Why Time-to-Fill Matters in 2025
In today’s hiring environment, one of the most common—and critical—questions employers ask is: “How long should it take to fill a position?” Time-to-fill isn’t just a recruiting metric. It’s a direct reflection of your hiring process efficiency, brand reputation, and ability to stay competitive in a market where top talent often receives multiple offers within days.
Understanding what a reasonable time-to-fill looks like—and how to improve it—can help you avoid costly hiring delays, minimize lost productivity, and improve the overall candidate experience.
What Is “Time-to-Fill”?
Time-to-fill is the number of days between when a job opening is approved and when a candidate accepts the offer. It can vary widely depending on the role, market conditions, and your company’s hiring practices.
What’s Reasonable in Today’s Market?
While every company and position is different, here are general benchmarks we’re seeing across Texas in 2025:
Administrative & Support Roles
Time-to-fill: 7–14 business days
High applicant volume makes these roles quicker to fill, especially for temporary and temp-to-hire positions. However, niche software or specialized industry knowledge can extend the process slightly.
Skilled Roles (Accounting, HR, Legal, IT Support)
Time-to-fill: 21–30 days
These positions typically require deeper vetting, specific qualifications, and multiple rounds of interviews—particularly if they’re client-facing or require handling sensitive information.
Technical, Engineering & Leadership Positions
Time-to-fill: 30–60+ days
Specialized skills, executive-level decision-making, and relocation factors often slow down the timeline. Many of these roles involve passive candidates who aren’t actively applying, which lengthens the process.
What Affects Time-to-Fill?
Several key factors contribute to the time it takes to hire:
1. Market Demand & Talent Shortages
Texas remains a hot spot for growth across multiple industries—particularly healthcare, IT, finance, and logistics. This demand means top candidates aren’t on the market long.
2. Job Requirements & Complexity
The more specialized the skill set, the longer it takes to identify and vet the right fit.
3. Recruiting Method
Internal HR teams often lack the bandwidth or tools to move fast. A staffing partner like Burnett Specialists can streamline sourcing and screening using deep talent pipelines.
4. Company Responsiveness
Slow internal approvals, drawn-out interviews, or lack of feedback can drastically increase time-to-fill and cause you to lose top-tier candidates to faster-moving employers.
Burnett’s Approach to Faster, Smarter Hiring
At Burnett Specialists, our time-to-fill rates are consistently below industry averages because we:
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Maintain a large network of pre-screened candidates across Texas
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Use specialized recruiters who understand your industry
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Offer temporary, temp-to-hire, direct-hire, and project-based staffing
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Move quickly without compromising quality or fit
For many roles, especially administrative or temporary, we can provide qualified candidates within 24–72 hours.
Can You Fill Roles Faster Without Sacrificing Quality?
Yes—if your hiring process is streamlined and supported by a staffing partner who understands your goals. Here’s how to reduce your time-to-fill without compromising,
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Create a clear job description with essential skills only
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Limit the number of interview rounds to 2–3 maximum
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Set a defined decision-making timeline upfront
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Provide prompt feedback after interviews
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Partner with a staffing firm that delivers screened talent
Time-to-Fill Is About More Than Speed
Filling a role quickly is important—but filling it with the right person is what drives long-term success. A staffing agency that prioritizes cultural fit, work ethic, and qualifications will save you time now and turnover costs later.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s a reasonable time-to-fill in today’s market? It depends on your role, industry, and hiring practices—but most employers should expect anywhere from 7 to 30 days for standard roles and up to 60 days for technical or executive positions. With the right strategy, you can speed up your hiring process without sacrificing quality.
Ready to Reduce Your Time-to-Fill?
Burnett Specialists has the tools, team, and Texas-sized talent network to help you hire smarter and faster. Whether you’re filling one role or building a team, we’ll find you the right fit—on your timeline.
Contact us today to get started.
