Is a 30-Minute Interview Good or Bad?

By Reid - January 17, 2023

How Long Do Interviews Last

The time you wait after an interview can be a stressful experience, but you can often save on that headache by understanding how your discussion with the hiring manager went.

Besides the general gut feeling you have towards how the interview discussion played out, the time you spent interviewing is a good indicator of future success. We’re going to quickly go over how long an interview should last and if a 30-minute interview is good or bad.

How long should an interview last?

Most interviews should last anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour. Although this number varies depending on the job and industry, 45 minutes is considered the average amount of time needed to interview a quality candidate properly.

Is a 30 Minute Interview Bad?

Your 30-minute interview is ideal in most interview situations - especially during that initial discussion.

If you’re being interviewed for an entry-level job or anything below an upper-management position, wrapping up your interview in 30 minutes typically means that you answered all of the questions well and made a great first impression.

The only time a 30-minute interview can be bad is when you’re going for a very high-end position with a longer interview process.

Is a 45 Minute Interview Good?

If your interview goes longer than 30 minutes, that’s perfectly fine. A 45-minute interview means the discussion is going well, and they are trying to learn more about you.

Anytime an employer spends more time on you than they usually would during an interview, you don’t have much to worry about.

Is a 1 Hour Interview Good?

1-hour interviews can be inappropriate if you’re applying for an entry-level position but common if it’s a higher-level role.

In a position where you’re going to be making well into the 6-figure mark and having a profound impact on the company as a whole, it is normal for the interviewer to want to make sure you’re not just a good fit but a perfect fit.

Is a 10 Minute Interview Bad?

Yes, a 10-minute interview should be seen as a negative. That’s for two reasons.

First, the company might be desperate to hire because of high turnover or other internal issues. Ask the hiring manager questions if you feel there’s trouble within the organization.

Secondly, a short interview like this could mean the interviewer loses interest immediately and they don't want to waste any more time.

"Although it varies depending on industry, most interviews last between 45 minutes and one hour. This should provide sufficient time and flexibility from both sides to get to know one another. But what works for one business may not work for you."

— Reed

Related Content

Why was my interview so short?

Good reasons it was short:

The hiring manager ran out of time or needed to be at another meeting
You answered everything, and they were able to tell early on that you are fit for the job
They knew from the start you were a good fit for the job, and this interview was more of a formality

Bad reasons it was short:

You said something wrong or inappropriate in the interview that led them to believe you aren’t a good fit for the role
You showed up unprepared (didn’t dress well, forgot your resume, and were late to the interview)
They reviewed your resume right before or during the interview and realized your qualifications don’t match the skills needed.

Wrapping Up | How long do interviews last

Keeping a close eye on how long you spend in an interview will provide you with a pretty good understanding of whether or not you'll be considered for a role.

In general, anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes means the interview might likely have gone well, but several other variables are at play.

Try your best to keep a friendly conversation going and directly answer any questions the interviewer asks - a positive result will hopefully follow.

Best of luck!

Interview Experience Meme

Title: Is a 30-minute interview good or bad?

Category: Interview

Tags: 30-minute interview good or bad, how long do interviews last, why was my interview so short, signs of a bad interview, job interview length, timeline for job interview

Author: Reid is a contributor for theJub. He's an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile