Endless interview process - how to bag the job.

[tinofshortbread]

Back in September I was approached and asked to apply for a job that is in an industry that I have no employment experience in, but a considerable amount of "hobby activity" and quite a bit of informal experience. Its a mid-level position. The job was formally advertised a few weeks later.

Since then, I've done a case study, provided samples of work and had six (!) interviews, two with the founder of the company....and still no decision.

The last email I got they told me that they would arrange another interview with an executive coach that they lean on for hiring decisions.

I keep getting the impression that I'm not saying what they want me to say, but keep giving me "chances". Can anyone give me any advice on how to actually bag this job?

This company must have a lot of spare time and resources to still be continuing to recruitment process after 6 interviews! Are you sure you want the job if they're making you jump through so many hoops?

Yes, I definitely want the job. Its a small but very well funded start up with some pretty impressive people behind it.

But I really dont know what they want from me.

If they are a start-up do you think there is any possibility they are just pumping you for information and ideas and with no intention of employing you? Six interviews sounds very odd.

I would be worried that they were pumping you for info and/or not fully committed to recruiting. Is it a new position?

I would also say they are just extracting info from you. You could push back a bit - six interviews plus loads of your own written stuff is ridiculous.

I would ask them outright what else there is to discuss? Surely you must have exhausted it all by now. Sounds very OTT.

Or offer them a day of voluntary work? That would have actually taken up less of your time!

Yes, its a new position.

The position definitely exists as its been advertised (and is still being advertised). I do get the feeling that they are just trying to pick my brains tho. They ask me things like ...and how would you improve x, ....and what you think our current approach lacks etc, rather than more traditional interview questions.

Its a remote position (most of the company is remote) so its not like I'm actually "going" to interviews, so I can understand that they perhaps want more interview time compared with a physical interview, but this seems so excessive and I dont know how to get a definative answer out of them.

Personally I’d politely push back at this stage. If they want you that shouldn’t put them off. Interview is a two way street and I think it would be good to show (after an excessive interview process!) that you won’t have your time wasted either. Amazon do this. I think it’s appalling! I’d probably say- I really appreciate your interest in me, you’ve had x amount of opportunities To decide whether I’m a right fit. I don’t think I can do anything further to convince you. Please let me know if you wish to hire me but otherwise, thank you for your time and good luck with the hiring process.

Sounds like they are using you to milk your ideas and experience.
Very unfair and unethical if this is actually the case.

Doesn't sound credible at all - 6 "interviews" with zero progress.

I second what @CRbear says and think you should give them an ultimatum.

Hope I'm wrong...

If it was just a common or garden job I'd have told them to shove it by now, but I do really really want this.

If they just wanted to pick my brains why didnt they just offer me consultancy, its very common in this industry to have "mini-contracts" of a couple of hours of work, and the job is there being advertised (along with 6 other positions).

One of the other positions is more senior (strategy focused) than the role that I was invited to apply for, and I've vaguely wondered if they are considering me for that one as a lot of the questions they are asking are more strategic...but then maybe they are just trying to pick my brains.

I do wish they would tell me what is actually going on tho, communication with them is very sparce.

Why don't you have the confidence to press them? Ask them what is going on and what the next stage is?

I would be cautious. Just because they are advertising all these jobs doesn't necessarily mean they will come to anything. Do you know the funding is definitely there to make this startup a success? I get they want the right people but if this is how they go about hiring are they capable of making this business a success?

Sorry. Seen you've said they have funding. Still, I have known startups with good backing who don't make it work.

The funding is definitely there, it raised $4m on its first seed round and its got some serious players backing it.

The next stage is apparently an interview with an external executive coach, but again there is no clarity over whether this is definative or just another hoop.

The interview process is a two way street and any employer worth working for will expect questions from the candidate to determine if it's the right move for them.

Your next move-should you accept further interviewing- should include questions determining what the remaining recruitment process entails and when they expect to to have made a decision/offer. Perhaps ask why they sought you out to apply and how closely you match their preconceived ideal candidate by this stage.

In my industry this sort of thing wouldn't fly at all, they would have lost the interviewees by around interview three if not before. In the current climate it's insensitive at best and exploitative at worst.

They are acting unethically.

6 interviews?!?

I have seen dh have several interviews with partners of a firm - up to 10 - they call it "buy in". You want to convince each partner that you're worth hiring and they'll they'll support you to become a success. It's all a bit political.

In my industry, you tend to have a lot of interviews but if the hiring process isn't clear, surely as a candidate you ask for clarification? I'm a little surprised OP that you've had 6 interviews but don't appear to have ever asked how many interviews they do. Or just even "will this be the last interview?" It's not rocket science. Just ask them.

I would ask them what the rest of the interview process looks like and what else they need to make a decision.
If it’s any consolation, I have been through 6 interviews and various assessments with a company but got offered the job, it really has been an emotional rollercoaster but was worth it in the end

Well, its all a bit odd, the first interview was "not an interview, just a general chat about the role" (it was an interview). After interview 3, I asked when a decision would be made.....and was told probably by the end of the week.

They then came back and said that they were still interviewing, that I was at the top of the shortlist but that the process had taken longer than they had anticipated and it was only fair that the process was followed.

They then set up interviews 4 and 5, which I went along with and at the end of interview 5, I was told that I'd receive an email "within a few days".

After 3 days, I nudged them, and a meeting invite with the founder + potential line manager appeared in my inbox, I assumed that this was more of an offer/negotiation of terms rather than an interview...but nope. I asked directly at the end when I would hear. Founder said that there would be a further discussion but I would hear from them within 24 hours.

And now there's another interview with someone external. It doesnt really seem appropriate to ask an external about when decisions will be made, but I cant just continually do interview after interview forever and I don't know what it is they are looking for and haven't yet found iyswim.

Honestly sounds like they are taking you for a ride. Hope we are all wrong but if this interview results in another interview j would withdraw. The fact they are still advertising suggests they may be hoping someone else comes along with more industry experience.

I think you need to decide what you want - they sound a bit dysfunctional. We're a small company - that allows us to make decisions quickly - which is one of the reasons people are drawn to us and many other small companies. I'd be worried about the screwing around - I hate very dominant politics at work, I find it hard emotionally, dh enjoys the challenge of finding ways to get around difficult people - decide who you are what what you want to live with because something doesn't sound right.

Yay, I got the job (that seventh interview must have clinched it!)

Thanks to all for your advice.