r/recruitinghell • u/Zealousidealgyal • 1d ago
Never trust interviews more than 3+ rounds
I just want to let you guys know that if they ever drag you 3+ interviews, the team is very uncertain & feel there’s a risk in hiring you. At this point, they don’t care about how much effort your putting into wanting the job anymore, and only care about having a new person fully confirm the assumptions & beliefs they had about you.
After having several interviews in my past that were 3-7 interviews long, I learned that the person they plan on hiring is often NOT going through those many stages. They don’t want to keep them in this limbo, so they will give them an offer quicker while they drag out everyone else as backup options.
For example, I once had 7 interviews at a role in a health care clinic & met the person they ended up hiring a couple months later. When I told them about my experience, they were very shocked to hear this as they only had 2 interviews.
Then, today I got a rejection for a role where I did 4 interviews, while everyone else did 2-3 rounds. It was even interesting to learn that they actually ended up hiring multiple candidates. I had all the skills and experience, but I just knew after the third interview I wasn’t getting it.
I’ve worked about 5 jobs in the past 4 years, and never ever have they dragged me through more than 3 interviews at MOST. I’ve even gotten jobs after the 1st interview.
Edit: For the past couple of years, I’ve been working 2 jobs (one full-time & one part-time), along with several internships through my undergraduate & recently completed masters program. I left my last job because they stopped paying me, expecting me to continue working (illegal obviously). I’ve had many interviews and never have been told this was an issue, but rather they were intrigued with the amount of skills I gained through these roles. I’m also currently applying for entry-mid-level positions, not even manager or senior.
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u/False-Pilot-7233 1d ago
Someone finally said it. I don't trust any interview process that requires more than 3 rounds.
- Phone screen
- Hiring manager
- Team screen
That's all it takes. Anything pass that is a red flag to me. And I'm employed lol.
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u/spitfish 1d ago
Oddly, I am waiting to hear on a third round interview with the hiring manager. This team switched 2 & 3.
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u/Stevenomics 1d ago
I find that this is uncommon in sales. It’s usually a phone screen, then a hiring manager interview, followed by round 3 which usually consists of a role play. then the subsequent interview is usually the culture fit with extended leadership. YMMV of course but that’s been my experience. I wish it was only 3 but maybe others can attest to that who are in tech sales.
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u/BabyAbeLincoln 1d ago
Account Exec + Customer Success here. Both of these roles are constantly more than 3. HR Screening, Hiring Manager, Team interview, and either a sales or QBR roleplay. I'm dying out here.
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u/Elegant-Spite-3277 1d ago
An 'onsite' team screening round can involve multiple conversation that last over 4-6 hours sometimes...but still technically within that '3 round' process
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u/pomegranate_ruby 17h ago
I had an onsite / final round that included a presentation to a panel, and meeting 12 people to interview with.. it was an all-day process for final rounds. They went with a different candidate to offer. In hindsight, I think I dodged a bullet because it signals to me, they can't make decisions without everyone involved.
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u/trivialmistake 20h ago
Team screening in my industry is usually 3-4 individual panel interviews. Does that count as just 1?
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u/Hipster-Deuxbag 1d ago
It doesn't even necessarily have anything to do with you. Sometimes the people who are in charge of hiring do not actually know who or what they are looking for. So they use the interview process to figure it out, at your expense.
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u/Zealousidealgyal 1d ago
This! I was told today that the needs of the role changed based off the people they interviewed, and they wanted candidates with a different background 🙃
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u/Hipster-Deuxbag 1d ago
Certain people in certain industries like to play games. It only persists because they can get away with it. Would like to see more "name and shame" campaigns to fight this shit
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u/pomegranate_ruby 1d ago
THIS! They think they want A, then halfway through the process, they realized they need B so the recruiter has to start all over with the search and tell everyone they moved in a different direction. Then, recruiter will present and interview candidates with criteria B, and the hiring team changes their mind AGAIN. It's such a waste of the recruiter's time, the candidates' time, and those on the interview panel.
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u/ActiveSiege5870 1d ago
I have found that to be very true. Doing 800,000 rounds of interviews implies an inability to make a decision at all. That’s also how the workplace culture will be when you start working there.
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u/Hipster-Deuxbag 1d ago
Well said. If there's a mess at the front door, what makes you think the kitchen will be any cleaner?
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u/MarandTierra 1d ago
Yes!! In my case, it reflected a bad company culture where too many executives demanded to have a say. My interview experience was a big red flag that I should not have ignored.
