The Hiring Speed Dilemma: Too Fast Loses Quality, Too Slow Loses Talent
Top Candidates Are Off the Market Quickly
In fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, timing is everything—especially regarding hiring. The best candidates don’t wait around. If your hiring process drags, your ideal hire will likely sign an offer elsewhere.
At PRTNR Recruiting, we’ve seen it happen repeatedly: brands that move efficiently secure top talent, while those stuck in slow hiring cycles lose out. But moving too fast can also lead to costly mistakes. Finding the right balance is critical in today’s hiring landscape.
The Best Candidates Are Gone in 10 Days
Top-tier talent doesn’t stay on the market long. Studies show that the best candidates are snapped up within 10 days, while the average hiring process takes over 24 days—sometimes even 42 days in fashion and beauty. That’s a massive gap, and in that time, your competitors are locking in the talent you wanted.
Missed Hires = Missed Opportunities
70% of hiring managers say they’ve lost a great candidate in the last six months because the process took too long.
24% of companies admit that slow hiring directly costs them a top-choice hire.
39% of candidates who decline an offer do so because they’ve already accepted another.
The message is clear: If you’re not making thoughtful, timely decisions, someone else is.
Candidates Lose Interest—Fast
A drawn-out hiring process doesn’t just hurt your chances of landing great talent—it actively turns candidates away.
62% of job seekers lose interest in a role if they don’t hear back within two weeks.
By week three, 77% of candidates have mentally moved on.
25% stop considering the role after just one week of silence.
Slow hiring can be a deal-breaker in a world where brands compete fiercely for top talent. But rushing can be just as damaging—leading to bad hires, high turnover, and wasted resources.
Why This Matters For Fashion, Beauty, or Consumer Lifestyle Brands
Growing brands can’t afford delays. Beauty and wellness companies report that hiring is one of their top challenges. The longer it takes, the harder it is to scale.
Fashion, Brand, Retail, and creative industries see frequent “ghosting.” When the process drags on, candidates disappear or back out—even after accepting an offer.
Fast hiring gives you a competitive edge—if done right. The brands that move efficiently don’t just hire better—they build stronger teams faster.
Hiring Smart & Swift: Striking the Right Balance
The reality? Hiring isn’t about moving as fast as possible—it’s about hiring at the right speed.
Move too slowly, and you lose top talent.
Move too fast, and you risk hiring the wrong person.
The best teams aren’t built on rushed decisions or sluggish processes. They’re built by brands that recognize the value of decisive action, strong communication, and strategic hiring.
At PRTNR Recruiting, we help brands find the right balance—moving fast enough to secure top talent while ensuring every hire is the right fit. Let’s get you the talent you need before someone else does.
