How Long Do Job Interviews Last: See Answer
First, how long do job interviews last?
The interviewing process used by each company to select candidates varies. The position and job you are applying for will determine how long the interview will last. The time allotted for each candidate to respond to the questions will be determined.
Some might only last a few minutes, while others might last an hour. Stay focused during your interviews and you are sure to eventually land an incredible job.
In the post, I’ll show you the more in-depth details.
Table of Contents
How Long Does A Job Interview Last?
You might be curious about the duration of a job interview as you get ready for one.’ Depending on the kind of interview you’re attending, the length of one can vary greatly. While some interviewing platforms used by professionals naturally allow for more time, others might provide a more convenient and condensed interview format. Here is a list of the various interview types along with information on how long they usually last:
Phone Interviews
The first interview you encounter during the hiring process is typically a phone interview. Usually, a recruiter or human resources agent will call you to confirm some of the essential information on your CV. The best time for you to come in for an in-person interview and your available start date, should you be hired, may also be questions they ask. They might occasionally ask you what kind of pay you need. Typically, this is a brief exchange.
Group Interviews
In a group interview, you and a number of other applicants sit down with the hiring manager or a panel of interviewers at the same time. In addition to saving time during the hiring process, some businesses hold group interviews to observe how candidates interact with one another. Depending on the size of the group, these interviews typically last an hour.
Open Hiring Interviews
On specific days or during career fairs, some companies hold open hiring events. You can meet interviewers during these events at any time while they are open for business. The interviewer looks over your resume and then conducts an informal interview. In some circumstances, the hiring manager might make you an offer of employment right away. Open interviews for employment typically last 30 to 60 minutes.
In-person Interviews
Depending on the hiring manager’s preferences and if you need to meet with a panel of interviewers, in-person interviews typically last 45 to 90 minutes. In some circumstances, you may conduct an interview with a business for as long as a full day while carrying out some of the essential job responsibilities under their close supervision.
Video Interviews
Throughout the hiring process, video interviews are possible at any time. To see how you respond to various questions, some recruiters may substitute video interviews for phone calls. A video interview may be scheduled in place of an in-person interview if you applied for a job in a different location than you did or the hiring manager works from a different location.
Technical Interviews
For positions in engineering, software development, and other related fields, some businesses conduct technical interviews. Similar to first-round, in-person interviews, these typically last 45 to 1 hour. Any time during the hiring process could see them. The interviewer will probably put your technical knowledge to the test at this point. They might ask you to speak back or to jot down your responses on paper.
What’s The Typical Interview Procedure Like?
Here is how the hiring procedure works at the majority of businesses:
Screening
A lot of companies conduct an initial interview to determine whether you are a qualified candidate for the position. It can be done over the phone or in person, and the screening typically lasts fifteen to twenty minutes. This discussion is used to reduce the number of applicants who will be contacted for official first interviews.
The Initial Interview
The initial interview is typically the first in-person meeting you will have with your potential employer. In order to evaluate your skills and knowledge in light of the qualifications for this position, their goal is to get to know you. They also want to get to know you so they can judge whether you’ll fit into the culture of the business. the following phases typically occur during the first interview:
Introduction
You should spend the first few minutes of the interview settling into the interview space and introducing yourself to the interviewer. Make a good first impression of yourself because this is also their first encounter with you by standing straight, making eye contact, and shaking hands firmly. The interviewer will typically spend the first few minutes of the conversation explaining their business to you.
Questions For An Interview
The employer will question you and hear your responses, possibly making notes for later use. This part usually lasts for 20 minutes or so.
Your Questions
You have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, competence, and the depth of your research on the company when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. Prepare three to five thoughtful questions in advance, and make any necessary adjustments based on what you learn from the interview.
Bringing The Interview To A Close
The interviewer will almost certainly lead you out after the conversation is finished. Before getting up from your seat, you should make sure that all of your worries have been addressed. As you leave, be sure to sincerely thank them for the meeting, extend a firm handshake, and maintain eye contact as you reiterate your enthusiasm for the position.
Subsequent Interview
You might get a second interview if you make an impression during the first one. This meeting typically includes the chance to speak with the various department heads and, occasionally, a tour of the facilities. The interviewer will follow up on specific topics covered during the initial interview and ask more in-depth, targeted questions to gain a better understanding of how you would fit in at work.
The Fourth Interview
Some businesses prefer to conduct a third interview to help them make their final choice. You ought to have a thorough understanding of the business and how it runs every day going into this session, as well as an idea of how you might fit into the workplace culture. You might get the chance to meet potential coworkers during this time.
Final Decision
The final step in the interview process, if the employer wants to hire you, is frequently a job offer pending the outcomes of your background investigation and references. The offer will typically be made in the form of a written letter, but in some cases, it may be sent via email. The majority of businesses will give you a verbal offer before sending you the written version to make sure you are happy with the terms or to give you time to haggle before agreeing. See more about How Early Should You Arrive For A Job Interview?
Are 20 Minutes During An Interview Bad?
A 20-minute interview is a cause for concern because most good interviews last between 45 and 1 hour and 15 minutes. That isn’t enough time for the interviewer to get to know a candidate, particularly if the position isn’t entry-level.
Is A Forty-minute Interview Sufficient?
A 45-minute initial interview should be sufficient, according to 38% of experts. A good sign that the company was interested in hiring you is if your initial interview lasted about 45 minutes. See more about How To Summarize An Interview?
What To Do If You Mess Up?
It depends on how serious the error was, but for the most part, you can recover if you handle minor slip-ups gracefully.
