From Search to Success Survey Results: 533 Workers Polled on Job Search Progress

What would make remote job searches more successful? During October 2023, Virtual Vocations published a survey to help answer this question. More than 500 professionals participated in the “From Search to Success Survey” released as part of Virtual Vocations’ National Work and Family Month event highlighting the importance of remote work’s flexibility for working families.

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October marked the eighth annual National Work and Family Month celebration at Virtual Vocations. Our 2023 theme, “From Search to Success: Navigating Your Journey from Start to Finish,” aimed to emphasize the holistic job search journey. Throughout the event, remote workers and jobseekers received access to new and exclusive career content and enriching remote work resources. Also, we invited Virtual Vocations members and the general public to take a voluntary career survey. The goal for the survey was to help us optimize job search success in the coming year by learning from workers themselves what would improve their progress.

“From Search to Success Survey” Overview

“It’s no secret that the employment landscape has changed in recent years. Workers are eager to adopt a more encompassing view of their career paths, as evidenced by most employees asking for greater flexibility within the last year. For our 2023 National Work and Family Month event, we chose our theme to emphasize understanding each step, challenge, and triumph that leads jobseekers to the right remote roles for their personal and professional needs.

No matter your area of expertise or line of work, we all have unique career stories to tell. Some of us may be young and green to the professional world while others are accomplished, experienced workers thinking of retirement or pondering a second-act career. Wherever you are on your journey, let’s remember to think of the job search as an evolving process. Your journey is a unique story of your own grit, growth, and goals.”

—LAURA SPAWN

The results of our “From Search to Success Survey” include the opinions of 533 working adults at least 18 years of age. Among all respondents, most participants were aged 43 years or older (65.11%) and self-identified as female (66.42%). Survey questions were presented in multiple formats, such as multiple choice and checkboxes. Incomplete surveys, duplicate surveys, and survey attempts from respondents under 18 years of age have been excluded from the report.

Survey questions covered topics, like remote work status, job search methods, employer research, interviewing, resumes, and job offer negotiation, related to various stages of the job search process. The following statistics illustrate key findings revealed through an analysis of respondents’ answers:

Nine in 10 workers have been on the hunt for a new job or plan to search for a new position by the end of the year; another six percent are not actively looking for a new role but would consider changing jobs if they found a better opportunity.
Within the last year, most workers asked for greater flexibility at work, including increased access to remote jobs and flexible scheduling.
Only 38% of respondents said they are confident in their resume’s ability to stand out to recruiters; another 34% claimed to be “somewhat confident” that their resume could catch a hiring manager’s attention.
Despite 90% of professionals stating they have been searching for a new job in 2023 or plan to before the year ends, 40% have not participated in a job interview within the past 12 months.
Remote work options are the top factor that would influence workers to pursue employment with a particular company; access to telework was even favored above salary, company culture, upward mobility, four-day work weeks, and corporate social responsibility.
Approximately 88% of workers stated they would be more inclined to apply to a job if it was fully remote.
Half of respondents believe their age has been a barrier to their job search success.

Combined Survey Responses from All Age Groups

This section of survey questions and answers includes responses from all 533 “From Search to Success Survey” participants. Further down in the report, we have separated survey responses into generational age groupings, which include Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and the Silent Generation.

Have you searched for a new job this year so far, or do you plan to before the end of 2023?

• Yes (90.05%)
• No (4.13%)
• No, I haven’t actively searched for a job and don’t plan to, but I would still change jobs this year if I encountered a better offer. (5.82%)

Which, if any, of the following additional career actions have you taken or experienced within the past 12 months?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Asked for more work flexibility (e.g. work-at-home job options, flexible hours or scheduling, etc.)
2. Started a new job
3. Got laid off from a job
4. Quit a job
5. Asked for a raise
6. Relocated for a job

Of these job search methods, which do you use to look for work?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. General online job boards (e.g. Indeed)
2. LinkedIn or other social networking sites
3. Dedicated remote job boards (e.g. Virtual Vocations)
4. Company websites and career pages
5. Google or other search engines
6. Networking and referrals from professional contacts
7. Headhunters and recruiters
8. Job fairs or hiring events, whether conducted in person or virtually

How confident are you in your current resume’s ability to stand out among a pool of job applicants?

