New research from Cornell SC Johnson College of Business suggests that response speed can significantly influence hiring outcomes. Analysing more than 11 million Fiverr conversations, researchers found that a five-minute delay was associated with a 15% lower likelihood of being hired, rising to 46% after an hour. However, speed alone is not enough: automated or AI-generated replies can undermine credibility. The researchers advise job seekers to prepare carefully but respond promptly, thoughtfully and authentically when employers make contact.
