r/interviews • u/bayrea • 21h ago

Why do hiring companies take so long?

I don't understand this. When I would post for a new position it was about a 3 week process. End of 1st week narrow down applications to 5. 2nd week phone screens and narrow it down to 3. 3rd week 1st round and hopefully 2nd round of interviews, make the decision and get an offer drafted.

I am literally getting responses this week for jobs I applied to in July. I don't even remember applying for some of them. And don't get me started on saying you will have decision by the end of the week and then nothing... It's not hard to follow up, there is software that will do it for you automatically with the push of a button.

Rant over

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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2

u/Trackmaster15 21h ago

I'd imagine that the lag might come from the fact that they had previously given out offers and those candidates didn't show up on the first day. This is definitely becoming a problem.

1

u/revarta 21h ago

Oof, that's frustrating! The recruitment process has gotten more complex with many steps involving various teams, hence the delay. Automated updates should be standard, but often aren't. It's annoying, but hang in there, and maybe keep a log next time to track all applications better.

1

u/lwiseman1306 20h ago

That wasn’t the case when I was in the workforce. Always/mostly would have an offer that day or at the latest the end of the week. Not so these days. The market is so saturated with applicants for jobs, sometimes 1000 applicants for one job? Companies can literally write their own ticket, talking and interviewing as long as they want. They think they are saving money by prolonging the process and finding the perfect fit? In reality they loose good applicants.

2

u/Soft-Wall7609 19h ago

There's no doubt the process takes longer than candidates think it will. I suppose they say to hire slowly and release quickly. I think that's the new normal. In terms of hearing back, that's the worst. If you take the time to speak to someone live, I think you deserve a real response. Companies are talking to three, maybe five people, and it's a small world - it shouldn't be too hard to send a respectful decline.

1

u/the_elephant_sack 14h ago

Hiring is the very lowest priority for most companies.