To be put off by recruitment process ?

[Tocontinu]

I am going to the recruitment process for a job and already passed two interviews; next one is a presentation for a case study. The company and role seem to be good on paper; but I have a been putt off by this presentation to 3 people. I can’t help thinking that it is a bit over the top; there is one more interview, or perhaps I am being lazy; haven’t had to go through all this rigmarole since I left university. All jobs I have had in the last 20 years the recruitment process has been very straightforward. After the presentation there is still one more interview about values for one hour and another to meet the funders of the company.

I already have an offer for another job which was very straightforward; but wanted to see the other process through before I confirm.

Pull out then.

Unless this is for a fairly senior post, they sound indecisive. Or they’re trying to get you to do free work and will they take it without compensating you and reject you.

Not, it is not free work; relatively senior position, but not supper senior.

The recruitment process was explained at the beginning so it is their process. Can’t help thinking that the case study could have been shorter, something simpler to taste presentation skills, etc.

What’s the seniority level and salary?

70k Finance Manager.

The other company that offered me just had two interviews.

Is this standard process these days for many companies)

Thank you all. I really need to make a decision on whether to continue with this process or accept the other offer.

For a managerial role 2 interviews is possibly on the light side. 3 would be normal these days, 4 excessive.
I know someone who had 8 separate interview for a mid-senior role. Then ghosted for 2 weeks before, finally, an offer. By then they had got something else so it was the first company's loss.

If it reassures you, the interview process for my current job was (a) over the top and (b) seriously off putting. However, that process is
no reflection on the culture of the workplace itself, which is the best I’ve ever experienced.

Hmm it does seem heavy handed, I’m on a similar salary and level and just had to do an interview. At most we do an interview with a short presentation included. I think for me it would depend how much I like the company, is the robust recruitment practice due to high demand and particular recruitment expectations (not necessarily a bad thing if it results in a high quality work force which I can’t say my place has!) or is it indicative of a micromanaging hard work culture. Not sure how you dig into that, but potential for it to be a positive or a negative I think.

Thank you. I like the company and the role but can’t help thinking it is a bit heavy handed

Pretty normal in my industry (Financial Services). Most places do a minimum of 3 interviews (even for contract roles) but on average it’s more like 5 but I’ve had as many as 8. In my current dept, everyone has to do a case study interview regardless of grade but obviously the case studies get harder and the expectations higher the more senior the role. Even internal candidates do them. They’re actually a very useful tool and are often the deciding factor for if we proceed or not. Some candidates talk a good game and/or are very well prepared but the case study shows us how they really react under pressure and with zero preparation time (both of which are common in our role)

8 interviews 😱😱 how do they get any work done interviewing candidates EIGHT times?!

I wouldn't engage with anyone who wanted 5 or 8 interviews.

Well when I had 8 interviews they were mainly held after work (so 6-9pm) so they still made sure everyone got their work done. No escape for the wicked (or otherwise). 😉 Of course this was in the days of interviews being an actual physical meeting rather than via Teams etc so it was a much bigger investment for everyone. Nothing like doing a full day’s work followed by 3 back-to-back hour long interviews to show what you’re like when you’re not at your best. 😂It was exhausting. And dehydrating! I didn’t get the job that time but the irony is that my current employer took over that company recently so now I get to put their internal applicants through case study interviews to see if they’re good enough to join our global team so I like to think it proves karma always gets you in the end. 😛

Here is their process:

1. Human resources online call: 30 min
2. Hiring Manager online meeting to test more technical questions. 45 min
3. Case Study: prepare presentation and present to 3 people remotely. 1 hour presentation plus the preparation and doing the presentation. I never had to do this in my 25 plus year of career, so finding this over the top
4. 60 minutes values interview in person plus 45 min with the founders in person,

Is this over the top?

My god that’s insane, not just for the candidates but for the employees who have to run that! I go out of my mind with the paperwork around 1 interview (public sector so we do manage to really kick the arse out of paperwork) Can I ask what kind of salary a successful candidate likely would have got at the end of that process?

It’s more than I would be willing to do, our directors don’t have to go through anything like that and that would be more senior than a £70k finance manager role. I would have to be very excited to put in the effort for that, particularly the 1 hour presentation, the other interviews wouldn’t bother me.

It’s the private sector so paperwork is much much lighter (I assume!) It wasn’t a huge salary but it was for a big global name that having on your cv would set you up for the future.

Thank you. This is exactly hie I am feeling regarding the presentation; is really putting me off.

I really need to make a decision tomorrow.

A 10-15 minute presentation is perfectly reasonable and a good way of sifting out candidates who have poor Powerpoint skills and/or presentation skills. A 1-hour presentation is ridiculous, I can’t imagine the interviewers actually paying full attention throughout.

This is what I think, short presentation of 15min plus 15 min questions; but case study with various questions, preparing presentation, etc. I am just not sure I can’t be bothered when I already have another offer.

How do I politely decline it/ pull put? Should I be honest with them?

You can just email and say you’ve decided to withdraw without giving a specific reason. I personally would be honest and would say that on reflection over the weekend I have decided the level of engagement required of the recruitment process is more than I’m willing to commit, but you may choose to withhold if you wanted to keep things neutral for future opportunities. Not that anyone should be bitter about truthful and fair feedback, it’s your call really.

Thank you. I will give it a bit more thought tomorrow.

The other job I have another offer for is for a smaller company, I will have more autonomy but less growth and learning opportunities. I keep going in circles.

I really need to make a decision and move on. I was happy with the process and role until I received the case study.