
Where applications and hires really come from
The top three sources of applications are from Indeed, the company's website and LinkedIn. For hires, there's a slight shift with Indeed still leading the way, followed by the company's website then referrals. Advertising spend should follow hires, not just clicks. For more details on the data behind this race for aplicaitons and hires, download the report.
Flexibility still matters
63% of candidates say home or flexible working is important when they're job seeking. Employers should spell out what flexibility looks like - which days are in the office, the hours and any compressed week options.
Speed wins
Unsurprisingly, completion rates can drop by around 50% when forms exceed 15 minutes. Trim low-value questions and move the long stuff to post-offer.
Want the full breakdown by sector and role type? It’s all in the report - download it below.
Quick benchmarks to sanity-check your funnel
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Share of applications by origin: external vs internal vs agency, with sector spreads to show where agencies still play a role
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Number of applications per vacancy and application-to-hire ratios by sector, so you can see if your conversion is healthy or heavy-going
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Mobile vs desktop usage across 18 sectors to prioritise where to optimise first
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What this means for Talent Acquisition teams
We see two competing forces: more candidates entering the funnel as vacancies fall and candidates becoming choosier about the experience. The winners will be the teams that reduce friction and clearly demonstrate values. Our applicant tracking system processes hundreds of thousands of vacancies and millions of applicants each year, so we’ve translated the data into an action plan you can implement now.
Make mobile the default
Design every step - from job page to offer - and think about how people use mobile vs. desktop (think thumbs, not a mice!)
Show, don’t tell, on inclusion
Ninety percent of candidates say ED&I policies and practices are an important factor in choosing to apply. Link to proof, not platitudes.
Write for influence
When deciding whether to apply, 56% say written content about the role and the organisation influences them most, far ahead of formal JDs and video. Make the words work harder.
Spend where hires come from
Track conversions by channel and adjust budgets accordingly. Job boards drive volume, but your career site and referrals often punch above their weight for hires.
The full report includes a step-by-step checklist covering EVP, sourcing, accessibility and analytics. Get the action plan.
FAQs
What is the Candidate Insights Market Report?
A data-rich view of UK hiring, combining our ATS data, external labour market sources and a 9,500-respondent candidate survey, with benchmarks and a practical playbook.
Which sectors are covered?
Eighteen sectors from health and social care to professional services, retail and utilities, with application and hire ratios to compare performance.
Is there a webinar where I can ask questions?
Yes - join our live session, Turning insights into hires, on Thursday 9 October 2025, 10:00–11:00. We’ll unpack the findings and answer questions.
Save my webinar seat • Download the report
Final word
The market is shifting, but not evenly. Some sectors are buoyant, others are slowing and candidate expectations keep moving. If you need clear benchmarks and a plan you can use this quarter, the report will earn its keep.