Job seekers are increasingly encountering lengthy and complex hiring processes — even for roles that initially seem like a perfect fit, MarketWatch reports.
A promising position may offer appealing responsibilities, a strong cultural match, and a competitive salary, but securing an offer can now involve multiple interviews, a take-home test, and a formal case study.
That was the case for recruiter Rebecca Collis, who shared on LinkedIn that she declined to pursue a role requiring a nine-stage application process.
Her post struck a chord, sparking hundreds of responses from professionals who have faced similarly demanding interview gauntlets, according to MarketWatch.
While thorough screening may benefit both candidates and employers, some hiring processes now demand more time and effort than a full-time job.
The hidden price of job hunting
When evaluating whether to pursue an opportunity, the salary isn’t the only number that matters. Multi-stage interview processes come with real costs that many job seekers overlook until they’re already deep in the process.
Example. If your time is worth $30 an hour and you spend 20 hours on interviews and prep, that’s $600 in time value — effort you could have put toward other opportunities.
Those with higher salaries could be investing even more time value in the process. And if you’re using vacation days or PTO, the cost climbs further.
Even beyond dollars, time spent on one company’s extended process is time you can’t dedicate to other roles. While you’re preparing a case study for one opportunity, other companies may be moving forward with their hiring decisions.
The emotional toll is harder to quantify. These extended processes can leave candidates feeling emotionally drained or disengaged.
Red flags in the interview process
Not every lengthy process is a cause for concern — some roles genuinely require rigorous screening, especially in technical, licensed, or leadership positions where the cost of a bad hire is high.
In those cases, multiple rounds or assessments may be necessary. But there’s a line between thoughtful hiring and candidate exploitation.
Some companies request detailed deliverables, such as marketing plans or prototypes, which, according to LinkedIn users, can feel more like unpaid consulting than a fair evaluation.
Tia Katz, founder of HU-X, told MarketWatch that companies should consider compensating candidates for any task that takes more than an hour.
Also watch for shifting expectations. One LinkedIn user observed that drawn-out interviews often reflect indecision, not high standards.
How a company manages your time during hiring may reflect how they’ll treat you once you’re on the team.
Creating your personal ROI calculator
Using a personal ROI calculator is a helpful way to make strategic decisions about how you spend your time during a job search.
Estimate the total time commitment, prep work, travel, interview hours, and multiply that by your hourly rate or your desired one. That’s your baseline investment. Then consider what else you could do with that time. Could you apply to five other jobs instead?
Also ask: What will I learn from this process? Will I gain portfolio-worthy experience or valuable connections, even if I don’t land the job?
Protecting yourself while playing the game
If you move forward, don’t give up your time blindly. Set boundaries — if a project will take 20 hours, ask about compensation or whether a scaled-down version is possible.
Consider saving your work for future reference, especially if it demonstrates your skills or thinking process.
Some applicants have successfully negotiated timelines or project scope.
MarketWatch notes that employers face growing challenges from AI-generated applications and rising applicant volume, prompting more rigorous screening.
They’re also under pressure to make careful, consensus-driven decisions, especially when team fit is critical — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t advocate for your time.
After each round, reassess. Is this still worth your effort? Walking away early may save you from burnout later.
Don’t just apply — invest wisely
Hiring has changed, and candidates must adapt. While you can’t control how many hoops a company sets up, you can decide if the opportunity is worth your time.
Collis, who walked away from a nine-stage interview process, questioned whether all those rounds reveal anything new.
Her post, echoed by hundreds of professionals, is a reminder that you’re evaluating the company as much as they’re evaluating you.
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