Two is the ideal number of interviews according to job seekers, while hiring managers put that number closer to five, according to a recent survey from The Harris Poll commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.
While both groups agree that multiple interviews are beneficial, there are some clear disadvantages to having too many.
On the plus side, multiple interviews allow job seekers to ask questions, get more information, meet other employees, and evaluate the company’s culture. Meanwhile, hiring managers can evaluate the candidates personalities and skills, ensure a culture fit, and get current employees’ perspectives.
But employers who wait too long may find that those candidates have accepted another job or simply become tired of the process. For their part, hiring managers say that lengthy processes can open the door to biased decisions.
“Time is money, meaning the more time you allow to pass in the hiring process, the more likely the candidate will be approached with another opportunity,” said Express franchise owner Alyssa Chumbley. “This adds to a decrease in loss of production for the client. Keep the candidate thoroughly engaged if you so choose to extend the hiring process to limit the risk of having to start the search over again.”
“Finding the balance between getting to know a candidate and facilitating too long of an interview process is tough but worth it to create a tenured, invested workforce,” Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller commented.
