Why Does The Hiring Process Take So Long?

You found the perfect job so you send in your resume right away, but now the waiting begins. Days become weeks as you are shuttled from one interview to another, but the offer letter is nowhere in sight. How long should the hiring process really take? The team at Glassdoor.com conducted a research to find out what job seekers should expect.

After combing through hundreds of thousands of interview reviews left on Glassdoor, the team found that the average hiring process, in the U.S. for example, took 23 days in 2014. But this number had almost doubled from 13 days in 2010. There was a similar upward trend occurring in parts of Europe, Canada and Australia. So what’s causing the delay?

The average hiring process in the U.S. took 23 days in 2014 – almost double the 13 days it took in 2010

As part of the research, the team evaluated how several screening methods used by companies can impact the duration of the interview process. For example:

• Phone interviews add 8 to 8.2 days on average to the interview process
• One-on-one interviews add 4.1 to 5.3 days on average to the interview process
• Presentations add 2.7 to 4.2 days on average to the interview process

After initially hearing back from the company, you can expect it will take between 13.6 days to 17.7 days until you complete the process if you experience just the three screening methods listed above. Keep in mind these are averages across a broad range of jobs, industries and locations. So if you have a highly skilled technical job for a government employer in Washington D.C., it’s wise to expect that the interview process will likely be on the longer side.

Interview Process Length –

If you hate waiting or you’re simply anxious to hear back from an employer, follow these steps:

• When a recruiter or hiring manager reaches out after you have applied and wants to learn more about you and your experience, make sure to ask what would be involved during the interview process. 

• Once you have information about what the hiring company’s interview process includes, use the chart above to determine what will be in the range of normal. If you calculate that the interview process should take 12-15 days and it’s been 20+ days since you last spoke with them, now may be a good time to follow up to see where you stand and where they are in the process of selecting a candidate for the open position.

Interviewing can be one of the most stressful events in one’s life. Take the mystery and ambiguity out of the process by getting informed early on and asking good questions so that you have clear expectations. Having more information like this at your fingertips can save you from anxious thoughts and help you use your job search time more effectively. (Image courtesy Mebs)