3rd interview

I have been called in for a 3rd interview at a company.
How many people would typically interview for a 3rd interview?

Anon
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Exactly four.  Always.

..
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Any time I've been involved with a 3rd interview (on the interviewing end) has been the case were 'Bob won't sign off unless he talks to him first'. 

Probably a good sign.
Good luck!

Joe Blandy
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Definitely a good sign.

Joel Spolsky (Fog Creek Software)
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Sounds like it's in the bag.

But usually I get a few phone interviews then a face-to-face. I'd say three is more uncommon, but it happens.

Steve
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Anon - Dude! When they call you to say "we would like you to come in for a third interview...." you should have your pen and paper in hand and ask them:

1. How many people will be interviewing me?
2. What are their names?
3. What are their titles?
4. What style of interview will this be (i.e. Technical)?
5. Will all X people be interviewing me at once, or will they interview me individually?

Ask the person calling you so you are prepared. There is nothing wrong with this and it allows you to prepare yourself that much better.

m
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Are multiple interviews like this really common?  I can understand having someone back for a second interview for clarification or reassessment for a different position but a third interview would make me suspect that they don't have their stuff together and I'd be tempted to just tell them to take it or leave it at that point (assuming I'm employed and would have to take a day off to go to the interview... if out of work, I might be more forgiving though still cautious). 

I've personally never had more than one interview for a job, whether I got it or not.  I have been involved in calling someone back for a second interview, simply because we decided they were more suited for a different position and wanted them to talk to the right people.  I do know others who've been called back for multiple interviews and it seems that these cases were caused by the hiring team being strongly split on whether or not to hire and thus decided to go for a war of attrition to see which side would give in first.  In the cases I can remember, the applicants didn't get hired. 

Are there legitimate reasons for multiple interviews?  Should I be more forgiving if I'm ever asked back?

SomeBody
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

3rd interview is fine, the company won't bet for you after 45 mins of the 1st interview.

they just spend 3 times more on what coffee they should buy

Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Actually this same thing (3 interviews) is happening to me and I'd never experienced it before either.  So I wouldn't call it common ( only 1 out of 4 places I've ever done it for has gone this long), but I guess I can't call it super-rare either.

Crimson
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

It's good news, but not great news. They are interested in you, but feeling borderline. They probably want some more opinions on you. good luck!!

runtime
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Don't read anything into this. Companies interview so many different ways. Maybe last time they didn't have everyone available. Maybe person X was on vacation. Maybe they always do three tiers of interviews. Maybe they like the number three. Keep the end goal in mind and don't get side tracked with self-doubt. They called you back - there are probably a 100 they did not call back. Be proud of that in the current economy and focus on your interviewing skills.

Good luck!

m
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

We often have one marathon interview.  I'm not sure that is the best thing either.  Maybe 3 shorters ones would be better.

christopher baus (www.baus.net)
Wednesday, January 28, 2004

I figure that if you have doubts about somebody after a screening and "real" interview, you should pass.

Flamebait Sr.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Congrats on the third interview!  I am currently in the same situation myself as the company I am interviewing with has called me for a third interview.  I have found this to be rather common in my field.  The first interview is with the HR person who screens you to make sure you have the right skillset.  The second interview is usually with the hiring manager.  The third interview is usually the technical interview.  Interviews two and three can be interchangeable, I've had it both ways before.  Either way, it was a rare occasion I didn't get an offer after a third interview.  So good luck!

sdl
Thursday, February 19, 2004

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