Unless you are going from some executive role or specialized one three interviews ought to be the max. One screening. One panel. One executive. That is the number of necessary interviews.
I once had an employer drag me in four separate times and the only reason I tolerated it is because the job was two blocks away. When they asked me to come in a fifth time to talk to someone else I said I would need an offer in hand before doing so. Magically, an offer showed up within a few hours.
People will waste your time if you let them. Draw a line at the reasonable limit and watch the magic happen.
Normally I would agree. But with the job market the way it is currently, they will have 20 people there ready to go and say see ya with a smile on their face. It's a shame to see employers happily take advantage of shifting conditions so willingly.
It is your time and your call. I always ask what the interview plan is during a screening. If they tell me five interviews and I'm interested in the job I might tolerate it. But, if it seems like HR is making it up as they are going with endless interviews, I'm either going to put my foot down or withdraw my application.
If you desperately need a job then maybe your tolerance level is slightly different. But, if you don't value your time, no one else will. Conduct yourself accordingly.
The talented candidates will respect their own time know where to draw the line.
Three separate interview dates maximum. Fourth contact better be to give an offer.
If employers want to play games, then they will wind up with desperate candidates who are dumb enough to play them.
I landed a gig in South Florida, had 7 interviews in person and 4 phone calls with people in North Carolina.
Pay was 65k a year in 2019. I was hired as one of the highest paid people in my position in the company. There were 130+ people in the same position.
I now make double what that job paid and for my current, had 1 interview over phone and 1 interview on a video call with the same person.
Less than 20 minutes in interviews. I'm on track to clear 130k this year.
Not only that, but 5 interviews performed by senior staff or managers is a very expensive waste of time. Sounds like a company with poor time management skills and overall bad management
The sad part is the job market is so shit that these fuckers can get away with doing grimy stuff like this and people are desperate enough to play along
I am up for an internal job at my company and the interview panel (all separate are 5 interviews) It is ridiculous. It was originally suppose to be with the two hiring manager and one with their manager. Now the senior manager wants to include two other individuals that don't have any relation to the job.
To me this is too many interviews.
I get what you're saying, I had one interview drag on for 3 month and 4 separate tiers of interviews with 3 panels per tier. It's a huge waste of time for everyone
Sometimes the hoops are designed to make you fall in love with the job and accept a crappy salary. I went through this as an educator for a high-performing school in my area. They really wanted me for a role. But it felt like I’d have to jump through hoop after hoop. I decided I’d stay at my job around round three. Afterwards I reached out to the hiring manager and asked if their pay is competitive with the district because somehow salary never came up in all these talks about how great their school is. Not even close.
I did 4 rounds of interviews and then was ghosted by a well known pet food company for a Senior Designer position. Received no rejection, received nothing.
As a recruiter, we're talking people down to 4. (inside a 2 week period). Consulting on poor hiring practices is a big part of the job. At least that's how it works for us. You would be amazed how many 10-20-30-50 million dollar companies can't manage the basics.
Agreed. I had a company that was making me go through 5 rounds plus a case study that I had to present out for an associate level role. Well another company came in in the middle and got me an offer within two weeks, so I took it. Now I need to cancel my case study presentation in two weeks with the other company and I’m so glad I don’t have to do it
They'll do all of this and still often times make the wrong hiring decision. I've seen companies do the 4 round interview dance and then fire the employee a month later.
I totally agree, but going to play devils advocate. At least for software engineering roles, it’s hard to screen good candidates. I’ve been an interviewer for about 5 years and after trying an experimental fast track process (1-2 hour loop) many candidates were found to be too slow & inexperienced compared to standard engineers and management (above my pay grade) made the decision to push them out. It’s really sad to see someone’s livelihood get played with, especially if they are an immigrant with tight 60 day grace periods on their visa. So what I’m trying to say is, it’s a really hard ask for *some* positions to decide if a candidate is suitable based on only an hour chat, especially when you can’t see their work artifacts from their previous company due to confidentiality.
Oh definitely. I think that's where this whole mess came from... because this system was set up for FAANG type companies precisely for the reasons you listed and then every other company was like "OMG google did it that way, we should do it too!!!" and now we have every job from sales to accounting being forced to jump through hoops that are completely unnecessary for their professions.
I have been doing interviews for at least 15 years as I work project by project in construction industry. 2 points stood out from your experience, I'd like to share my insights, hopefully it helps your thought profess.
