Why Job Offers Take So Long

Jul 14, 2024

Why Job Offers Take So Long

Introduction

  • Transition from interview to offer can be long.
  • Demystifying the offer process.
  • Insights from a corporate recruiter with over 20 years of experience.

Common Scenario: Waiting for the Offer

  • After a successful interview, there's often a prolonged wait.
  • Initial impressions from recruiter might be positive.
  • Weeks may pass without an offer.

Reasons for Delay

1. Approval Process

  • Debrief Meeting: Stakeholders discuss and decide on a candidate.
    • Thumbs up or thumbs down from each stakeholder.
    • Near unanimous consensus needed to move forward.
  • Offer Details:
    • Gathered by HR or talent acquisition.
    • Factors considered:
      • Preliminary interview notes (compensation expectation).
      • Local market wage surveys.
      • Internal salary bands (min, mid, max levels).
      • Internal comparators (similar roles).
    • Aim: Offer is competitive yet within internal equity.

2. Approval Layers

  • Multiple layers of approvals.
    • Hiring manager, Hiring manager's boss, HR business partner, Talent Acquisition.
  • Takes at least a week, potentially more.
  • Salary Stretch: If candidate's expectations are higher, role may need enrichment.
    • Puts extra expectations on the candidate.

3. Approvers' Availability

  • Delays if approvers are unavailable (vacation, business meetings).
  • Dependence on approvers’ schedule.

4. Misalignment or Reevaluation by Senior Management

  • Senior managers might have different views than the hiring manager.
  • Can lead to reevaluation and delay.
  • Sometimes requires seeing a full slate of candidates.

5. Recruiting Time

  • Fast-tracking vs. full slate of candidates.
  • Takes additional recruiting time (weeks).
  • Candidate engagement drops after 2-3 weeks.

6. Process Bloat

  • Administrative Slowdowns: Software systems, procedural steps, checks, and balances.
  • Potentially significant delays even if administrative.

7. Human Error and Overload

  • Slowness of the recruitment team, hiring manager, or HR.
  • Overloaded recruiters and hiring managers.
  • Delays due to low prioritization.

Improving Your Experience

  • Nudging the hiring team helps.
    • Check on status every 2-3 days.
  • Recruiters aim to expedite the process.

Additional Resources

  • Website: lifeafterlayoff.com
  • Training courses:
    • Resume Rocket Fuel: Crafting effective resumes.
    • Ultimate Job Seeker Bootcamp: Skills for overall job search success.