Likely the most stressful part of the entire job search process is the interview. People sweat over it, lose sleep over it, and worry about it: we talk about dressing for it, interview questions, what questions to ask at interviews, and communication strategies. But one of the worst things about interviews is a hidden one: when they just don’t end.
For example, Google used to be famous for its endless rounds of interviews – 15-25 rounds! (They don’t do that anymore, but they were infamous for it once upon a time). Even now, Google still has four rounds of interviews and they can be quite grueling. So what’s going on and what can you do about it?
Why Do Companies Conduct So Many Interviews?
It’s certainly not all companies, but particularly large tech-based ones or large specialized industries are known for conducting multiple rounds of interviews and even more frustrating, each interview could be months apart, so you feel like you’re being reeled it, let go, and reeled in again. But they can’t be doing this just for kicks, so what gives?
According to James Philip, entrepreneur and author, companies are mostly trying to make sure they get the right person – they are often doing it at least partly out of fear of getting the wrong person. It’s rather like decision paralysis and by not making a decision, they can’t make a wrong decision. Remember that hiring someone who ends up being a poor fit can cost a business a lot of money, time and energy, so many hiring managers overcompensate to try to find the perfect fit. It can also be a matter of multiple levels of management weighing in with their wish lists and causing a tangle.
What Can You Do About It?
You can’t exactly tell off the interviewers for having too many interviews as that’s their prerogative. So you really have one of two options:
- Drop out of the process. No one is making you continue interviewing with a company, particularly if it’s taking too long for you or causing you a lot of mental anguish.
- Ride it out, but be clear in your expectations about when decisions will be made. Asking when a decision will be made is a common enough question at the end of an interview and can give you a better timeline. It’s also important to note that most companies aren’t doing it to be a pain to you (so don’t take it personally), but because the hiring people might be nervous and wanting to limit the chances of hiring the wrong person.
Even more frustrating, if you go through half a dozen rounds of interviews and still don’t get the job or even hear back! How can you deal with that?
It’s certainly annoying and many job seekers will feel understandably upset about losing out on a job when they put so much work into the process, but it’s important to not take it personally. It’s also important to view the whole experience as a learning opportunity. After all, you got experience in a ton of interview questions with probably a half a dozen or more interviewers and that can be really helpful in your preparation for future interviews.
Don’t feel bad that it ended; be happy that it happened!
Good luck and keep learning.
