Extensive job interview process

Anonymous

September 14,2022 at 3:02PM UTC

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Extensive job interview process

I interviewed yesterday for the first time for an accounting job with an employer who told me at the end of the interview that she has a "standard interview process" where first she administers a test to applicants. If I pass it, there will be at least two more interviews with her so she can "go over" my resume and background at extensive length

If I pass those two interviews, there would be a final one to discuss an offer. After the interview concluded, she emailed me the test, and it's a time-consuming complex test where I'm supposed to find all the errors in two not-simple tax returns.

I talked to my dad about whether to go through with the whole interview process and he gave me a "What do you have to lose?" reaction, urging me to jump through all the hoops.

But having to do so much to convince an employer that I am competent, probably followed by a probationary period if I even received and accepted an offer from this employer, makes me feel really drained inside.

Would you go through with all that?

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KatSeptember 14,2022 at 3:34PM UTC
Keep looking. There's plenty of other jobs out there. This process seems very time consuming and cumbersome, especially since it sounds like you're going to be meeting with just her 3-4x. If this is a big firm with lots of applicants, this could be a way to weed people out. It might not be the right fit for you. (It wouldn't be for me. Too many hoops and it sounds like a very stressful place to work.) Keep applying and interviewing. You'll see not all places are like that.
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 3:36PM UTC
Oh, I'm not going to stop looking. I was just wondering if it's worth it even to do this.
AnonymousSeptember 15,2022 at 12:54PM UTC
Hang in there. The whole process is draining.
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 3:46PM UTC
I have, way back when. Thankfully I didn't get the job. I later learned that it was a very strict environment in general and their interview process - similar to what you describe - was reflective of the "cogs in a wheel" way they treated their employees.
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 5:19PM UTC
Yes on 2 conditions
1 if the employer pays exceptionally well compared to other jobs
2 I vibes well with the boss to where I felt we could get along. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to learn about the environment
*** this could be the type of company that takes their clients very seriously and rather than waste several months figuring out a person can’t really do a tax return to their standard is the way of weeding out folks, there are just some jobs where you cannot tell whether a person is going to perform well unless you give them a few samples to see what they do. What I suggest is take the test and as a bonus next to some things performed add an explaination for certain complex areas to help set u apart from the rest
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 6:02PM UTC
I wouldn't know about the vibe if I don't even get to work there and find out about the environment without taking the tests and going through two more interviews.
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 7:53PM UTC
1) Is the pay range worth your time?
Is the company reputable and long standing to where the skillset you could acquire could lead to you becoming your own cpa and owning your own business. Don’t just think about now think about short term and long term goals regarding how this company can grow you 5 yrs from now.
2) In general people should take the time to ask critical questions to get a feel for their managers personality and how they lead their team. Of course you cannot get a 100% perspective. But asking questions about how do you grow your employees, can you walk me through how training is provided. Can you tell me about what your employees enjoy most about working in the environment should give you a sense of what the manager is like. If his response is vague, cold or standoffish could give you an initial sense of how well he connects to his staff.
Amy FortneySeptember 14,2022 at 5:59PM UTC
Are you a CPA?
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 6:01PM UTC
Yes
Amy FortneySeptember 15,2022 at 1:28AM UTC
Then it sounds like a bit much. The challenge of that certification proves you know what you should know, IMO.
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 6:13PM UTC
It does sound like a lot of work but I'm not familiar with accounting roles and if this is standard in that industry. However, I think the fact that you are already feeling drained may be your answer. There are times when going above and beyond in an interview stage is appropriate (e.g. your dream job/employer, opportunity for growth, etc.) I didn't gather from your post that this particular job excites you.
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 6:50PM UTC
I've interviewed for many other accounting roles and this is not standard in the industry.
That's because the industry doesn't seem to have a "standard." Some are straightforward and others go through several rounds of hoops.
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 6:40PM UTC
I can tell you it’s the same in finance (I had to do a consultant case study, 6 hour financial modeling test, cognitive behavioral test, and meet the entire 7 person team). I would do it. At worst you learn something for your next interview. Job searches are indeed draining but that’s part of the process sadly. Best of luck!!
AnonymousSeptember 14,2022 at 8:27PM UTC
If it was a job that I really wanted, yes. I have done something similar- had tests that were time consuming (about 1.5 hours), made it to the final interview and didn't end up getting the job.
AnonymousSeptember 15,2022 at 2:26PM UTC
These are not 1.5 hour tests.
These are 1.5 day tests.
AnonymousSeptember 16,2022 at 7:50PM UTC
Then nope, I wouldn't spend that much time. But that is just me.
JJSeptember 15,2022 at 4:43AM UTC
Ok the only class I ever failed was accounting so keep this in mind when I say too many hoops is a red flag.
Kristina MartinSeptember 15,2022 at 12:48PM UTC
I understand the frustration you are feeling. I have worked as a tax auditor for over 20 years. During this time as a manager I have interviewed and hired many people.
For the entry level job I was given a written test. It was a task I would be doing if I got the job. After I got the job, I asked how I did on the two assignments.It turns out they did the assignment to weed out the candidate pool. Everyone who completed it got an interview. 60 candidates to 4. Anyone who didn't complete the task was eliminated. I'm sure you already understand this hoop. After the next class of auditors was hired, they discovered many said they were proficient in Word and Excel. Some of these auditors didn't even understand the basics of formatting and formulas. They then created a test to evaluate their level of expertise. They said it was used to determine if any areas needed additional training. I like some level of testing to weed out people who have exaggerated their abilities. I hate wasting my time on an interview when it is obvious they do not have the skills. Try thinking about the assignment as a day in the life of this job. Show them how spectacular you will be for them. Make them beg to hire you!
Kate ForaySeptember 16,2022 at 12:28PM UTC
Honestly, it sounds like you’re asking for permission to not proceed with the interview process. And if that’s something you need—you have my permission. If you believe this isn’t the industry standard, and you don’t feel like you mesh well already? Keep looking!
AnonymousSeptember 16,2022 at 2:56PM UTC
That is the nature of job seeking now. It is annoying. You choose, jump through the hoop, or blow off the job.
I have been frustrated by filling out so many applications, writing cover letters to match a job, changing my resume, over and over. And so many background checks.
Do you think that you should be hired based on your resume and interview? Good luck.
AnonymousSeptember 17,2022 at 2:16PM UTC
A test might be normal, but this one was so huge that it feels like the employer is so skeptical that even if I was hired by this employer, earning their trust and respect is a threshold I can never reach.
Joanne RosenSeptember 16,2022 at 3:34PM UTC
This is a big red flag. If a company hasn't even looked at your resume before the interview, then they have no clue about how to hire a great employee.
Personally, I'd let it go.
Cheers
Joanne
AnonymousSeptember 16,2022 at 6:07PM UTC
My advice is to remove the instructions from your post because you never know who might see this… you don’t want the company seeing your post
AnonymousSeptember 16,2022 at 6:27PM UTC
While I removed it, having to hide from bad interviewers makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to ask for advice because I can only give my side of the story but no supporting evidence.
AnonymousSeptember 16,2022 at 8:28PM UTC
definitely up to you if you want to keep that up just my suggestion! You can by all means add it back. How long is the probationary period and will you be paid during it? If so I suggest you do this and if you get the job continue searching for roles during the probationary period (in case). I don’t know if you have a job right now or are in a rush to get one
MichelleSeptember 16,2022 at 8:20PM UTC
Next!