How To Lose A Candidate In 10 (Business) Days

One-Third of Companies 'Breadcrumb' Job Applicants, Robert Half Research Shows

- Businesses in San Diego, Boston and Dallas are most likely to drag out the hiring process

- 62% of professionals lose interest in a job if they don't hear back within two weeks of the initial interview

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Feb 10, 2021, 08:04 ET

MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Competing for a job in today's market is challenging enough, and new research from global staffing firm Robert Half shows there's another hurdle for candidates to overcome: being breadcrumbed — or strung along — by employers. One-third of senior managers surveyed said their company is taking more time to hire in the current environment despite having access to a deeper talent pool. When asked to reveal how they keep candidates engaged during the hiring process, common responses included scheduling multiple rounds of interviews, conducting skills testing and keeping applicants busy with online training.

New research from Robert Half reveals how job seekers react when faced with a lengthy hiring process.

View an infographic of the research highlights.

Where Candidates Are Most Likely to Be Strung Along
According to the research, which looked at 28 U.S. cities, breadcrumbing behaviors may vary by region.

Dragging Their Feet — Cities with the highest percentages of employers taking longer to hire:	Ready to Commit — Cities with the highest percentages of employers hiring as quickly as they did pre-pandemic:
San Diego (48%)	Cincinnati (81%)
Boston (47%)	New York (77%)
Dallas (46%)	Washington, D.C. (77%)
Sacramento (46%)	Los Angeles (75%)
Cleveland (41%)	Portland (74%)

"By stretching out the hiring process, companies waste critical time and resources and may lose out on the best talent," said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half. "Employers who are transparent with candidates and move efficiently through the process will create a positive experience for potential hires and gain a recruiting edge."

Candidates Won't Wait Long
In a separate survey, 62% of professionals said they lose interest in a job if they don't hear back from the employer within 2 weeks — or 10 business days — after the initial interview. That number jumps to 77% if there is no status update within 3 weeks.

Workers also revealed what they would do if they felt they were being breadcrumbed by hiring managers:

Ghost the employer and drop out of the process: 49%
Blacklist the company and refuse to consider them for future opportunities: 41%
Vent about the experience using personal social media accounts: 27%
Leave a negative comment anonymously on review sites: 26%

McDonald noted, "Employers who don't treat candidates with the same level of courtesy they expect may face consequences, including burned bridges with potential hires and a tarnished reputation, both of which can negatively impact future recruiting efforts and business growth."

For tips on speeding up the hiring process and securing top candidates before they lose interest and pursue other opportunities, visit the Robert Half blog.

About the Research
The online surveys were developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms from November 19, 2020, to January 25, 2021. They include responses from more than 2,100 senior managers whose organization hired new staff during the pandemic and more than 1,000 workers 18 years of age or older at companies in the U.S.

About Robert Half
Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. The company has more than 300 staffing locations worldwide and offers hiring and job search services at roberthalf.com. For additional management and career advice, visit the Robert Half blog at roberthalf.com/blog.

SOURCE Robert Half