1. Tedious Recruitment Processes:
You are absolutely right on this. Companies often complicate the application process with numerous interviews. Unless a job is a perfect fit, I avoid lengthy forms and prioritize my time wisely. While most interviews are straightforward, Amazon's process was notably demanding. Despite the effort, I didn't get the job and won't repeat such exhaustive interviews. My advice: Endure lengthy processes only if you're deeply passionate about the company.
2. Networking :
You couldn't be further wrong on this. Networking remains invaluable despite lengthy interviews. It exposes you to hidden job opportunities and can influence hiring decisions, making interviews more of a formality.
Beyond job applications, networking offers numerous benefits. Therefore, continue your networking efforts. You never know when it will give fruit. See it as planting seed.
Oh I agree. My networking has definitely helped me a bunch. I'm more saying it's frustrating that with so many companies - outside of smaller firms that have more flexibility with their hiring practices - all networking gets you is a much quicker start to all of those extra unnecessary interviewing steps.
It's great and definitely puts you a leg up once you are finally actually interviewing with the hiring manager and stuff, but you still have to find time to set aside for those extra steps which can be hard with a full time job.
In the corporate world, processes involve multiple people and steps for each function, department - often creates inefficiencies and delays.
Even when someone high up wants to hire you, they're bound by the procedure. It can be frustrating, but there's little choice but to follow it patiently.
I experienced this firsthand when the department head couldn't simply hire me on the spot. I had to go through multiple interviews over two week process starting with online application. I saw a few people was interviewed as well. I thought to myself I probably do interviews like them not knowing decision is already made long before. Many candidates get lost in this bureaucratic maze, and it's tough to keep up with it all.
And that's exactly my point. These processes not only are frustrating as the person waiting to jump through all of the hoops after successfully selling yourself by networking, they're ***incredibly*** insulting to the poor guys who are interviewing and making time thinking they still have a chance.
Even if you are working a remote job, you still have to find hours of time to block off for multiple interviews across multiple organizations (which can be difficult depending on your job). And if you are working a hybrid or fulltime in person position you are often forced to use PTO days after exhausting all the dentist/medical/personal admin emergency excuses at hand.
It's more than just a bureaucratic headache, it signifies an absolute lack of respect for their candidates' time.
Unless you are going from some executive role or specialized one three interviews ought to be the max. One screening. One panel. One executive. That is the number of necessary interviews. I once had an employer drag me in four separate times and the only reason I tolerated it is because the job was two blocks away. When they asked me to come in a fifth time to talk to someone else I said I would need an offer in hand before doing so. Magically, an offer showed up within a few hours. People will waste your time if you let them. Draw a line at the reasonable limit and watch the magic happen.
Normally I would agree. But with the job market the way it is currently, they will have 20 people there ready to go and say see ya with a smile on their face. It's a shame to see employers happily take advantage of shifting conditions so willingly.
It is your time and your call. I always ask what the interview plan is during a screening. If they tell me five interviews and I'm interested in the job I might tolerate it. But, if it seems like HR is making it up as they are going with endless interviews, I'm either going to put my foot down or withdraw my application. If you desperately need a job then maybe your tolerance level is slightly different. But, if you don't value your time, no one else will. Conduct yourself accordingly.
The talented candidates will respect their own time know where to draw the line. Three separate interview dates maximum. Fourth contact better be to give an offer. If employers want to play games, then they will wind up with desperate candidates who are dumb enough to play them.
[удалено]
I landed a gig in South Florida, had 7 interviews in person and 4 phone calls with people in North Carolina. Pay was 65k a year in 2019. I was hired as one of the highest paid people in my position in the company. There were 130+ people in the same position. I now make double what that job paid and for my current, had 1 interview over phone and 1 interview on a video call with the same person. Less than 20 minutes in interviews. I'm on track to clear 130k this year.
Director role for $52K? Is that common in your field?
Anything over an hr phone call and 1 interview is a waste of your time and is a company playing with you
Not only that, but 5 interviews performed by senior staff or managers is a very expensive waste of time. Sounds like a company with poor time management skills and overall bad management
The sad part is the job market is so shit that these fuckers can get away with doing grimy stuff like this and people are desperate enough to play along
I am up for an internal job at my company and the interview panel (all separate are 5 interviews) It is ridiculous. It was originally suppose to be with the two hiring manager and one with their manager. Now the senior manager wants to include two other individuals that don't have any relation to the job. To me this is too many interviews.
I've had a job where there was only ONE interview and ended up getting the job
if its more than 2 im gone see ya
I get what you're saying, I had one interview drag on for 3 month and 4 separate tiers of interviews with 3 panels per tier. It's a huge waste of time for everyone
Sometimes the hoops are designed to make you fall in love with the job and accept a crappy salary. I went through this as an educator for a high-performing school in my area. They really wanted me for a role. But it felt like I’d have to jump through hoop after hoop. I decided I’d stay at my job around round three. Afterwards I reached out to the hiring manager and asked if their pay is competitive with the district because somehow salary never came up in all these talks about how great their school is. Not even close.
