Time To Hire

What is Time to hire?

Time to hire is a critical recruitment metric that measures the number of days between a candidate entering the hiring pipeline (e.g., submitting an application or being sourced) and their acceptance of a job offer. This metric helps organizations assess the efficiency of their hiring process and identify bottlenecks that could be delaying talent acquisition.
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Why Does Time to Hire Matter?

In today’s competitive job market, speed matters. A lengthy hiring process risks losing top talent to competitors, increases recruitment costs, and can impact business productivity. The global average time-to-hire has seen an increase, reflecting the growing complexity of recruitment processes. According to data from Genius, the global average time-to-hire is 44 days, up from 31 days in 2023. Tech roles, for example, tend to have longer hiring cycles, averaging 50+ days due to skill shortages and extensive vetting processes. On the other hand, retail and hospitality roles typically experience shorter hiring cycles, with averages around 14 days.
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Time to Hire vs. Time to Fill

Many people confuse "time to hire" with "time to fill," but they measure different things:

• Time to hire: Tracks the number of days from when a candidate enters the recruitment funnel to when they accept the job offer.
• Time to fill: Starts when a job requisition is opened and ends when a candidate accepts the offer. This metric is broader and includes all pre-hiring steps, such as job posting and sourcing.
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Real-World Examples of Time to Hire Optimization

1. Google’s Hiring Overhaul: Google once had an excessively long hiring process, averaging six months. After restructuring their recruitment strategy, incorporating AI-based assessments, and limiting interview rounds, they significantly cut down their hiring time.
2. Unilever’s AI-Powered Hiring: By leveraging AI-driven video interviews and gamified assessments, Unilever reduced its time to hire for entry-level positions by 75%, ensuring faster decision-making without sacrificing quality.
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Strategies to Reduce Time to Hire

If your hiring process takes too long, consider these best practices:

• Automate Screening Processes: Using AI-powered applicant tracking systems (ATS) can filter candidates efficiently based on skills and experience.
• Improve Job Descriptions: Clear and well-targeted job postings attract better-fit candidates, reducing time spent on unqualified applicants.
• Streamline Interview Rounds: Too many interviews slow down decision-making. Standardizing structured interviews can help.
• Leverage Data & Analytics: HR analytics tools can highlight delays in the recruitment pipeline, helping HR teams refine their approach.
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Final Thoughts

Time to hire isn’t just a number—it reflects a company’s ability to attract, assess, and secure top talent quickly. With recruitment automation and AI-driven insights, organizations can significantly cut hiring timelines and stay ahead in the talent race. The key is balancing speed with quality to ensure the best hiring decisions are made without unnecessary delays.