Interviewing with a company and it requires 8 rounds.

32 Comments

1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 16,2023 at 4:48AM UTC

   That would be a hard no from me. No way I'm doing 8 rounds of interviews.

   I guess give them credit that they told you what their process is up front.

2. Nadia EiraNovember 16,2023 at 9:46AM UTC
   If you decide to pursue it, ensure that you participate in the Zoom meetings using your own equipment and during your own skibidi toilet personal time.
3. AnonymousNovember 16,2023 at 7:15PM UTC

   8? What is the role?

4. AnonymousNovember 17,2023 at 8:02AM UTC

   I'm trying to wrap my head around what role requires 8 separate interviews. I've seen CEOs hired with much fewer interviews. As a Director in my current role, I had 3. Unless there's a unique need for this, it sounds terribly inefficient and possibly a red flag.

5. AnonymousNovember 17,2023 at 2:14PM UTC

   Same. Even for our State Superintendent position it's 4 or 5, and two are the opportunities for the public to meet with the candidate.

6. GirlBossanova934974November 17,2023 at 1:54PM UTC

   1 word? WALK! This company is a screaming 50 foot long RED FLAG rolling down the freeway at 100 mph! They are telling you in no uncertain terms that they cannot make decisions. You can bet your last dime that it takes 10 managers in a room for an hour to figure out where to have lunch! Another thing about these outfits is that they are usually overrun with FALSE EMPOWERMENT. 1 or 2 people call the shots and the rest is pure window dressing.

7. AnonymousNovember 17,2023 at 2:28PM UTC

   Holy shit ??????????. If a company needs 8 rounds they have no idea what they're doing. Honestly I would just withdraw my application.

8. AnonymousNovember 17,2023 at 2:32PM UTC

   My current job had approximately 8-10 interviews plus a personality test. Most of the interviews were back-to-back/two at a time (hr and office manager; ceo and cfo; etc.). While this was new territory for me, I am actually really happy about the process. The company was thorough. They wanted to make sure I would mesh well, not just with my boss, but with the majority of people I would interact with. They were looking for someone with longevity. In the end, it was worth it for me, my offering package was better than I anticipated, and the job and office environment are fantastic. I did as many interviews as I could during lunch breaks/doctor appointments, and a few after hours. Less than 30 minutes after the last interview, I received the offer. I understand how this can be a red flag to people. From personal experience, please know, it isn't always.

9. AnonymousNovember 17,2023 at 3:25PM UTC

   I'm so glad you had a positive experience! We used to do four rounds of interviews and we found that we missed some great candidates because they found employment with other companies that had a faster process.

   There's no reason a company can't do a panel interview if they want to see if someone meshes with the team. Most of the time they have this 8 round process because they can't get everyone on the same schedule. That tells me the company has a culture of meetings that do not respect everyone's time and provides little time for actual work. I would consider this a red flag personally.

10. AnonymousNovember 17,2023 at 3:21PM UTC

    You have to go in 8 different times or meet 8 people? There’s a difference. It’s fine to make sure that you meet a broad group of people, but to expect any job seeker to take time out of their schedule on 8 separate occasions is insane. They don’t know what they are doing. Even if it’s a great company I would be concerned that this is how they get things done there.

11. AnonymousNovember 17,2023 at 3:35PM UTC

    You get the high score in the game of interviews! Mine was 7 for one position, lol.

    My most recent search, I interviewed with 7 people, but it was one zoom interview with the recruiter, a panel of three, then the guy I'd be working for, then two one-offs with the COO and another colleague on the same level for less than 10 min each.

    I think you can definitely ask how they're going about this, and maybe ask for lunch time if it has to be in person (geez, you have a lot of friends visiting lately!) or I think zooming after hours is okay too. OR maybe work from home if you're able (geez, the super has to fix something in my apartment, again!).

12. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 9:27PM UTC

    Are you sure it's 8 rounds or 8 interviews? I've had roles where the second interview was essentially a round-robin situation where I met with multiple people within a set time.

13. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 11:09PM UTC

    8 interviews is a lot. If it is really 8 separate interviews, some need to be online or in a group or in a row. I cannot envision a position that needs 8 people to decide on filling it. 8 bosses? 8 managers?

14. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 1:05AM UTC

    It’s a small financial investment company

15. Monica Ayhens-MadonNovember 19,2023 at 1:49PM UTC

    ?????

16. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 2:01PM UTC

    An 8 round interview process seems extremely exhausting and intense.
    Whether its 8 separate interviews with different people or even different departments, there is for sure a better way.

    The amount of stress that you have to encounter just to make time for the interview, using PTO, readjusting your schedule, not to mention if you have a family.. finding the time not once but EIGHT times. Seems exhausting, especially if you aren't being compensated or guaranteed the role... you'll be burnt out from the interview process alone.. not to mention when/if you acquire the role navigating the adjustment period.

    In my opinion, 8 rounds of interviews is red flag, no matter how big the company is... if this is a dream job or your not in the position to be choosy about your next role, I'd ask to arrange as many Zoom interviews as possible. I'd ask for more insight on the process and why its so extensive and if there is opportunity to provide feedback, I would do so.

    Lastly, if I'm sitting through 8 rounds of interviews, I'd be negotiating the hell out of my compensation package. In my personal opinion, choose yourself and find another company that's not going to haze you in the interview process.

17. Maggie StoneNovember 19,2023 at 2:31PM UTC

    8 definitely feels excessive to me. If it really is 8 rounds, maybe it’s time to consider what that says about the company itself and if it’s worth it given that you’re currently employed.

18. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 3:02PM UTC

    I wouldn't interview for a company that needs 8 rounds to make a decision. Just my personal opinion. I value my time.

19. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 3:57PM UTC

    Can you do Teams or Zoom?

20. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 5:08PM UTC

    Do not do ANYTHING at your current job in the office. You will get caught. Count on it. Looking for another job while you're currently employed is the career equivalent of having an affair. If your job is not hybrid you need to ask if it can be after work hours or lunch. Be careful of early morning interviews because there are just so many times you can pull the dr. appointment/ coming in late thing. Assume you are fooling no one. Don't lose your job for this or any other firm.

21. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 5:21PM UTC

    8 rounds sounds excessive. If after 3 rounds (recruiting, two management levels) they cannot decide then....

22. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 5:59PM UTC

    Companies these days are doing many rounds because they just don't know how to assess skills without having multiple people touching you in the process. This is often good and bad since you truly get to see how functional or dysfunctional they are. Changing roles is important, and your decision matters too, take the time make the time if you are serious about them.

23. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 7:17PM UTC

    In all honesty, 8 rounds is a ridiculous ask. Unless you’re interviewing to be head of Cardio at one of the world’s top hospitals, I’d pass. I’ve been ghosted after completing 5 rounds of interviews and I felt like my time was completely disrespected. So my max is now 3 rounds, maybe 4 at the most.

    If a company needs 8 rounds to determine a good fit then that speaks to the turmoil they already have going on internally.

24. Adam HendryNovember 19,2023 at 7:19PM UTC

    That’s ridiculous and a red flag for sure. There’s no reason for that many interviews except poor management: they can’t make up their minds and don’t know what they want. Definitely move on.

25. Amanda LeeNovember 19,2023 at 8:36PM UTC

    As an applicant, you are well within your right to ask the company for options to interview be that Zoom or before/after hours to accommodate your need to take off from your current role. A company who expects an applicant to take off work and interview more than three times with multiple people is sending you a message, loud and clear - the hiring leader either cannot or is fearful of making a decision.

    I am a 30-year HR Practitioner who has lead recruitment efforts for big companies. It is important to help hiring leaders fully understand what they are looking for in an applicant, ensure they have the appropriate questions to get to the skills needed and empower them to make decisions.

    Hiring by consensus seldom works as the more individuals you insert in a hiring the process, the longer it takes to find the right applicant. In addition, having too many "decision makers" is also a recipe for disaster. I have seen companies insert the applicants peer team into the process and since they are not typically trained to interview, their decisions are based on emotion rather than fact.

    The same also applies for having people come back multiple times. After talent acquisition does the initial screen, the hiring leader and possible their leader should be able to target the questions related to the skills needed.

    My most recent role I had to come back a total of five times all during work hours. Needless to say, I have learned the hard way this company does not value their employees and has even less respect for their work life balance.

    Hope this works out for you!

26. Anna DiomisNovember 19,2023 at 9:44PM UTC

    What eight rounds that is pathetic

27. Megan LeasherNovember 20,2023 at 3:44PM UTC

    8 definitely seems excessive. I've experienced this many, too, and it's frustrating.

28. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 6:22PM UTC

    Unless this is for a c-suite position, this scream red flags to me. I wouldn’t continue with this process.

29. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 8:14PM UTC

    I am not sure what level you are applying for, but I have seen this at several companies unfortunately. 5-7 interviews are not uncommon. I think it is entirely reasonable to request Zoom/Teams interviews. Almost all of mine are either over the phone or video calls, almost none in person. I usually spend 1-2 days on each interview - between prep for the interview (researching the company, the people I will be interviewing with on LinkedIn, etc.) actually taking the interview, then reviewing my notes from the interview after it is over and sending out thank you notes. It's a significant amount of time.

30. AnonymousNovember 21,2023 at 2:56PM UTC

    I have been through this.
    At my last company, I went through seven different interviews before I got the job. It was exhausting and very time-consuming, but worth it in the end. If you have made it this far, there is a reason. I would keep going.

    As far as scheduling the interviews, request Zoom, Teams or phone interviews when possible. I am assuming some of the interviews will be like that any way, as most of the higher level interviews are done by Regional Managers, Vice Presidents, etc. who are not always local. You can explain to your current employer that you have several appointments coming up over the next couple of weeks and you may need to extend your lunch break when needed, or leave a few minutes early. This would allow you to missed as little work as possible and also communicate the time away with your employer. If there is flexibility with the times of the interviews, you can schedule them after you get off. Good luck!

31. Keith TylerNovember 23,2023 at 7:17AM UTC

    This past unemployment period I was in one promising job that was going to three rounds, four rounds.
    Figure anywhere from 1-3 weeks between rounds. In the meantime, another less promising job did two rounds within a week and was ready to hire me. I was hoping with crossed fingers that the promising job would come back with an answer. They did -- with an invite to a fifth round! By then I had already started the less promising gig for two weeks and felt like I couldn't drag them along anymore and bowed out, although I regret it.

    I really thought most companies learned a long time ago that keeping candidates hanging forever is a losing strategy. I worked one place where they were chronically unable to hire people because they would take far too long to decide and then the candidate would drop out. This is now old hat and decent organizations should have figured this out by now.

32. Keith TylerNovember 23,2023 at 7:20AM UTC

    As for looking for places to do zoom calls, you can possibly book library study or meeting rooms (check for noise rules), and in the past, I've gone so far as to book a couple hours at a "day office" type place to take an interview.