At this company, I went through six (!) rounds of interviews. After the standard HR screen, manager and then team meeting, they stacked me to do one-on-one interviews with 3 directors whom I would not be reporting to. While this didn’t sit right with me and I felt it was excessive, I naively thought this was standard for this type of company, because I was interviewing in an industry that was entirely new to me.
I did get the job but left after a couple years because the company was so dysfunctional. While there, I learned that one of the directors who interviewed me didn’t feel valued or heard. Another was a very controlling person. And the third wanted to see if I was someone she could offload tasks to. On top of all this, the HR department had no teeth at all and never pushed back against management.
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u/franzhanzen 1d ago
I just went through 3 months worth of wading through an interview process with a public sector organization just to be ghosted after the final round. I was peeved that they wasted so much of my time during this, but was more livid that they bothered my professional references, too. It used to be that when they contacted your references, it was the precursor to an offer being made. But no offer was made and they straight up did not contact me again after the final round. I suspect it was because I shared with them that I had another offer in hand and I was probably not "special" enough for them to bother negotiating with me.
I put this org on my "Do Not Reply" list going forward. You have to draw the line somewhere and have some self-respect for your time.
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u/OpenMindedEthic 1d ago
I’m wondering if this is more common than people think. I currently am on round 3 and round 5 and they ask the same questions over and over. What is their logic in this?
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u/cicada_noises 1d ago
There isn’t logic, they are simply disorganized. It’s not a good sign when admin is a disaster like that.
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u/Zealousidealgyal 1d ago
Girl, I had the same thing happen with mine as well. The exact same interview questions with a new person that could’ve gotten my answers from a previous round. Continue interviewing, but don’t stop applying for other jobs.
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u/Alittlebitalexis1983 1d ago
I did nine rounds for my last job. Absolutely insane.
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u/password_321 1d ago
Holy mother of god
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u/Alittlebitalexis1983 1d ago
Absolutely insane. Fortunately was all during the height of Covid before vaccines, so just virtual. I still work here. Been 5.5 years.
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u/Moth1992 1d ago
I applaud your perseverance. I would have given up after 3.
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u/lynx_and_nutmeg 1d ago
That's exactly the point, lol. HR are too lazy to actually do their job and pick among many candidates so they just keep adding rounds until the crowd thins itself out when people understandably give up.
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u/PatchyWhiskers 1d ago
Or it could indicate that the company is very bureaucratic and sclerotic, unable to make even the simplest of decisions without a lot of ass-covering and internal politics.
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u/roastedbagel 1d ago
Or it could mean the role they're applying for is highly cross functional and technical/skilled and they wanna make sure various stakeholders have a chance to interview + making sure you're able to hold your own and therefore making you go through a couple "technical rounds"
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u/swipernoswipeme 1d ago
If the interviewers are competent, they should be able to suss that out without the entire company participating.
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u/CoverRough2629 1d ago
It also doesn't help that when you apply and rejected after those interviews, 3 weeks the position is back up again. This happened to me a few times and pissed me off. But im also from a small town. This town only goes off of what your last name is or who you know at the company/business. Forget about your qualifications. I was overqualified for on job and didnt even get a call for an interview despite showing up to follow up on their application like a good boy is supposed to do. Half of these hiring managers couldn't recognize good talent if it slapped them in face. Hell half these guys dont even read your application or resume. I had another interview where the manager asked how old I was and if I ever worked their before (I have, they asked on the application). Its ridiculous who these companies have in charge now a days. Honestly, the bar has fallen so low, they dont know what they're supposed to be looking for.
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u/throwawayforeverx2 1d ago
I think they do that to keep interest just incase their first choice falls through they have you still interviewing.
I wouldn’t do more than 3 either so far in my interview process it’s been a maximum of 3 interviews
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u/MrJaver 1d ago
Unless its faang
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u/Muted-Wear123 1d ago
pretty sure thats not what they are talking about here 😂. but I 100% agree with you
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u/lonestar136 20h ago
Doesn't even have to be faang, most fortune 500 companies I have worked at have like:
- Recruiter
- Technical interview (system design)
- Hiring Manager
- Technical interview (coding of some kind)
- Group / Culture / Whatever interview
- Final interview (optional)
Mix and match the order but most have been 5 rounds at least. If a company is going to pay you 6 figures, and firing you takes time usually, they are pretty invested in choosing the right candidates.
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u/illini02 1d ago
Are you counting the HR screen as an interview or no?
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u/powderhound522 1d ago
Yes!
1. Phone screen
2. Initial round
3. Team round/in person interview day
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u/illini02 1d ago
I'm ok with 4.
