New research from The Josh Bersin Company and AMS suggests that time to hire ratios are growing across the board in 2023. In fact these rates are at an all time high.
Research from the Global Talent Climate report showed that average time-to-hire rates for the first quarter of 2023 alone, had increased across all industries by 1 day, despite the efforts of talent acquisition teams.
This pushes an already stretched recruitment cycle to an average of 43 days. And across all industries, the research shows a widening gap between "easy to fill" and "difficult to fill" roles.
While some jobs are filled in 2 weeks, many go vacant for 2-3 months or more. In the current environment, "the large number of days it takes to hire remains unsustainable if companies are to remain competitive and keep pace with the fast-changing needs of their industry", the research states.
2023 time to hire benchmarks continue to rise across nearly every role, suggesting that time to hire will continue to be a challenge for most job types. This will force employers to improve the process for the way they hire.
In terms of different industries, the report broke down time to hire for certain verticals:
- Energy & Defense has the longest time-to-hire rates at 67+ days. Even slower time-to-hire rates are predicted for 2023. Internal mobility, skilling and job design need thought to address talent needs here
- Pharma & Life Sciences' time-to-hire rates are projected to improve in 2023—likely the result of the strategies put in place to increase hiring during the global pandemic
- Investment Banking has one of the biggest ranges of time to hire, from 21 days to 60+ days. Players in this sector should be prepared for extreme variability when hiring: role, skills and region will all impact hiring times
- Professional Services is well above the average time-to-hire at 47 days. This sector experiences longer-than-average hiring time than most other industries
- Retail & Consumer boasted the shortest time to hire rates in 2022, possibly a reflection of the global reopening of facilities and supply chains post-pandemic. Time hire rates continue to fall here in 2023 as consumer behaviors return to normal
- Consumer Banking matched the global average time to hire in 2022, but hiring is projected to be a challenge in 2023. Rates are creeping up, though, with an average increase of 2 days
- Tech & Media companies had strong time-to-hire rates in the first half of 2022 as the sector swelled; the shortest hire rates hovered around 20 days, substantially below the global average, with competition at an all-time high. As the industry recalibrates in 2023, hiring rates continue to be low, but will likely stabilize to global averages by the year-end
- Transportation has the most compact range of hiring time, suggesting relative consistency for recruiting across roles. Massive hiring volumes in 2022 required companies in this sector to streamline their processes, and as travel continues to increase around the world, this trend continues—for now at least.
"Whatever may be happening in the world economy currently, it is clear that supply and demand are not in sync in terms of the type of skills available and the gaps that need to be filled. The real trailblazers in HR and talent acquisition have recognized this, and are thinking outside the box when it comes to developing people, cross-pollinating roles from elsewhere, and actively keeping succession and new-role pipelines full."
- Josh Bersin, CEO of The Josh Bersin Company
There are several reasons why time to hire rates for employers are remain high in 2023.
- The Great Resignation: The Great Resignation is a term used to describe the mass exodus of workers from their jobs in the United States and other countries. This has led to a shortage of qualified workers in many industries, making it more difficult for employers to find and hire the talent they need.
- The skills gap: The skills gap is the difference between the skills that employers need and the skills that workers have. This gap is widening, as employers are demanding more specialized skills from their employees. This makes it more difficult for employers to find qualified candidates, and can lead to longer time to hire.
- The rise of remote work: The rise of remote work has made it easier for workers to find jobs outside of their local area. This has made the talent pool more competitive, and can lead to longer time to hire.
- The use of applicant tracking systems (ATS): ATS are software programs that help employers screen job applications. These systems can be very effective at filtering out unqualified candidates, but they can also slow down the hiring process.
These are just some of the reasons why time to hire rates for employers are so high in 2023. Employers who want to shorten their time to hire should focus on addressing these challenges.
Here are some tips for shortening time to hire:
- Improve your employer brand: Employers with a strong employer brand are more likely to attract and retain top talent. Make sure your employer brand is clear, concise, and positive. Rise above your competition with better messaging.
- Use social media to recruit: Social media is a great way to connect with potential candidates. Use social media to share job openings, promote your company culture, and engage with potential candidates.
- Speed up the interview process: The interview process should be efficient and streamlined. Make sure you have a clear plan for the interview process, and that you are communicating with candidates throughout the process.
- Make an offer quickly: Once you have found a qualified candidate, make an offer quickly. This will show the candidate that you are serious about them, and that you are a desirable place to work.
- Bring in New HR Technology: A whole host of hiring software exists today that puts the candidate first. If your organization is stuck on old tech that isn't candidate friendly its time to rethink that strategy.
- Communicate Faster: By adding text recruiting into ever communication level of the recruitment process you can definitely improve response rates and get them in you the role faster and more efficiently.
By following these tips, employers can shorten their time to hire and get the talent they need to succeed.
