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Getting Hired Now Takes Longer

EconMatters's picture




 

By EconMatters

 

I came across an interesting research by Glassdoor.  According to this new research paper,  the time required for hiring processes has grown dramatically in recent years, both in the U.S. and internationally.  That means it is taking longer for job seekers to get through the interview process and actually land a job.

 

The chart below shows the average time for hiring processes by country in 2014, which ranged from 22.1 days in Canada to 31.9 days in France.

 

 

Screening Takes Time


The research found one major contributing factor to the longer wait time to get hired has to do with  job interview “screening” methods used by employers.  Each additional “screen”—such as group panel interviews, background check, skills tests—adds significantly to hiring times.


High-Skill Jobs Harder to Match

 

The longer hiring process could also be a reflection of a more fundamental shift toward more non-routine, more judgement-oriented jobs (high-skilled) making job-match more difficult.


Bureaucracy Takes Its Time 

 

Of course bureaucracy is certainly a factor contributing to the current lengthy hiring process.  The chart from Bloomberg (based on the same Glassdoor research data set) shows the number of days in the interview process by major U.S. cities.  So not surprisingly Washington DC bureaucrats lead the U.S. city group with the longest waiting days of 34.4 days.

 

 

The Beveridge Curve Shift

 

Delays in the hiring process could also mean longer period of unemployment in the economy.  This trend could be partly responsible for "a notable shift in the Beveridge Curve" observed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

Chart Source: Bloomberg.com

The Beveridge Curve depicts the relationship between unemployment rate and job openings. Historically (from 2000 to 2007) there had been a strong relationship between the two, that is, if job openings climbed, the unemployment rate tended to fall.  But then, during the post-2008-crisis recovery, the job openings began to climb, yet unemployment remained sticky high.  This suggests employers are hesitant (or reluctant) to hire even as more workers/positions are actually needed.  

 

Youthification in Corporate America 


I personally believe the longer hiring process is also a reflection of the current trend of 'youthification' in the corporate world.  Worried about the vacuum left by the much hyped mass baby boomer generational retirement, many corporations have accelerated (shortened) the typical leadership role promotion process experienced by the boomer generation, as well as the boomer's retirement process and timeline in the name of "Workforce Management" or other similar terms.  As a result, many current "hiring managers" are Gen X or Millennials (i.e. Gen Y), and many of them were put in leadership roles pre-maturely.  

 

Reliance on Group and Tools in Decision-making Process

 

The Post-boomer Generation grew up with the luxury of many new technologies and tools unavailable to the Boomer Generation, they tend to rely more on tools (e.g., screening) in the decision-making process.  They also tend to be ruthless and like to band together making 'team decision' and act as a 'Group' favoring technique such as 'group panel interview' in the hiring process.  (On a side note: this tendency of banding together also gives the younger generation more advantage, typically over older boomers, in corporate power struggle).

 

In contrast, since technology was not as advanced and widely available during the Boomer generation, Boomers tend to be more independent thinkers with sharper instinct and less hesitant in making a judgement call decision (Note: this does not necessarily mean poor decision-making without reviewing supporting facts). 

 

So that means the decision-making process(e.g. filling a vacant position) now takes longer within the new generation of managers, and partly why it is getting more difficult to match non-routine high skill job vacancies (try finding a tool that can reliably screen a job applicant's intangibles like 'judgement call' capability).  

 

Gen X and Y have been hyped as having superior computer skills (mostly entertainment-related such as mp3, games, but not the more advanced work-related like data-warehouse, ERP systems) than Boomers and many corporate management training classes in the past decade have preached boomer managers to make consideration for the 'generational gap' (well, Obama is a Baby Boomer).  The other side of the coin is this has bred a new middle management with the tendency to 'group think' and over-standardize everything killing creativity and 'big-picture view' within Corporate America.

