We’re getting close to releasing our next Candidate Insights Report. We're not going to pre-empt the findings that our Talent Intelligence team is busy working on, but we can help you squeeze maximum value from the last edition so you’re benchmarked, briefed and ready the moment the new data drops.
Think of this as your launch pad: a practical, no-guesswork guide built on what we know from the August 2025 report, plus a checklist to get your house in order now with risk-free tips that will pay off regardless.
The labour market cooled, creating a window to improve experience, clarity and efficiency while competition for each role increased. Unemployment reached 4.7% and vacancies fell year on year.
Mobile first really does mean mobile first
Across sectors, 70% of applications were started on mobile and we'd only expect this to have increased in the latest report. If your smartphone journey underperforms, you’re paying a conversion tax on every campaign.
Short, simple applications that convert
Our last report found that completion rates decline sharply if the initial application form takes longer than 15 minutes to complete. Target under 10 minutes for most roles and move nice-to-know questions to later in the process.
Accessibility tools influence completion
Candidates told us that the visible presence of accessibility tools made them more likely to complete an application, especially with younger cohorts (Gen Y and Gen Z). Make these tools obvious and explain them where necessary.
Track sources by hires, not clicks
Indeed delivered the biggest share of applications, yet careers sites and referrals were disproportionately strong for hires. Check your sources and shift spend towards what produces the hires, not just the clicks and traffic.
What wins offers
Salary led the last report, closely followed by flexible working, and training & development. Put the relevant specifics in every advert and offer.
EDI proof beats platitudes
Around 90% of candidates said an employer’s EDI policies and practices influence whether they apply. Link to policies, share outcomes and publish improvements.
Tighten the top of your funnel
Strip low-value fields in application forms, reduce free-text fields to minimise AI-generated responses, and enable candidates to apply without registering. Rebuild the process and aim for sub-10 minutes to complete using a mobile. Then validate it with analytics.
Make accessibility impossible to miss
Add a prominent toolbar, like Recite Me, contrast toggles and font controls across careers pages and forms. Mention it in adverts and your careers content to showcase you as a standout from competitors.
Rebalance your source reports
Measure source-to-hire, not just source-to-apply. If your careers site and referrals convert best, feed them more budget and content.
Refresh advert templates
Lead with salary, flexibility and development. Define flexibility clearly - hours, days, locations - rather than a vague 'hybrid'. Link to your EDI page as well.
Set your baseline now
Capture current apply ➡️ start to completion by device, drop-off by step, source-to-hire, time to first contact and time to offer so you can compare the new data when the report lands.
Read the full 2025 report and snapshot the pages most relevant to you: sourcing performance, mobile vs desktop, application time and the action plans.
While our Talent Intelligence experts busily compile the new data, we’re not going to guess what the new report will say. Instead, we’re giving you actions that were proven in the last dataset and remain low-regret: faster mobile flows, visible accessibility, clarity on flexibility and a shift to channels that convert to hires. These moves will pay off regardless of the fresh headlines and get you ready for the next report's findings.
When is the new report out?
Very soon. Subscribe below and you’ll get when it's published.
What powers the report?
Live ATS data from across our client base, plus large-scale candidate research, published by our Talent Intelligence Unit and Candidata™.
Can I prepare without knowing the new findings?
Yes. Shorten forms, showcase accessibility, clarify flexibility and rebalance spend to hire-producing channels. Then benchmark once the new data lands.
Will there be sector views again?
Our previous report included sector splits for channels, mobile usage and outcomes, so have your sector metrics ready to compare.
Can Jobtrain help me apply the insights?
Yes. We can audit your funnel, redesign templates and implement changes in Jobtrain so you’re launch-ready. Get in touch with our team here.