A lot of people often do wonder how long do job interviews last. Do you? Don’t worry, here is a detailed answer with job interview tips to land the next job and walk your way to wealth.
All the more so, since job interviews are something that could possibly happen to each one of us at some point in our lives.
For example, when you want to get a new job and send out resumes, you’re sure to be called for an interview.
Now, How Long Do Job Interviews Last?
If you are currently going through the interview process, you know how stressful it can be. Not only do you have to worry about impressing the employer, but you also don’t want the interview to drag on forever. So, you want to know how long do job interviews last.
As a job seeker, there is only so much time that you can commit to interviews before your mind starts to wonder if you’ll ever finalize a deal.
As an employer, there is only so much time available in a day to conduct interviews and make solid hiring decisions. Therefore, some employers have time limits for their interviews and it’s not just because they’re disorganized.
This post on “how long do job interviews last,” will help both parties understand how long interviews typically last in various industries and help prepare each side for job interviews. This will also eliminate your anxiousness of how long do job interviews last.
It Depends On The Job
How long do job interviews last? It depends on the job. If you’re interviewing for a senior-level position, expect to spend a lot of time at the company. You may have several rounds of interviews and you’ll also have to meet with different people at different levels.
For example, if you’re interviewing for a VP position, your first round of interviews will likely be with the hiring manager and HR.
Then you’ll go through another round of interviews with other VPs or the CEO or CFO.
In those cases, it’s not unusual for an interview to last several hours or even half a day. They may also want you to come back for another full day of interviews before making a decision, so that they can introduce you to multiple people in the organization.
On the other hand, if it’s a mid-level role – say an engineer or an entry-level marketing person – you may speak with two or three people in one session and then be done.
If you’re interviewing for an entry-level position, there may only be one interview and it could be very short.
So, you can see that how long do job interviews last does depend on various factors.
Now, lets consider the factors that determine how long do job interviews last:
Interviews For Professional Jobs
As a professional, do you wonder how long do job interviews last? Interviews for professional jobs often take longer, as they may include multiple interviews, assessments and other activities.
These can last a few days to a few weeks.
The average job interview length, (how long do job interviews last) varies based on several factors, including:
- The level of the position,
- The industry, and
- The company’s size.
Below are some common types of interviews and how long you can expect them to last:
- Phone screen: 15-30 minutes
- Preliminary interview: 30-60 minutes
- Second, or follow-up, interview: 60-90 minutes
- Panel interview: 60-90 minutes per person
- Group interview: 90-120 minutes with five or more people
The length of a job interview varies according to the type of position you are seeking. For example, interviews for professional jobs often take longer than interviews for hourly positions.
Phone interviews usually last less than an hour and may be as short as 15 minutes. On-site interviews may last from an hour to several hours.
Phone Interviews
Phone interviews are often shorter than in-person interviews, because employers can’t read body language and facial expressions over the phone. They are also convenient and cost-effective for employers who need to screen a large number of candidates quickly. Phone interviews typically last 30 to 60 minutes, but some go much longer if the interviewer has difficulty finding good candidates for open positions.
In Person Interviews
Interviews for professional jobs, such as administrative assistant or office manager positions, often take longer than interviews for more entry-level jobs.
Employers want to make sure they hire people with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the job well; this means interviewing them extensively about their experience and qualifications.
A 2011 survey by Robert Half International found that on-site interviews last an average of one hour; however, those lasting between one and two hours were most common. For professional positions, two-hour interviews are not uncommon.
It Depends On The Organization
How long do job interviews last?
It depends on the organization. Some interviews are only 15 minutes long, while others may last several hours. Most interviewers find that an hour to 90 minutes is an adequate amount of time to conduct a thorough interview process.
The first step in determining the proper length of your company’s interviews is to determine what type of interview you want to conduct.
If you want to get a better understanding of a candidate’s skill set, then you will want to ask questions related to their previous experience and how it relates to the role they’re applying for at your company.
If you want to get a better sense of how well they would fit with your team, then you will want to ask questions about their personality and whether or not they would be a good fit for your organization as well as if their values match up with yours.
If you want both types of interviews (skill-based and personality-based), then it might make sense for them each to take about an hour, so that together they total two hours in length (or however long you decide).
The next step is deciding on how much time each interviewer should spend with candidates before making a decision about hiring them.
In addition, the length of the interview depends on the organization and the interviewer.
If they are a small company, they may have a small team. The interviewers may have busy schedules and you will be lucky if they can squeeze in time to talk to you.
If they are a big company, they have strict rules and processes. The interviews are usually scheduled for 30 minutes or 1 hour and everyone is expected to stick to the schedule.
If you’re interviewing with a startup, it could be anywhere from 20 minutes to an entire day.
Concluding Thought
While some employers will have a set time for their interviews, the process is usually open-ended. That said, the interview should last no longer than thirty minutes.
If you’re there for longer, the employer may feel that they are being strained and can’t concentrate. While they may want to know more about you, they may fear that questions would become repetitive if they continue to interview you.
Do not linger once your employer has finished with their questions. If they want to ask more, then that means that they need more time and an extension of the interview is a courtesy on your part (not just them).
Before the interview you should make sure you know all the details of when it will take place and where. Be aware that some employers will call you beforehand (usually by telephone) to confirm your attendance.
If they don’t then unless they specify it is not an interview do not just turn up late, as this will be taken as a rude manner in which to approach the day.
So at least make sure that if you don’t get the call from them spare a few minutes to phone them before hand and ask them if the interview is still on for its exact time and location.
Don’t let embarrassment fool you into thinking that a short, informal interview is going to be quicker and easier than a formal, long one.
The amount of time you spend in an individual interview is irrelevant—what matters is that it’s an efficient use of your time and the interviewer’s. And remember: short doesn’t necessarily mean casual, informal, or unprofessional.
Employer, think about the employee you plan on hiring, and how important it is for you to get a sense of what type of worker they will be. You want to make sure that they are competent and qualified for the position.
The best way to do so is by talking with them, asking questions, and observing their response. Asking too many questions can put pressure on the interviewee; asking too few can make their screening process dull and uneventful.
Takeaway: Job interviews last between 30 minutes and 3 hours.
