At a time when worker shortages are paralyzing parts of the economy, it seems like applicants would be welcomed with open arms. But recent stories about the hiring process suggest that, regardless of the need, the recruitment and hiring process remains lengthy, and many argue, inefficient.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the practice of virtual interviews became so popular that it has now become commonplace in many firms, according to a survey conducted by Indeed highlighted in HR Dive. In addition to being more pleasant for applicants, virtual interviews also shrunk time-to-hire periods, a crucial HR success metric.

But for many industries that process could stand additional acceleration. A recent BBC Worklife story dove into the challenges of more speedy hiring and onboarding. According to an August 2021 LinkedIn analysis of 400,000 hires, many positions required at least a month or more of recruiting. In response to the labor shortage, many executives have raised pay and automated parts of the hiring process, in part to eliminate costly delays.

Dragging out hiring and recruiting, via multiple interviews and slow feedback, has traditionally been a source of frustration, but it has become an easy way for companies to inadvertently lose potential hires. According to a new Slate story, potential employees, energized by a more competitive job market, have been increasingly “ghosting” employers, skipping out on late-round interviews.