Need perspective on this.

19 Comments

1. Rebecca AliJanuary 11,2023 at 1:32PM UTC

   While I'm not interviewing, one word of advice - even if you have an offer in hand, it's not unheard of that the offer could be rescinded prior to start. It's a strange time but I've seen this cycle before - companies are in a weird limbo mostly because the stock market is a hot mess and no one knows how 2023 is going to shake out. I would continue to look, interview, consider contract work until both feet are in the door so to speak.

2. Kimberly SchlegelJanuary 11,2023 at 1:34PM UTC

   I have had the exact same situation and have even been told I will be hired, just waiting on a few details to be finalized. Unfortunately, this has been going on for several months and when I ask the recruiter to confirm they are still interested, he says yes. My recommendation is to keep interviewing, chin up! Keep sending positive vibes. Good luck!

3. AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 1:44PM UTC

   I've had it take three interviews but I've never had it take five. Maybe if I were interviewing to be the new CEO of something established, woudl I expect it to take five.

   I would encourage you to keep applying elsewhere. It seems like this company might not be a good fit procedure-wise.

4. AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 1:45PM UTC

   I've seen this happen where I work, I think it means they like you, but they might not have the role there for you and want to keep you in the fold but not recruit. My suggestion is to keep interviewing, I don't think in this particular case it's you, it might be an organizational thing.

5. Kristin BurnsJanuary 11,2023 at 1:52PM UTC

   3 weeks is not very long, especially with the holidays off. I'd keep looking, as you are, but it sounds like you are on the right track if they have shared the next steps before a decision.

6. Jenny Cox, PHRJanuary 11,2023 at 2:11PM UTC

   From a Recruiter's Viewpoint:

   Unless you are interviewing for an executive level position, 6 interviews or meetings is ridiculous. If you are interviewing for a CEO position, I'd still say that 6 is still A LOT. If you've already met with the owner, the hiring manager and the team who could possibly be left?

   My advice - this is a job seekers market. Unless this is an absolute dream job for you I would let them know you are going to move on. You deserve to work for a company that is as excited about bringing you on board as you are about joining them.

7. Shelly EdwardsJanuary 11,2023 at 2:30PM UTC

   That is a ridiculous amount of interviews. In my opinion, the owner and your boss should be the last stop on the interview train. If they don’t know by now, what more are they hoping to learn with more interviews? I’d say this might be a red flag on how long it takes to make decisions or incorporate change in the business. If you are looking for a strong, fast paced environment, this clearly isn’t that. I’d consider what you want and think about moving on if another good prospect comes up.

8. AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 3:32PM UTC

   I have found interviewing process can take over a month. I interviewed at one company with 5 different people over a month period back in October/ November and seems normal to me. I would however keep applying/interviewing at other companies too just in case. Sounds like they like you though so don’t be discouraged about the time often takes time to get interviews booked with more senior leaders due to availability especially if around the holidays. Stay positive! Good luck!

9. AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 5:03PM UTC

   Been there, had 5 rounds of interviews for 2 different companies. Last I was told it was down to me and another person. Both companies took a month to finally get back to me with the news - no offer on either. I feel there are so many candidates it takes time and if a position will be working with others they want buy in from everyone so the scheduling of meeting the team takes time. Good luck.

10. Barb HansenJanuary 11,2023 at 5:28PM UTC

    Sometimes interview cycles take a long time b/c the company wants to or needs to hire the exact right person.

    You can and should ask questions during the interview cycle to uncover any reasons behind a long interview cycle.

    Why is this position open?

    Are there any pre-existing challenges that I'll be facing?

    What the normal interview process look like at Company XYZ.

    If you like the company and you want the job, keep the process moving forward but do not stop applying and interviewing for other positions until you have a signed offer in hand.

    A story:

    The longest process I've been through when interviewing is 14 interviews with 11 different people (I interviewed twice with two people, and three interviews with the VP).

    The process took close over 3 months.

    It was super annoying, but during my first VP interview (interview number 4), she explained what was going on and what I would be facing if I accepted the position.

    Why was the process so long?

    The position I was applying for was to replace as existing employee who was running their department into the ground, and he had developed a habit of hiding processes and passwords as a protective shield to prevent him from being fired. The department which served internal clients had developed an awful reputation.

    This company needed to find a candidate who could:

    -- work with the existing manager for 6 months to develop a rapport, get access to the hidden information and find out exactly what was going on inside the team

    -- develop a good working relationship with the team (who loved this dysfunctional manager)

    -- Then take over as team lead at the 6 month point when the old manager was let go

    -- fix all of the internal client strive and rebuild the team's reputation in the company.

