How many interviews is too many?
It’s a question that’s been asked for some time.
Candidates are becoming increasingly frustrated by the time they’re spring in the interview stage.
60% of hiring professionals say they regularly lose candidates before a scheduled interview – the process takes too long.
Let’s try and answer the question, “How many interviews is too many?”
The Typical Structure Of An Interview Process
Phone
If you plan on having multiple interviews before choosing a candidate for a position, a phone interview is a solid and reliable first step.
Typically taking the form of a 10-15 minute chat that introduces the basics of the role, discusses the candidate’s experiences and why the role may be of interest to them.
It’s the perfect scenario to familiarise yourself with your potential new hire in an informal setting.
Video
Conducting video interviews as a first or second stage has gained major popularity over the past few years.
With easy access to seeing a candidate for the first time, many businesses engage with video interviews to save the time and cost of a face-to-face interview.
They can be used for individual or group interviews, so it’s no wonder they’re so popular.
Face-To-Face
The real test – the face-to-face interview is where you really get to know a candidate.
You can do a lot in this environment.
You get to observe body language, posture and gestures – all aspects of someone’s personality that you won’t be able to detect in any other interview scenario.
The interviews usually take 30-60 minutes to complete and can involve several interview questions, such as behavioural questions, case studies or skills-based questions.
Some companies have more than one face-to-face, in addition to all the pre-screening calls that will happen.
This triggers the question, “How many interviews is too many?”
So, How Many Interviews Is Too Many?
The number of interviews will vary depending on the seniority of the role, the industry you work in and the company size.
It’s not something that has a definitive answer.
However, it is typically agreed that more than four interviews are too many.
If your interview process reflects this, maybe it’s time for a change.
The amount of time you spend interviewing candidates may be why you’re struggling to hire quality candidates.
Reach out to DRR if you want to win the race for talent.
