Neverending interviews... Getting about tired.

[Isitameproblem]

I've already had three interviews at a startup. They want me to do 4 roles in one. I've scored: 9, 9, 7, 7 and they're worried about my technical abilities. They wanted me to score at least an 8 in all roles. So no they've decided I need another interview. I'm actually kind of fed-up. Normally, they'd assign a take-home task, but instead I've been asked to provide the answers in the spot, not necessarily knowing what POV they want the answer from. I told the recruiter if they had asked the technical questions directly or given me said task we wouldn't be in this situation. I even told him that I'm starting to get concerns as a future employee.

Originally there were 2 interviews, then 3, and now they want a 4th one.....

Aibu of starting to feel tired about the whole thing?

Who knows at this point.... Why would they keep wasting their time?.

They don't actually know how to run a business or make effective quick decisions.

I've worked for these people before; it was the worst thing that ever happened to my mental health.

Multiple managers, constant changes of strategy and direction, micromanagement, mismanagement, blame from the top down when their lack of direction caused issues.

The more I read the more I think you should protect yourself by walking away.

Slightly different perspective - my interview process for my current job (which is great) was a bit drawn out because;
They’d never hired one of me before
They were in the middle of a huge transition and the decision makers were new to making decisions at that level
I stuck with it because I could see the value I’d add to them, everyone I met was really nice and I knew I could achieve a lot. So far, so good.
Is it good vibes apart from the process? Do you have a clear idea of what you will get out of it and they will get put of it?
Also, do you want to have a life? Generally speaking start ups are all consuming, so family, hobbies etc fall by the wayside

The answer is yes to all of them I'm actually annoyed with the recruiter (more than these guys)

This.

I worked in the private sector for 25 years, including at three start ups. You could not pay me enough to get me to work at another (I’m now very happily employed in the civil service). IME, start ups are invariably focused around the whims and the ego of the CEO / founder. If you’re not the right cultural fit / aren’t behind their (often poorly-communicated) vision, you’ll be miserable. Equating a startup with career progression is because you end up with experience of lots of roles - often some of which you might not want. You’re also often at the mercy of shareholders and particularly of VCs. My experience has biased me, but I’d advise anyone to steer well clear.

@Isitameproblem in that case, cut the recruiter out of the picture (they’ll still get paid) and go direct. If you get clarity then it’s a recruiter problem.
If you take the job, negotiate for equity as well as salary and have an exit plan for 24 months down the line. This might feel like you are looking for another job before you’ve started this one but the start up game is to grow quickly and sell - you might want to stay but equally 24 months of no breaks, midnight calls and founder nonsense might leave you wanting a new job 🤣

Would that be ok?

I'm definitely super close to just emailing the CEO and ask him directly to meet again so I can answer his questions and have a effing clear agenda of the meeting/interview.

I know it's an unorthodox approach, but I feel in this case it's justified.

At it!!

This!

Most my career has been in startups, my experience has always been quick and decisive interviews, fairly informal and without all the crappy personality screening tick boxes of larger organisations.

If they can’t make a decision after three interviews, do not pursue this. It will not be worth it.

Speaking to a lady that has been in start-ups (she gave me almost 2 hours of her life!)

Her take is that CEO really likes me and is fighting for me. She also told me I'm technical enough, just that clearly I didn't express it somehow.

I'm thinking of emailing the CEO directly and remove the recruiter from the equation. After all, my future relationship would be with them, not the recruiter.