• Very confident (15.01%)
• Confident (38.46%)
• Somewhat confident (33.77%)
• Not confident (12.76%)

How many virtual job interviews have you participated in during the last 12 months?

• None (39.59%)
• 1-3 (37.52%)
• 4-6 (13.51%)
• 7-9 (4.69%)
• 10 or more (4.69%)

Have you ever successfully negotiated a job offer to improve the terms of your employment contract (e.g. better salary or benefits, PTO, remote work options, etc.)

• Yes. (41.65%)
• No. (58.35%)

Among the criteria listed below, which factors would most heavily influence your decision to work with a particular employer?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Remote work options
2. Salary
3. Company culture; benefits package (numerical tie)
4. Upward mobility/career progression
5. Four-day work weeks
6. Corporate social responsibility

Which of these options most accurately describes your current or most recent remote work status?

• I work from home 100% of the time. (44.46%)
• I have a partial remote schedule (based out of a home office while also traveling for work). (12.01%)
• I always work on-site. (25.70%)
• I have a hybrid schedule (working from home some days while working on-site on other days). (17.82%)

Are you more likely to apply for a job if it is 100% virtual with no travel or on-site requirements?

• Yes. (88.37%)
• No. (11.63%)

Do you feel your age has ever been a barrier to your job search success?

• Yes (50.28%)
• No. (49.72%)

What is your age range?

• 18-26 (8.44%)
• 27-42 (26.45%)
• 43-58 (34.90%)
• 59-77 (29.27%)
• 78 or above (0.94%)

Survey Responses by Age Group

Generation Z Respondents: Ages 18-26

Have you searched for a new job this year so far, or do you plan to before the end of 2023?

• Yes (93.33%)
• No (2.22%)
• No, I haven’t actively searched for a job and don’t plan to, but I would still change jobs this year if I encountered a better offer. (4.44%)

Which, if any, of the following additional career actions have you taken or experienced within the past 12 months?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Started a new job
2. Asked for more work flexibility (e.g. work-at-home job options, flexible hours or scheduling, etc.)
3. Quit a job
4. Got laid off from a job
5. Asked for a raise
6. Relocated for a job

Of these job search methods, which do you use to look for work?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. General online job boards (e.g. Indeed)
2. LinkedIn or other social networking sites
3. Google or other search engines
4. Dedicated remote job boards (e.g. Virtual Vocations)
5. Company websites and career pages
6. Networking and referrals from professional contacts
7. Job fairs or hiring events, whether conducted in person or virtually
8. Headhunters and recruiters

How confident are you in your current resume’s ability to stand out among a pool of job applicants?

• Very confident (15.56%)
• Confident (40.00%)
• Somewhat confident (28.88%)
• Not confident (15.56%)

How many virtual job interviews have you participated in during the last 12 months?

• None (35.56%)
• 1-3 (48.89%)
• 4-6 (8.89%)
• 7-9 (2.22%)
• 10 or more (4.44%)

Have you ever successfully negotiated a job offer to improve the terms of your employment contract (e.g. better salary or benefits, PTO, remote work options, etc.)

• Yes. (44.44%)
• No. (55.56%)

Among the criteria listed below, which factors would most heavily influence your decision to work with a particular employer?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Remote work options
2. Salary
3. Upward mobility/career progression
4. Benefits package
5. Company culture
6. Corporate social responsibility
7. Four-day work weeks

Do you feel your age has ever been a barrier to your job search success?

• Yes. (31.11%)
• No. (68.89%)

Which of these options most accurately describes your current or most recent remote work status?

• I work from home 100% of the time. (60.00%)
• I have a partial remote schedule (based out of a home office while also traveling for work). (11.11%)
• I always work on-site. (8.89%)
• I have a hybrid schedule (working from home some days while working on-site on other days). (20.00%)

Are you more likely to apply for a job if it is 100% virtual with no travel or on-site requirements?

