Number of interviews before you were offered a job?

browneyedbazzi

I've had 11 interviews, 7 jobs and turned down two offers. My first job I didn't have an interview for as I was asked to go to work for the company without applying, so that one doesn't really count. Of the 11 interviews I've had 8 offers.

I'm quite selective about what I apply for though and I think that makes a big difference to success rates - I only apply for jobs if I can confidently tick all of the 'essential' criteria and most of the 'desirable' criteria on a person spec. If I think I'm not 100% capable of doing a job or don't feel good about the type of work then I won't apply - that means I am qualified, confident and enthusiastic about the jobs I apply for, which I think shows through in interview and also helps my chances.

trukdiver

dave4545454 wrote: »

Try and relax, believe me it does get easier. Once you done quite a few interviews it's like a walk in the park.

I was turned down for a job for being too relaxed! They said they didn't think I was interested :rotfl:

I had about 30 interviews over about a year. I got a temporary job and had a few near misses including one where I was graded "appointable" but they didn't have any immediate vacancies!

I eventually got a job at the first place I had applied to. I was so out of practice at my first attempt that I'd messed up the technical test (ran out of time). I was a lot better on my 2nd go.

noelphobic

lvm wrote: »

I was made redundant on 30th April.

Had interview on 28th April, 2nd interview yesterday and offered/accepted the job today and start later this month.

Think given the circumstances I've probably accepted the role out of worry that I won't find it easy to find another. This one is on much less money that I was on before but has opportunities to progress.

Had an interview for another company today which was a bit strange and I was asked to email if I wanted the job.

Applied for a few other positions over the last couple of weeks which haven't reached closing date yet but don't think I'll go on any more interviews (absolutely hate them!!).

Well done on getting a job so soon. If the pending applications are for jobs that you're more interested in than the one you've been offered then I would consider going for the interviews. I hate interviews myself but you've got nothing to lose by giving it a go. Knowing that you have a job to go to anyway might help you to feel more relaxed about the process and mean you give a better interview and land another offer.

morganedge

I only tend to land a job if the 'interview' is actually just checking my paperwork/application/passport etc! (like when I worked at the royal mail. I wish all 'interviews' were like that!)

I fail at actual interviews. Too nervous. Can never think of answers to their question and we sit in a really awkward silence! lol

lvm

noelphobic wrote: »

Well done on getting a job so soon. If the pending applications are for jobs that you're more interested in than the one you've been offered then I would consider going for the interviews. I hate interviews myself but you've got nothing to lose by giving it a go. Knowing that you have a job to go to anyway might help you to feel more relaxed about the process and mean you give a better interview and land another offer.

Thanks! I'd probably have a chance at getting the other jobs but they're more "office-y" type jobs and the job I've accepted should be a bit more fun - although I can see myself getting bored quickly. I was too late to apply for another more senior position they had but should have the opportunity to get that early next year if I last that long.

I think interviews just scare me as I worry I'll get asked a question I have absolutely no answer to and can't make something up.

Prothet_of_Doom

I work freelance and so lets list my 5 years of this.

June 2009. 50 application in first week, 3 interviews arranged in second week, jobs Offered at 1st and 2nd Interviews. Did not go to third.
Jan 2010 25 Applications Over Christmas, 2 interviews in 1st week of Jan, Job offered 3 hrs later, did not go to third interview
October 2012, Applied for 1 job, had one telephone interview, one face to face, and started a month later.
June 2013, Had one phone call from previous hiring manager.
April to May 2014. 20 serious applications, 3 interviews, 1st one I'm told they want to offer me a different job, but funding not approved. (then radio silence for 3 weeks)
2nd - Contract was in my hand 24 hours after interview (I start on the 19th)
3rd (I went the day after, and had just got but had not read the contract from 2nd Interview)- 7 days of radio silence.. I have not contacted RC, but this is typical.
4th I should have had an interview at Mini Hams Hall Today but hourly rate of 2nd was £10 more (ie £1600 a month more), so told them yesterday I wouldn't attend. - Had they gone with my rate suggestion it would have been a close run thing. - I would have gone.
I also had 2 interviews in December 2013, because the current client was shedding freelancers like dead skin, and I thought I was on the list (I wasn't) and managed to screw up both due to me lack of prep and general arrogance.

Sparhawke

For me it is third time lucky, mostly the problem is not actually hearing back from employers and the main reason for this I feel/think is that up where I live people are told to just apply for anything regardless of whether they can do thE job or have the required skills that are needed. Employers are spammed with hundreds of applications and those with true potential are stuck in jobless hell due to this job centre sanctioned lunacy.

The first was for an online darts distribution company which admittedly was the job centres fault (they gave me a bus ticket for the wrong day and caused me to be late while I sorted it, and then I still had to pay for taxi)


Second time the interviewer didn't bother turning up twice for interviews he set up and there were 12 of us waiting all day and then he got a lackey to do them but hamstrung us all by giving us false information.


Third time lucky got my cv sent to a major company and they requested an interview, took over an hour and the net day they phoned and offered me a position. That was last week and I start on Monday and a topic is about it in off topic


It does happen but it can take a while and I freely admit I am terrible generally at interviews, I tend to rabbit on about stuff they do not find relevant, luckily with the third they asked me about some of the tech stuff I am interested in and the science I like as well as my online gaming, I get the distinct impression they were helping me out a lot lol (waffling on about Nev Wilshire and the call centre cannot have harmed my chances as it gave us something in common)

gadgetmind

tiger_eyes wrote: »

When I was last unemployed I failed eight or nine interviews in a row before I gave up and started my own business.

I've never had a job interview and plan to retire without having had one!

It just never occurred to me to wander around trying to find someone to give me work when there were so many interesting things to do that actually paid very well.

sans_2

Job 1 - Work experience to gain NVQ, kept me on after that and got 2 more internal roles without interview
Job 2 - 1 interview (did go for one other interview around same time, didn't get that job)
Job 3 - 1 interview (did go for one other interview around same time, didn't get that job but told I was 2nd choice other candidate had been in same industry)
Job 4 - 1 interview, moved role after 4 years (no interview - more of a side promotion), after 2 years another internal interview for management promotion
Job 5 - 1 interview
Job 6 - no interview, got job based on my cv as I have more qualifications and experience than job expectations (non managerial position)

falko89

At the moment I think I am on 20+ interviews I think, Only 1 had the manners to let me know I didn't get the job.

Perhaps it was fluke but pre say 2006 any time I had an interview I got the job so at the moment this is a real eye opener.