How Many Candidates Is Ideal?

If you’re new to hiring, one of the most basic questions you might have is just how many candidates you need to interview to ensure a good selection.

Most HR experts will tell you that between 3 to 5 candidates is a good number, but of course, that number is not set in stone.

However, the general rule of thumb is this:

✴️  Too many candidates, and you’re not properly screening and qualifying them before you interview. It’s also going to be a huge time suck for you, as well as a lot of paperwork and administration. 

✴️  Too few, and you can’t ensure you have enough choice.

However, the most important thing is to find the right person, and it’s certainly possible to arrive at that destination after interviewing even just one person.

For the clients I recruit for at The Source and Recruit Company, it’s not unheard of to hire after one interview—especially with the right vetting process in place. 

So, if you’re looking for a ballpark number to aim for, I say shoot for 3 to 5, but don’t let that target get in the way of real decision-making.