Employers in the UK are taking longer than many of their global counterparts to fill job vacancies, according to new research from applicant tracking system provider SmartRecruiters.
The study reveals that the average time-to-fill in the UK is 40 days, putting British employers behind counterparts in the US (35 days) and Australia (32 days), and only just ahead of France (39 days). The global median time-to-fill is currently 38 days.
The findings are based on an analysis of 89 million job applications for 1.5 million jobs across five countries—Australia, France, Germany, the US and the UK—between September 2023 and August 2024.
In a competitive market for talent, the data raises questions about the efficiency of recruitment processes in the UK and how businesses can improve hiring outcomes while offering a better candidate experience.
UK Sees Low Interview and Offer Rates
SmartRecruiters analysed more than 8.8 million online job applications in the UK and found that just 4.3% of candidates are invited to interview, while only 1.1% receive a job offer. This suggests many applicants are being lost in the early stages of the recruitment funnel.
The study also found that only 84% of job offers are accepted in the UK, reflecting the wider challenges employers face in attracting and retaining top talent.
“The way that British businesses manage talent acquisition continues to evolve,” said Rebecca Carr, CEO of SmartRecruiters.
“There is increasing adoption of AI to streamline the process, making it more efficient and effective, ensuring that the candidate experience reflects the employer’s values while being compliant with employment legislation.”
Internal Hiring a UK Strength
One area where the UK is leading globally is internal recruitment. According to the research, 10% of roles are filled by existing staff, the highest rate among the countries studied.
This suggests British businesses are increasingly seeing the value in promoting from within—a strategy that can reduce hiring costs, boost retention, and help close skills gaps.
“Businesses in the UK are ahead of Australia, France and the US in terms of filling posts through internal recruitment,” Carr added.
“It’s a lower-risk, cost-effective route that supports long-term talent development and staff engagement.”
Application Volumes and Global Context
The report also highlights international contrasts in applicant behaviour. France, for instance, sees 28% more applications per vacancy than the global average, while Germany receives 34% fewer. The UK sits closer to the average but struggles with conversion rates—indicating that application quantity isn’t translating into quality or speed.
Meanwhile, Australia tops the global efficiency table, with an average time-to-hire of just 32 days, and the US follows closely at 35 days. Germany, at 55 days, remains the slowest.
What This Means for UK Employers
The findings offer a timely reminder for UK employers to reassess their recruitment processes. In an increasingly competitive labour market—especially for digital, tech, and specialist roles—slow hiring can result in lost talent, lower engagement, and increased costs.
SmartRecruiters says that optimising the recruitment journey, embracing internal mobility, and leveraging tools like AI and automation could help UK businesses become more agile and responsive in their hiring strategies.
“Hiring is about more than filling roles—it’s about building inclusive, resilient workforces that can grow with the organisation,” said Carr. “Speed and quality must go hand-in-hand.”