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The average time from starting a job search to filling a new position has dropped significantly. In the first quarter of 2025, job changes took slightly more than five months on average. That has now fallen to 3 months and 22 days, the survey found.
At the same time, more respondents said job hunting now takes up a substantial part of their daily routine. The share of people who began searching while unemployed also increased compared with last year.
The data points to strong activity levels: 40% of active job seekers said they spend several hours a week searching for work, while another 35% dedicate about an hour weekly. The remaining 25% review opportunities only when time allows.
The proportion of people searching for jobs while not employed rose notably. This year, 61% of active job seekers said they were unemployed when they began applying, up from 53% a year earlier.
A separate, recent survey by Profession.hu among employers found that while companies remain optimistic about hiring prospects this year, they are increasingly focused on optimizing recruitment resources.
More employers — 26%, up from 21% last year — said they prefer hiring channels that offer tools to help identify the right candidate by the end of the process.
Job portals remain the most popular channel for both employers and employees, followed by referrals, which have become more common over the past year, and social media platforms.
“The average time from the start of a job search to filling a new position has shortened significantly compared to last year,” said Nikoletta Szigeti, head of Profession Services. “In recent months, however, job seeker activity — while still high — has moderated and become more deliberate. Candidates are applying more selectively, while employers are increasingly narrowing the candidate pool based on role-specific expectations. For higher-level positions, retention remains dominant, while there is more movement in high-volume roles with higher turnover. As a result of this duality, the meeting of supply and demand has become more efficient, which may play a significant role in the shortening of the average job search time.”
The survey found that 13% of workers are currently actively seeking a new position, while 21% changed jobs in the past year.
A sizable group — 33% — are passive job seekers: they do not regularly browse listings but are open to offers and would consider switching for the right opportunity.
When evaluating potential roles, respondents cited salary and benefits as the most important factor (84%), followed by workplace location (68%) and a work schedule that matches their preferences (58%).
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