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Original poster

Should I pull out of the process after 7 interviews?

104 replies

NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 10/12/2022 09:16

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

OP posts:
good96 · 10/12/2022 15:31

If a company can’t see your value after 2 interviews then it isn’t the company for you.
Not your fault, I just see no point or value of a 7 stage interview process.

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 10/12/2022 15:59

Thanks so much for all the responses! I think I am gonna have the interview on Monday, if it comes up naturally in conversation I think I will say that I’ve been made to feel like I’m being dangled along - might as well be honest at this stage. Will also ask the recruiter why the role has been posted. I know they sound awful but with the cost of living, the pay increase could really really (and I’m not being dramatic) be life changing! Hopefully the perfect role is out there for me.

OP posts:
Barbequebeans64 · 10/12/2022 16:08

7😬 I told a company no more when they wanted a 4th interview

mewkins · 10/12/2022 16:18

Do they have a high staff turnover? I would be concerned that HR need to have a chat about the company culture. Do they have a problem with grievances etc?

Thethingswedoforlove · 10/12/2022 16:26

Op I would def not cut off your nose to spite your face. See it through and it might just turn out well for you. Cost of living issues and solving them are not to be sniffed at. Keep your mind open and see what happens…

dickdarstardlymuttley · 10/12/2022 16:29

Thethingswedoforlove · 10/12/2022 09:38

I would see the process through - what have you got to lose? See what they offer. Meantime keep an eye out for other things just as you would if you pulled out…

I'd advice this too.

NewToWoo · 10/12/2022 16:50

I would say, that's enough. They know you and your skills sufficiently to make an informed decision and effective offer already and you aren;t available for further interviews.

I've walked away before when goalposts keep moving in interview. To me, it's a sign that they mess people around.

AnotherLogOnTheFire · 10/12/2022 18:19

I definitely would not tell them you won’t do another interview - total red flag if they are having doubts about you. Better to ask them what information they need from you to help them make the decision - behave like a professional.

AnotherLogOnTheFire · 10/12/2022 19:01

Also can I just share an alternative perspective - at the moment recruitment is tough - there just isn't the talent out there. We can no longer recruit someone with experience for the role we are advertising - to attract candidates we have to offer them a promotion and a big pay rise. To assess an external candidate for promotion in two interviews is tough, we have to take a bit of a leap of faith and that's hard because being good at your current job does not mean you will be good at your promoted role and often candidates are no great at knowing their own abilities either. None of us want an employee who can't step up, even with support and training - and you don't want to be that employee either because you will lose your job.

dickdarstardlymuttley · 10/12/2022 19:22

AnotherLogOnTheFire · 10/12/2022 19:01

Also can I just share an alternative perspective - at the moment recruitment is tough - there just isn't the talent out there. We can no longer recruit someone with experience for the role we are advertising - to attract candidates we have to offer them a promotion and a big pay rise. To assess an external candidate for promotion in two interviews is tough, we have to take a bit of a leap of faith and that's hard because being good at your current job does not mean you will be good at your promoted role and often candidates are no great at knowing their own abilities either. None of us want an employee who can't step up, even with support and training - and you don't want to be that employee either because you will lose your job.

Interesting perspective 🙏

Hawkins001 · 10/12/2022 19:26

NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 10/12/2022 09:27

Thanks for all of your replies! During the interview process people who currently work there had said exactly that; hard to get anything done, manager new, out of her depth and trying to prove herself and also that the culture isn’t great. My gut is telling me to run but it’s a very large pay increase, hybrid, good commute and a step up career wise which is why I’m even hanging around.

Strategy wise, it sometimes is a fallacy to keep going when you have invested this much already, but on the flip side, why not keep going if you can and see what happens ?

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 10/12/2022 20:03

@NewKidOnTheBlock99 Glad to hear you're going to go for the interview on Monday but please don't tell them you feel like you've been dangled! Be professional and ask them what you need to do to further convince them you're the right person for the job.

cantba · 10/12/2022 20:47

@AnotherLogOnTheFire i suspect this is it. OP from what you have said this role is a big step up for you. They are clearly interested. See the process through.

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 11/12/2022 10:32

cantba · 10/12/2022 20:47

@AnotherLogOnTheFire i suspect this is it. OP from what you have said this role is a big step up for you. They are clearly interested. See the process through.

I am absolutely going to do this and go in tomorrow and put my best foot forward! I’m still going to ask the recruiter about the spec going up but I’ll have the interview and see what the feedback is after. If it looks like an offer isn’t imminent then I probably will pull my application. I have spent the whole weekend feeling super anxious and annoyed about it and I don’t want that to continue.

I do get that these are massive red flags BUT the company size, the role and the salary would make it worth sticking it out for a year.

OP posts:
Thethingswedoforlove · 14/12/2022 07:24

Any update @NewKidOnTheBlock99 ?

beholden · 14/12/2022 07:36

How did the interview go on Monday?

Catslovepies · 14/12/2022 07:44

Also wondering how it went?

Chuntypops · 14/12/2022 10:34

Just here for the feedback.

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 14/12/2022 11:09

@Thethingswedoforlove @Chuntypops @Catslovepies @beholden

So I had the ‘interview’ it effectively only took around 15 minutes as the hiring manager had a couple of questions. She then explained that there would be two more rounds… an informal coffee with the directors and a chat with HR. I asked the recruiter about the job being reposted and he said he always keeps them open so he has a backlog of candidates ready to go in case it doesn’t work out but he won’t be sending anyone else over, I think he’s as invested as I am at this stage!

The last two rounds they are going to do one after the other at the same time. I am going to see the process through - I’ve come so far!! I know they are massive red flags but the things this role on paper could give me could really fast track me over the next couple of years plus a very respected company (if only people knew they were this chaotic)*, and most importantly the salary!!!

Will send an update if I ever get an offer!!

*I told an old manager who the company were and he was like ‘Brilliant, I expect they are super corporate and professional’ lol

OP posts:
Thethingswedoforlove · 14/12/2022 13:16

Sounds very sensible @NewKidOnTheBlock99 . Wishing you all the best

Chuntypops · 14/12/2022 13:46

So NINE interviews?

Chuntypops · 14/12/2022 13:48

Did you feed back that that’s crackers?

PorkPieForStarters · 14/12/2022 13:49

In my experience, the interview process offers direct insight into what it's like to work for a company, ie. disorganised/too many layers of decision-makers/manager incompetence etc. Perhaps check out what employees say on Glassdoor, though take with a pinch of salt - happy employees don't tend to post there!

If it's a global company, esp. where the hiring manager and HR may be in different parts of the world, it can make the process even more convoluted and I think they often apply a one-size-fits-all approach to recruitment even where the position is relatively junior. It's also coming up to Christmas so many people are off/busy with end-of-year so that might be slowing things up, too.

If the red flags don't sound unmanageable (or worse than anywhere else), it's a great name for your CV, great experience plus a decent salary, then perhaps it's worth sucking up for a few years.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Cinecitta · 14/12/2022 14:28

That’s 9 interviews if I’m correct. I think it’s utterly stupid and unnecessary. But if OP gets her dream job at the end, who am I to judge?

ThirtyThreeTrees · 14/12/2022 16:40

9 interviews? Do they want you to donate a kidney as well?!

Most CEOs don't even have 9 interviews.

This company will drive you crazy even if you do get the job!!

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