To think 8 interviews is just excessive

How do you blag the time off to attend

I’ve only ever taken one job where my gut instinct was that there was something amiss, and it wasn’t even half visible what it was. I lasted 5 months. Be careful.

It does sound like a LOT.

Be mindful that this could be a culture indicator and any decisions you try to take (if you secure the position) may have to go through various approval channels. It would make work very frustrating!
On the other hand, it could indicate that they are being ultra-cautious about who they bring in because the role is important and enjoys a huge amount of autonomy.

Have they given any indication or have you asked any questions about which scenario is more likely?

It's excessive and I wonder how many other people they are putting through this. If it's just you it's not so bad but there's still no guarantee of a role. Since you've done so much and it's just one more interview I would go for it but I wouldn't be happy.

Looking for jobs and interviewing for roles takes long enough as it is without it taking 8 interviews. What if you had to interview for a few different roles to find the right one? It just wouldn't be possible if you're already working as well.

Yes, would love a final update from the OP! Also, I highly recommend posting your question to the site AskAManager - she gives excellent advice, insight and suggestions on how to proceed in these types of situations or any other workplace issues. A really good resource.

Please let us know how it pans out OP, I'm very invested in this thread!

They sound like they would have no respect for your time. I’d have binned them off after round 3 or 4 tbh.

I wouldn't withdraw but I'd pull them up if this isn't the final stage.

I'd also be negotiating hard if they made me an offer as they've clearly seen you fight off many competitors.

However, this. Everyone will take forever. The company won't be responsive. Depends what your style is. I'd personally find it frustrating but for 140k I could manage!

For tech it’s within normal but getting to too much

I used to work for a big American multinational and we had a talk from a “senior” leader who had come in externally (which was quite rare, they tended to promote from within) and she had 32 interviews! Absolute madness. She said the more people she met the more she liked. I had 6 steps once for a senior role (but it wasn’t like I was in ex-co).

It’s a lot but you’ve got this far and may as well go for it if you want the job.

i would see how the next one goes. Then if you feel as though you want the job, go through the contract very carefully.

Then, whether you turn them down or not, i would let them know that the number of interviews was excessive. (having said that: are you going for CTO or something? i would expect that to be very thorough)

This seems reasonable. Clearly set out (assuming candidates know in advance there will be up to four interviews), limited time and clearly different aspects being explored each time. And almost all online with conveniently booked slots.

Even for the lowest level posts at living wage we do two rounds now, although the initial one is via phone or Teams to reduce numbers from about 15 down to about five.

That seems ridiculous but I don't work in those areas.

My son had to go through 5 interviews for an apprenticeship to be a motor mechanic!

It all depends on how much you want the job I suppose but that seems patently excessive. We do three for most roles. I’m not sure I’d be arsed if you had other options.

@TheSwarm only the final one is in person, the rest is online at the candidate’s convenience.
We have about 200 people applying per job, technically about 20-30 of them are equally good.
Interview 1: fact and employability check (30 min - reduces candidates to about 20)
Interview 2: technical check (30 min - down to 10 or so)
Interview 3: soft skill check (30 min - to the final 3-5)
Interview 4: we give a (almost) real life challenge for them to work on. this is in person and takes about 1 hour. Final selection.

Getting the fit wrong is bad for the company and the person. Putting effort int recruitment is well worth it.

And the fact that candidates have actual lives and other interviews doesn't matter, obviously .

Agree. 3 would be my limit.

But listen to your gut OP - I once had a similar feeling about a woman I interviewed with and declined the position on the basis of some of the answers she gave to my questions. Previous 2 interviews had gone really well. The directors I'd interviewed with previously asked me to come in for a chat - I told them exactly why I'd come to the decision, turns out this woman had straight up lied to me!

I ended up taking the job and it was a mistake - she had it in for me from day 1 and I spent the next 4 years dodging bullets.

We are currently doing 4 for junior staff (around 60k), so looks ok to me.
There are a lot of people looking for jobs, and we want the best fit.

Tech recruiter here. The red flag is the changing process more than the number of interviews - suggests an organisation that can't make decisions and in which people are scared to take accountability.
I suggest asking this of the global head. If they don't respond well to the question, you have your answer.

Is this a sign of the culture and they’re unable to make decisions quickly, or am I overthinking?
You know when you get to that bit in the interview where they ask "have you got any questions you would like to ask?" ...

Pretty standard for US companies. I've recently gone through a similar process, including doing a presentation and a separate technical exercise. After going through the whole process, they decided they wanted to go in a slightly different direction... grr!

In 2022 I had a one (remote) 1.5 hour interview in a tech consultancy and got the job.
Difference was that the interview was with the right person who was empowered and trusted to make the right decision for the company.
8 interviews wastes both internal company and the interviewee time.

They are showing a complete lack of respect for your time and you're not even in the role yet. I'd have run a long time ago.