How Many Interviews Are Too Many?

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice


Recruiters and hiring managers often hold a number of interviews with applicants, perhaps including a group interview, to weed out candidates if a company has trouble deciding who to hire. You may even get called in for not just one job interview, but several, to meet your potential new co-workers before someone confirms you as the first choice.

Multiple interviews save companies money by helping them hire the correct person the first time around rather than having to start the process all over again. Yet, as you wade through your potential new department, similar departments, your manager, your manager's boss or perhaps the executive team, you may feel as if the next job interview is one too many. As four interviews are probably enough when it comes to hiring a new employee at most organizations, you should assume that beyond the second or third interview, the next scheduled meeting is likely more of a meet-and-greet disguised as another way to ascertain your work ethic and working style.

Once you get past the perfect cover letter, concise resume and fantastic references, your prospective employer may conduct a job interview over video chat software to get a feel for your general personality. A video interview also shows you can set up the telecommunication technology that you may need to use on the job.

The next step might include a group interview where several candidates appear at once. This way, employers and potential co-workers can gauge how you respond in a team setting and compare your responses and behavior with those of other candidates.

Next, you may be invited to an in-person job interview. Afterward, the lead interviewer could potentially want to see you again for a second in-person interview. Even if you haven't received confirmation of this or been notified that you are a lead candidate for the job following the initial face-to-face meeting, you should message the HR department and thank them for their time.

Suppose that while you're waiting for the follow-up meeting, another company calls that you land a second interview with as well. How do you respond? Job seekers such as yourself must realize that companies have a hiring process to go through, yet firms must know that the best candidates cannot wait a month to confirm that they've earned the job.

Mitigate a lengthy job interview process by realizing that contemporary ways to sift through candidates are different than they were 10 years ago. Job searches have become complex social-matching games thanks to keyword-scanning software, emails, online applications and social media posts on LinkedIn and other sites. Prospective employers must be sure you have the relevant technological and interpersonal skills to do the job.

Remember that waiting doesn't mean you have to remain passive. Turn to freelance work and print business cards that proclaim you're a consultant in your line of work. Volunteer at a local charity to earn another good reference. Even if it's simply cleaning your house or help your spouse with the kids, remain active over the course of any delay.

Many firms have multiple job interview scenarios to make absolutely certain you're the perfect candidate. Prove them right by remaining patient yet active while they go through their process and come to a decision.



Photo courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Comment

Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.

  • Jeanine P.
    Jeanine P.

    of course LinkedIn- been there for years- hasn't brought me anything- this is wear i have reached out to my circle. I tried all the linkedin suggests, done their classes and still nothing. They suggest I reach out to a contact in a company and ask for an introduction, the contact told me" why don't you just call them yourself?" done the whole sending in blind resumes and again, most of the time, they never even acknowledge. I adjust my resume and cover letter for EVERY application. still nothing, nope, nada....I guess it is time to retire and live off nothing....thanks for trying

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Jeanine thanks for your comment. So sorry that you are going through this. You didn't mention LinkedIn. Have you tried there? I was contacted via LinkedIn, interviewed and got the job - all within just a few days so I know it works. Have you been in touch with any temp agencies? That is another way to get your foot in the door. With 20 years of sales experience, have you looked for a position as a sales consultant or sales manager? It is truly unfortunate when companies act like this - not even take the time to respond after you have gone to all of the trouble of finding contacts for them. Also, don't let the job postings scare you away. When a company posts a position, it's usually a "pie in the sky". They think about everything that they could possibly want an employee to have and they include that on the posting - such as 5 yrs experience for a grocery store that starts you out at minimum wage. Don't let that keep you from applying for the position. When you are applying, make sure that you are identifying keywords in the posting and including those in your resume. If you take several retail sales job postings and compare them side by side, you will be able to start identifying the keywords that are common across the board. Include them in your resume and cover letter if you can. So, try this and see if it makes a difference. Also, don't forget to check out temp agencies and recruiters. When you are out and about, look for signs in the windows of stores. Many companies just don't have the budget to post jobs online so they use the old-fashioned way of putting a sign in the window. Just make sure to carry a clean copy of a resume with you at all times so that you will be prepared should you come across this. In my area we see help wanted signs posted in store windows all of the time. Even fast food places will advertise on their digital signs that they are hiring. If there is a company that you would like to work for but they do not have any postings online, send them your resume anyhow and include a cover letter about how much you love their store and would love to work there and include how you could make a difference there. Hope this helps. We wish the best.

