HIRING SHOULD BE A PATH, NOT AN OBSTACLE COURSE

When did getting hired turn into such a frustrating, drawn-out process?

Lately, I’ve heard too many disturbing stories of smart, talented, hardworking jobseekers being subjected to round after round of exhaustive interviews only to be passed over or, worse, ghosted. As a business owner, I hope this is not the new normal for companies looking for qualified employees.

Unless you’re with NASA, the FBI, working in a highly regulated industry, or are looking for a C-suite executive, I don't think there is any good reason why you shouldn’t be able to assess whether a candidate is a good fit within two to three interviews, if you’ve done your own homework.

Maybe I’m a little old school, but I don’t think hiring should be this complicated. Tech giants set the trend for the multi-stage hiring process, and many companies followed suit without ever asking why.

But here’s the kicker: there’s no research that shows more interviews lead to better hires.

I’m not claiming to know better than the professional hiring experts from these companies. Far from it. But even Google’s own research, along with findings from Harvard Business Review, reveals that adding more rounds of interview doesn’t significantly improve hiring outcomes. So why is this still happening?

THE REAL COST OF AN OVERCOMPLICATED PROCESS

This prolonged approach doesn’t just take a toll on jobseekers, personally and professionally, it also hurts companies in ways they don’t realize.

• Missed opportunities? - According to LinkedIn, quality candidates are hired within 10 days. So, if your process drags on for weeks (or months), you might lose a great hire to a faster-moving competitor.

• Your reputation – Yes, people talk. And jobseekers? They’re people. If you don’t care about your brand, then maybe this isn’t a concern. But if your reputation is important to you, consider that this unnecessarily long process can make your company appear inefficient and disorganized.

• Inefficiencies – A lengthy hiring process doesn’t just cost a lot of time, it also costs a lot of money. Companies who make this a standard way of hiring should ask themselves if they’re truly getting a return on their investment.

Some argue that a longer hiring process reduces the risk of a bad hire. And sure, hiring mistakes can be costly too. That’s why it’s crucial for companies to do their own due diligence before even starting the interview process. But let’s not pretend that an overly complicated hiring process magically prevents bad hires; it just creates different problems.

WHEN INEFFICIENCY CROSSES THE LINE INTO UNPROFESSIONALISM

A long hiring process can be frustrating. But there’s something worse: companies that put candidates through multiple interviews only to ghost them in the end.?

Look, no one expects to get every job they apply for. Rejection is part of the process. But what shouldn’t be part of the process is silence.

After spending hours researching a company, tailoring their resumé, and preparing for multiple interviews, candidates deserve a response—even if it’s just a quick rejection email.

JOBSEEKERS DESERVE BETTER

These days, a lot of people who are job hunting aren’t doing it by choice. The ever-changing economic landscape has made it necessary for many companies to downsize (or “rightsize” as some call it). So, consider the financial and emotional strain that some jobseekers are experiencing and just be respectful of that.

DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’

For organizations, or jobseekers, who do find the multi-step hiring marathon helpful, please keep on keeping on.?

But for those who believe there’s a better way, there are promising signs that the tide is turning. There’s been an emerging shift toward a more reasonable process. Forward-thinking companies are starting to find the right balance between careful evaluation and efficiency. Let’s make that the new normal.

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE?

Jobseekers: Have you experienced an unnecessarily long hiring process? Did it affect your decision to accept (or reject) an offer?

Recruiters & Hiring Managers: How do you balance being thorough with being efficient and respectful? What hiring strategies have worked best for your company?

Let’s start a conversation. Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d be interested to hear from both sides.