Should I pull out of the process after 7 interviews?

[NewKidOnTheBlock99]

I started a process with a company around 4 weeks ago and it seemed to be going so well, as soon as I would finish an interview within the hour I had the offer of the next interview and my final interview was booked in before I even had my third. I was initially told it would be two stages and then that it would be four. I met the hiring manager, two senior members of the team and then had to do a panel. This was all within two weeks. The last interview was on the Thursday and I was confident I would have an offer by the Friday. Feedback within the interviews and after (via recruiter) is that I’m perfect for the role, ‘glowing reviews’ etc. There was tumble weed and apparently a couple of internal candidates had entered the process but the hiring manager just wanted to give them a chance and nobody had made it past second stage. Then the hiring manager wanted to meet again, which I did. After that she wanted to meet again which is booked in for next week. I was then called and talked through the offer process which would involve a SEVENTH interview so HR can talk through the culture and then you get an initial offer and then that has to be approved and then you get the final offer. I’ve just noticed that the recruiter reposted the role three days ago… just wondering what people think of the situation? It’s making me so stressed and I’m started to get really annoyed that I’m being strung along that I’m really tempted to pull my application. I also have intel as I know someone internally that I was mentioned in the weekly team meeting as joining but this was before the hiring manager asked to chat again. I’ll be honest during the interview process it has come to light that the company isn’t great to work for and the manager can be a bit of a nightmare. What shall I do?

For context 2-3 interviews within my industry is standard.

I’m on a bit of a time limit

So I know the role has been reposted as the whole way through I’ve had the incorrect spec. I was finally taken through the correct spec in interview 5 and this new spec is what has been posted - coincidentally it was posted the same day I had interview 5 and the salary has been increased slightly!

Jeez, that's excessive. We were interviewing for a new CEO and it was 3 interviews per candidate. All interviews were held on the same day. (We only interviewed 3 candidates).

Pull out. A company that wants you to jump through so many hoops will be awful to work for. They should be looking after you and selling themselves to you, as well as the other way round.

It sounds like they're not really sure about you but are struggling to find someone else.

I’ll be honest during the interview process it has come to light that the company isn’t great to work for and the manager can be a bit of a nightmare

7 interviews is a lot but it's at least given you a chance to realise the above. Trust your gut and walk away. I took a job after ignoring that little voice in my head, only lasted a year there because it was so awful.

It’s one more, I’d stay in for this you’ve come so far, what’s one more. But id want a decision made and ask for the timeline for this

I feel sorry for whichever team it is that is short of a manager whilst this farce is going on. I would also be tempted to go to ask them what they think they are going to get out of interview no. 7 that they couldn't have got out of the previous six interviews, and how they could reassure you that you wouldn't be driven mad by their indecisiveness if you actually took the job.

I wouldn't pull out. But I would politely say that you feel you've attended enough interviews and are looking for a job offer.

No way I would even get to 7 interviews. It will be the kind of company where nothing ever gets decided because no one is willing to take ownership of a decision, so they all just have meetings about meetings instead. Very frustrating places to work

7 interviews? This must be the MI5.

Email them today and tell them you’re withdrawing.

You’re not in a circus, you’ve jumped through far too many hoops.

Is that last 'interview' more of a discussion with HR? I'd personally go.

The new advert though, is it for another post because there are multiple posts available?

I'd suck it up if it's the job you want, you've come this far already!

Good luck!

Dp only had 3 interviews with his job to run the whole European arm of an international company (initial interview with outgoing ceo, interview in U.K. with line manager based overseas then flew to head office for final interview

So yes, the last interview is apparently a ‘culture’ fit to makesure you understand what they can offer etc but it seems bizarre that this is before an offer!

No, so there is definitely only one job available! This role more oversees and co-ordinates everyone else so having more then one person wouldn’t make sense.

@Cinecitta lol I wish! It is a very large global brand so this behaviour is actually shocking tbh

There is no way in hell I wold work for a company that requires 7 interviews.

It speaks volumes about how inefficient they are, no agility or flexibility, overly engineered structures and processes, clearly slioed, they'll also have poor time management and high costs & are wondering why costs are so high and nothing gets done despite it being glaringly obvious to everyone not suck in the vortex of inefficiency etc.

I would expected the something as simple as ordering a mobile phone or booking annual leave will involve layers of approval.

3 interviews max is my limit.

I wouldn't entertain anything more than two interviews.

I normally get headhunted anyway so they've already made their mind up that they want me by the time they contact me.

I would pull out on the basis of the company culture. 7 interviews is a lot, but at last in my industry 5 interviews is "normal" even for individual contributor role. And even more for a senior role. I don't agree to this, but that's how it is

This is ridiculous Op. I agree with PP who say that it sounds like they're not sure about you but keeping you in the process in case they can't find someone better.

I'd pull out and tell them why. No point wasting anymore of your time.

That's an interesting take on being head-hunted - we head-hunt people we are interested in, we like their cv - we certainly have not made up our minds that we want them, even if they can technically do the job - the interviews are essential to determine they are the right cultural fit - we both have to get to know each other a bit before committing - depends on the job though.

I would stay in the process, but not necessarily accept the role.

Our process ends with an HR chat, they check a few things and talk salary expectations etc. It would be interesting to find out what they offer and if it is the final step.

I would ask that HR attend at the same time as your chat with the hiring manager next week, and you expect an offer to be made at that chat if it is going to be made at all. That you are starting to lose faith in this company and are beginning to think it's not a good culture fit.

Then get onto other recruiters and start the job hunt over. As my gut is the initial offer is going to be a low one and negotiations will be long. So don't hold out for this job, get looking for a better one.

HR chat in my workplace is always without the hiring manager.

It's only a phonecall, typically about 20mins.

You've come this far so you might as well do one more interview. If they offer the job just look at it as a stepping stone to the job you do want. The pay increase and working from home can be your mental cushion until you leave.

I’d give them the professional version of ‘Piss or get off the pot.’

If the spec and pay has changed, surely the re advertising isn’t just a semi automated process? I don’t think they’re not quite sure about you and are keeping you dangling until they see who else pops up.

If they offer you the role, decline. Just to piss them off.