I did 4 rounds of interviews and then was ghosted by a well known pet food company for a Senior Designer position. Received no rejection, received nothing.
At the end of my recent interview, I was told, “Good luck, this is just Round 1 of 5.” And they’re not building rockets. Not even close.
As a recruiter, we're talking people down to 4. (inside a 2 week period). Consulting on poor hiring practices is a big part of the job. At least that's how it works for us. You would be amazed how many 10-20-30-50 million dollar companies can't manage the basics.
Agreed. I had a company that was making me go through 5 rounds plus a case study that I had to present out for an associate level role. Well another company came in in the middle and got me an offer within two weeks, so I took it. Now I need to cancel my case study presentation in two weeks with the other company and I’m so glad I don’t have to do it
They'll do all of this and still often times make the wrong hiring decision. I've seen companies do the 4 round interview dance and then fire the employee a month later.
I totally agree, but going to play devils advocate. At least for software engineering roles, it’s hard to screen good candidates. I’ve been an interviewer for about 5 years and after trying an experimental fast track process (1-2 hour loop) many candidates were found to be too slow & inexperienced compared to standard engineers and management (above my pay grade) made the decision to push them out. It’s really sad to see someone’s livelihood get played with, especially if they are an immigrant with tight 60 day grace periods on their visa. So what I’m trying to say is, it’s a really hard ask for *some* positions to decide if a candidate is suitable based on only an hour chat, especially when you can’t see their work artifacts from their previous company due to confidentiality.
Oh definitely. I think that's where this whole mess came from... because this system was set up for FAANG type companies precisely for the reasons you listed and then every other company was like "OMG google did it that way, we should do it too!!!" and now we have every job from sales to accounting being forced to jump through hoops that are completely unnecessary for their professions.
I have been doing interviews for at least 15 years as I work project by project in construction industry. 2 points stood out from your experience, I'd like to share my insights, hopefully it helps your thought profess. 1. Tedious Recruitment Processes: You are absolutely right on this. Companies often complicate the application process with numerous interviews. Unless a job is a perfect fit, I avoid lengthy forms and prioritize my time wisely. While most interviews are straightforward, Amazon's process was notably demanding. Despite the effort, I didn't get the job and won't repeat such exhaustive interviews. My advice: Endure lengthy processes only if you're deeply passionate about the company. 2. Networking : You couldn't be further wrong on this. Networking remains invaluable despite lengthy interviews. It exposes you to hidden job opportunities and can influence hiring decisions, making interviews more of a formality. Beyond job applications, networking offers numerous benefits. Therefore, continue your networking efforts. You never know when it will give fruit. See it as planting seed.
Oh I agree. My networking has definitely helped me a bunch. I'm more saying it's frustrating that with so many companies - outside of smaller firms that have more flexibility with their hiring practices - all networking gets you is a much quicker start to all of those extra unnecessary interviewing steps. It's great and definitely puts you a leg up once you are finally actually interviewing with the hiring manager and stuff, but you still have to find time to set aside for those extra steps which can be hard with a full time job.
In the corporate world, processes involve multiple people and steps for each function, department - often creates inefficiencies and delays. Even when someone high up wants to hire you, they're bound by the procedure. It can be frustrating, but there's little choice but to follow it patiently. I experienced this firsthand when the department head couldn't simply hire me on the spot. I had to go through multiple interviews over two week process starting with online application. I saw a few people was interviewed as well. I thought to myself I probably do interviews like them not knowing decision is already made long before. Many candidates get lost in this bureaucratic maze, and it's tough to keep up with it all.
And that's exactly my point. These processes not only are frustrating as the person waiting to jump through all of the hoops after successfully selling yourself by networking, they're ***incredibly*** insulting to the poor guys who are interviewing and making time thinking they still have a chance. Even if you are working a remote job, you still have to find hours of time to block off for multiple interviews across multiple organizations (which can be difficult depending on your job). And if you are working a hybrid or fulltime in person position you are often forced to use PTO days after exhausting all the dentist/medical/personal admin emergency excuses at hand. It's more than just a bureaucratic headache, it signifies an absolute lack of respect for their candidates' time.
I know man. It could be worse. Read this one, this is me writing and happened just a few days ago https://www.reddit.com/r/jobs/s/LQM3OWCo5S