Is mobile really where job applications happen? Our data says: maybe not (yet)
There’s a common assumption that job applications are “mobile-first” now.
Before moving into building a mobile app, we wanted to test that assumption with data rather than rely on intuition..
First, we looked at real usage.
In our GA4 data, mobile accounts for ~22% of active users.
But desktop dominates engagement and core actions, longer sessions, more events, and more consistent usage over time.
Then we looked at market-level intent.
Using Google Ads Keyword Planner forecasts with action-oriented, non-branded queries (e.g. “apply for jobs online”, “job application form”), we checked how clicks are distributed by device.
Desktop again made up the majority of predicted clicks, with mobile playing a secondary role.
Taken together, this suggests something interesting:
Mobile seems great for discovery and quick checks.
But when it comes to actually applying, filling forms, reviewing details, completing steps, behavior still clusters around a desktop, work-context flow.
We’re not concluding “don’t build mobile.”
We’re questioning when deep mobile investment actually moves activation, versus when a focused, low-friction desktop experience matters more.
What signal convinced you that mobile was worth building deeply, not just sticking with web?
Replies
Former recruiter here. I think it's really different depending on if the company/job board does social recruitig via ads on social or only like indeed and the level of the job. Senor engineer probalby more likely a desktop but the younger and the "easier" the job - mobile and quick application?
@markus_kask That makes a lot of sense, especially the split by role seniority and acquisition channel.
What we’re seeing seems to align with that, mobile shows up more around discovery and quick checks, while anything that involves evaluation, form-heavy steps, or tradeoff thinking still clusters on desktop.
Based on your experience, do you think mobile can realistically replace desktop for job applications or does it mostly complement it?
@vik_sh I think its more like shopping tbh. "small buys" gen z.. is it genz. anyways, 30+ can do on the phone while "bug buys" happens on desktop. So the psycological part of - this is importan, i need to sit down, and take this seriously - is the thing. BUT i think that will disappear with younger people.. but not totally. Does that make sense? Cause even if you are born now , you will probably have a computer when studying and so on which programs your brain to computer= work and important stuff.
@markus_kask That’s a really interesting point. Younger generations grow up with technology, learn on computers, and associate them with focused work, while at the same time being almost inseparable from their phones. That tension is fascinating. From the company side, whether hiring flows will start adapting more deeply to mobile, or if desktop will remain the default?
@vik_sh I think the whole job application and recruiting side will change drastically. Here in sweden which is very tech forward, almost all companies do social, easy application and so on. and resumes are less and less important, cover letters have ben obselete for a while. So i think tests, or something like you create 1 profile based on all your history and ai creates a thing that talks to another ai ..
vibecoder.date
Filling out forms on mobile is a pain. On desktop you can have windows side by side, copy paste what you need from a source of truth document, or if you're feeling fancy, run an agent that does it for you.
The only way I see applications on mobile being viable is if there are no forms to fill and one can simply upload a document such as a resume.
Mobile works if it's tapping and reading. The moment we need to input data most people will want to be on desktop.
@build_with_aj You’re right, filling out forms on mobile is painful, unless that step is skipped entirely or replaced with autofill. If that friction disappears, do you think mobile could realistically replace desktop for applications, or would it still play a supporting role?
vibecoder.date
@vik_sh
Only if it's all standardized and optimized to the point where 99% percent of resumes will autofill with 100% accuracy. And applying as a user flow has no forms to fill.
So one click apply only.
Or automatically apply to matching jobs.
If it has the user doing something other than scrolling or tapping, it will cause friction that might tempt them to go to desktop.
@build_with_aj That makes sense, once interaction goes beyond scrolling or tapping, the friction pushes people back to desktop.
@vik_sh This lines up with what I’ve been seeing too.
Mobile is great for discovery — scrolling listings, saving jobs, quick interest — but when it comes to actually applying, people still seem to switch to desktop. Resumes, cover letters, forms, attachments… it’s just more comfortable and less error-prone on a bigger screen.
So “mobile-first” might be true for browsing, but not for completion yet. Feels like we’re in a split state where mobile starts the journey and desktop finishes it.
Curious what your data shows around drop-off points — that’s usually where the real story is.
@alpertayfurr That’s exactly where we see the biggest drop-offs. Once users have to move from intent to actually setting things up or taking the first real step, a noticeable portion falls off. What’s worked best for you to reduce drop-off at that stage?