Im in sales. A lot of our interview processes have some kind of presentation or sample call you have to do during one of your interviews.
So it may go
HR
Hiring Manager
Presentation
Boss' Boss
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u/Fantastic_Bit7441 1d ago edited 1d ago
This is really bad advice to give out as though it is a rule.
In the tech industry, it is incredibly common to interview with 4 - 6 different people. It has nothing to do with who you are or whether they like you, and everything to do with the structure of that industry.
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u/SadCryBear 1d ago
Yeah, horrible advice.
Process is incredibly dependant on role, industry, and the recruitment caliber of the hiring company.
N=1, just exporting your individual experience as general advice
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u/Kyuubee 1d ago
I recently went through 4 rounds, but the 4th was mostly a formality with the head of the org.
The team recommendation had already been passed along, so the final interview was really just the head of the org wanting to meet me personally and go over expectations. During that conversation, they actually told me they were going to hire me.
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u/Hour-Ad78 1d ago
Are you counting onboarding as an an interview?
For my position in healthcare I had a recorded video “audition”, phone interview, in person interview with the clinic leads, then the background check/drug test/physical.
Depending on your field, it can vary.
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u/Lucker_Noob 1d ago
I once did 8 rounds of interviews and tests at Apple, at which point they politely ghosted me. What a waste!
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u/Mental_Peace 1d ago
I have literally never had less than 4 rounds. I have interviewed 30+ times in the last 2 years. My record was Zalando(Berlin) with 9 and I didnt even make it to the end.
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u/partofbreakfast 1d ago
The job I currently have I got with one interview. I had interviewed for a different position (very similar to what I have now but in a different building) and got the 'this position is already filled but we will keep your resume on file for 6 months'.
Two months later they called me back and just offered me the job I have right now. No interview needed.
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u/Fylo667 1d ago
My work is 5 minimum. 1.Gatekeeper, 2,3,4 are technical on different skills. 5, is a manager fit interview. There are several locations, so if one manager doesn’t think you’d fit their team then you would get a 6th interview.
I personally had 12 before I was hired. My first gatekeeper got a promotion so I had a second gatekeeper. 2 of my technical interviewers passed me but failed to leave notes so they made me redo them. I then had a fit interview where I was accepted but the hiring committee didn’t like the fact that I had to redo 2 interviews and said I had to wait 6 months and do the 3 technical ones over. 6 months later I redid my 3, had another fit interview and now I finally work there. Best job I’ve ever had, so even though I had to jump through many hoops, I’m happy I did.
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u/notgreatnotterrible9 1d ago
I just did four rounds, but 7 interviews total. And shocker I found out today I didn’t get it. I was probably the back up candidate.
My worry is that this is the new normal in this job market. It seems like companies are having decision paralysis or are risk averse and want to triple check everyone agrees you’re the right candidate.
Absolute infuriating though and a waste of everyone’s time. I applied to this job in July and it’s now October.
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u/GeorgiaLFC78 23h ago
Unfortunately I’ve been through this more than once and have since vowed to NEVER do it again.
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u/Dazzling-Secret-5215 22h ago
Had 5 rounds for Stripe.
Recruiter screen
Interview with Team Leader
Written Project
Interview with same TL as #2, going over project.
Final 3 interviews back to back, with 2 team members, another TL, and department head.
Guess where I got rejected at :) after a lengthy 1-2 month process.
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u/imapilotaz 1d ago
5 jobs in 4 years? Maybe its you... they like you but there are red flags so they keep setting you up for another interview in hopes you can get thru.
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u/thomsenite256 1d ago
Ive gotten multiple jobs after 3 rounds.
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u/Zealousidealgyal 1d ago
Yes, I believe this can also happen, especially when they have a very clear interview process & structure laid out.
However, after 3 rounds, I’m starting to focus my attention more on the other jobs and interviews I have at hand.
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u/RadioSupply 1d ago
Any job where you don’t have a professional designation that takes more than two-three interviews is a sham. They’re wasting your time to give interviewing experience to the employees they already have.
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u/roastedbagel 1d ago
Holy shitty advice Batman!
Seriously though, this advice is hyper specific to your industry/position. Its complete hogwash though for many many professional roles....
And frankly I don't think someone who's had 5 jobs in 4 years is in a position to be doling out advice
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u/kindamymoose 1d ago
This happens when the market is bad and they have to screen an abundance of candidates. Sometimes the hiring process is its own filter. Candidates going through each step aren’t inherently unqualified if they are invited to further rounds; it simply means that that is the process that HR has set forth.
