Imagine this: You’ve applied for your dream job, and everything is going well. You’ve passed the phone screening, nailed the first interview, and felt great after the second one. Then, you get called back for a third interview, and a fourth, and maybe even a fifth. By this point, you’re wondering, Do they really need all these interviews to decide?

This isn’t an uncommon situation. In fact, we asked people: How many interview stages will you go through before you decide to walk away from a job opportunity? Most said they’re okay with three, some would stretch to four, but by the fifth stage, they’re done. And honestly, who can blame them?

Interviews are important. They help companies and candidates figure out if they’re a good fit for each other. But when the process drags on too long, it stops feeling productive and starts feeling frustrating. It makes you wonder if the company knows what they’re looking for or if they’re just stalling.

For candidates, long interview processes can feel like a red flag. If it takes this much effort to get hired, what’s it going to be like working there? On top of that, every interview takes time and energy—preparing, scheduling, and often taking time off from your current job. After a certain point, it feels less like a good opportunity and more like a test of patience.

For companies, dragging out the hiring process isn’t great either. A long, drawn-out process can scare off great candidates, especially in a competitive job market. It sends the message that the company might be disorganized or doesn’t value people’s time.

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way. Propel Consult takes the hassle out of the hiring process. We make sure that both companies and candidates stay focused on what really matters, cutting out any unnecessary steps and keeping things efficient. At the end of the day, simplifying the interview process benefits both candidates and companies, making the experience smoother and more effective for everyone involved.