It’s becoming increasingly common for job seekers to go through multiple interview rounds before landing a job offer. While 2-3 interviews used to be standard, some companies now require 4 or more interviews before making a hiring decision.
Why do companies conduct so many interviews?
There are a few reasons companies are extending their interview process:
- More thorough evaluation – With each additional interview, the company can gain more insights into a candidate’s skills, experience and culture fit.
- Include various stakeholders – Multiple interviews allow more hiring managers, team members, executives etc. to meet and assess the candidate.
- Reduce risk – The more interactions with a candidate, the lower the chance of making a poor hiring decision that could be costly.
While a longer interview process requires more time and effort from both the company and candidate, companies see value in being as thorough as possible when evaluating potential hires.
Typical stages of a 4+ interview process
While each company structures their interviews differently, typical stages of a 4+ interview hiring process include:
- Initial phone screen – A 30-45 minute call with an HR rep or hiring manager to review resume, assess basic qualifications and communication skills.
- Technical interview – 1-2 hours of technical questions related to the role to evaluate the candidate’s hard skills, problem solving, etc. May involve skills testing.
- Manager interview – A 1 hour interview focused on leadership style, domain expertise, management capabilities and culture fit.
- Executive interview – A final 30-60 minute interview with a senior leader to assess the candidate’s executive presence and alignment with company values.
Some companies also incorporate additional stages like a panel or group interview, a presentation or work sample from the candidate, or follow-up conversations as needed.
Preparing for a 4+ interview process
For job seekers, preparing for multiple interview stages requires dedication but is very doable with some planning:
- Thoroughly research the company’s industry, products/services, culture and interview process.
- Brush up on your technical and behavioral interview skills – practice common questions.
- Review the job description closely so you can connect your background to their needs.
- Prepare examples that showcase your skills and align with the company’s values.
- Develop thoughtful questions to ask each interviewer to show your interest.
- Follow up after each interview with thank you notes.
It also helps to be mindful of interview fatigue. Be sure to schedule some time between interviews when possible, and get plenty of rest to stay energized and focused.
Tips for each interview round
To make the most of a 4+ interview process, tailor your strategies for each type of interview:
Phone screen
- Speak slowly and clearly, with energy and confidence.
- Highlight your resume qualifications and interest in the role.
- Have insightful questions prepared to ask at the end.
Technical interview
- Practice responses to common technical and behavioral questions.
- Use the STAR method to structure your answers.
- Prepare examples that show mastery of required technical skills.
- Ask smart, engaging questions that show your interest.
Manager interview
- Focus on leadership style, analytical thinking, teamwork and communication.
- Align your skills with the manager’s needs and challenges.
- Build rapport and emphasize your fit with the team culture.
Executive interview
- Research the executive’s background and hot topics in the industry.
- Bring vision, strategic thinking and confidence.
- Ask insightful questions about the company’s direction and priorities.
Following up after the interviews
Don’t forget about follow up after you complete the full interview cycle:
- Send thank you emails to each person who interviewed you within 24 hours.
- Follow up with the recruiter approximately one week after the last interview if you haven’t heard back.
- Evaluate the role and company objectively before accepting any job offer.
- Negotiate job offer details like salary, benefits and start date if needed.
With the right preparation and follow through, you can ace a 4+ interview process and land the job!
When is a 4+ interview process excessive?
While multiple interviews allow an in-depth evaluation of candidates, requiring too many interviews can be counterproductive and frustrating for candidates. Signs that a company’s process may be excessive include:
- Interview stages that repeat or overlap significantly
- More than 6-8 total hours of interview time
- Interviews with more than 8-10 total interviewers
- Interviews scheduled back-to-back or on short notice
- Little feedback provided between interview rounds
If an interview process feels poorly organized, exhausting or drags on for weeks, candidates should reflect on whether the role and company culture seem like the right fit.
Data on typical interview numbers
According to various surveys and studies, here are some statistics on the typical number of interviews job seekers go through:
| Study/Survey | Average Interviews |
|---|---|
| Glassdoor 2021 survey | 3.8 |
| LinkedIn 2018 survey | 4.3 |
| Jobvite 2020 survey | 5.1 |
The data shows that most companies require between 3 to 5 interviews on average. Technology and executive roles tend to have the highest number of interviews, around 5 to 6.
Conclusion
4 or more interviews are becoming a standard part of the hiring process at many companies. With strategic preparation and follow up, job seekers can successfully navigate multiple interview rounds and put their best foot forward.
While a longer process requires more effort, it can lead to landing a great job by thoroughly demonstrating your skills and fit. However, an excessive number of repetitive interviews may signal disorganization or cultural issues at the company.
With some knowledge of what to expect, patience and practice, most candidates can make their way through a 4+ interview process and hopefully receive a coveted job offer!