Data indicates that time-to-hire is rising across industries. On the surface, this looks like a shift back to “normal” — returning to pre-pandemic levels from a period when the labor market was unusually volatile. However, a higher time-to-hire metric is detrimental for employers, according to a recent report from 180 Engineering. “Longer hiring cycles make it more difficult to secure top talent, particularly in the tech and engineering sectors,” the study said. “When it takes longer to complete the interview process, it gives your competitors time to swoop in with lucrative offers and lure your candidates from you.”

Time-to-hire dipped during the hiring surge of 2021-22. “The need to fill open roles quickly – to manage pivots, economic volatility, and a candidate’s job market – led to a quicker interview process to avoid losing candidates,” the 180 Engineering report said. “But, as economic turmoil and widespread layoffs spread across the tech and engineering sectors, hiring slowed. So too did the urgency to hire.”

The struggle for tech and engineering companies is that while time-to-hire is increasing, unemployment levels continue to remain low. In June 2025, the United States reported unemployment rates of 2.8 percent in the tech sector and 2.5 percent in engineering, compared to an overall rate of 4.2 percent. “This means that it is still very much a candidate’s job market, especially for highly skilled and emerging roles,” the 180 Engineering report noted. “Companies that hesitate to move quickly to secure top talent risk losing that talent to competitors.”

Time-to-hire has been increasing in 2025 and is approaching levels that were considered the norm in 2019. However, 180 Engineering explained that the dynamics that are creating these longer recruitment cycles in 2025 are complex. “Several interrelated factors are lengthening the hiring process across the engineering and tech sectors,” the study said. “Understanding those factors is key to mitigating them.”

Economic And Labor Market Headwinds

The labor market in the tech and engineering sectors was volatile in the early 2020s. “Although it is stabilizing now, the massive layoffs in the tech sector, in particular, that began in 2022, have created a sense of uncertainty for both employers and candidates,” the 180 Engineering study explained. “Companies are wary of hiring, unsure of which way the current economic and labor market headwinds might shift. For many, hiring has become bogged down by requiring multiple levels of approval, which extends time-to-hire.”

“Candidates are cautious too,” the report continued. “Having gone through a period of massive layoffs and attuned to the general economic turbulence, many are worried about job security and hesitant about changing roles. As a result, they may take longer to evaluate or negotiate job offers.”

Recruiters also say that specialized technical skills are in high demand. “Skill shortages in emerging technologies are especially problematic since few candidates have the required  knowledge and skill sets,” the 180 Engineering report said. “Roles in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data engineering, and advanced manufacturing are among the hardest to fill. As companies compete fiercely for available talent, job offer negotiations take longer and salaries are driven increasingly higher.”

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