The invisible cost of an open vacancy
In an increasingly demanding job market—where attracting qualified talent has become a race against the clock—many organizations still underestimate the real impact of an unfilled vacancy. It’s not just about tasks piling up or stressed teams. A key position left open for too long can become a black hole for productivity, performance, and, above all, competitiveness.
Time, money, and energy slipping away
According to various studies, the average cost of a vacancy that remains open for more than 40 days can exceed €20,000, depending on the role, sector, and level of responsibility. These costs don’t always appear directly in the financial statements, but they are very real:
- Revenue losses due to project delays or missed sales opportunities.
- Increased pressure on other team members, impacting morale.
- Decreased efficiency and slower decision-making.
- Damaged reputation if clients or suppliers perceive disorganization.
The more strategic the role, the greater the impact
Not all vacancies carry the same weight. When it comes to roles with direct business impact (such as middle management, leadership, or key technical positions), the consequences multiply. Leaving a high-responsibility role unfilled for weeks can stall the progress of an entire business unit or compromise service quality.
And it’s not just about time: the longer the process takes, the higher the risk of losing the best candidates, who may accept offers from other companies or drop out due to lack of feedback.
The solution is not to rush, but to anticipate
Filling a vacancy quickly doesn’t necessarily mean filling it well. But waiting weeks without a defined recruitment strategy doesn’t help either. The companies that best adapt to today’s market are those that plan ahead, identify critical roles in advance, and rely on partners capable of responding swiftly.
At onhunters, we take a proactive approach: we help organizations identify their most sensitive roles, anticipate internal changes or turnover, and activate fast yet rigorous selection processes.
Because every day that a key vacancy remains unfilled is a lost opportunity.