  • Jeanine P.
    Jeanine P.

    To many interviews? I would be happy with one that was serious. I have had 4 interviews in 2 years. 2 of course say they found someone more qualified, but not how or why. The other 2 were companies that contacted me, and after an interview (phone only) and several weeks of waiting, they say the company has decided not to expand in the area. When I have inquired about why I wasn't even contacted about an application, I have never had anyone return a call, email or letter. If I have reached someone, I have yet to find anyone who will give an answer as to why not me, let alone one that is useful. I have exhausted my circle of friends and colleagues to the point no one wants to hear from me about anything. I have attended all the "job fairs" (locally they are all police departments and grocery stores that want 5 years of experience in grocery for a minimum wage job). Been through unemployment, posted resumes to 40 top sites, done everything that everyone has suggested. Can't afford bills and food, let alone start a new business. Don't qualify for SBA loan (too poor). I am an intelligent college graduate with 20 plus years of sales experience, and can't get a sales job in any area. Most recently I applied for a "no experience required" position in sales and received a letter back that I didn't fit the job description- well how about that?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Dorothy how rude of the company to keep you dangling for a month. Don't let them do that. I would be applying and interviewing. If they are interested, they will tell you. But you should never turn down a position that is a good fit for you. Have a greater increase in salary would be nice but you have to stop and think - what salary am I drawing now? I would continue on and, if you receive another job offer, call them and let them know that you are entertaining one and you want to know if they are still interested. If they are, they will get on the ball and firm up an offer with you. @Carmen so very sorry. Are you exhausting all avenues of work? Are there job fairs in your area? Does the county have any type of job placement services? What about on your state unemployment site? Jobs are posted there, too. Are you asking around? Are you talking up your situation with family and friends? Are you using social media to your advantage? Even if you can't afford the internet, you could use it at the library or even go to a coffee house that offers free wifi. Check around your area for networking events, too. Giving up is not an option. Wishing both of you all the best.

  • Carmen B.
    Carmen B.

    I been in about four interviews since March of 2015 and right now I can't go on interview with no carefare. Right now it is about paying for light gas water or it will be turn off.

  • Carmen B.
    Carmen B.

    I been on four interviews since March 2015. Right now I am in financial debt. It is taking long to get a job if you don't know the person in charge. But right now I don't even have carefare to go on interview or eat food. Don't have a job right now but I can't tell light, gas, water bills it will be cut off with no payment with ms soon .

  • Dorothy M.
    Dorothy M.

    I had been looking for work for well over a year with no success. Most of the positions I had applied for were administrative in nature; however, my college degree probably overqualified me. I recently accepted a position as an administrative assistant, and I was so excited, especially since they were looking to increase the salary due to my skill set. That was over a month ago, and I am still waiting for a call giving me a start date (they said they are waiting to hear from HR authorizing the increase). I am getting frustrated - how do I remain patient, since this is the only job offer I've had since I've been searching? Should I keep interviewing (I turned down three after accepting the offer)?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Doris thanks for your comment. Congrats on stepping out by creating your own consulting practice! I will be curious to see how you are as an interviewer should you encounter an older candidate. It can be very tough to be older and have to be interviewed by someone who is still wet behind the ears but it can be done. We wish you all the best in your new adventure.

  • Dorin D.
    Dorin D.

