Find out how long recruitment takes It’s important to find out how quickly you can hire someone in your department, so you can organise your team and plan your work. It can take up to 4 weeks to hire a civil servant or contractor, depending on the department. Security checks, references and notice periods may add even more time to the process. Contact your organisation’s Who can recruit Only civil servants can chair (lead) recruitment campaigns and interview panels. If you’re not a civil servant, you must work with someone who is. You can still be on the interview panel and help with recruitment if you’re not a civil servant.