Is it normal for a company to do more than 2 interviews for what can be described as an entry level role in a SaaS company?

10 Comments

1. Barb HansenMarch 7,2023 at 7:54PM UTC

   It's not uncommon for an entry-level job to have more than 2 interviews.

   The larger issue with your post is that the company said they can't pay your requested rate.

   If you know for sure that the company has no wiggle room (and you don't absolutely need this job), then don't do the third interview.

   If you have wiggle room in requested rate (or you need to get a job) then keep moving forward.

   If you choose to not take the 3rd interview, just email the recruiter/hiring manager and pull yourself from consideration for that position. You can always leave the door open for future roles at the company if you want too.

   Good luck!

2. AnonymousMarch 10,2023 at 1:12PM UTC

   The company I worked for for over 10 years had 4, 5 sometimes six interviews, which I think is ridiculous but it depends and whenever there is a decision to be made for hiring by committee, you have wrinkles.

3. AnonymousMarch 10,2023 at 2:03PM UTC

   It sounds to me like they need you more than you need them. I'd pass.

4. AnonymousMarch 10,2023 at 2:16PM UTC

   I would say that for a lot of companies 3 interviews is fairly standard. I worked for a smaller company that generally did phone screen, preliminary in person and then a team in person interview.

5. AnonymousMarch 10,2023 at 2:44PM UTC

   (I have a small background in tech recruiting.) The number is interviews is very common. My concern would be over the tight budget, given the high number of tech layoffs. I suggest doing a deep-dive into the latest news and see how the company is really doing. Check Crunchbase to see how well funded they are. Ask about the five-year revenue forecast and what kind of financial runway they have. In other words, find out if the job you would take is in danger of being eliminated soon. If you negotiate, come in armed with figures. Check Glassdoor to see if someone in a similar position talked about their starting salary. It's fine to negotiate smartly.

6. AnonymousMarch 10,2023 at 2:52PM UTC

   Having that many interviews is normal. You may not be their only candidate and they are narrowing it down.

   I do not want to burst the bubble, and I want you to be realistic. Keep in mind that the job market is slowing down. Money is getting tight for many organizations and companies. Meeting applicants pay expectations has inflated a lot of company’s payrolls and it may not have been as sustainable as they thought. This is especially true in the tech market. Plus there aren’t as many jobs as there are applicants anymore.

   The numbers are showing that there are a lot more people looking for work than originally thought, and it’s getting harder to know the numbers because not everyone is getting unemployment. It is flipping in that it is not an employee’s market as it used to be.

   You need to do what is best for you. Also keep in mind what is realistic and what you want may not match at this point in time in the sector you are looking for work. People can say ‘I can make more here….’, but they may not actually be able to get that job or amount. Or that company isn’t posting their hiring pay range. They are posting a salary range.

7. AnonymousMarch 10,2023 at 6:13PM UTC

   As an entry level hire I am a bit concerned for you that you expect a company to "meet the pay you requested" and not meet the needs that they have to properly vet you against what is likely a slew of other qualified prospects. If you get offered the job take the pay they offer you and find out how they will measure your performance and growth because you plan of being a high achiever. They should tell you how often they do reviews and pay increases if they have this internally established. If its a startup probably not and you will just have to wait and see. Companies set budgets for hiring and the cost of headcount especially if your role is not revenue generating is the most costly part of running a business. They are simply not going to pay you what you want just because you want it, they have done many an internal meeting with board members and key stakeholders to set those wheels in place. There are levels internally which means they look across the org and up and down to make sure there is pay equity for how they pay others. If I were you I would adjust my expectations because I think you are getting a bit ahead of your skis in expecting and employer to do for you, vs you for them. You haven't been proven as an entry level hire, go in humble and let your work speak for the start of a long career once in there.

8. Annetta MosesMarch 10,2023 at 6:29PM UTC

   I most companies where I worked, three is the minimum number of interviews for intern and entry level positions. Most positions have 5 or 6 interviews: HR, hiring manager, skip level hiring manager, 2 to 3 that are peers or interfacing teams.

   Good Luck!

9. Jennifer ParkerMarch 10,2023 at 11:17PM UTC

   The number of interviews required can vary greatly between different companies, even different departments within the same company. Right now I advise my hiring managers to keep the interviews to 2 or 3 max, but sometimes more people need to be involved in the decision making process so that drags it out to more than 3 interviews.

   I would be more concerned that they will not be able to pay what you are looking for. Is the gap small or very wide? If the gap is very wide, then you would need to think about whether you want to continue the process at all. It sounds like they were pretty straightforward with you letting you know what they could accommodate for the role.

   If this is your only option on the table right now I would recommend seeing it through, but I would also recommend to continue applying elsewhere in the meantime (which you may already be doing).

   Good luck to you!

10. Crystal HowellMarch 11,2023 at 11:37AM UTC

    Don't settle,. You know your skill set, negotiate to get 90 day reviews if all good your salary should go up. Keep looking at larger companies. You didn't say what position or industry you are in. Good luck