Candidates go through two to five rounds of interviews on average to land based on the type of industry, position, and hiring process.
Lauren Rivera, Career Coach said, “The quality of the interview interaction is more important than the number itself”.
Job hunting is tedious and not knowing how many interviews you may have to go through before getting the job adds to it.
Does this indefiniteness scare you? Worry not!!
Whether you want to know ‘Why do companies hold so many rounds of interviews?’ or ‘Different types of interviews in the hiring process’ or ‘How many interviews are too many interviews?’, or anything else regarding job interviews to land a job offer, we have covered it all.
Cherry on the top- Along with job interview statistics and expert opinions.
How many interviews does it take to get a job?
Typically the number of interview rounds may vary from 2 to 5.
It highly depends upon the position you are applying for.
- For lower/ entry-level positions, one or a maximum of two interviews are usually enough to make the decision.
- For mid-level positions, two to at max three interviews seem to be sufficient.
- For senior-level positions, companies might go through up to five rounds of interviews as they look forward to hiring not only skilled but a responsible and trustworthy candidate.
If interviewers are confused between two or three equally qualified interviewees at any position, they may call them again.
Why do companies hold so many rounds of interviews?
Steven Leitch, a career coach and resume expert said, “It seems to be a growing trend across various industries, with candidates being subjected to more rounds of interviews and rigorous testing than ever before,” [1]
Companies assess the potential candidates for different skills and evaluate their capabilities by conducting multiple interviews. He also said, “With the rise of remote work and a larger pool of talent accessible to companies, they are increasingly cautious and seeking more ways to assess candidates thoroughly.” [1]
There may be the following reasons why companies hold multiple interviews.
- Assess Skills
- Get opinions from different team members
- Confirm you are the right person
- Get to know you
Generally, if companies are hiring for higher positions or more responsible positions they tend to conduct many job interviews to critically analyze the candidates. Or sometimes they are just trying to know if you are the one!
51% of recruiters state that the best candidate is found after three interviews
First, the HRs screen the suitable candidates, then the team leader/ managers interview the person, filtering the candidates further. At last CEOs or other senior position holders make the decision.
In an interview with Forbes, Patrick Murphy, CEO of Robert Half discussed the “talent-first” approach. He said, “We advocate for a ‘talent-first’ approach, where the focus is on finding the best candidate versus putting them through a gauntlet of interviews. Companies need to re-evaluate the number of interviews they conduct to avoid losing top talent.” [4]
According to Jobvite, the average applicant-to-interview conversion rate in 2023 is 8.4%, dropping from a high of 15.25% in 2016. [7]
Different types of interviews in the hiring process
Here we have discussed various types of interviews, their process, and tips to ace them.
Traditional Face-to-Face Interview
This is the most common type of interview, where the candidate meets with one or more interviewers in person to discuss their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position. They want to know about your experiences and if you’re right for the job. You might talk about your past jobs and skills.
Phone Interview
It is a screening interview conducted over the phone to assess basic qualifications and suitability for the role before inviting the candidate for an in-person interview. This interview happens over the phone before meeting in person.
The average length of a phone interview is approximately 15 minutes which is significantly shorter than in-person interviews, which typically last 45-90 minutes. [4]
Video Interview
60% of hiring managers use or have used video interviewing in the hiring process. It is similar to a face-to-face interview, but conducted via video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Skype. This is particularly common for remote positions or when candidates are unable to attend an in-person interview.
Panel Interview
In this interview the candidate is interviewed by multiple interviewers simultaneously, often representing different departments or levels within the organization. Candidates are advised to address each interviewer by name and acknowledge their questions with clear and concise answers.
Behavioral Interview
It basically focuses on assessing how candidates have handled specific situations or challenges in the past. It is based on the belief that ‘Past behavior is the best predictor of future performance.’
They’ll ask about things you did before to understand how you handle situations. Talk about times you solved problems or worked in a team. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide context for your experiences. Be prepared to discuss both successes and challenges you’ve faced and the lessons you’ve learned from them.
Technical Interview
Commonly used in technical or IT roles, this interview assesses the candidate’s technical skills and knowledge through problem-solving exercises, coding challenges, or technical discussions.
Group Interview
Many jobs involve multiple candidates being interviewed together, often participating in group activities or discussions to assess teamwork, communication skills, and how they interact with others.
Different rounds of interviews in the hiring process
Being called again for the interview? Let’s understand the multiple stages of interviews. Here is the breakdown of different series of interviews commonly seen in the hiring process:
First Interview
The first interviews typically serve as an initial screening to assess the candidate’s qualifications, skills, and fit for the role. It may involve a phone interview, video interview, or an in-person meeting with a recruiter or hiring manager.
Second Interview
Candidates who pass the initial screening may be invited to participate in a second round of interviews. This stage often involves meeting with additional team members, managers, or department heads to delve deeper into the candidate’s experience, skills, and cultural fit within the organization. Second-round interviews may include more in-depth discussions about the role, specific job-related scenarios, and opportunities for advancement within the company.
