How Long Do Interviews Last on Average

How long do interviews last on average? Knowing the duration of an interview might help you make the most of your time with the hiring manager and create a favorable impression.

Preparing for a certain amount of time ensures that your replies remain on topic, allowing the interviewer to make an educated judgment when making employment offers.

The length of the interview will likely vary depending on the format and stage of the process you are in.

How long does an interview last on average?

Interviews often run between 15 and 30 minutes and several hours. The duration of an interview is determined by a variety of factors, including its format. Several distinct sorts of interviews can occur throughout the recruiting process, including the following:

Phone interviews

Typically, the first interview you will experience during the recruiting process will be a phone interview. Typically, a recruiter or human resources person will contact you to company the accuracy of your resume's basic information. Additionally, they can inquire about your possible start date if hired and the ideal dates to come in for an in-person interview. They can question about your wage requirements on occasion.

Some recruiters/hiring managers can also ask questions during phone interviews to ascertain your fit with the company culture. The answers to these questions can indicate how well you operate in a team, how you deal with stress, and how you manage your time. They can ask these questions in order to determine whether or not to schedule an interview with the recruiting manager.

If the recruiter asks only basic questions about your résumé, the interview should last around 15 minutes. You can schedule up to 40 minutes if they inquire about your work style.

Related: Panel interview

In-person interviews

In-person interviews generally run 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the recruiting manager and the number of employees you need to speak with. In certain circumstances, you can spend an entire day interviewing with a company and executing some of the key job tasks under supervision.

During in-person interviews, you can anticipate a variety of questions designed to ascertain your competence to do all job-related responsibilities. Additionally, you can meet with potential coworkers to determine your compatibility with the team. You will meet with a range of managers and coworkers concurrently during panel interviews.

Additionally, you can be required to attend a final, face-to-face interview with the department head or employer. These interviews generally run around 15 minutes and cover basic employment information such as pay, hours of operation, and benefits.

Related: Group interview

Video interviews

Video interviews can take place at any stage of the recruiting process. Recruiters can use video interviews in lieu of phone discussions to observe how you respond to various queries. If you apply for a position in a location other than your own, or if the hiring manager works from a different area, the recruiter can organize a video interview in lieu of an in-person encounter.

A phone interview can run anywhere from 15 minutes to one and a half hours, depending on whether you're speaking with a recruiter or a hiring manager.

Technical interviews

Certain businesses conduct technical interviews for employment in engineering, software development, and other related fields. These often run 45 minutes to an hour, similar to first-round in-person interviews. They can happen at any point during the employment process. At this point, the interviewer will very certainly assess your technical abilities. They can request that you respond vocally or in writing on a piece of paper or whiteboard.

Certain recruiters can submit a questionnaire for technical interviews over a secure website. You will very certainly be given a specific amount of time to answer the questions and return the form. They will then examine your responses and decide whether or not to go to the next round of interviews.

Group interviews

You and several other candidates will meet with the hiring manager or panel simultaneously during group interviews. Certain organizations use group interviews to ascertain how applicants interact with one another and to expedite the recruiting process. These interviews typically run between an hour and an hour and a half, depending on the size of the group.

Open hiring interviews

Certain companies host open recruiting events on specific dates or during employment fairs. You can meet with interviewers at any moment during their open hours at these events. Your résumé will be reviewed and an impromptu interview will be conducted. Occasionally, the recruiting manager will extend an offer of employment immediately following the interview. Open job interviews generally run between 30 and 60 minutes.

How to interview well

Follow these measures to guarantee you make a favorable impression in the allocated time:

Make an interview plan

You should create a strategy to guarantee that the interview runs well from start to finish. Arrive early and have any interview documents, such as your CV/resume, cover letter, notebook, and pen, readily available. If you're doing an interview over the phone or through video, you should verify that your phone service and internet connection are operational prior to the appointed time.

Prepare answers in advance

At any point during the recruiting process, the majority of recruiters and hiring managers will ask conventional interview questions. Preparing a few simple responses means that you are prepared to react without devoting additional time to the subject.