 

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Sun, 06/21/2015 - 08:36 | 6218847 OutaTime43
OutaTime43's picture

That's not that unusual of a time really. 2-3 weeks to schedule and interview candidates. 1 week to meet an decide and another to contact the selection.  A lot of it is getting candidates lined up and scheduled. One person may interview right away while it takes days to get another one. It's just normal scheduling and decision delays. 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:25 | 6218323 hardmedicine
hardmedicine's picture

I don't care what they say about the "process" etc.  Where we are in Texas there is a  DEPRESSION level economic collapse.  No one is hiring except government.  If you don't work in government or a job directly fed by government then you are experiencing a collapse. 

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 15:18 | 6219677 sgt_doom
sgt_doom's picture

Same old bullcrap we've been hearing for the last forty years or so.

First, the Beveridge Curve doesn't factor in offshored jobs, and foreign visa scab or replacement workers.

I've heard this again and again, yet after not being hired at a company or corporation, and going in later as a contractor and observing who they did hire instead, it is usually some drooling idiot who is related to someone at the corporation, regardless of all the anti-nepotism rules they are supposed to have.

Pure bunkem. 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 23:17 | 6218471 NoPension
NoPension's picture

Everywhere.
And the private guys I know, that are busy, can't get paid.

Getting paid, at all, much less a fair rate, is bloody murder anymore.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:25 | 6218322 jomama
jomama's picture

In most countries in Europe, people don't give two weeks' notice - it's quite common to give up to at least a year notice. So there's that.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 00:55 | 6218611 OldPhart
OldPhart's picture

One of my employees told me last year that she planned to retire this year...in the next few weeks, in fact.  I'm now trying to explain that we need two people to replace her.  Tough sale, but it's the truth.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:15 | 6218310 surf0766
surf0766's picture

I have seen IT contract rates drop $30 per hour in the past 2 years

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:26 | 6218324 Arnold
Arnold's picture

So, that's the ulterior reason behind the minimum wage increase, Mr Convict?

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 11:14 | 6219094 Richard Chesler
Richard Chesler's picture

No worries, Obongo's trade bill will fix it.

hahahahahha...

 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 17:12 | 6217939 Joebloinvestor
Joebloinvestor's picture

I knew this country was in trouble when they stopped shop classes in high schools.

I met new engineers that wanted to design the next CPU but couldn't solder two wires together.

It would be nice to see a competition between schools that would be open to everyone.

I call it,"Build a Chair".

Requires you to think, use your hands, and take pride in something you do yourself.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 13:41 | 6219456 yellowsub
yellowsub's picture

Our town's school was overwhelmed by the population growth over the last 2 decades.

They reclaimed most of the shop classes and did away with remedial classes in HS to provide students that has a better chance to succeed instead.

I'm sure this is the same for most of America...  

So instead of being able to use the money to boost education as much as you can for it being public, now the millions was being spending expanding the schools...  

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 18:34 | 6218054 cheech_wizard
cheech_wizard's picture

I'm not a young engineer, but you're 100% correct in your assessment. The younger "engineers", outside of a small handful, can't do shit. When I was working as a contractor at Qualcomm, they actually had an e-mail group where people could post questions about how to deal with everyday problems like how to make simple home repairs, etc., etc.

Turns out the older generation had all the know-how when it came to answering all the questions.

The funny thing is I've worked on the CPU's designed by SUN Microsystems, AMD, and ARM (courtesy of Qualcomm). If you've never worked on a processor, how do you expect to design one?

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 15:29 | 6219708 PTR
PTR's picture

Manufacturing Co I once worked for had in-house engineers/machinists to design and make the conveyor equipment that was used for custom products.  In the MET (older gent) vs EET (a few years removed from college) MET always one.  Gears, ratios, and metal tolerances were just too simple to fail.  The EET guy couldn't see anything outside of sensors, solenoids and computer boards.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:10 | 6218301 TheGreatRecovery
TheGreatRecovery's picture

What an excellent thing for a company to do.  Smart!   :-)

I still believe that the best way to find a job is to join the local professional organization and to volunteer to do whatever that organization needs done.  And ESPECIALLY to serve as Secretary, if that is needed, because EVERYONE knows the Secretary, because everyone gets emails every month from the Secretary reminding them when the next meeting is, and when and where all the other upcoming activities are.  How better to let the deciders know who you are AND how dependable you are.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 11:39 | 6219139 kaiserhoff
kaiserhoff's picture

Local business clubs are greatly under rated.

