Interview advice - unexpected 3rd interview

[TheFullMonty]

I have been interviewing for a position with a large company where I have had a telephone interview and then a 1.5hr face to face with two of the team which is their standard process.

At my last interview I was told to expect a decision within 2 weeks but I have now been asked for a 3rd interview instead. Should I be concerned and how should I prepare? They haven’t given me any idea of what to expect this time or any feedback from the previous interview.

I think you should be very pleased.

They haven’t called you for another interview because of doubts, more likely they can’t decide between two or three of you so need another kind to decide.

Well done getting to this stage

It sounds positive. What sort of questions did they ask in the face to face interview? Maybe they want you to expand on some of your answers, to see if you have the relevant experience and are the right fit for the job.

Fingers crossed!

I'd imagine they re 95% sure but want to get another final opinion before making an offer.

Sounds promising.

Thank you for the positivity, I’m feeling more excited about it now. I think it was just disconcerting when I was expecting a decision, at least it wasn’t a no.

My F2F was mostly competency based and I felt like we covered a lot of ground. As far as I can tell I’m not up against others, they hire when the right people come up so hopefully it is just that they want another opinion. I’m coming from a slightly unusual background to their normal hires so it could be that too.

Absolutely agree with PPs - that's only ever happened to me, or I have asked interviewees back, when it's really close between them and another candidate.

Regarding preparation ... I would say research both the company and the position as much as possible, but you've probably already done that. I always look up the last financial statements (but I'm an accountant) so I can see what their position is like. Local competition is sometimes a question ... or the potential impact of Brexit. Really depends on the position and type of industry. Very good luck though.

Often there is another key senior person you will be working with that they want to get the opinion of. Or someone else is signing off the wages and they want to see you before that happens. It should be a positive sign. Good luck.

Give us an idea of the industry

It’s Management Consulting, I’m coming from out of industry but have relevant academic and business experience.

Completely normal then. I went in as an experienced hire....had an HR call, then a three round interview of face to face competency based interview with a senior manager, interview with head of our piece of the business (fortunately no one told me how important he was! - but he did keep me waiting for 2 hours ....I thought it was a test....) and another HR one. Then they still didn't tell me I had the job for another 3 weeks!

I had this in my current job. Turned out there was a new Sales Director. My new line manager was ready to offer me the job but the new SD wanted to meet me first. I was offered the job the following day. It's definitely a positive thing.