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Writer's pictureBrittney Simpson

What is Time- To- Fill?

Understanding Time to Fill (and Key Recruitment KPIs)

When measuring recruitment performance, Time to Fill and Time to Hire are two of the most commonly tracked metrics. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes and provide unique insights into your hiring process. Let’s break them down and explore other recruitment KPIs.


1. Time to Fill

  • Definition: Time to Fill measures the total number of days it takes to fill a job opening from the moment the position is approved or posted to when a candidate accepts the offer.

  • Purpose: This metric reflects the efficiency of the entire hiring process and helps businesses understand how quickly they can fill roles to meet operational needs.

  • Calculation:

    Time to Fill=Date the Offer is Accepted−Date the Job Requisition Was Posted\text{Time to Fill} = \text{Date the Offer is Accepted} - \text{Date the Job Requisition Was Posted}

  • Key Insights:

    • Longer times may indicate inefficiencies in the recruitment process, a shortage of qualified candidates, or an overly complex approval system.

    • A short Time to Fill could suggest streamlined processes but may also indicate rushed hiring decisions.


2. Time to Hire

  • Definition: Time to Hire measures the number of days between when a candidate enters the pipeline (e.g., applies, is sourced, or shows interest) and when they accept the offer.


  • Purpose: This metric evaluates the effectiveness of the recruiting team's engagement and selection process.


  • Calculation:

    Time to Hire=Date the Offer is Accepted−Date the Candidate Entered the Pipeline\text{Time to Hire} = \text{Date the Offer is Accepted} - \text{Date the Candidate Entered the Pipeline}


  • Key Insights:

    • A short Time to Hire indicates efficient sourcing and decision-making processes.

    • A longer Time to Hire could mean delays in communication, interviewing, or decision-making.


Key Differences Between Time to Fill and Time to Hire

Metric

Time to Fill

Time to Hire

Focus

Entire hiring process

Candidate engagement and selection

Starts With

Job requisition approval/posting

Candidate entering the pipeline

Ends With

Candidate accepting the offer

Candidate accepting the offer

Use Case

Evaluating overall recruitment speed

Measuring candidate journey efficiency

3. Other Recruitment KPIs to Track

Cost Per Hire

  • Definition: The total cost of hiring divided by the number of hires in a given period.

  • Calculation: Cost Per Hire=(Internal Costs + External Costs)Number of Hires\text{Cost Per Hire} = \frac{\text{(Internal Costs + External Costs)}}{\text{Number of Hires}}

  • Key Insights: Helps identify cost-saving opportunities in the recruitment process.


Quality of Hire

  • Definition: Measures the value a new hire brings to the organization based on performance, productivity, and retention.

  • Calculation: Often assessed using manager feedback, performance reviews, or retention rates.


Application Completion Rate

  • Definition: The percentage of applicants who complete the application process.

  • Key Insights: Indicates how user-friendly the application process is and may reveal drop-off points.


Sourcing Channel Effectiveness

  • Definition: Evaluates which recruitment channels (e.g., job boards, referrals, social media) yield the most successful hires.

  • Calculation: Effectiveness=Hires From ChannelTotal Hires\text{Effectiveness} = \frac{\text{Hires From Channel}}{\text{Total Hires}}


Candidate Experience Score

  • Definition: Measures how candidates rate their experience during the hiring process, typically gathered through post-interview surveys.

  • Key Insights: A positive experience improves employer branding and attracts top talent.


Offer Acceptance Rate

  • Definition: The percentage of job offers extended that are accepted by candidates.

  • Calculation: Offer Acceptance Rate=Offers AcceptedOffers Made×100\text{Offer Acceptance Rate} = \frac{\text{Offers Accepted}}{\text{Offers Made}} \times 100

  • Key Insights: Low acceptance rates may indicate issues with compensation, job fit, or communication.


Retention Rate

  • Definition: Measures how many hires remain with the company after a specific time period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year).

  • Key Insights: Indicates the success of hiring decisions and onboarding processes.


Why These KPIs Matter

Tracking Time to Fill, Time to Hire, and other recruitment KPIs provides actionable insights to:

  • Optimize the hiring process.

  • Reduce costs and inefficiencies.

  • Improve candidate experience and retention.

  • Align hiring strategies with business needs.


By leveraging these metrics, businesses can enhance their recruitment outcomes and build a more effective workforce.



 

Visit us at SavvyHRPartner.com and follow us on social media @SavvyHRPartner for expert tips, resources, and solutions to support your business and your people. Let’s build something great together! 🌟



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