It's the only way you will know what's coming to your area in time to benefit from that knowledge.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 17:04 | 6217924 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

"This suggests employers are hesitant (or reluctant) to hire even as more workers/positions are actually needed."

We have two more layers of review now, total corporate staffing regardless of need and how does ACA affect the decision.

- Ned

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 16:41 | 6217881 TheGreatRecovery
TheGreatRecovery's picture

GEE.  We got rid of drugs, so the kids ought to be nice and clean.  We kept terrorists out, so the kids ought to be safe to hire.  We helped out the corporations with every tax loophole and subsidy we could think of, and gave them next-to-zero-percent loans, and STILL all they do is stock buybacks instead of hiring young talented folks to help their businesses keep up with fast-growing trends.  Hard to believe!  This should be a PERFECT system, in a PERFECT world!  We've given the corporations EVERYTHING, and didn't they tell us they needed all that IN ORDER FOR THEM TO HIRE OUR KIDS?

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 15:19 | 6217717 cheech_wizard
cheech_wizard's picture

The 'group think' mentality has most certainly caused the current malaise in American corporations, and usually it causes those companies to die off.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 10:54 | 6219025 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

American corporations have most certainly caused the current 'group think' mentality malaise in their resources. Remember people are no longer personnel but human resources. Where did that shift in thinking originate?

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 21:22 | 6218318 Arnold
Arnold's picture

"we gotta sell this bitch before the audit'

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 15:04 | 6217618 Bighorn_100b
Bighorn_100b's picture

The more languages you speak the better. More money too.

The chances of getting laid increase 100% as well.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 17:05 | 6217927 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

0 x 100% =

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 20:49 | 6218271 Thirtyseven
Thirtyseven's picture

I like to tell potential female mates that I post on Zerohedge. 

Gets 'em wet.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 13:27 | 6217529 TVP
TVP's picture

What a joke.

Nobody gets hired anymore.  Not unless their daddy has worked in the company for years.  

 

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 13:14 | 6217501 OneTinTrooper
OneTinTrooper's picture

I suspect that the average IQ is regressing.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 15:16 | 6219674 Dapper Dan
Dapper Dan's picture

I don't see how getting higher takes longer with todays weed.

 

 

Oh... it's hired not higher

sorry my bad.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 17:44 | 6217985 kchrisc
kchrisc's picture

IQ is not regressing.

Thinking and analytical skills are because of government indoctrination centers.

While running my IT business, I was shocked with how many people could know or learn a task, but not be able to think and analyze a problem or situation--troubleshoot. As matter of fact, troubleshooting became my number one looked for skill/ability.

One test that I used when I first met a candidate, before an application, was to ask them what 13 times 13 was. Most didn't know, as it is not on most times tables, and it's not something most of us do often. I would then see how they responded to not knowing the answer. The troubling thing was that most could not then start working on a solution--borrow a pencil, stop and think it thru, etc. They would just come to a dead stop in the "water."

I have friends that know the details of what is going on in the DC US, but have no intellectual ability to put it all together into a coherent picture, "clockworks." They were never taught that knowing something was not enough, and therefore do not have the skills to analyze and synthesize information into true knowledge.

This is most evident in that most of my friends know 9/11 was a false-flag by government, but they still swallow the government's line that Muslims are the enemy. Disturbing.

Liberty is a demand. Tyranny is submission.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 00:50 | 6218600 OldPhart
OldPhart's picture

In the interview for my position (Controller) the CFO had a thick accent and I was having a hell of a time understanding him.  The light went on that he wanted me to set up an income statement.  There was paper so I set up a basic income statement, then he started in with complications and intercompany exchanges, etc.  So I went to his white board and expanded the income statement.  I got hired.

Two weeks later he was canned, I got $10k/year raise and had to fill CFO/Controller roles...it was too complex I couldn't do both...the meetings ate too much time to be able to be effective as controller or cfo.  Finally told the owner/president that we had to have a CFO.

