Profession.hu: It takes less time to find a job today than a year ago

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 03. 23. 11:37

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The average time from the start of a job search to filling a new position has shortened significantly, according to a recent, representative survey by Profession.hu. While in the first quarter of 2025, Hungarian employees needed an average of just over 5 months to change jobs, this time has now decreased to 3 months and 22 days.

This year, more people than last year indicated that job searching makes up a significant part of their daily routine, and the proportion of those who started looking for jobs as unemployed also increased.

Strong activity

Strong job search activity is indicated by the fact that 40% of active job seekers declare that they spend several hours a week looking for a job. Another 35% spend an hour a week on this, and 25% only look at opportunities when time allows.

However, the proportion of employees who were not looking for a new position in the hope of better conditions, but were not employed at the time, has increased. While last year 53% of active job seekers, this year 61% stated that they were not employed when they started applying.

Optimizing the recruitment process is increasingly important

Profession.hu also conducted a recent survey among employers survey showed that although companies are optimistic about their recruitment opportunities this year, they are trying to optimize the resources allocated to this purpose as much as possible. In their feedback, a higher proportion (26%) than last year (21%) indicated that they prefer channels during recruitment that can help with various tools to hire the right candidate at the end of the process.

The popularity of job portals has not changed compared to last year, neither on the employee nor the employer side, followed by recommendations from friends, which have occurred even more frequently in the past year than in the previous one, as well as social media platforms.

“Based on the employees’ responses, the average time from the start of the job search to filling a new position has shortened significantly compared to last year. At the same time, it can also be observed in recent months that employee activity – although still high – has decreased and, in parallel, has become more conscious. Candidates are applying in a more targeted manner, while employers are also increasingly focusing on position-specific expectations. narrow the pool of candidates. In the case of higher positions, retention continues to dominate, while in high-volume, high-fluctuation positions, movement is more lively. As a result of this duality, the meeting of demand and supply has become more efficient, which can play a significant role in shortening the average job search time”
– said Nikoletta Szigeti, Business Manager of Profession Services.

What factors are important to employees?

13% of employees are currently actively looking for a new position and 21% have changed jobs in the past 1 year. Passive job seekers make up a significant group (33%) – they do not regularly browse opportunities, but are open to inquiries and would be willing to switch for a good offer.

Among the factors that respondents consider most is a good salary and benefits package (84%), followed by a suitable location of the workplace (68%), and the third most frequently mentioned element in assessing a new workplace is a work schedule that matches their preferences (58%).