Appcast 2018 Recruitment Media Benchmark Report Uncovers How to Improve Job Advertising Results in Tight Job Market

Appcast, the leading developer of programmatic job advertising technology, has published its annual Recruitment Media Benchmark Report. The 2018 research analyzed over 50 million clicks and 3.7 million applies from more than 400 companies, revealing key trends in job seeker behavior and recruitment advertising effectiveness.

Key Findings

• State-level unemployment correlation: Job seeker apply rates vary significantly by state unemployment rates. In low-unemployment states (e.g., Minnesota), apply rates were 5% below the national average, indicating increased selectivity among candidates.
• Job content impact: Job titles, descriptions, and employer branding play critical roles in driving apply rates. Shorter job titles (1–3 words) saw twice the apply rate of longer titles (12+ words). Excluding symbols (e.g., $, !) improved click-to-apply conversion from 4.3% to 6.7%.
• Employer brand: Higher Glassdoor ratings correlated with increased candidate attraction.
• Total rewards: Listing at least four non-cash benefits (e.g., healthcare, dental, PTO) in job ads improved apply rates by 20%+.

About Appcast

Appcast is a leader in programmatic job advertising, offering pay-per-applicant job ad exchanges and recruitment media optimization tools. The company leverages data and targeting to transform how employers, agencies, and job boards attract talent.

For more details, visit Appcast’s website.