He agreed, finally, so I hired my boss about eleven years ago.  Worked out pretty well.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 13:35 | 6217538 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

Yes, kinda, sorta... Aggregate IQ is down but there are several factors involved, not only genetic, but also things like education systems that don't function. IQ is a measure of potential, not a magic number....

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 12:43 | 6217431 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

It's now more important to fill in the proper boxes and pee in a cup. I know a mechanic whose been doing it for 40 years and he started fresh out of high school doing oil changes and is now service manager at a big dealership at $90K per year. Now, a high school graduate could not even get a job sweeping the floor and cleaning the toilet at the dealership without going through a buttload of bullshit. You can never achieve anything, if you never get a chance....

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 14:25 | 6217621 Skateboarder
Skateboarder's picture

Hi skool buddy of mine didn't go to kollege - worked at America's Tire Co. for several years before his pillhead (and eventually heroin) habit got him into the ER three times.

That's all excusable - homeboy is a good man who with good values. We all fuck up badly at some point or another.

What is not excusable is that the shrinks had him on meds, and he was required by him employer to take routine piss tests where the usual gamut of substances is not allowed, but his shrink-prescribed meds are REQUIRED to be present in the piss, or he loses his job.

So much for freedom and stuff like that.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 12:37 | 6217418 Arnold
Sat, 06/20/2015 - 20:18 | 6218213 buzzardsluck
buzzardsluck's picture

1%er here baby, it's a club with high turnover.

Fuck jack daniels, I gave that shit up after a couple price increases along with dropping the proof (this was 10+ years ago?).

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 14:18 | 6217610 Skateboarder
Skateboarder's picture

"No shit," once you take weight into account. It takes three beers to get my 140lb ass buzzed. Add another 60 pounds to my weight, and I would need 5 drinks to get a buzz going. Add 40 more pounds, and I would need 7. Not everyone wants to stop at the 'buzzed' state, however. A 240lb man would need at least 10 beers to get drunk...

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 12:41 | 6217414 NoPension
NoPension's picture

There are 5 million jobs available.
And Latin immigrants don't affect our labor market.
Bill Maher said so.

Edit: If want that job, you better know someone on the inside. Especially a coveted Gubbermint job. The Soviets raised government service to an art form. You where "in" the party. You where special. Just like USA now. Ask anyone you know with a .gov job, how they got in. The average wait for the others is just kabuki theatre, to make it look like they try!
Same with big corporate or utility jobs. Some dick Vice President's son in law is getting the job.

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 19:56 | 6218183 Thirtyseven
Thirtyseven's picture

My biggest mistake in my early and mid twenties was not developing, schmoozing and maintaining contacts, aka "networking". 

And here I thought work-ethic and being competent would take me far in life....

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 13:44 | 6219469 yellowsub
yellowsub's picture

From my observation of others, it's about how brown your nose can get...

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 14:11 | 6219547 Luc X. Ifer
Luc X. Ifer's picture

*Brown-nosing* AKA *being socially smart*

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 13:03 | 6219363 Luc X. Ifer
Luc X. Ifer's picture

Very true - was the practice *du jour* in the Roman, Ottoman & USSR empires in their terminal days - because the oligarchy/aristocracy was owning the society and the society & market weren't functioning naturally free. It never lasted long - in fact it lasted shorter and shorter, from hundreds of years in the Roman empire case to a decade in the USSR case and it is a sign of what's coming very soon to USSA. Explanation is very simple - the better the tools & control the oligarchs had to cannibalize on their social enclave the faster they completed the robbing.

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 00:31 | 6218571 Chuck Walla
Chuck Walla's picture

And here I thought work-ethic and being competent would take me far in life..

Sorry, man, those never were useful skills. Now lying, that can get you places...

FORWARD SOVIET!

Sat, 06/20/2015 - 12:46 | 6217439 NoPension
NoPension's picture

And oh yeah, does that chart make a bit of sense to anyone? It looks like something a chimp did with a box of crayola.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!