- More than half of UK employers say hiring urgency has increased in the past year amid economic uncertainty
- 65% had a role that was “hard-to-fill” open for at least two months, in some cases stretching to 6 months
- Two-thirds of jobseekers admit they have abandoned applications because the process took too long
- 55% of employers already are using AI to speed up and improve quality of hiring, while 8 in 10 believe the technology could streamline communication and outreach to candidates
- Indeed launches Premium Sponsored Jobs, fixing recruitment bottlenecks, with jobs marked as ‘Urgently Hiring’ attracting 84% more applications
New research from global hiring platform, Indeed, reveals that UK employers are under growing pressure to hire quickly and efficiently, with many losing out on strong candidates due to slow processes.
Indeed’s survey of 1,000 employers and 1,000 jobseekers in the UK, reveals that over half (53%) of employers say hiring urgency has increased in the past year amid economic uncertainty.
Yet delays persist: 65% had a role that was “hard-to-fill” open for at least two months, in some cases stretching to six. Two-thirds (67%) admit it takes far too long to find quality candidates, while 59% say assessing applicants to build a strong talent pool is also too time-consuming.
The cost of slow hiring
Inefficiency is costing businesses talent: half (50%) of employers confess they have lost good candidates because their hiring process dragged on.
Jobseekers share the same frustrations with a slow process. 3 in 5 (61%) say the hiring process is inefficient and takes too long, while nearly two-thirds (64%) admit they have abandoned applications because of the slow pace of the process.
The research also highlights the potential reputation damage of inefficient hiring. More than 2 in 5 jobseekers (41%) say they would be less likely to apply for a role again with a company that fails to respond, while nearly a quarter (23%) assume they are not a good employer if they are unresponsive during hiring.
With more than half (55%) of jobseekers saying they are put off applying to roles because they know the hiring process is going to be too time-consuming alongside their current job, there is demand for ways to improve the pace. 78% of jobseekers are more likely to apply if they know the employer, while 3 in 5 (60%) are if a listing shows the company is “urgently hiring”.
Poor matches waste time and talent, driving demand for precision in recruitment
While 84% of jobseekers say they’re more likely to apply when a listing matches their specialised skills, employers report that a third of applications (33%) are a poor fit, with over one in five (22%) saying more than half of their applicants miss the mark.
Employers are clear on what would help: over 4 in 5 (82%) say being able to directly reach out to candidates whose profiles match a job description would significantly shorten hiring timelines. While 81% of jobseekers agree that they would be more likely to apply for a job if they received a direct invitation to apply.
Technology as part of the solution
Faced with mounting pressures, UK employers are increasingly turning to technology to improve hiring outcomes. More than half (55%) are already using AI to speed up and improve the quality of hiring and matching, while a further 68% want to use the technology to improve hiring.
The benefits are clear for employers: 4 in 5 (80%) say AI could streamline communication and outreach to candidates, as well as help to build a pool of quality candidates who are good matches for the role. The data also reflects a growing demand for more personalised, targeted candidate matching as 79% of employers agree that such tools are essential in specialised industries and roles, such as tech.
Jobseekers also see technology as part of the solution as nearly two-thirds (64%) believe AI could speed up the application process, and 66% say it can recommend jobs that better match their skills. Currently, less than 2 in 5 (37%) jobseekers are using AI to speed up the application process.
Premium Sponsored Jobs: Designed for today’s hiring challenges
To help employers address these pressing challenges, Indeed is launching Premium Sponsored Jobs in the UK. This enhanced offering helps employers stand out in a competitive market, connect directly with the right candidates, and streamline the hiring process for employers and jobseekers. With Premium Sponsored Jobs, employers can:
- Match with quality candidates straight away by instantly connecting with jobseekers whose skills and experience align with their requirements, and invite them to apply.
- Accelerate candidate screening with time-saving AI features using candidate highlights and auto-generated messages that make it faster to connect with applicants.
- Highlight urgency to show candidates they are actively hiring with the “Urgently Hiring” label, which drives 84% more applications compared to jobs without the tag.
- Build brand recognition with candidates and stand out from similar roles in search results using attention-grabbing visuals such as company logos and images.
- Tap into specialist talent pools, accessing Indeed’s Tech Network to target audiences on specialised industry sites, helping employers connect directly with skilled candidates.
- Employers experience a 2.7x increase in relevant applications from skilled candidates when using the Tech Network in the UK.
- SMS Messaging: Your messages get delivered to candidates who have agreed to receive SMS messaging.
- Priority placement: stand out in search results with first page boost.
Together, these features ensure employers can stand out to the right candidates, streamline processes with AI-powered tools, and make faster, better-quality hires:
- Premium Sponsored Jobs attract 24% more applicants compared to those posted with a Standard plan.
- Sponsored Jobs posted with a Premium plan move forward with 2.7x more applicants compared to non-sponsored jobs.
- 74% of employers say that Premium Sponsored Jobs helps reduce the cost per hire by helping fill roles faster than other recruiting tools
Conor McCarthy, Vice President at Indeed, comments: “In a competitive hiring landscape, employers need to move quickly to secure the best talent, but inefficient processes are slowing them down and frustrating candidates. The pace of change, coupled with rising expectations from jobseekers, means companies can no longer afford to rely on outdated hiring practices. Our research shows that both sides want the same thing: speed, clarity and stronger matches. Premium Sponsored Jobs brings together technology and human connection to create an efficient, personalised experience.”
