In 2018, 29% of workers surveyed plan to seek new job opportunities, with Los Angeles, Austin, and Dallas leading in intent. Senior managers indicated that one-page resumes are preferred for staff-level positions, while executives may receive longer resumes. Additionally, following up on job applications is deemed crucial, with 64% of HR managers favoring email as the method of communication.

1. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
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Job Search
Trends
for 2018

2. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
What You Need to Know
2
29% of workers plan
to look for a new job in
the next 12 months
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 2,700 workers in the United States
Los Angeles, Austin and
Dallas topped list of U.S.
cities with the most workers
who plan to look for new
opportunities

3. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Percentage of Workers In the Following
Cities Who Plan to Look for a New Job
3
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 2,700 workers in the United States
City Percentage
Los Angeles 40%
Austin 38%
Dallas 37%
Denver 35%
Charlotte 33%
New York 33%
Cleveland 32%
Miami 32%
Phoenix 32%
Houston 30%
Raleigh 30%
Boston 29%
Indianapolis 29%
San Francisco 29%
City Percentage
Washington, D.C. 29%
Atlanta 28%
Seattle 28%
Chicago 27%
Des Moines 27%
Pittsburgh 26%
San Diego 26%
Detroit 25%
Cincinnati 24%
Minneapolis 22%
St. Louis 22%
Philadelphia 20%
Salt Lake City 17%

4. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Senior managers were asked, “What is the preferable
length of a resume for staff-level employees?”
Resume Length Has Evolved
4
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 senior managers in the United States
One page 46%
2017 2007 1997
Two pages
52% 73%
47% 44% 25%
Three pages
or more
7%
Don’t know
3% 1%
0% 1% 1%

5. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
They were also asked, “What is the preferable
length of a resume for executives?”
One page 21%
2017 2007 1997
Two pages
7% 28%
50% 61% 64%
Three pages
or more
29%
Don’t know
31% 7%
0% 1% 1%
Resume Length Has Evolved
5
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 senior managers in the United States

6. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Online Profile Critical, Too
6
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 senior managers in the United States
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.
When asked what is more important when evaluating a new hire*:
3% LinkedIn profile
56% Resume and
LinkedIn profile are
equally important
42% Resume

7. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Check on Application Materials
7
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 HR managers in the United States
All human resources managers interviewed said job
seekers should follow up after submitting a resume.
Here’s when they recommended checking in:
29%
Less than
one week
36%
One to less
than two weeks
10%
Three weeks
or more
25%
Two to less than
three weeks

8. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
How job candidates should follow up
with a hiring manager after submitting a resume:
Check on Application Materials
8
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 HR managers in the United States
Email 64%
Phone call 21%
In person 14%
Social media 1%

9. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Say Thank You
9
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 HR managers in the United States
According to HR managers, how helpful it is to receive a
thank-you message after an interview:
58%
Somewhat helpful
22%
Very helpful
12%
Not very helpful
8%
Not helpful at all
But how many job applicants send
thank-you notes?
Only 24%

10. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Say Thank You
10
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 HR managers in the United States
*Multiple responses allowed.
According to HR managers, the following are
appropriate methods for applicants to thank an interviewer*:
None of these: 2%
Email 94%
Phone call 56%
Social media 7%
Text message 5%
Handwritten note 86%

11. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Say Thank You
11
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 HR managers in the United States
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.
Most common way HR managers have received a thank-you note*:
Email 65%
Phone call 12%
Text message 1%
Handwritten note 21%

12. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Don’t Be Pushy
12
Source: Accountemps survey of more than 300 HR managers in the United States
HR managers were asked, “Have you ever removed a
candidate from consideration because you felt he
or she was too pushy after the job interview?”
33%
Yes

13. © 2018 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Accountemps, a Robert Half company, is the
world’s first and largest specialized staffing
service for temporary accounting, finance and
bookkeeping professionals.
More tips about conducting a job search
can be found on the Robert Half blog.