Earlier this year, recruitment consultancy Office Team, part of Robert Half International, asked 780 human resource managers, financial directors and general directors across all industries in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom about their interviewing practices. This is what they found.

What does it take to get in?
The following chart shows the breakdown of companies with regard to the number of interviews they usually conduct before they decide on a candidate.

The majority, 58%, of respondents in the survey said they made their hiring decision after two interviews. 25% said they made their decision after three, 7% after four or more, 10% after one, and 1% said it depended on the circumstances.

How long before they make up their mind?
In the survey, respondents were asked: "During an interview, how long does it usually take you to decide whether or not the person in front of you is an eligible applicant?" This was what they said:

	Total	UK	France	Belgium	Netherlands	Germany
Less than 1 min	1%	1%	-	1%	-	-
1-10 mins	17%	32%	6%	16%	17%	18%
11-20 mins	21%	24%	16%	30%	19%	14%
21-30 mins	20%	16%	14%	20%	20%	25%
31-40 mins	7%	3%	8%	6%	13%	5%
41-50 mins	10%	5%	17%	10%	12%	10%
51-100 mins	7%	6%	30%	13%	17%	23%
More than 100 minutes	2%	3%	4%	1%	1%	3%
DK/NA	15%	10%	5%	3%	1%	2%
Average (in mins)	32.7	22.8	42.2	31.7	31.7	37.4

UK interviewers make their hiring decisions faster than any of their European counterparts. The majority of UK respondents, 32%, said they made their decisions within the first one to ten minutes.

The French, in contrast, appear to take their time about it. No one admitted to deciding in under one minute, and just 6% decide in 1-10 mins; and nearly one third (30%) mull it over 51-100 mins. Does this mean you'd stand a better chance in France?

Next: Part three: Top questions to ask

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