You apply for a job and nothing happens. It is like your cries in the void have ceased to exist. How long will it be before you hear from the builders’ merchant job you have applied for? Here is a rough guide of the typical timescales involved for each part of the application process.
How long application review takes
Generally, it takes around a few working days for an initial review of applications. Depending on how busy the branch is, and how many applications have been received for a role, it can take up to a week or so for an application to be reviewed. Many retail and trade businesses will batch applications submitted against an advert and review them all together once the closing date for applications has passed. It is perfectly acceptable to contact the employer for application status after a week or so if no response has been received, especially if you have applied via a third party job board site, where applications can sometimes get lost.
The phone or video screening stage
These initial talks can last anywhere from 15-20 minutes and cover points like your availability for work, your reasons for applying and the basic practicalities i.e. can you do an early start, can you lift stock, etc. It’s just another way for the person to assess whether you and the role would be a good match for each other and for them to check your diary to book in a proper interview at a time that suits them.
Booking and attending the interview
As mentioned earlier, once your application has passed the initial review then you will be contacted for a screening interview. This can take around one to two weeks to be arranged, as branch managers have busy day jobs, and so tend to try to book in interviews around these. Again, busy periods (e.g. when a very popular branch is recruiting for several positions at once, during a peak trading period) can mean that it may take a day or two longer than expected to contact you for an interview.
Trial shifts and practical checks
As was mentioned previously, some roles such as those on the yard or in a warehouse may require candidates to complete a task or attend a trial shift. This could be a half-day or even a full shift and this will be stated in the interview details. The task or shift is designed to give the interviewer an insight into the candidate’s skills i.e. will they be able to use a forklift or will they be able to handle dealing with customers in a busy retail environment. A week or two would usually pass before this takes place and this must be factored in to the overall time frame for the application process. See also Selco Jobs.
Reference checks and how long they take
The employer will contact your previous employers for a reference. The time it takes for your employer to contact your previous employers for a reference can vary. This is often the longest part of the process and can take up to 2 weeks to receive a response from your previous employers. You should inform your referees of your application and provide them with your new contact details to ensure that they are able to respond in time.
Right to work and background checks
The employer will also carry out Right to Work checks on you in order to comply with the legislation. The guidance on right to work checks has recently been updated and sets out clearly the required verification of documentation as well as the required verification steps. These verification steps may take a few days, and where documentation needs to be produced in order to verify status, this may involve a face to face meeting. Where DBS checks are required for certain roles, these will also need to be completed prior to commencement.
The formal offer and paperwork
This will be followed by a written offer of employment and a contract that you need to sign. There is a lot of general advice available on employment rights and contracts. This will enable you to understand issues such as the period of your probation, the amount of notice you are required to give and take, and what is contractual and what is discretionary. It is perfectly acceptable to take a day or two to read through the contract and to seek advice before signing.
From accepting to your first shift
From the point of you accepting a job offer, it can take up to 3 weeks for your start date to be confirmed, depending on the complexity of the rota and the amount of training sessions that need to be scheduled around you. This can vary depending on the size of the branch, but larger builders’ merchants with complex onboarding processes may only have induction dates every 2 weeks, meaning that your start date will be determined by the next available induction date. In the meantime, be sure to check your spam emails as some automated systems used by recruitment websites can end up in there.
All in all, it should take between six and eight weeks for your application to go from starting to applying for a job at a builders’ merchant to starting your first shift of work. This period of time may be shorter should a branch need to fill posts quickly, and longer during particularly busy recruitment periods for trade companies.