• Yes. (100.00%)
• No. (0.00%)

What is your gender?

• Female (68.89%)
• Male (28.89%)
• Nonbinary or gender non-conforming (0.00%)
• I prefer to not answer. (2.22%)

Millennial Respondents: Ages 27-42

Have you searched for a new job this year so far, or do you plan to before the end of 2023?

• Yes (90.78%)
• No (5.67%)
• No, I haven’t actively searched for a job and don’t plan to, but I would still change jobs this year if I encountered a better offer. (3.55%)

Which, if any, of the following additional career actions have you taken or experienced within the past 12 months?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Asked for more work flexibility (e.g. work-at-home job options, flexible hours or scheduling, etc.)
2. Started a new job
3. Got laid off from a job
4. Asked for a raise
5. Quit a job
6. Relocated for a job

Of these job search methods, which do you use to look for work?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. General online job boards (e.g. Indeed)
2. LinkedIn or other social networking sites
3. Dedicated remote job boards (e.g. Virtual Vocations)
4. Company websites and career pages
5. Google or other search engines
6. Networking and referrals from professional contacts
7. Job fairs or hiring events, whether conducted in person or virtually
8. Headhunters and recruiters

How confident are you in your current resume’s ability to stand out among a pool of job applicants?

• Very confident (26.24%)
• Confident (33.33%)
• Somewhat confident (31.21%)
• Not confident (9.22%)

How many virtual job interviews have you participated in during the last 12 months?

• None (37.59%)
• 1-3 (39.72%)
• 4-6 (11.35%)
• 7-9 (3.54%)
• 10 or more (7.80%)

Have you ever successfully negotiated a job offer to improve the terms of your employment contract (e.g. better salary or benefits, PTO, remote work options, etc.)

• Yes. (42.55%)
• No. (57.45%)

Among the criteria listed below, which factors would most heavily influence your decision to work with a particular employer?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Remote work options
2. Salary
3. Benefits package
4. Company culture
5. Upward mobility/career progression
6. Four-day work weeks
7. Corporate social responsibility

Do you feel your age has ever been a barrier to your job search success?

• Yes. (19.15%)
• No. (80.85%)

Which of these options most accurately describes your current or most recent remote work status?

• I work from home 100% of the time. (42.55%)
• I have a partial remote schedule (based out of a home office while also traveling for work). (12.06%)
• I always work on-site. (33.33%)
• I have a hybrid schedule (working from home some days while working on-site on other days). (12.06%)

Are you more likely to apply for a job if it is 100% virtual with no travel or on-site requirements?

• Yes. (135 – 95.74%)
• No. (6 – 4.25%)

What is your gender?

• Female (65.24%)
• Male (31.21%)
• Nonbinary or gender non-conforming (0.71%)
• I prefer to not answer. (42.84%)

Generation X Respondents: Ages 43-58

Have you searched for a new job this year so far, or do you plan to before the end of 2023?

• Yes (89.25%)
• No (3.76%)
• No, I haven’t actively searched for a job and don’t plan to, but I would still change jobs this year if I encountered a better offer. (6.99%)

Which, if any, of the following additional career actions have you taken or experienced within the past 12 months?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Got laid off from a job
2. Started a new job
3. Asked for more work flexibility (e.g. work-at-home job options, flexible hours or scheduling, etc.)
4. Quit a job
5. Asked for a raise
6. Relocated for a job

Of these job search methods, which do you use to look for work?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. General online job boards (e.g. Indeed)
2. LinkedIn or other social networking sites
3. Dedicated remote job boards (e.g. Virtual Vocations)
4. Company websites and career pages
5. Google or other search engines
6. Networking and referrals from professional contacts
7. Headhunters and recruiters
8. Job fairs or hiring events, whether conducted in person or virtually

How confident are you in your current resume’s ability to stand out among a pool of job applicants?

