Why does LinkedIn show so many applicants?

Many job seekers on LinkedIn often notice that job posts show an unusually high number of applicants. For popular roles at top companies, it’s not uncommon to see listings indicating that over 500 people have already applied. This can seem daunting and make job seekers wonder if it’s even worth taking the time to apply.

There are a few reasons why LinkedIn’s applicant numbers tend to skew high. Understanding the factors at play can help job seekers appropriately interpret these applicant counts.

LinkedIn Counts All Applicants

The first reason LinkedIn shows so many applicants is that it counts everyone who has clicked the “Apply” button on a job post. This number likely includes candidates who are not serious or qualified applicants.

Some people click “Apply” to bookmark the job and come back to it later. Others apply to jobs they’re clearly underqualified for, just hoping for a shot. Still more apply before thoroughly reviewing the job description.

As a result, a good chunk of the applicants aren’t genuine candidates. The number is inflated beyond those who have taken the time to submit thoughtful, tailored applications.

Algorithms Favor Active Profiles

LinkedIn’s algorithms tend to promote and feature active accounts in search results and job recommendations. This means people who have recently updated their profiles or who log into LinkedIn frequently are more likely to see and apply to new job postings.

Even if someone isn’t an ideal fit for a particular role, they may take a few minutes to submit an application since the job showed up prominently in their LinkedIn feed. The ease of applying also contributes to more applicants.

One-Click Applying Removes Friction

In the past, job applicants had to manually visit a company’s career site, recreate their resume, and fill out lengthy application forms. This created significant friction in the application process.

LinkedIn’s one-click apply feature removes that friction entirely. All it takes is the single click of a button to submit an application through LinkedIn.

Because it’s so quick and easy, more people are apt to apply to positions they may not have bothered with otherwise. The low effort involved means high applicant numbers.

Companies Pay to Promote Openings

Companies can pay LinkedIn to further promote and advertise their job openings. Ads targeting specific demographics and geographies push listings out to huge audiences.

Sponsored job ads can attract candidates who weren’t even job hunting to begin with. If an interesting role appears in their feed, they may apply simply because it caught their eye.

In this way, a company essentially casting a wide net through paid promotion contributes to inflated applicant stats.

Listings Stay Up Long After Filling

Oftentimes, job listings remain posted and continue collecting applicants long after the role has been filled. Recruiters are busy and forget to remove listings once they have enough candidates.

Even after making a hire, they may keep the post up to develop a talent pool for future openings. They may also want to maintain a consistent employer brand presence by always having jobs shown.

Either way, this practice means applied counts keep climbing for jobs that are no longer available.

Applications Roll In at High Volume

For coveted roles at renowned companies like FAANG or fast-growing startups, applications pour in by the hundreds within days or even hours. A desirable job with competitive pay and benefits attracts interest extremely quickly.

In cases like this, the high numbers accurately reflect intense candidate interest. But it’s important to remember that only a tiny fraction of those applicants may meet the requirements.

Scraping Tools Inflate Numbers

Some recruiters utilize data scraping tools that automatically apply to jobs on a candidate’s behalf. The tools scrape information from the candidate’s LinkedIn profile to complete applications quickly.

This allows recruiters to blanket apply their network to hundreds of openings without any effort. But again, this results in misleadingly high application tallies.

International Candidates Apply Globally

LinkedIn allows candidates to search for and apply to roles all over the world. This results in people shooting off applications to companies located in different countries and continents.

In some cases, international applicants may not have the right to work in the country where the job is based. But the ease of applying means they do so anyway in hopes of landing an interview.

Passive Candidates Apply Selectively

Those currently content in their jobs browse LinkedIn casually without serious job seeking intent. But if a particularly compelling opportunity arises, they may decide to apply on a whim.

These passive candidates are selective and only apply to roles representing their dream job or company. If they do apply, it signals strong interest despite already being employed.

Job Board Integration Bumps Numbers

Some companies sync their LinkedIn listings with their jobs posted on external sites like Indeed, Monster, etc. This duplication results in higher application volume as people apply both directly through LinkedIn as well as other platforms.

Any applicant from any site gets pooled into the total that shows up on the LinkedIn listing. This integration makes the application tally appear inflated.

Applicants Mistakenly Apply Multiple Times

Sometimes applicants lose track of which jobs they’ve already applied to and submit multiple applications for the same role. Others apply once on LinkedIn and again directly on the company’s website.

These duplicate applications from a single candidate further bolster the applicant count beyond the number of unique interested candidates.

Conclusion

LinkedIn’s applicant numbers offer valuable insight into job interest and competition. But various factors conspire to drive up the totals substantially. Understanding this context allows job seekers to view the applicant count as a general gauge of popularity rather than precise interest.

The best approach is to focus on presenting the strongest application possible instead of fixating on the number of others applying. With a compelling resume and thoughtful cover letter, quality applicants can still stand out from the crowd.

Viewing a high applicant count as a true measure of competition sets the wrong mindset. Instead, job seekers should interpret LinkedIn’s tallies simply as a loose indicator of role demand and concentrate on their own fit and qualifications.

Placing excessive weight on aggregate applicant numbers will only breed discouragement. And allowing it to dissuade you from applying makes actually winning the job impossible. The savvy job seeker will ignore the statistical noise and focus on crafting their best case for why they’re the ideal choice to fill the role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I still apply to jobs on LinkedIn that show a high number of applicants?

Yes, you should still apply to any roles that you feel qualified and excited about, regardless of how many other applicants there are. High applicant numbers alone don’t determine your chances since many who apply will not be serious contenders. With a compelling application, you can still stand out from the crowd.

How accurate are the applicant numbers on LinkedIn job posts?

The applicant numbers on LinkedIn are not highly accurate and usually inflate the true level of interested and qualified candidates. The tally includes irrelevant applicants, accidental duplicates, and those submitted through integrated external job sites. Consider it a very rough gauge of popularity rather than a precise applicant count.

Why do some LinkedIn jobs get hundreds of applicants within days or even hours?

Highly desirable roles at companies like Google or innovative startups tend to attract huge volumes of applicants very quickly. Job seekers flock to apply to prominent companies offering competitive compensation, benefits, and growth potential. Paid promotion also widely broadcasts these openings.

Should I let the applicant count impact my decision to apply for a job?

No, you should not let the applicant count deter you from applying if it’s a job you want. Many of the applicants will be irrelevant or unqualified. Focus on showcasing your best skills and experience rather than fixating on raw application volume. With a strong resume and cover letter, you can still compete successfully.

How do I stand out from a sea of applicants on LinkedIn?

– Carefully review the job description and tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experience for this specific role.
– Showcase measurable achievements and results rather than just responsibilities. Quantify your impact.
– Emphasize transferable skills from other roles that apply to this job.
– Be selective about which roles you apply to, and focus on best-fit opportunities.
– Follow up after applying with a brief, polite note to the recruiter.
– Leverage your network for employee referrals to increase visibility.

Key Takeaways

– LinkedIn applicant counts are inflated by irrelevant applicants, duplicate submissions, and integrated external job sites.
– The number skews high because of easy one-click applying and paid promotion broadcasting openings widely.
– Highly desirable roles attract hundreds of applicants quickly, but most will not be qualified.
– Focus on your best qualifications and do not let high numbers alone deter you from applying.
– With a standout resume and cover letter tailored to the role, you can still compete successfully.