Here’s a stat to think about if you are hiring: 62% of professionals lose interest in a job if they don’t hear back within two weeks of the initial interview.

That number comes from a new survey published by Robert Half and speaks volumes about the speed of the hiring process.

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.

“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.”