Ask HN: Do you consider a slow hiring process a red flag?

I'd say it depends on the industry. Startups? probably a red flag. Airline industry, Government agencies? probably not.

At the interview, ask how long before they plan to make a decision. If it is longer, then you are likely their 2nd choice as the first one (or two) did not pan out.

I worked for one company that could not seem to schedule an interview before a resume was 2 months old. They missed out on a lot of people, although the company was very stable.

I agree with Epiddy that government can be VERY long process. If you are unemployeed, I would not set your heart on a government job, as you might starve.

A lot depends on what part of the hiring process is slow. My general expectation is that the time between first phone call and final onsite interview will be 3 weeks at a minimum and 12 weeks max. After onsite, verbal notice should occur within a week although the actual offer may take much, much longer (annoying but expected in some organizations).

The red flag is when you are told one thing and then another thing happens. In my experience that only happens about 100% of the time.

It really seems like the hiring process ought to be a good indicator of how the internals of the company works. However, inexplicably but empirically, I can see no correlation (in my own experience).

Absolutely.

Back when Google did it in 1999, it was cool and new and exotic and made you feel special.

Now it’s almost always a (poor) signaling mechanism of value.

yes. smart startups use small test projects to test workers out quickly without over-committing