Trying to navigate the interview process and even after HR and the hiring manager's interviews there are an extensive amount of further interviews.

Anonymous

September 30,2022 at 2:49PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Trying to navigate the interview process and even after HR and the hiring manager there are a shockingly amount of further interviews.

In my industry, the current trend is 'cultural fit' and hiring managers are requiring meetings with other teams, senior executives and your direct reports. While I understand that they want you to work well with others, this sets up months of interviewing.

Maybe it's me but having your direct reports part of the interview process asking questions is an uncomfortable dynamic. They are judging you and when you join the company, you'll be leading that team. You want to join the team on an even playing field, get to know them and then set expectations.

On the flip side, meeting with CEOs and board members seems strange when I'm going for manager positions. I would think higher-level employees would be subjected to those interviews.

My last interview that wasn't the right fit but it would have required 8 more rounds and HR indicated it would be filled in January. I'm not working right now so although I have savings, holding out for January and it's not even a sure thing is more than I can afford.

I'm learned to ask about next steps and the interview process so I've had to decline moving on for some roles due to timing. Is anyone else facing this extensive process?

I spend a lot of time preparing for the interviews and then having to decline moving forward due to the process is disheartening. I'm expecting 3-6 rounds but anything more and the amount of time in between is beyond what I can afford.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

7 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

7 Comments

Join the conversation

Nicole DupuisSeptember 30,2022 at 6:10PM UTC
Hey there! Yes I believe this is a trend as people are being more "cautious" in hiring and want to make sure a) it is the right fit and b) the company can financially and time commitment-wise, handle onboarding and developing a new hire. I had previously spoken with part time jobs that had an extensive process for interviewing and in the end, were not hiring until 3-6 months later. I would create some "templates" in terms of cover letters, resumes, even responses to questions or forms so you are repeating the work less and less. I would also maybe broaden your scope of where you are looking and network. Knowing someone who has an "in" can almost always, abbreviate the process. Good luck!
AnonymousOctober 1,2022 at 4:06PM UTC
Thank you, Nicole. I've created templates and then customized them per role. I've been networking a lot and even received an informational interview from finding and contacting the hiring manager.
I've expanded my search, levels and industries and you're right, it's all about the cultural fit right now. The list of people that they are having you meet, it doesn't seem you'll ever work with them.
It's more about the time in between all the interviews. I'm glad to do as many rounds as a company wants to have but when each require so many weeks between them, I'm quickly going through my savings.
When I was laid off, I was fortunate to have about 6 months of savings for mortgage etc. but with these on-going rounds that aren't even guaranteed offers at the end, I'm starting to get concerned.
As you alluded to, part-time work that I've interviewed for aren't hiring now but were canvasing for future openings.
I'm so grateful for everyone's advice as friends and family don't understand what I'm going through. I'm interviewing a few times a week while continuing to network and send out resumes. I'm pushing myself to remain hopeful but starting to feel concerned.
Nicole DupuisOctober 2,2022 at 2:45PM UTC
It helps to have a supportive community like this to bounce ideas off of AND to reassure you that you are not the only person dealing with these issues. As a coach, I talk to many people in different industries and almost not a day goes by that someone is talking about a restructuring, lay offs, or a big hiring wave. Overall, there is a lot of flux so continue to be patient, active and optimistic.
Paulla Fetzek, MSEdSeptember 30,2022 at 6:51PM UTC
I do understand the frustration. In a perfect world everyone could be together at one time to interview potential employee.
However, having been an interviewer multiple times for my company, this is seldom reality. In addition to availability and schedules, certain people in the company may be interested in asking you different questions in an interview.
When I was interviewed at my current company - I had a total of 3 meetings. One in person, one via email, and another via the phone. It took just over 3 weeks for all of these - and I didn't stop looking for other work during this time.
Had I found another job that I felt was a good fit - I would've taken that job and then informed anyone else I was no longer interested. However, if I was interested in the job, I'd do my best to wait it out. As it stood, I had no other nibbles so I waited it out.
Glad I did. Because I got hired on April 1st. Of 2003. I'm now in my 19th year!
All the best...
AnonymousOctober 1,2022 at 3:57PM UTC
Congratulations, Paulla!
My job history is working for a lot of different employers so I'm always amazed by people that have longevity at a company.
I understand needing time to coordinate schedules but the amount of interviews are reaching 10 plus for a managerial position. Before my former position, I had roughly 3 rounds-HR, hiring manager-follow up meeting with top candidates before being hired.
It's now reaching so many rounds to see if different people 'like' you. I had an interview two weeks ago where someone popped online for five minutes and said they wanted to say hello before signing off and I was told I was moving forward.
I'm grateful that I moved forward but all my time preparing for that round and the amount of weeks in between that interview and the previous was over three weeks. I'm keeping myself in the running for these roles but also sending out resumes and interviewing for other companies. I have the time but not finances for that type of trajectory.
Sage SharpeOctober 1,2022 at 1:34PM UTC
Are you… interviewing monogamously? oh heck, is that what is supposed to be done?
I was interviewing last year, and until I had a job I kept interviewing wherever wanted to interview—including past the initial stage. Until I have an offer letter, we’re not officially dating and I’m still gonna see other people.
i ask bc you mention holding out for something until January. Don’t hold out, but keep moving forward if that’s an option.
AnonymousOctober 1,2022 at 3:49PM UTC
Sage, I'm interviewing for any relevant role that become available including informational interviews. For the last few interviews, I made it through the first three / four rounds and reached a prominent leader. I really thought that was almost it and started to envision myself at the company.
When meeting with those individuals, they explained the list of other interviews that would continue through the end of the year. They were for people you would have some interaction with but not frequently.
I know it's not the company's concern but I need to find a position sooner rather than later. This is the third position in a row that says they'll be interviewing for cultural fits with all different teams until January.
If it's for a cultural fit, I would appreciate if they could combine some of them so that cuts down on the timeframe. I have brought that up but I was told they want to do a lot of one-on-ones to make sure each employee likes the possible new hire. To coordinate everyone's schedules and vacations they aren't looking to hire until January.