• Very confident (10.75%)
• Confident (40.86%)
• Somewhat confident (34.41%)
• Not confident (13.98%)

How many virtual job interviews have you participated in during the last 12 months?

• None (39.25%)
• 1-3 (33.33%)
• 4-6 (16.67%)
• 7-9 (6.45%)
• 10 or more (4.30%)

Have you ever successfully negotiated a job offer to improve the terms of your employment contract (e.g. better salary or benefits, PTO, remote work options, etc.)

• Yes. (41.40%)
• No. (58.60%)

Among the criteria listed below, which factors would most heavily influence your decision to work with a particular employer?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Remote work options
2. Salary
3. Benefits package
4. Company culture
5. Upward mobility/career progression
6. Four-day work weeks
7. Corporate social responsibility

Do you feel your age has ever been a barrier to your job search success?

• Yes. (54.84%)
• No. (45.16%)

Which of these options most accurately describes your current or most recent remote work status?

• I work from home 100% of the time. (42.47%)
• I have a partial remote schedule (based out of a home office while also traveling for work). (13.98%)
• I always work on-site. (24.19%)
• I have a hybrid schedule (working from home some days while working on-site on other days). (19.36%)

Are you more likely to apply for a job if it is 100% virtual with no travel or on-site requirements?

• Yes. (84.95%)
• No. (15.05%)

What is your gender?

• Female (68.82%)
• Male (30.64%)
• Nonbinary or gender non-conforming (0.00%)
• I prefer to not answer. (0.54%)

Baby Boomer Respondents: Ages 59-77

Have you searched for a new job this year so far, or do you plan to before the end of 2023?

• Yes (89.75%)
• No (3.20%)
• No, I haven’t actively searched for a job and don’t plan to, but I would still change jobs this year if I encountered a better offer. (7.05%)

Which, if any, of the following additional career actions have you taken or experienced within the past 12 months?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Got laid off from a job
2. Started a new job
3. Asked for more work flexibility (e.g. work-at-home job options, flexible hours or scheduling, etc.)
4. Quit a job
5. Asked for a raise
6. Relocated for a job

Of these job search methods, which do you use to look for work?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. General online job boards (e.g. Indeed); LinkedIn or other social networking sites (numerical tie)
2. Dedicated remote job boards (e.g. Virtual Vocations)
3. Company websites and career pages
4. Networking and referrals from professional contacts
5. Google or other search engines
6. Headhunters and recruiters
7. Job fairs or hiring events, whether conducted in person or virtually

How confident are you in your current resume’s ability to stand out among a pool of job applicants?

• Very confident (10.26%)
• Confident (40.38%)
• Somewhat confident (35.90%)
• Not confident (13.46%)

How many virtual job interviews have you participated in during the last 12 months?

• None (42.31%)
• 1-3 (37.18%)
• 4-6 (13.46%)
• 7-9 (4.49%)
• 10 or more (2.56%)

Have you ever successfully negotiated a job offer to improve the terms of your employment contract (e.g. better salary or benefits, PTO, remote work options, etc.)

• Yes. (41.03%)
• No. (58.97%)

Among the criteria listed below, which factors would most heavily influence your decision to work with a particular employer?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Remote work options
2. Salary
3. Company culture
4. Benefits package
5. Four-day work weeks
6. Corporate social responsibility
7. Upward mobility/career progression

Do you feel your age has ever been a barrier to your job search success?

• Yes. (76.92%)
• No. (23.08%)

Which of these options most accurately describes your current or most recent remote work status?

• I work from home 100% of the time. (43.59%)
• I have a partial remote schedule (based out of a home office while also traveling for work). (10.26%)
• I always work on-site. (25.64%)
• I have a hybrid schedule (working from home some days while working on-site on other days). (20.51%)

Are you more likely to apply for a job if it is 100% virtual with no travel or on-site requirements?

• Yes. (82.69%)
• No. (17.31%)

What is your gender?

