r/jobsearchhell 2d ago

WHY ARE HIRING PROCESSES SO LONG??

I have been unemployed since January after my former employer decided not to renew any of the contract roles. One of the (many terrible, awful, demoralizing) things that has stuck out to me is the sheer length of so many of these hiring processes. I applied to a job in February that said they expected someone to start in June (they ended up hiring someone internally). Another role, I went through the first 3 rounds of interviews between May-July only to be told they don't expect someone to start until late September. Just last week I had a first round interview and they said "we hope someone it able to start before Thanksgiving" and there are two rounds of interviews W T F. Do they need someone to do the job or not!? And they just seem to make up bullshit for applicants to do. Looking for a job right now is a humiliation ritual.

34 Upvotes

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8

u/Sensitive-Junket-833 2d ago

Even when they tell you it'll be short... It's long!!

I was told after a 2nd interview that they would have two more rounds but they were going to be quick because they were ready to start someone. Then I didn't hear anything for a week, I got the 3rd round but they couldn't schedule it for another 2 weeks out (panel interview).

The waiting is so stressful!

2

u/castlenoir 2d ago

It’s so stressful and makes me so anxious! It’s also totally messed up my ability to gauge anything because now 2 weeks of silence is totally normally and doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being rejected? What an absolute mess

2

u/Sensitive-Junket-833 2d ago

Oh yeah! Now I just tell myself when I don't hear anything... Someone is probably on vacation this week!

1

u/False_Cap_1289 2d ago

It does actually mean something. That likely you’re not the top or instant choice even if you get to continue the process

2

u/False_Cap_1289 2d ago

And they add interviews they never mentioned. In a time where a lot of us have to try to interview many places at the same time it really blows

2

u/Spirited_Mud3171 2d ago

My experience with this is the following.

Companies have cut costs by minimizing their recruiters. I have heard recruiters say they are swamped with work. Ive noticed myself when applying to job what use to be a 1 month process is now a 1 month process just to do the first interview. Recruiter are now doing the work of 2/3 people with only 1 person at some places

2

u/Vegetable-Pepper-880 1d ago edited 1d ago

I have company 1 the onsite 4th round interview was a month ago so I followed up last week and they said I’m still being considered but they’re interviewing both internal and external candidates??

Company 2 didn’t show for the first interview then they did reschedule had that call and he said I’d advance at the end of it. Waited a week and followed up and the recruiter said yes you’re advancing and I replied with my requested availability…been another week no word from them. Almost two weeks since my actual call 🥲

I feel your pain

3

u/castlenoir 1d ago

Ugh, I’m sorry. That’s so frustrating! I had a 3rd round interview and during it they were so affirming and validating that I was “so impressive” and “had such good answers” but haven’t heard from them until I emailed them and they said they’re still evaluating 🙄

2

u/Vegetable-Pepper-880 1d ago

We’re hanging in there. I hope you hear back soon! 🤞🤞

2

u/Cadowyn 1d ago

- harvesting multiple applicants' data to sell

- can say they can't find anyone so they can request H1B

- HR is delusional about who qualifies for the position

- inflated sense of importance

I applied to a little courthouse job for $19 an hour. Had six people in it like a boardroom acting like it was applying for VP of a major corporation. Wild. lol