To think 8 interviews is just excessive

[BubblinTrouble]

Hi everyone

I’m currently interviewing for a role and I’ve had the following interviews already:

HR, hiring manager, peer meeting, technical exercise, call to discuss technical exercise, interview with an additional stakeholder, meeting with head of international team, meeting with head of North America.

This was supposedly the last stage but had an email Friday indicating that they want me to do a final, final interview with the head of the entire global team.

Am I being unreasonable to think this is just excessive. Do I sit through it and attend this final interview. Should I say something to HR? Is this a sign of the culture and they’re unable to make decisions quickly, or am I overthinking?

It is for a fairly senior role - not c suite or exec level for context.

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

To those that have said that some of them aren’t real interviews, I disagree. They have all been technical and drilling into various aspects of what I’ll be doing. They haven’t just been a chat. The last two definitely could have been combined and I don’t think I needed to speak to both of them. They should have done a panel interview really for some of them.
I have decided to continue with the process but am thinking very hard about it all

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

How do you blag the time off to attend