Final Interview
The final round of interviews typically involves meeting with key decision-makers, such as senior executives or department heads, to make the final hiring decision. Candidates may be asked to elaborate on their accomplishments, provide references, or participate in additional assessments or presentations.
The focus is on assessing the candidate’s suitability for the role from a broader organizational perspective and determining whether they align with the company’s long-term goals and values.
Follow-up Interviews
In some cases, candidates may be asked to participate in follow-up interviews to address specific concerns or gather additional information before a final decision is made. Follow-up interviews may focus on clarifying aspects of the candidate’s experience or qualifications, discussing potential challenges or opportunities in the role, or negotiating salary and benefits.
Post-Offer Interviews
After receiving a job offer, candidates may have the opportunity to participate in post-offer interviews to meet with their future team members, tour the workplace, or discuss onboarding procedures. These interviews provide candidates with a chance to ask any final questions and gain insights into the company culture before officially accepting the offer.
How many interviews are too many interviews? While there isn’t a specific universal number of interviews that constitutes “too many,” in many cases, conducting four interviews or five interviews can be excessive.
The Muse, a career advice platform, highlights the law of diminishing returns in interviewing. “A structured interview process with a clear number of stages avoids excessive back-and-forth and ensures a smooth experience for both parties.” [8]
What is the candidates’ opinion about multiple interviews for one job?
Candidates feel excited (a little nervous too, obviously!) about the first or second interview. But if the cycle repeats too many times, it gets frustrating.
Conducting too many rounds of interviews reflects that recruiters do not know who they are looking for. It may come across as disrespectful to the candidate’s time. After three rounds of interviews candidates drain out and question, ‘Is it even worth it? Should I look out for/ focus on other options?’
Question: Why do you ghost the interviewer?
Top reasons why candidates ghost employers before/after an interview:
| Reason | Percentage of candidates |
|---|---|
| The interview process was poor | 33% |
| They received another job offer | 29% |
| The job was not what they expected | 23% |
| A mandatory return-to-office policy was implemented | 16% |
What do the statistics say about job interviews? General Job Interview Statistics
- It is reported that on average, 118 people apply for a single job. [2]
- Only 20% of applicants get invited to an interview, roughly only 1 in 5. [2]
- On average job interviews last between 45 and 90 minutes.
- It is to be noted that if an interview lasts 15 minutes or less, it’s probably not a good one.
- 90.6% of employers prefer their candidates to have work experience.
- 77% of recruiters see typos or poor grammar as dealbreakers.
- 47% of job seekers get invited to one or two interviews after submitting up to 10 applications.
- Video interviews are 6x faster than phone interviews.
- 84% of the candidates schedule an interview within 24 hours of receiving an invite.
- 30% of hiring managers identified bad handshakes as a prominent reason why candidates might leave a bad impression.
- 39% of the candidates leave a bad impression due to their overall confidence level, voice quality, or lack of a smile.
- Female job applicants with children are 36% less likely to be called in for a job interview than male applicants. [6]
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FAQs
What are the chances of getting a job offer after the final round of interviews?
Generally, around 2 to 3 candidates are called to the final interview round. If a company is hiring for multiple positions in the category a few more people may be called (up to five).
So if you have made it to the final rounds of the interview that means hiring managers are interested in you and may find you a good fit for the position. Kudos to that!!!
At this point, it is hard to calculate your chances of selection because we have no idea about your competitor. It becomes highly competitive and comparative here. Companies compare you with other competitors based on their needs and priorities to hire the best fit for the job.
Is a third interview a bad sign?
Not really. Making up to the third interview shows that recruiters considered you capable and it is your chance to grab your dream job. Bring your best foot forward and stay confident to make it up to here!
What is the average length of an interview?
The average length of an interview can vary depending on factors such as the industry, the level of the position, and the complexity of the role. However, in most cases, interviews typically last between 30 minutes to one hour.
How many applicants get an interview call?
Only 20% of applicants get invited to an interview, roughly only 1 in 5.
Conclusion
So, there you have it- job hunting can be a rollercoaster of emotions, but knowing what to expect can help ease the journey. From the uncertainty of multiple rounds of interviews to the excitement of landing that dream job, it’s all part of the process.
And if you find yourself facing numerous stages of the hiring process, just keep pushing forward- each step brings you closer to your goal. You’ve got this!
Sources
- CNBC. Job interviews are getting longer— here’s why it could be a red flag
- Legal jobs. https://legaljobs.io/blog/interview-statistics
- LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickforbes1
- Reddit. How long is a typical phone screen?
- MRINetwork. Recruiter Sentiment Study
- PWC. Winning the fight for female talent
- Jobvite. Recruitment Benchmark Report
- LinkedIn. Multistage interviews, screening, capitalizing
Manisha is a digital writer providing guidance in career development and growth. She facilitates skill development and implementation of the right strategies for advancement. At Jobera, She documents content around the latest market trend analysis, insights, and career planning.