Are You Biased Toward Job Candidates Who Reply Quickly?

Hiring managers believe they prioritize experience, credentials, and fit when they wade through job applications. But a new study found that how quickly candidates reply to messages powerfully influences who gets hired. An analysis of more than 11 million Fiverr transactions and a series of controlled experiments found that even a one‑hour delay can sharply reduce a candidate’s chances, sometimes outweighing higher ratings or stronger applications. Managers implicitly read fast replies as signals of competence, warmth, and future responsiveness—yet few recognize how much they rely on this cue. To avoid overlooking strong talent, leaders should explicitly decide when speed truly matters, and job seekers should respond quickly, but authentically.

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