I'm a final candidate for a role.

26 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 3:44PM UTC

   Most of us have been in a similar position at one time or another — although 10 (!) interviews and one assignment are substantial.

   My suggestion: Move on mentally/emotionally, but keep your name in the running. There’s no downside in keeping your name on the list. You need not take the job if it is offered.

2. Laura WestFebruary 23,2023 at 4:07PM UTC

   I was recently there myself -- extremely frustrating! I finally emailed both hiring managers inquiring about my status (all very diplomatic and professional). One was a "no" (seriously, they couldn't just have let me know without having to chase them down?!) and the other was "we haven't made a decision, we thought we'd emailed you" -- well, they hadn't, of course, and at that point I quietly took myself out of the running. It wasn't at all clear what the issue was, but I only have so much emotional energy for this.

3. ipodgrlFebruary 23,2023 at 4:26PM UTC

   This has happened to me before, several times. There could be a freeze-or rumors of a freeze-and they're waiting for clarification. Or there could also be a reorganization happening internally. It's hard to know, unless you have a contact inside. After 10 interviews though, you really deserve some communication. I once showed up for a third interview with the boss of the hiring manager, and I sat in reception for half an hour before being told she had been let go, along with the hiring manager, and that the company was rethinking the position!

4. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 5:01PM UTC

   Move on. I've received thank you but no thank you messages months after applying. You're dodging a bullet.

   Good luck for the next time!

5. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterFebruary 23,2023 at 5:42PM UTC

   You have no way of knowing what's going on internally with the company, although I can speculate that they don't have their s**t together if it has taken 10 interviews and an assignment - and they still haven't made a decision.

   Continue your job search...

6. sherri legaspiFebruary 23,2023 at 6:06PM UTC

   This happened to me. A month and a half later I was told I’m in top 3 and they just had a hiring freeze. I would wait to see what they say instead of withdrawing.

7. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 7:45PM UTC

   10 interviews is excessive and is a sign tge company is not committed to filling the role. I would suggest you keep looking else.

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 23,2023 at 10:31PM UTC

   Personally, there is no job on this planet that I could ever want bad enough to go through a 10 interview process. There just isn't.

   I consider this a gigantic red flag and an indicator of what it would be like to work there. If they take 10 (more?) interviews to make a decision about hiring one person, imagine what it would be like when there's a really important decision to be made.

   My recommendation is you move on. Don't reach out to them. Don't call them. Don't send them an email. I wouldn't bother removing your name from consideration.

   Fire up that resume and continue your job search. Which is what you should have been doing all along. Never take your foot off the gas in your job search until you have a written offer letter in your hand.

9. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 1:18PM UTC

   Move on. Huge red flag. I was in a similar situation. Until you have a job offer in hand from any position, keep your job search active. You never know when right opportunity falls in your lap.

10. ChrishoggFebruary 24,2023 at 1:18PM UTC

    1) What would I do? After the third interview, if not selected, I would thank them for their time and move on.

    2) Have I been in this position before? See 1).

11. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 1:55PM UTC

    While certainly frustrating, I have seen this at large companies where the authority to make a decision made need to go through a number of levels of approvals. And some leaders’ schedules are just crazy busy (or they are out sick or on vacation). Or they may be waiting for a couple other candidates to come in so they have a slate. And comp team needs to price the role, and finance might need to give authority for headcount before offers can be made…. Hiring authority can be a multi step process that works slowly. (And this is typically not in the recruiter’s control.) I don’t think 3 weeks is that bad. You need to be patient but it is hopefully worth it. Don’t take it personally. I hope it works out for you!

12. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 2:08PM UTC

    Ten interviews is excessive.
    Even top companies don't make candidates go through that, six maybe, but ten says a number of things about the company 1) they don't respect people's time, 2) no one seems empowered to make a decision, 3) as someone mentioned, there could be a lot of uncertainty and/or instability at the company, 4) they could be purely fishing to see what talent is out there for the future to fill their recruiting pipeline, but don't have any funded headcount available at the present, and 5) if this was a funded headcount position, they have most likely extended an offer to someone else and are waiting for them to accept. Most companies have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice candidate and are moving down the list. Don't be a 2nd or 3rd choice. Move on and take this experience to your next pursuit. In your first interview, ask for a description of the steps in the hiring process if it is not clearly laid out on their website. It sounds like you've made a positive impression with your capabilities so don't give up on yourself. You WILL be a valuable employee to the company that wants to invest in your and who respects you. Don't settle. One final thought, invest in building your network. The best jobs are more often than not, found through networking, not by answering job ads.

13. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 2:12PM UTC

    This happened to me. Turns out they were pursuing another candidate but didn't want to cut me loose until everything was firmed up with that person, in case things fell through. I quickly learned to just assume I didn't get the role and keep up my search. If I land a role, it will be a pleasant surprise but it's less emotionally exhausting to not get my hopes up and feel disappointed about a no.

14. roseFebruary 24,2023 at 2:58PM UTC

    This is exactly what would commonly occur. While you negotiate with a selected candidate, you "keep warm" the others. This sounds horrible, but in fact it's often the case that you have a hard time choosing just one of the final candidates. Hang tight.

15. Julie EFebruary 24,2023 at 2:52PM UTC

    Continue your job search and don’t wait for their decision. Being a final candidate does not mean you got the job. A few years ago I got to the final interview with two or three different companies and wasn’t selected. I finally asked the recruiter for the last one and he told me that while they lived mr, they decided to go with an internal candidate. The other two companies were hot messes. One company put me through two rounds of interviews and then I never heard from them. The way I look at it is if the hiring process is a nightmare the company would probably be a nightmare to work for.

16. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 2:59PM UTC

    I once had six rounds of interviews with a company and then got ghosted.

    But 10 plus an assignment? Hell. No. This is a red flag. Move on and don’t put yourself through anywhere this many rounds again.

17. Kirstie S.February 24,2023 at 3:46PM UTC

    Honestly, more than 3-4 rounds of interviews is atypical. Considering they're taking so long to get back and/or are not getting back to you reflects a lot on how the company values its employees. As the other respondent noted, they may be stringing you along as the B or C choice candidate.

18. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 3:46PM UTC

    You should've been unimpressed with the company after the 4th interview.....

19. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 4:43PM UTC

    3 or 4 interviews depending on the level of the job. 10??? Run away! Red flag!!! This company cannot make decisions!!!! Good luck.

20. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 10:07PM UTC

    I hope you have a few more eggs in the basket. Set a timeline for them to respond that works for your search - take control of it! Here's the best way to do that. A polite note to the Hiring Manager and the recruiter in tandem, reference the last meeting that you had- put the date in there. Reference your continued interest in the position and a few key points on why you are a great choice for the position though you are sure they are still vetting others who are interested. Let them know you are in final or secondary conversations with other companies - (nobody wants you when nobody wantes you) and that you are expecting to be at a final stage with one of the other companies you are in conversation with. Give them a specific date by which you would like to know if you are still a contender. Be specific NOT vague. Ask for a reply, let them know you are not trying to put pressure on them but you will soon be faced with a choice and they are at the top of your list. Ask them if they have set a deadline for their decision. Set the email if you use gmail to see when it is opened and If you get no response or a vague response in return with no timeline move on. They are shopping. Yes they are entitled to, and so are you, the market now is taking 3-6 months for most people to find a new role. If you have patience let it ride, if not move along.

21. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 10:22PM UTC

    10 interviews is literally abusive! At this point, count your blessings that they didn't hire you, make note of your learnings, Q asked and answered. Move on! They're showing you how little they respect your time, and you as a person. You're better than that. If they call you now, "NO" IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE. Everyone is trying to higher the best person, but missing the point of hiring someone who can get the job done and learn how to improve in it. MOVE ON NOW and don't look back!

22. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 11:02PM UTC

    I hope you kept interviewing with other places. MOVE ON. They have shown you who they are. You're a potential employee. They should be wooing you during this phase. This is how they treat you now? Imagine working there.....

23. AnonymousFebruary 25,2023 at 4:48PM UTC

    They are stringing you along, turn and run in the opposite direction!

24. AnonymousFebruary 25,2023 at 5:47PM UTC

    I would move on and apply for other positions

25. Audrey KirschFebruary 26,2023 at 4:54PM UTC

    Companies have such slow hiring practices these days. Proceed as if you didn’t get the position Don’t do anymore follow up. If you get an offer and are still available you can consider it. If you’ve found something you like or they make a bad offer or want another interview, you can tell them you’re not interested. Time wasted is disappointing and frustrating. Try to learn from it and build boundaries on what you will stand for moving forward.

26. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachFebruary 26,2023 at 8:32PM UTC

    Keep applying to other roles while you "wait" to hear back on this one. I wouldnt let it hold you back from making progress with other opportunities.