Q&A: What is the average number of interviews at one company?
I recently spoke with a job seeker who had gone through numerous interviews at one company and was starting to feel a bit burnt out and frustrated. Can you relate? With no firm end in sight, this job seeker wanted to know, “how many interviews does the average person go through at a company?”.
The truth is, the number of interviews a job seeker has at different companies can range. Drastically. When I brought this question to LinkedIn, I heard from people who had 3, 4, 5, 8, 10…up to 14 interviews at one company! Whew.
Job seekers of all levels are often going through multiple interview rounds at each company.
Gone are the days of one-and-done.
There is a lot on the line for employers, and companies want to make the right decision, so interviews are occurring at multiple organizational levels and with a range of decision-makers.
However, some job seekers are feeling overwhelmed and strung along.
To help you prepare for a long interview process, consider these interview best practices:
1. Enter the process fully prepared for multiple interviews that stretch over a week and up to several weeks. Be patient and prepared, but DO NOT take your foot off the gas and stop everything to focus exclusively on this one company. Until an offer is in hand and accepted, you should continue to apply for roles and interview at other companies. Keep your options open!
2. Be ready for different types of interviews ranging from an initial phone screen to a meeting with the higher-ups. You may meet or speak with HR, the role’s department leader/hiring manager, and a person in executive management. Interviews may be one-on-one or group-based. Be prepared for each interview round and use connection time wisely to learn as much as you can about the role/company.
3. Prepare to interview online. Familiarize yourself with online interview best practices, such as dress to impress. Set up in a space with good lighting. Test your microphone. Eliminate background noises and distractions. Smile. Practice with your camera and equipment in advance.
4. Develop answers to a range of potential questions. Prepare how you’ll respond to common questions like “Tell me about yourself.…What interests you about the role?” AND more in-depth industry or role-specific questions like “Give us an example of… How would you handle XYZ?”. You need conversational answers and comprehensive stories that spotlight related skills and abilities.
5. Prepare good questions of your own to ask. An interview is about information gathering for both parties. Take the opportunity to ask about things you need to know *and* demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for the role.
Finally, end every interview by reiterating interest and asking the interviewer for the next steps: “I enjoyed speaking with you today about {role title}. I am very interested in this position and would be happy to answer any other questions you might have. Can I ask what the next steps are and when I might hear from you next?“. This question may help you better prepare for what comes next and how many interviews might lie ahead.
Looking to better prepare for your interviews? Check out these amazing resource guides:
Tell Me About Yourself: Complete Kit
Ace the Interview: Get Prepped Quick Kit