    Happy ending to this story;

    I got the job, and turned the team around. I started with a team that had an internal rating of 65% (lowest in the company) and a on-time delivery rate of around 50% for projects. Within two years, the team had a 88% rating (one of the highest in the company) and an on-time project delivery rate of 98%. Go Team!

11. AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 5:32PM UTC

    3 weeks is really not that long a time frame. Like you're doing, keep up your search and allow this company time to process the info from everyone. If you don't hear back from them this week, I would touch base for a status next week.

12. Hilary GrayJanuary 12,2023 at 1:30PM UTC

    My experience has been similar to yours - companies take their time with the recruiting process. Having been on the other side of it when I was hiring my own team, it can take an awful lot of time to coordinate schedules and prepare for interviews. I personally did my best to expedite the process for my candidates, but sometimes you are at the mercy of an understaffed recruitment team.

13. Jennifer ShoffnerJanuary 13,2023 at 1:41PM UTC

    It depends on the level in finance. Higher levels may take longer and include more interviews. Lower levels wouldn't. Is there anything during the interviews that is giving you pause, any gut feelings? I do worry they could be stringing you along but if this is a higher level position, they could be taking their time to ensure they are making the right decision and that you will be with the company for a long time.

14. GirlBossanova934974January 15,2023 at 1:32PM UTC

    In my view, 3 weeks is not the issue here. The issue here is that there are far too many cooks in the kitchen and things are going no where. This company is sending a loud and clear message and you should take note. If you go and work for this outfit, be prepared for similar delays and second guessing on just about any material decision. If that is OK with you, no problem! If you don't feel you can deal with this, I would put your efforts into other jobs and your contract assignment. For me, I would withdraw my candidacy. My experience in working for outfits like this is not good. The biggest issue comes along when a new competitor or something unforeseen comes along. Management then sits there for weeks and months wondering what to do while the house burns down. Best of Luck!

15. AnonymousJanuary 15,2023 at 3:02PM UTC

    Ugh. Too many people involved. Even for a large company, that’s too many people. Keep interviewing for other positions. My gut feeling is that this company is either stringing you along or the department they are trying to hire you for is a mess. So either way, you’d have an uphill battle at this company should you get hired. In the words of Peter Simmons, “I have 8 different bosses, so if I screw up, I have 8 different people coming to talk to me about it.” And in the end, I don’t have to tell you what happened to that building lol. Crazy!

16. AnonymousJanuary 15,2023 at 3:15PM UTC

    no it takes a long time to get hired at good places. all my worst experiences have sped through the process. (to the point its a red flag - remember you're also interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you) but my field normally takes like 2-6 months from app due to hiring phase. (lower positions, like part-time are 1-2 months)I've also been #2 enough times to tell you unless it's an offer in writing, there is no offer at all and DO NOT STOP APPLYING AT OTHER PLACES. Even then stuff happens and the offer can be lost, the position downsized or "re-envisioned" from the job posting...what matter is the contract you sign. I was baited and switched by a job in nov, if I knew the true nature I never would have agreed to do it for that amount of money. My bloody life was on the line when it was originally sold as an education position, which I'm well qualified for. It wasn't education, it was social work involving stakeouts and cps, and other crazy shit and they just didn't want to pay to hire a licensed B/MSW.

17. Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)January 15,2023 at 5:17PM UTC

    Agh! That’s just their way!

18. Lisa MarieJanuary 15,2023 at 6:27PM UTC

    Some companies move slower than others in their recruiting process for two reasons:

    - FEAR of choosing the wrong candidate

    - FEAR of not being diligent enough to find the right candidate

    Overall, they feel they are doing the right thing, but could inadvertently cost themselves THE BEST candidate with all their stalling.

    No matter how you feel about wanting that particular opportunity/job, KEEP LOOKING/applying/interviewing, because the decision-makers may choose another candidate for the job.

    Back in 2021, I went through eight rounds of interviews (from mid-May to the end of July!) for a great opportunity. While it was extremely exhausting (and frustrating with all those interviews!), I did actually come out better at the end... I learned some things about myself, as well as about being an indecisive decision-maker (I won't EVER be one!) ?

19. AnonymousJanuary 16,2023 at 1:53PM UTC

    Hi-

    I work in Finance industry as well and to me it sounds like you are a really strong candidate and are at the top of the list, but they can’t decide because there is probably another candidate just as strong.

    Usually when the interview process drags out like this it’s because they’re not only interviewing not only you but another person who they like just as much and can’t decide.