Taking a long time to make a decision during the recruitment process could put companies at a disadvantage, a business and IT services specialist has cautioned.

According to Parity, the average two-week delay that occurs during recruitment could mean firms, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), miss out on the best candidates.

Keeping prospective employees in the dark could contribute to a negative image of the company, spread by word of mouth, Parity claims.

"Companies are at risk of wasting valuable time and resources by having to repeat the recruitment process if they fail to make decisions quickly enough and the intended employee chooses not to wait around for an answer," said Alan Rommel, public sector director at Parity Resources.

"If skills go elsewhere in a market that is already tipped in favour of the skilled worker, the business will not be able to function at its optimum level."

In related news, Lynda Purser, a director of the Institute of Business Consulting, recently said that inexperienced entrepreneurs should seek professional advice regarding business practices.