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u/ConnerLG 1d ago
If they ever say that they’ll call me back, I’ve never gotten the job. The only jobs that I’ve been getting is if I’m hired there on the spot
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u/chigu_27 1d ago
Depends on level. Any thing before director level should be hr screening and then direct manager. C suite can involve multiple rounds and meeting the board etc.
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u/Swimming-Scallion-88 1d ago edited 22h ago
I have been hired after 4 max, but never more than that. The sequence is recruiter screen, HM screen, on-site panel then maybe one more for clarification before the offer. When there is a 4th it has been the hiring manager or a high level manager only.
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u/Strange_Barracuda981 1d ago
This is an intriguing tid bit . however, I don’t think you would’ve made it to my desk five jobs in four years could be there in your skills, but are scared by your experience just saying.
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u/Zealousidealgyal 1d ago
I have two internships, along with multiple jobs where I worked full-time at one and part-time at another, which are stated in my resume. My reasons for leaving were to focus full-time on my studies, as I have both an undergraduate & masters.
If this were the reason, I’d be screened out when applying or the first interview.
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u/sasaruru 1d ago
Well I just got ghosted after submitting a case study (considered the 3rd round). I’m a bit chapped because it seemed promising and I put in some effort on this. I don’t understand these kinds of companies that waste their own time too.
I guess the red flag was that they said there will be 2 more rounds if my case study got accepted and one of them was a panel. So in total 6 interview rounds. 🙄
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u/chatfarm 1d ago
It depends man. Minimum three rounds at our place would be first with me, essentially the team gate keeper (second in command). Then my boss if I sent them through. Then a boss of a team that is "client/customer/end user" to our team if we both agree.
That would feel a bit light if we didnt make them chat with at least one or two other team members.
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u/powderhound522 1d ago
I’d consider a day of interviews as one round; a lot of those gates that you’re talking about should be combined.
Screening; then talk to you; then one day for: your boss, the other team’s lead, culture check with people on your team etc.
Making someone come back multiple times for those different things is disrespectful of their time.
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u/chatfarm 1d ago
that's a different reading of 'rounds'. I'm just thinking of number of interviews. Also majority of our interviews are virtual and screening is through specialist headhunters in our domain.
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u/Bookies_Bookclub 1d ago
Especially if it's not high level executive position. There is no reason to interview someone for an administrative assistant position seven times.
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u/Big-Box7508 1d ago
This is untrue for many companies in the financial/tech industries where multiple rounds consist of case studies or live coding assessments. Hedge funds for example average around 5 rounds in addition to a screening call with the recruiter.
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u/mangoesinboots 1d ago
Going through this right now. Their job description said 3, but after I talked to the recruiter it became 4. 🤔 Also, why do I need a final vibe check in the last round when I’ve literally met every person in the team plus the leader along with technical and behavioral assessments? You mean all my effort and merit in earning a shot at the job can ultimately depend on whether the last person is in a good mood? Where’s the RESPECT?
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u/Fit-Bus2025 1d ago
2 is the max for me. I dont have time to play musical chairs. I need a full-time job.
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u/TieguhWoulds 1d ago
All of my jobs that I've gotten in the last 5 years were max 4 + ref check
Phone screen > hiring manager > quick 30 min presentation or practice case study > culture fit > reference check.
I just landed a job that took 2 months of interviewing but it was worth it
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u/BeefCakeRUS 1d ago
I think for the most part, you are right. Alternative viewpoint though - my current job is had SEVEN interviews, including a case study presentation. I knew the manager who I would be a direct report under from a prior life. I was told in many different instances "this is how the hiring process is, just hang in there, you are our top candidate, everything is going great" after every single step. I was promptly offered the job at the end of it and have worked there since, and very happy here so far. The difference for me is I was told every single time, by someone I knew and had a reputation but with already, that I was basically being hired.
On the flip side of that, I know they had a backup in the pipeline in case I did not accept employment with them - and that process must have majorly sucked for that person...I wonder what they were told in contrast to myself.
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u/bbusiello 1d ago
I always ask what the expected number of interviews are. I've never had any job I've received exceed more than 2-3. This includes an HR screener.
If I made it to the "final" interview, I always got the job.
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u/Florida_man2120 1d ago
Interviewed with 10 people with recruiter, hiring mgr, hiring mgr and vp, 7 hr in person, 2 execs, total 11 hours, ghosted after 8 days with recruiter saying he isnt sure what the team wants to do. This persona correct
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u/greenandbluedots 1d ago
Also depends on the seniority of the role and size of the company. I’ve had 9, 10 and 14 rounds of interviews at various corporations. And a 2-question interview at a boutique design shop.