The applicant who unintentionally sent his thank-you letter to the incorrect person within the company was recalled by Rishit Shah, an accountant and the publisher of the TallySchool blog. “He quickly sent the letter to the proper person after apologizing. I appreciated the fact that he admitted his error and swiftly made it right.”
However, whatever transpires following a mistake, don’t tear down relationships.
“If you don’t get the job, always follow up politely and express interest in future opportunities to the hiring managers and/or the HR person, according to Akoma. “It will leave a good impression and might cause other opportunities to take you into consideration.”
Mistakes To Avoid As An Interviewer
Sometimes job seekers overlook the fact that being on the other side of the process can be just as stressful. Finding a candidate who can carry out the job’s responsibilities, fits with the company culture, wants the salary the job offers, and satisfies many other crucial requirements is a pressure point for interviewers and hiring managers.
Furthermore, interviewers make mistakes. Here are a few of the most typical errors interviewers make and suggestions for avoiding them.
Subjective Or Arbitrary Criteria
The interviewer should make sure that the evaluation process is as structured, job-specific, and objective as possible rather than “screening out” candidates based on an initial gut feeling or random criteria, such as GPA, the address on a resume, or the sound of a name. According to Michael Burtov, founder and CEO of GeoOrbital, this will give them the opportunity to hire excellent people they otherwise might not have even thought about.
Social Media Bias
Burton asserts that despite social media’s significant role in today’s job searches, it may cause interviewers to exhibit unconscious biases. Social media profiles frequently include images of applicants and other details that are unrelated to the position at hand but may unfairly sway hiring decisions.
Focus on the information on their LinkedIn profile that is important for your professional relationship.
Too Much Chitchat
During interviews, it’s typical for the interviewer to lapse into monologues about the job, the organization, the culture, and other aspects of the opportunity. While this can play a significant role in introducing the candidate to the business, it’s crucial to give them plenty of opportunities to speak. You are more likely to base your hiring decision on objective criteria rather than incomplete and potentially biased impressions the more job-relevant information you have about the applicant. The 80/20 rule is a good one to follow when conducting interviews.
Personal Partiality
People who enjoy the same things as us—be it music, sports, television shows, lifestyles, or other activities unrelated to our jobs—tend to be people we get along with.
Remember, liking the same TV shows does not necessarily translate into job performance, especially during interviews. Interviewers shouldn’t let subconscious bias based on “being like me” affect their decisions. Maintain as much objectivity and concentration on the job requirements as you can, especially when figuring out whether the applicant fits your company’s culture. This is where having multiple interviewers speak to the same candidate can be beneficial because you can all compare your opinions on the candidate’s personality, skills, and cultural fit to make an objective choice.
Short Interviews With Good Signs
Although brief interviews aren’t the best indication, I know from personal experience that there have been times when we had to schedule them closely to fit schedules, particularly in the first round of interviews. Therefore, we may conduct a brief interview with even the best applicants.
Even if it takes you longer to reach a decision, you can tell a lot in about 30 minutes. So, brief interviews aren’t always a bad thing. However, there are times when a brief interview is required simply because we are not a good fit, for a variety of reasons, and we realize this right away.
Here are some indicators that can tell you whether or not a quick interview will ultimately go well:
- How did they appear to be feeling? Were they angling their bodies toward you?
- As you responded, did they warmly smile and nod? During the conversation, were there clear eye contact?
- Did they seem to become friendlier as the interview progressed?
- Did they spend time describing the business to you in a way that suggested they wanted you to want them?
- Did the interviewer look at you more than his or her notes, watch, or the door to the interview room?
- Did the interviewer begin to talk to you about the workplace rather than the duties of the position?
- Did you feel a genuine connection with the interviewer?
- A warm response to your responses from the interviewer?
- Was the conversation easy to follow and relaxed?
- Was your readiness to begin the job discussed?
- Was there any talk of arranging a follow-up appointment?
Short Interviews With Bad Signs
Regardless of the reason for the interview’s briefness—fit, availability, etc. – there are still sometimes clues to help you figure out if it didn’t go well:
- Over time, did the interviewer’s smile fade?
- Did the interviewer spend a lot of time looking at his notes, watch, or the interview room door?
- Did you get the impression that the interviewer was distracted, especially as it went on? (When things aren’t going well, you almost feel them mentally withdrawing.)
- Did the interviewer’s eyes (and possibly brows) begin to furrow as you spoke, as opposed to remaining open and nodding favorably?
- Was the interviewer’s posture one of leaning back with caution or was he holding himself a little stiffly with his eyes not meeting too frequently?
- Did he coolly respond when you inquired about the next steps at the conclusion, “We still have a lot of candidates. Rather than saying something reassuring with a warm smile and good eye contact, we’ll let you know. (Here, your gut can provide some guidance regarding the tone or any implied encouragement.)
- As soon as he said it was over and you started to leave, did the interviewer stop looking at you or look without any genuine warmth in his smile?
- If you hadn’t brought it up, did the interviewer fail to mention the next steps at all (or even say something encouraging about the procedure)?
- Did the interviewer wish the candidate luck?” with none of the good signs to back it up?
Conclusion
So, how long do job interviews last?
The typical length of an interview is an hour, with a maximum of a full day. Conversely, phone interviews usually last less than 30 minutes. Don’t get upset if your interview was brief. Your interview may not have gone as well as you had hoped for a number of good reasons.
When you reach the interview stage for a job you’ve applied for, keep looking for other positions because you should never put all of your eggs in one basket. Place your resume in one of our expertly crafted templates, complete each section with our helpful text recommendations, adjust to the details of a job advertisement, and then download and send!
