How Many Interviews Does It Take to Get a Job?

Candidates typically go through three to five interviews on average before they receive an offer for a job. This number varies depending on whether the position is entry-level, mid-level, or senior-level. According to an interview report from Zippia, candidates who did one job interview had a 36.89 percent chance of receiving a job offer. Meanwhile, those who had three job interviews had a 51 percent chance of receiving an offer [1].

Learn more about the job interview process, what to expect, the factors that influence the number of interviews, and the types of different interviews you may encounter. 

How many interviews does it take to get a job?

While the average number of interviews to get a job is around three to five, companies in the past typically held one to three interviews before sending a job offer to candidates. Now, however, many job seekers and career coaches are seeing an increase in the number of interviews before a candidate receives an offer. Candidates sharing their experiences with Slate and CNBC reported undergoing seven to nine-plus rounds of interviews. Although they didn't receive an offer, their persistence shows the competitive job market and the importance of resilience when undergoing the interview process [2, 3]. 

Factors that influence the number of interviews

Many factors, such as industry standards, company size, and the level of positio,n can affect how many interviews you may have before receiving a job offer. One factor that points to the overall prevalence of more interviews is the rise of remote work opportunities. Examine some key factors that may influence the number of interviews you have.

Industry differences

The industry you want to work in significantly impacts how many interviews and how long the process is, from your first interview to your first day. According to research from Career.io, the industries in the US that have the longest interview processes are security, military, government organizations, and large tech companies [4]. For example, the process to become a special agent in the FBI has an extensive testing requirement, multiple face-to-face interviews, a physical exam, a physical fitness test, and a background check. This process takes an average of six months.

Company size and culture

The company size and culture often factor into how many interviews a company requests from candidates. For example, Netflix places a high value on candidates best suited to their culture through various rounds of behavioral interviews. This means that even if you perform well in the technical portion, hiring managers want to ensure you are a good fit for the company. 

Candidate qualifications and experience

As you progress in your career, you may have the opportunity to complete three or more rounds of interviews for senior-level positions. In leadership roles, it's typical to undergo around five interviews. This thorough process allows the company to fully evaluate your career, skills, and fit for a senior-level position. Meanwhile, for an entry-level position, you can expect an average of two to three interviews during the hiring process. 

Types of interviews in the hiring process

Throughout the recruitment experience, you can expect various types of interviews. Hiring managers like to conduct different forms of interviews to get a full assessment of you as a candidate. Four common types you can expect include:

1. Initial screening interviews

2. Technical assessments

3. Behavioral interviews

4. Workplace culture

Explore these four types more below.

1. Initial screening interviews

The first type of interview you may encounter is an initial screening interview, often on the phone. It’s a quick interview with basic questions designed to gauge your interest and experience related to the position. This initial interview helps hiring managers decide which candidates are right for an in-person interview. 

2. Technical assessments

For jobs that require intensive technical skills, a technical assessment is an important aspect of the interview process. It’s common for software development companies to perform a technical interview centered around coding, data structures and algorithms, and software development workflow. 

If you are looking for a job in a technical industry, expect this interview to be in the first round. It’s essential for the interviewer to determine if you have the core competencies for the role before you get into the behavioral interview stage. 

3. Behavioral interviews

In a behavioral interview, which may happen after the technical evaluation, hiring managers learn about how you act in the workplace. This is typically a face-to-face interview, although it may be a video conference if the job is remote. They want to try to predict how you will perform your new role in their workplace. Additionally, they may ask about challenges you’ve faced, how you solve problems, and your conflict resolution strategies to learn about your personality and fit in the workplace. 

4. Workplace culture

You may experience questions about workplace culture in your behavioral interview but assessing how a candidate fits in the company culture is an increasingly important aspect. The hiring manager, in this type of interview, assesses how you fit into the team dynamics and culture of the company. For example, cultural fit at Netflix is one of the most important factors for the hiring team after a candidate demonstrates they possess the core competencies. 

Tips for navigating the interview process

Understanding the interview process helps you know what you’re getting into so that you can properly prepare. Examine some of these tips below to help you prepare for your next round of interviews:

• Research the company, its culture, and the job description to see how your skills and personality fit. 

• Prepare a list of questions and thoughts beforehand that you can ask the interviewer, this will help foster an engaging conversation.

• Practice your answers to common interview questions beforehand. For instance, when the hiring manager asks, “Why do you want to work for this company?” you have your answer, with solid reasoning, ready to go. 

Learn more about interview techniques with Coursera

The number of interviews you may encounter before receiving a job offer varies based on your qualifications, the industry you want to work in, and the seniority of the job you want. 

If you would like to improve your interviewing skills, try the Advanced Interviewing Techniques course on Coursera, which is part of the Interviewing and Resume Writing in English Specialization at the University of Maryland.