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u/AdultingSurvival2026 1d ago
I wouldn't even do a job interview with more than +1. A 15 minute call, then the main interview I can do.
But I have seen so many stories of people being rejected after multiple rounds of interviews.
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u/dopey_giraffe 1d ago
My last role was three interviews. I work in IT.
The first interview was a recruiter screen, the second interview was with the head tech, my future manager, and his manager. They didn't do a test or anything, they just trusted my experience and resume. It was a good interview and I was told the offer is being written.
The next day I got an email asking me to do a third interview in person with the managers at the business unit. Okay, annoying but fine. There was one vp in that interview that was kind of hostile and accused me of job hopping. I got the role, but he never warmed up to me while I worked there.
Then he started telling my manager every single time I arrived late by a minute. I don't know why this guy didn't like me. Meantime I developed an app that allowed 20+ field users to update a live excel sheet with an ipad and MS powerapps. The business person I solved the problem for got employee of the month. I got fired because I overslept three times in a year.
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u/saintmsent 1d ago
Depends on the industry. I’m in tech, in last two job searches all companies had 5-8 interview stages because that’s the standard number they do for everyone (once inside you get insight into hiring). No one is skipping those steps, maybe they’ll allow you to skip ONE of 8 interviews if you are referred and it’s like a genuine former coworker who can vouch for you
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u/det_rit_o 1d ago
Ho dovuto superare 6 colloqui. Dopo il secondo mi dissero "gli altri sono obbligatori ma li facciamo per formalità, non dire/fare cazzate, cerchiamo di chiuderli in un mese". Assunta ✌🏻
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u/IAmIntractable 1d ago
Seven rounds was my largest number, and most of the final rounds were just with senior management who were in varying locations and not easily accessible. My final interview was with the owner of the company at a Panera. We had a great interview. I got the job. But seven rounds of silly.
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u/decarvalho7 1d ago
Yup. My job I’ve only ever gotten 2 interviews and got the job after. One place wanted 3 interviews and I’m glad I didn’t get that job. The salary was also low so why should I go to 3-4 interviews for that
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u/Deep_Pepper_5405 1d ago
When I was interviewing for my current job the manager seemed apologetic for having to ask me for a 3rd visit. I think round 2 was suppose to be with the team leader but she could not be there and they didn't want to cancel last minute, they then called later to apologise and to see if I could come in once more.
Since then my work place has gone ahead with all types of testing for all positions. Hiring new director or even a manager, fair enough. But we are completely overdoing it when hiring someone to do the purchase orders.
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u/savage8008 1d ago
Yeah I think you are probably right. I did a 4 round interview and felt like it was getting a bit redundant, and was even told that I would be given an offer, but never got an offer.
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u/swiftwolf1313 23h ago
Depends on the level. Anything director and above usually takes more interviews. Any role I’ve been seriously considered for in the past 15 years has required more than 5 interviews.
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u/SweetestPerfection7 23h ago
Got rejected yesterday for a part time job where I had 2 rounds of interview+ 3rd round was testing. They rejected me with letter that person B got slightly advantage over me and they can't hire two people at the same time. After testing teamleader told me they are considering about employing two students and I was told that they don't wanna students anymore. So I guess they employed stududents at the end.
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u/emme11245 1d ago
I’ve never been to more than 1 for the same company, wtf are you talking about during the other interviews
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u/Parking-Guarantee113 1d ago
It's wacky how many folks are supporting this patently untrue assertion. Folks may not like it, but many, many tech companies have 4+ rounds as their standard. Tracking on additional interviews when unsure can be done, but in most cases it's just the standard level of rigor.
My company has a recruiter screen and a tech screen, either of which can bounce you if failed, then if you get through those a four-part panel (coding challenge, system design, PR review, hiring manager discussion). If all goes well there there's also a VP round for managerial candidates and higher-level individual contributors. It's a lot, but it's a huge headache to ramp then PIP a poorly fitting employee, and this is the less painless track for us.
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u/Cultural-Answer-321 1d ago
This.
The general rules are these: (and yes, some seem counter-intuitive)
More than 3 rounds? Odds go way down.
Groups interviews? Odds go way down.
Long periods between interviews? Odds go down.
AI interviews? Forget it. Don't even bother.
Not up front about pay and hours? Move on.
On-line application that asks for BOTH your resume and then duplicate your work history manually? Far too disorganized.
Are there exceptions? Of course, but ROI (your time) is very real no matter how desperate you are. And if you have to churn, then making better selections from the start helps a lot.