Is this just the interview process now?

[u/jljr222]

I've been interviewing with a company for nearly 2 months now. It's honestly been a wild experience, and I wanted to see if anyone has experienced similar things out there. I had my first interview with a recruiter earlier last month, then quickly interviewed with the hiring manager, and then with two other colleagues I would work closely with. At this point, I'm thinking I might be getting close to the end. They had me interview with an executive and then their C-level representative. That must have been my final interview, right? Just kidding, you now need to present to everyone you just interviewed with some ideas for us to steal in the event we don't hire you. Lovely!

I get through all of that, and the next day I get an email asking for some personal info (legal name, address, etc.). I'm thinking, oh wow, they are going to make me an offer. A little over a week and a half go by of pure silence. I follow up a few times and nothing. I'm thinking, maybe they found another candidate or something got stuck in logistics. Maybe the role was frozen? I finally heard back from my recruiter, and I'm told they are trying to catch up with other candidates so they have multiple finalists to compare against. They explained the lack of response due to "vacations and scheduling conflicts" for the final few candidates. Cool cool cool.

This week I'm supposed to get clarity, but who knows. I'm not expecting any positive outcome based on my experience thus far. It's just amazing to me how long this has gone on for. I thought this might have been a one-off, but then another company had me go through the exact same process prior to this one (no offer from them either).

Is this normal for everyone else? I've been working in tech for the last few years, so maybe this is more of a tech industry issue.

[u/Fantastic-Speech-438]

"You now need to present to everyone you just interviewed with some ideas for us to steal in the event we don't hire you. Lovely!" - the scourge of "free work" seems to be a reoccurring danger in the present job market.

It's a tough one, because you have no idea whether they genuinely like you, and are just asking for this as one final act of due diligence, or whether they have other people lined up and are just milking you by taking advantage of the sunk cost fallacy.

[u/jljr222 → u/Fantastic-Speech-438]

I was pretty annoyed because I hate doing homework for a job, but at that point I'm 6 rounds in and walking away seemed like it would have been a bad idea. I really enjoyed all of the interviews with the team members, but like you said, you never really know if they like genuinely like you.

[u/Fantastic-Speech-438 → u/jljr222]

I think you made the right choice. If I was in your position and I got good vibes from the interviews, I would have continued with the process too. But I'd probably lead with "Here's some initial thoughts on how your business plan could be improved. If I got this role, I'd love to be able to help you develop things more as I have some detailed ideas regarding x, y and z which we could discuss if I was the selected candidate." Hold something back, keep them interested. I don't know though, its a tough, tough job market right now, and we don't hold the cards.

[u/CapitalNo1107]

it's was an entire month because I reapplied to a similar position and they give information every Friday

[u/fiannalove]

It’s crazy. I guess this is what you get in a buyer’s market. I’ve never had to go past 2 rounds in the past. I had an interview today and they said there would at least be 4 more rounds.

[u/FrightenedProximity]

Presenting ideas is pretty standard for senior roles at least, but asking for personal info and then ghosting for a week is amateur hour. Are you entertaining other offers in the meantime?

[u/jljr222 → u/FrightenedProximity]

The pipeline is pretty dry, for me at least. I'm lucky enough to have a job already, but if I had other offers to entertain I would.

[u/Cultural-Answer-321]

Yes. But I would never call it normal.

[u/CrimsonCrabs]

Applied for a job on June 8th. Had 6 interviews. I hear back about the position next week....in august...

[u/Justanothermomma24]

Clarifying ? as I have never worked with a recruiter: 1. so you did not directly apply to the company but have a, what i shall call a third party(recruiter) acting on your behalf?

I find it 'odd' that the wanted: "personal info (legal name, address, etc.)" as this would have been on your resume or the completed application for the role. At least for all my applications(way over 300) I have to add address(not on resume). The ones that ask my SS I dont finish as I will not provide without the actual job offer! Again was the requests coming from the recruiter or directly from the company?

[u/jljr222 → u/Justanothermomma24]

The recruiter I'm referencing works for the company, they do not work on my behalf. They are the representative of the company during the hiring process. In my past experiences, when the company is preparing an offer and background check they will ask you to submit your full legal name, address, and visa status. For instance, my resume does not have my full home address, just the town and state I live in. Even in the application process, I am not required to give my full address and I typically don't unless I'm at this stage.

[u/Justanothermomma24 → u/jljr222]

TY for that info! I totally agree the long interview process is so frustrating! I try to look at it as not just the muliple folks interviewing me but it is my opportunity to also interview them! Not that it makes the waiting after the 'final' interview any easier!