• Female (64.10%)
• Male (34.62%)
• Nonbinary or gender non-conforming (0.00%)
• I prefer to not answer. (1.28%)

Silent Generation Respondents: Ages 78 or Above

Have you searched for a new job this year so far, or do you plan to before the end of 2023?

• Yes (80.00%)
• No (20.00%)
• No, I haven’t actively searched for a job and don’t plan to, but I would still change jobs this year if I encountered a better offer. (0.00%)

Which, if any, of the following additional career actions have you taken or experienced within the past 12 months?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Started a new job; asked for more work flexibility (e.g. work-at-home job options, flexible hours or scheduling, etc.) (numerical tie)
2. Quit a job (0)
3. Got laid off from a job (0)
4. Relocated for a job (0)
5. Asked for a raise (0)

Of these job search methods, which do you use to look for work?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. LinkedIn or other social networking sites
2. General online job boards (e.g. Indeed); dedicated remote job boards (e.g. Virtual Vocations); networking and referrals from professional contacts (numerical tie)
3. Company websites and career pages
4. Google or other search engines; headhunters and recruiters (numerical tie)
5. Job fairs or hiring events, whether conducted in person or virtually (0)

How confident are you in your current resume’s ability to stand out among a pool of job applicants?

• Very confident (0.00%)
• Confident (20.00%)
• Somewhat confident (60.00%)
• Not confident (20.00%)

How many virtual job interviews have you participated in during the last 12 months?

• None (60.00%)
• 1-3 (40.00%)
• 4-6 (0.00%)
• 7-9 (0.00%)
• 10 or more (0.00%)

Have you ever successfully negotiated a job offer to improve the terms of your employment contract (e.g. better salary or benefits, PTO, remote work options, etc.)

• Yes. (20.00%)
• No. (80.00%)

Among the criteria listed below, which factors would most heavily influence your decision to work with a particular employer?*

*Respondents were asked to select all options that applied to them. Answers have been ranked based on which selections received the highest number of responses.

1. Remote work options; salary (numerical tie)
2. Benefits package; four-day work weeks; corporate social responsibility (numerical tie)
3. Upward mobility/career progression (0)
4. Company culture (0)

Do you feel your age has ever been a barrier to your job search success?

• Yes. (100.00%)
• No. (0.00%)

Which of these options most accurately describes your current or most recent remote work status?

• I work from home 100% of the time. (60.00%)
• I have a partial remote schedule (based out of a home office while also traveling for work). (0.00%)
• I always work on-site. (20.00%)
• I have a hybrid schedule (working from home some days while working on-site on other days). (20.00%)

Are you more likely to apply for a job if it is 100% virtual with no travel or on-site requirements?

• Yes. (80.00%)
• No. (20.00%)

What is your gender?

• Female (60.00%)
• Male (40.00%)
• Nonbinary or gender non-conforming (0.00%)
• I prefer to not answer. (0.00%)

About Virtual Vocations

Virtual Vocations, Inc., founded in 2007, is a private, family-owned, and 100% distributed company. Co-founded by CEO Laura Spawn and her brother, CTO Adam Stevenson, Virtual Vocations connects jobseekers with legitimate, fully remote job openings. Virtual Vocations team members screen job postings to ensure the highest quality standards. To date, Virtual Vocations has helped more than four million jobseekers find flexible remote work options.

In addition to managing and curating a database that, at any given time, houses more than 15,000 current, hand-screened remote job openings, Virtual Vocations offers jobseekers a number of tools to aid in their job searches. These tools include exclusive, self-paced career courses, digital guides for popular virtual job industries, and downloadable worksheets. The Career Services Division also provides job coaching and interview prep, LinkedIn profile enhancement, and resume and cover letter writing. Virtual Vocations also releases multiple data-driven reports each year on current trends in remote work.

Send questions about Virtual Vocations’ “From Search to Success Survey Results” report to Kimberly Back. Kim is the senior job data content producer for Virtual Vocations. Please reach out to her at kim (at) virtualvocations (dot) com. We also encourage you to explore Virtual Vocations’ social media profiles and connect with us. Visit Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest for more remote work content and conversations.