Related: Common interview questions

Write down a list of questions

The majority of recruiters and hiring managers allow for questions at the conclusion of the interview. Planning your inquiries in advance enables you to consider your expectations of the organization with care. Customize your questions to elicit information about the company's expectations of you, your compatibility with the company's culture, and the kind of people with whom you will work.

Stay on topic

Occasionally, you can find your interviewer particularly fascinating due to their position within the company or their personality. You can like to inquire further about their position or interests, which can eat into your valuable interview time. Developing a strategy enables you to stay on track and inside the allotted interview window.

Related: Thank you email after interview

What's the common interview process like?

Here's what the hiring process looks like for most companies:

Screening

Numerous businesses perform an initial interview to ascertain whether you are a suitable applicant for the position. The screening is generally fifteen to twenty minutes long and can be performed over the phone or in person. This dialogue is used to narrow down the pool of candidates who will be contacted for formal first interviews.

The initial interview

Generally, the initial interview is the first face-to-face meeting you will have with your prospective employer. Their objective is to get to know you and analyze your abilities and expertise in light of the requirements for this position. Additionally, they want to get to know you in order to assess whether you will fit into the company's culture. The first interview generally consists of the following stages:

Introduction

The first few minutes are spent introducing yourself to the interviewer and settling into the interview room. This is also their first impression of you, so create a good one with proper posture, eye contact, and a solid handshake. Generally, the interviewer will spend the first few minutes of the interview informing you about their organization.

Questions for an interview

The employer will ask you questions and listen to your replies, perhaps taking notes for future reference. This section typically lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Your questions

When the interviewer encourages you to ask questions, this is your time to exhibit your knowledge, competence, and the breadth of your study on the company. Prepare three to five meaningful questions in advance and change as necessary based on what you discover during the interview.

Bringing the interview to a close

When the interview is over, the interviewer will almost certainly walk you out. It's prudent to address all of your concerns prior to rising from your seat. As you go, enthusiastically reiterate your interest in the position and make a point of truly thanking them for the meeting, offering a strong handshake, and maintaining eye contact.

Subsequent interview

If you impress them at the initial interview, you can be invited back for a second meeting. This meeting generally includes the opportunity to meet the various department heads and, on occasion, a tour of the facilities. The interviewer will ask more detailed, specific questions to follow up on particular issues discussed during the initial interview and to have a better understanding of how you would adapt to the work environment.

The fourth interview

Certain companies like to have a third interview to aid in their final decision-making. For this session, you should have obtained an in-depth understanding of the company and how it operates on a daily basis, as well as a sense of how you might fit into the existing workplace culture. During this period, you can have the opportunity to meet possible coworkers.

Final decision

If the employer wishes to recruit you, the final stage in the interview process is often a job offer contingent on the results of your background check and references. Typically, the offer will be in the form of a written letter, but in certain circumstances, the offer will be delivered through email. Most companies make a verbal offer prior to providing the hard copy to ensure that you are satisfied with the conditions or to allow you to negotiate before signing on.

Is a 20-minute interview bad?

In most situations, good interviews last between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, a 20-minute interview is a red flag. That is insufficient time for the interviewer to get to know an applicant, especially if the position is not entry-level.

Is a 40-minute interview good?

According to 38% of experts, a successful initial interview should take 45 minutes. If your initial interview lasted around 45 minutes, this is typically a positive indication that the company was interested in hiring you.

How do you know if a job interview went well?

• You stayed in the interview longer than anticipated.
• The interview had the feel of a discussion.
• You are informed of the responsibilities associated with this position.
• The interviewer appeared to be interested.
• You're convinced of the company and the position.
• Your questions are fully addressed.

How long does a general interview last for?

Although it varies by business, most interviews take between 45 and 60 minutes. This should allow both parties adequate time and freedom to get to know one another.

Is the interview length a sign of a positive or negative interview?

Yes. If the interview ended up being longer than anticipated. Typically, a hiring manager will indicate the approximate duration of the interview in the interview confirmation email or at the start of the interview. If the interview lasts far longer than the allotted time, this is an indication of a successful interview.