Let’s start by reviewing some of the key passive job seeker statistics.
Key Passive Job Seeker Statistics
- 73% of Candidates Are Passive Job Seekers according Linkedin Reports.[1]
- There are 2 million passive job seekers.
- 87%of active and passive candidates are open to new work opportunities.[1]
- 48% of passive job seekers will apply for a role with a salary range of $70k to $80k.
- #1 passive job seekers are motivated by money, then work/life balance.[5]
- 57% of employees that work from home are satisfied with their job.
- 49% of American workers say they are very satisfied with their current job.[3]
- Every month, almost 3.9 million workers leave their jobs.[4]
- 60% of employees say their coworkers make them happy at work.
- By 2025 Millennials will make up 75% of the global workforce.[2]
Did you know that there are over 2 million passive job seekers in the US alone?
Passive Job Seekers are exactly what their name implies. These people aren’t actively looking for work, but they need it soon.
The passive job seeker stats are in! And it turns out it’s not a very popular thing to be. At least, that’s according to the statistics. This article will tell you what the stats are, why people are doing this, and who’s making it work.
What is a Passive Job Seeker?
Passive job seekers are those who want to find a job, but are not currently looking because they are either: 1) currently employed and would rather switch to a different job, or 2) retired or voluntarily unemployed.
In many cases, passive candidates conduct their job search through their professional networks, through word of mouth, or through some other type of advertising.
Percentage of Passive Job Seekers

As you can see, passive job seekers are becoming a larger proportion of the overall job seeking population. Passive job hunters, on the other hand, are those who do not actively seek employment or participate in the recruitment process.
These individuals will most likely be introduced to the interview process through a referral or through networking with alumni from their respective schools.
Passive candidates gain an advantage in terms of time on the market as a result of this, whereas active candidates are actively applying for opportunities and so have substantially more time on the market than passive candidates do.
Employers benefit from passive job seekers because they reduce competition in the overall recruitment process by removing themselves from the equation of job application and instead focusing their time on developing relationships with firms before they ever step foot into the interview room.
Candidate open to new opportunities

To expand on this, the above statistic indicates that roughly 13.6 million job seekers fall under the category of passive candidates. These individuals did not sign up with any recruiters or staffing firms, nor did they post their resumes on any of the major job boards.
Instead, they are among the 87% of active and passive candidates who state that they have at least some interest in new job opportunities.
Reason for Looking for Job
The good news is that most passive job seekers are staying open to new opportunities, and that they only require more money as the main motivator to change jobs. If employers can work on offering these incentives, they may find it easier to fill their open positions.
Employee satisfaction rate for Work from home
There are many benefits to working from home. The greatest benefit would be that you are more connected to your family, friends and co-workers since you are able to talk with them on a regular basis.
The level of productivity will also increase, which in the long run for a company that hires remote workers could save them some money out of the paycheck. And finally there is the reduction of stress, which is huge when you are working from home.
Current Job Satisfaction

While 49% job satisfaction has almost half of the American workforce unhappy with their line of work, there are some that are very unhappy. The key is to find a job that you like and is in high demand.
Number of Worker Quit Job each Months
Although it is impossible to tell whether or not all of these people are actively looking for work or are simply looking for a change, it does provide an indication of how many people really leave their positions each month, which is helpful.
And, given that the average job seeker only spends around a day per week looking for work, this would imply that a full 4 percent of the labor force in the United States is either quitting, looking for a change job, or doing a combination of the two. It’s really wonderful stuff!
Coworkers Contributor
The findings of this study may come as a surprise to you. As it turns out, your level of satisfaction at work is not influenced by the vivacity of your company’s culture or the flexibility of your work schedule.
It originates from the folks in your immediate vicinity. Instead than concentrating solely on making a good first impression or attempting to accomplish everything on your own, concentrate on developing strong working relationships with your teammates.
That’s how you’ll cultivate a positive workplace climate that makes everyone—including yourself—feel better about their jobs.
Millennial Workforce
Nobody can deny that the world has changed, and nowhere is this more evident than in the workplace. The Millennials, the most recent generation of employees to graduate from colleges and universities, were reared in a digital world and have grown up with technology.
In 10 to fifteen years, they will be the same age as today’s workforce. Everything is dependent on how we respond to these critical trends.
Final Thoughts
The number of passive job seekers is increasing. These are individuals who are not actively looking for a new job but are open to new opportunities that arise. They have a larger proclivity to remain with their current job and to remain in their current position for a longer period of time.
These candidates can be a valuable asset to employers for a variety of reasons, including dissatisfaction with their current position, a lack of time due to other commitments, or previous experiences that have soured their attitude toward job searching. They typically have an excellent attitude and a strong work ethic.
Source
1.Linkedin
3.https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2016/10/06/3-how-americans-view-their-jobs/
5.https://www.jobvite.com/blog/sourcing-and-nurturing/passive-positive/
6.