Hacker News Reader

Hiring processes in American companies are still as arduous and drawn out as European hiring processes though. You're still looking at a 4-16 week process, you don't just snap someone up in a week if they're on the market.

View on HN

It's not necessarily the process, but more the number/type of open positions. When it's difficult to fire, it's very common for people to start with a temporary contract or two before being offered an unlimited one. Likewise, I believe contractors are more common. Basically, anything that offers flexibility.

Also, companies are just more reluctant to open a position.

I'd say the UK has generally had a pretty good ratio of protection from firing and having reasonably sensible interview times. Although some companies do seem to have picked up longer interview practices more recently, this actually seems to be an import from the US in trying to emulate Google, etc.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com