time to fill

Definition

The metric measuring days from posting a job opening until an offer is accepted. It's how recruitment teams are judged, incentivizing speed over quality in hiring decisions.

Example Usage

Our time to fill is excellent at 14 days, though the new hire quit after two weeks because we rushed the vetting process.

Origin

Recruitment metrics standardized in the 1990s-2000s

Fun Fact

Average time to fill in the U.S. is about 36 days, though it varies wildly by industry and role, with specialized positions sometimes taking 6+ months.

Source: Talent acquisition and recruiting analytics

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