How long is TOO long for an interview?

[Marshall1]

A coworker applied for a hospital based non-bedside position about 8 wks ago. He was called for interview #1, it lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes he said. He was called about a wk later for the 2nd interview - this one last 2 hours and 20 minutes...he said this 2nd interview was with the same people from the first one but there was one other person present. Total time so far interviewing: close to 4 hrs. And it's not over - apparently the last (3rd) interview for those they choose will be testing and will be 1-2 hrs. Now, I understand employers can be choosey & the job market isn't great but this amount of time seems silly to me - for the employer and for the potential employee. This one position will take approximately 6 hrs to complete just the interview process. He is actually considering not going ahead with the last interview if called because of the amount of time it's already taken..this is not a high management position or something needing security clearance...it's basically case management & he has the experience. I realize if a person wants a job badly enough they will do what is asked of them but when does an interview or the process become TOO long?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I love my case management position.

I interviewed twice for the contractor position that got my foot in the door.

To hire on to the company, I was required to interview 2 more times with the same director that hired me for the contractor position.

This company does NOT... fire/can/let go.. unless you set the building on fire. That is one reason they are very particular in the interview.

Six hours+ is NOT too long to land a dream job.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I've had a middle-level staff educational position for 2 full days -- and that was 20 years ago. My last job interview (16 years ago) for another staff educator/CNS position was 12 hours. I once intereviewed for a head nurse position that involved 4 stages of interviews, each one about 2 hours -- and then didn't get the position.

Your friend's interviews do not seem excessive to me. If he is unwilling to invest more that a few hours in getting the position, he must not want it very badly and may not be the right person for the job.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I'm trying to wrap my brain around the concept of "too long". It sounds like your coworker friend wants to show up, say "here's my qualifications - give me some basic details about the job, how much it pays and when I have to show up" - and take it or leave it. This approach generally works best for day labor.

How many sucky job situations, or inadequately performing employees, would be avoided if employer and applicant took this time to scope each other out more fully?

Your friend is free to spend his time however he considers best.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I can see being frustrated with the length of time this is taking, but it's a good sign ( or at least it seems like it to me ). It means they are looking for the right person, not just anyone. If I was your friend I would be thrilled just to get called in for an interview.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I think it depends on the job, obviously. A big, important job warrants a big, important search to get someone who is most likely to be THE ONE.

But you know, HR folks go to professional meetings and get turned on to the latest fads, and it sounds like perhaps this HR department learned something about doing marathon interviewing. I'm betting the panel will get tired of it one of these years ... perhaps when the next fad rolls around. :)

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

I personally would be exhausted in a 2 hour and 20 minute interview, regardless of how bad I wanted the job. I guess one way of looking at it is that if they must be interested in him as a candidate. Of course your friend will totally think it was all worth it if he's offered the job. But to go through this with no guarantee of employment is the chance he has to be willing to take for a dream job. Good luck to your friend.