7 sections2 min readPublished Sep 25, 2026
The Gap Between Applying and Actually Applying
A real-world hiring experiment that raised an unexpected question: how many applicants actually read the job description before clicking Apply?
Problem
We wanted applicants for an Aqvil role to demonstrate that they could create useful, original content. The job posting included one clear prerequisite: create an Aqvil account and publish an original article on any subject of their choosing. Despite receiving applications through LinkedIn, 0% of applicants completed the prerequisite. This created a surprising gap between the number of people willing to apply and the number who actually followed the application instructions.
Context
The role involved content, technical writing, and SEO-related work, so demonstrating the ability to communicate ideas clearly was relevant to the position. We posted the opportunity on LinkedIn and used its normal application flow. The prerequisite was intentionally designed to provide value to applicants as well: their article would remain on Aqvil, be connected to their profile, and potentially help them become discoverable. Applicants could choose their own topic, making the task open-ended rather than a company-specific assignment.
Approach
Instead of relying entirely on CVs, previous experience, and a LinkedIn application, we added a practical prerequisite that required applicants to create something themselves. We deliberately avoided assigning a specific topic or asking for work that would only benefit Aqvil. The reasoning was simple: someone interested in a content-focused position could demonstrate their abilities while simultaneously creating a piece of work they could keep for their own professional profile, regardless of the hiring outcome.
Implementation
We published the job on LinkedIn with the prerequisite clearly included in the description. Applicants were asked to create an Aqvil account and publish one original article about a subject they knew. They could choose the format and topic themselves. We then reviewed the incoming applications and checked whether applicants had completed the required Aqvil publication. The hiring post generated applications, but none completed the prerequisite.
Technology
The experiment used LinkedIn for job distribution and applications, and Aqvil for candidate profiles and publishing. Aqvil provides profile creation, article publishing, content discovery, and website analytics. No automated screening system or external assessment platform was used. The prerequisite relied on a simple manual check: whether the applicant had created an Aqvil profile and published the requested original article.
Results
The job received applications through LinkedIn, but 0 applicants completed the required Aqvil article. The prerequisite completion rate was therefore 0% for this posting. The experiment did not establish why applicants skipped it, but it showed a clear difference between submitting an application and completing the requested application step.
Lessons
The biggest lesson was that an application does not necessarily mean the applicant has fully engaged with the job description. We would keep a practical prerequisite, but make it even more prominent and measurable. We would also track how many applicants viewed the requirement before applying. One posting isn't enough to generalize, but the result was significant enough to test again.
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