Definition
Time from vacancy to completion of filling of post.
In detail
Time to Fill (TTF) is a metric that measures the time from a position becoming vacant to a candidate accepting the offer and starting work. It reflects the efficiency of the recruitment process, helping organizations identify recruitment bottlenecks and optimize processes. TTF complements recruitment quality metrics (such as probation pass rate) and cannot measure recruitment effectiveness alone. In the HR system, TTF is often used in conjunction with metrics like internal fill rate. The output of TTF is typically a number of days, which can be broken down by stage duration for continuous improvement.
Example in practice
A manufacturing company found that key positions were vacant for too long, affecting production progress. HR analyzed the time spent in each step and found that resume screening and interview scheduling consumed significant time. By optimizing the recruitment process, using structured interviews, and parallel interviews, TTF was reduced from an average of 60 days to 40 days. The company also established an internal talent pool, prioritizing internal transfers, further shortening the filling cycle. After improvements, the impact of key position vacancies on business significantly decreased.