    I have noticed in my past few interviews that the staff interviewing me were substantially younger and less experienced than me... that would make them likely uncomfortable about hiring me I think, unless they would be totally secure with their own skill set, self-esteem and work environment. This can be a problem both for me and them I feel that cannot be ignored. I sense that age and length of your career play a role when you deal with more junior staff in charge. The answer for me is to keep on moving forward and start my own consulting practice, where this situation can be turned into an asset and not a liability. Not what I had in mind when I started to apply for jobs after moving back to PNW but a better option to explore rather than keep applying for jobs and go through the emotional roller coaster ride while having very little to show for it.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Jason the first question I have for you is - did you send a thank you note after the interview. Not a quick email but a well thought out handwritten thank you note. At the end of the interviews did you ask what the next steps were? Did you ask when you could call or if they are calling you, when can you expect the call? It is awesome that you have gone through several interviews. Most job seekers would kill for even one interview so you are doing the right things to get your foot in the door. Now you just need to figure out why they phone is not ringing with offers. So I would recommend that you contact the companies where you had the interviews and follow up. If you did not get the job, ask why. That will help you better prepare for the next interview. Best of luck to you. It will happen - just have to be patient.

  • Jason Johnson
    Jason Johnson

    I just moved from Linesville, PA to East Stroudsburg, PA, and I have had several interviews over the past week. I have the type of personality where I am always upbeat and I try not to tense up during an interview. It seems to me that I have been able to interact successfully with those who have interviewed me, and we have had a good time being able to discuss not only the position, but also some general topics. At the end of the day, however, I have not had any luck landing a job. I guess I just don't understand why I am not able to land these jobs. Maybe I'm just posting this just to vent a little bit, but I do feel a bit rejected about my lack of being able to find a job.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Tawana that's great that the thank you note helped you. According to employers it's only a small percentage of job candidates that actually take the time to write a decent thank you note. Not just sending a "thank you" but discussing something from the interview to make the thank you card more personal. It is unfortunate that companies don't have the common courtesy to respond back to you, after the interview, to let you know the results and to tell you, if you did not get the position, why. That would be so helpful to everyone. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case for the majority of companies. So, maybe, after the interview, you could get a phone number and call them back. Ask when they will be making the decision and ask when is a good time to call. If you actually get to talk to someone who tells you that you didn't get the job, you might be able to probe a little bit and find out why. As always we wish you all the best.

  • Tawana Dutch
    Tawana Dutch

    I actually was told I was chosen for a position because I was the only candidate that sent a written thank you note. That does work! But I have been on so many interviews lately that look extremely promising and never hear a thing! I think common courtesy would be to call, even if they are not going to hire you.

  • MARYANN C.
    MARYANN C.

    MARYANN CAMHI
    I LIKE TO KNOW I HAVE BEEN ON PLENTY OF INTERVIEWS AND I THINK I DO FINE. AND ITS THE SAME OLD THING WE WILL CALL YOU AND THEY DON'T.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Edna you assure them that you are quick and are more than able to do the job. You trot out all of your experience and skills, to date, and then talk them up. @Glaphyra just because they didn't ask you when you want to start, right after the interview, does not mean that you did not get the job. Did you ask what the next steps were? When they would be making a decision and when you could call? After the interview, did you thank the interviewer in person and then send a nice thank you note? A hand-written one that is sent in the mail is usually the best.

  • Glaphyra Jean-Louis
    Glaphyra Jean-Louis

    If after the interview, they do not ask you when you want to start and the do not make an offer, start to think that you are not the lucky one for this job. @Edna, they should not tell you that. That is not only disrespectful, it is also a red flag for Age discrimination.

  • Edna Blue
    Edna Blue

    I get 1 interview. They see how old I am and tell me they need someone who can be quick. How do they know I'm not!

  • Jessica Del Castillo
    Jessica Del Castillo

    I agree

  • Roxanne B.
    Roxanne B.

    I agree . The person who does this today, is s super stand out.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    I don't think I would move on after 3-4 days Joe. When the interview is ending, ask the question when they will be making a hiring decision. Then do your best to get a date/time to call the interviewer as a follow up. Make sure, after the interview, that you send a thank you note. Many people use email to say thank you but a handwritten note sent by snail mail is still the best.

  • joe askew
    joe askew

    If feedback is a black hole within 3-4 days; move on

  • Eric s.
    Eric s.

    How long before you give up hope on a interview you participated in?

Jobs to Watch