Goldleader profile picture
Goldleader profile picture

Goldleader

Senior Sales Manager

Fire Starter
Contributor
Good Citizen

Interview Process

Just got through the 3rd round of 2 interview processes for Saas sales roles. another 2 rounds to go. Is this normal? 3 used to be standard. What do you think is right?


How many interview rounds should there be?

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24 comments

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poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
7
☕️
Recruiter. Hiring manager. Panel (maybe 2 sets of 2 peers or non-related managers). That’s all you need if you’re also screening for behavioral and cognitive ability/fit.
jefe
Arsonist
7
🍁
Anything more is a runaround. If they can’t figure it out in 3 they shouldn’t be in business
HVACexpert
Politicker
2
sales engineer
If there is more it means there is too many cooks in the kitchen, or a higher up needs their ego scratched and wants to interview you solo.
RandyLahey
Politicker
5
Account Executive
3 I think is a good amount. Screen, in-depth with hiring manager then final round.
Space_Ghost20
Valued Contributor
4
Account Executive
Vast majority of interview processes I've been a part of were 3 rounds or less. For an IC type of position, I can see doing 4 rounds if the demo/mock presentation is done as a separate round. But otherwise, lengthy processes should be reserved for management level and above.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
I am big fan of 4, screen, hiring manager, peer, and leadership sign-off. have one of these been the mock demo
HVACexpert
Politicker
3
sales engineer
Are these on separate days? Like you only get the third if you passed the second? I’ve seen it done where you do hiring manager then a separate peer/panel one but all in same day. Is that two interviews or one?
Goldleader
Fire Starter
2
Senior Sales Manager
Yes, all on separate days.
Process 1, Sales Leadership role
- Recruiter Screener, 30 mins
- Hiring manager, 30 mins
- Regional Director, 30 mins
- Country Head, 30 mins
- 30/60/90 Presentation

Process 2, IC role
- Hiring Manager, 30 mins
- Peer, 30 mins
- Presentation
- Hiring Manager, In person meet
- Head of EMEA
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
It can be either, I feel like its good add the peer interview to really understand the role.
Mothy
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Peer interview is more for the candidate than the company imo. Although when I was a hiring manager, I liked getting someone on the team's thoughts on if the candidate would be a good culture fit.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
2-3. No more.
Pachacuti
Politicker
3
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
There’s a lot of risk in hiring someone so more rounds is just part of the process.
ThatNewAE
Big Shot
3
Account Executive - Mid enterprise
HR round > Hiring manager > A demo or something. DONE! Negotiations should start.
sales4lyf
Politicker
3
Business Development Manager
I’d say 2 or at the most 3, i hear of these crazy 6 stage interviews that takes months and honestly what is the point. A company willing to take that long clearly doesn’t respect my time
pirate
Big Shot
3
🦜☠️ Account Executive
Max 3 for AE, maybe more if more senior position
GDO
Politicker
2
BDM
I never as interviews under 5
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
3, maybe 4. Screen > hiring manager > peer > CRO at smaller company, SVP or Regional manager at larger, for final blessing. Done.
HVACexpert
Politicker
1
sales engineer
4 is so many, why couldn’t the SVP sit in with hiring manager or panel? Or just discuss with hiring manager afterwards? Seems so excessive.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Sometimes the CRO just wants to meet the candidate. I know mine does. Generally he’s just wanting to connect, and it’s not as formal.
Goldleader
Fire Starter
1
Senior Sales Manager
This is a breakdown of both:

Process 1, Sales Leadership role
- Recruiter Screener, 30 mins
- Hiring manager, 30 mins
- Regional Director, 30 mins
- Country Head, 30 mins
- 30/60/90 Presentation

Process 2, IC role
- Hiring Manager, 30 mins
- Peer, 30 mins
- Presentation
- Hiring Manager, In person meet
- Head of EMEA
Gasty
Notable Contributor
1
War Room Community Manager
great breakdown @Goldleader
Carlosg
Politicker
1
SDR
Usually, the candidate it is not just in our process, so if we make it so long, he/she may be chosen in another job faster than us... I think 3-4 phases is enough (1 with HR, 2-3 with Hiring Manager)
NoSuperhero
Politicker
1
BDR LEAD
3 and 4 are pretty good, I got the job after the 1st, also I've seen longer processes, so I guess it depends
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
1
Director Sales and Market Development
3 is it, unless clarification before offer and then 3.25

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