What is Time to Fill?
Definition: Time to Fill (TTF) is a recruiting metric that measures the number of calendar days between opening a job requisition and having a candidate accept the job offer, quantifying the duration of the hiring process.
Also known as: TTF, Fill Time, Requisition Time, Days to Fill
Quick Summary
TL;DRTime to Fill (TTF) measures the number of days between opening a job requisition and having a candidate accept the offer. It's one of the most important recruiting metrics, directly impacting business operations, cost per hire, and candidate experience. Average TTF varies by role and industry but typically ranges from 30-45 days.
Key Facts
What It Measures
Days from req open to accepted offer
Metric definition
Industry Average
36 days
SHRM benchmarks
Impact
Productivity loss, business cost
Business outcome
Improvement Lever
Process optimization
Best practices
Why Time to Fill Matters
Every day a position stays open costs money: lost productivity, overtime for existing staff, delayed projects, and potential revenue loss. For staffing agencies, TTF is a competitive differentiator—faster fill rates win client loyalty. But speed alone isn't enough; filling quickly with poor candidates creates worse problems. The goal is optimizing speed while maintaining quality.
Common Pain Points
- 1Lost productivity while positions remain open
- 2Candidates accepting other offers during slow processes
- 3Hiring manager frustration with lengthy timelines
- 4Difficulty benchmarking against industry standards
How to Calculate and Improve Time to Fill
Understand the calculation and key optimization points.
- 1
Define Start Point
Typically when the job requisition is approved and opened. Some organizations use when recruiting begins actively working the role.
- 2
Define End Point
When a candidate accepts the offer (not start date). This isolates recruiting process from onboarding timelines.
- 3
Track Stage Times
Break down where time is spent: sourcing, screening, interviewing, offer. Identify bottlenecks in each stage.
- 4
Implement Improvements
Address bottlenecks: build talent pipelines, streamline interviews, prepare offer letters in advance, reduce approval layers.
Result
TTF improvement requires measuring each stage and systematically addressing delays.
Time to Fill Deep Dive
TTF Benchmarks by Role
Time to Fill varies significantly by role complexity and market conditions. Entry-level positions average 20-30 days. Professional roles average 30-45 days. Technical/specialized positions average 45-60 days. Executive searches can exceed 90 days. Compare your TTF to role-appropriate benchmarks, not general averages.
Time to Fill vs Time to Hire
These metrics are often confused. Time to Fill measures the business perspective (how long to fill the role). Time to Hire measures the candidate perspective (from application to offer acceptance). Time to Hire is shorter because it excludes time before the candidate applies. Both metrics provide valuable insights.
Reducing TTF Without Sacrificing Quality
Common TTF reduction tactics: maintain evergreen talent pools for frequently-hired roles; use structured interviews to speed decision-making; reduce interview rounds where possible; pre-clear offer ranges with hiring managers; use automated scheduling tools; prepare background checks in advance; clear approval bottlenecks proactively.
Common Misconceptions
- Time to Fill and Time to Hire are the same
- Lower TTF always means better recruiting
- TTF benchmarks apply equally to all roles
- Start date should be the TTF end point
TTF by Industry
| Industry | Average TTF | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | 40 days | 30-60 days |
| Healthcare | 45 days | 35-55 days |
| Finance | 38 days | 30-50 days |
| Manufacturing | 30 days | 20-40 days |
| Retail | 25 days | 15-35 days |
| Professional Services | 42 days | 30-55 days |
Benchmark ranges by sector
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
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