The Hidden Shortcut in Hiring: Stop Playing by Their Rules

After four interviews, a take-home assignment that ate up your entire weekend, and what felt like genuine enthusiasm from the hiring team, they've gone radio silent. For three weeks.

Meanwhile, the data science role you actually want just posted on LinkedIn. But you're hesitant to apply because you don't have the mental bandwidth for another 70-day hiring process while working full-time.

Sound familiar?

The Broken Hiring System Is Costing You

The numbers don't lie:

• Hiring a senior data scientist now takes an average of 70.5 days

• 31% of organisations need 4-6 MONTHS to fill technical roles

Just to be clear, these numbers include the time employers take to find good fits. It's not like one candidate's selection process takes that long.

But here's what nobody tells you: You're not at the mercy of this broken system.

There's a hidden shortcut that experienced data professionals can use to slash hiring timelines, avoid time-wasting take-homes, and land better offers faster.

Just know this works ONLY if you are a great fit for your future employer (including having the experience and impact they are looking for) and are able to show it during interviews.

Step 1: Set the Tone From Day One

Most candidates enter the hiring process like they're begging for an opportunity. Stop doing that.

Instead, create immediate leverage with this exact script during your first call:

"I appreciate your interest in my background. I should mention I'm in final rounds with two other companies and looking to make a decision within the next 10-14 days. If there's a potential fit here, I'd be happy to prioritise your process accordingly."

Does this feel uncomfortable? Good. That's exactly why most candidates never do it.

The research confirms this works: hiring managers prioritise candidates with other options, resulting in:

• Faster interview scheduling

• Fewer delays between rounds

• Compressed decision timelines when you're the top choice

Remember: You're not lying. You should ALWAYS be pursuing multiple opportunities simultaneously. That's not playing the system—it's playing it smart.

Step 2: Overdeliver Early

Here's where 95% of data professionals go wrong: they wait until they're assigned a take-home project to demonstrate their skills.

Instead, bring a portfolio piece to your first technical interview:

• A dataset analysis similar to what they're hiring for

• A visualisation addressing their business problems

• A machine learning solution for a relevant use case

When the hiring manager says, "Tell me about a time you used [specific skill]," don't just tell them—SHOW them.

"Actually, I anticipated this question and prepared something specific. Here's a project where I [solved exactly the problem they're hiring for]."

The research backs this approach: work sample tests are the best predictors of job performance. By delivering one proactively, you're:

1. Demonstrating confidence and initiative

2. Proving your technical abilities upfront

3. Setting yourself apart from every other candidate

Step 3: Replace Homework with Confidence

The dreaded take-home assignment—often requiring 10+ hours of unpaid work with no guarantee they'll even review it.

Stop accepting these by default. Instead, respond with:

"I understand you need to assess my skills thoroughly. Rather than a take-home assignment, I'd be happy to:

1. Walk you through my portfolio piece that demonstrates these exact skills

2. Participate in a live coding session where we can collaborate in real-time

3. Discuss the technical approaches I'd take to solve your specific challenges"

This isn't arrogance—it's self-respect and efficiency. The best companies will appreciate your professionalism.

And if they insist? That tells you everything about how they value (or don't value) your time.

You're Not Gaming the System—You're Working Smarter

This approach isn't about shortcuts that compromise the hiring process. It's about recognising that in today's market, hiring delays don't just cost you time—they cost you career growth.

The average 70-day hiring cycle for senior data roles is unsustainable when:

• Top talent gets multiple offers within weeks

• The best companies move quickly for candidates they want

• Your skills are in high demand, but your time is limited

By implementing these three steps, you're not just speeding up the process—you're positioning yourself as a high-value professional who knows their worth.

Want to learn more about accelerating your data career without wasting months on inefficient job searches? Comment below or DM me for specific advice on your situation.

Don't think this would work for you? Tell me why.