How many times do you interview a job applicant before making an offer? A new survey from The Harris Poll conducted on behalf of Express Employment Professionals says Canadian hiring decision-makers conduct an average of three interviews, but job seekers say four is ideal.
Benefits of Multiple Interviews
The value of conducting multiple interviews shouldn’t be understated. Decision-makers say meeting more than once allows them to better evaluate an applicant’s personality (50%) and skills (49%), ask follow-up questions (44%), and ensure the candidate is a good fit for the company’s culture (41%). Jobseekers say participating in multiple interviews provides the opportunity to ask follow-up questions (56%), gather information on the position (55%), ensure the company’s culture is a good fit for them (48%), elaborate on their skills and abilities (45%), and meet multiple people at the company (43%).
Drawbacks of a Long Process
However, drawing out the interview process has its downfalls. According to decision-makers, drawbacks include taking additional time (50%), candidates accepting other offers (45%), and drawing out the time until a position can be filled (34%). Job seekers say the negatives are taking additional time (53%), additional costs, such as travel expenses and time away from their other job or responsibilities (47%), and drawing out the time until they can find a job (44%). These setbacks can cause 39% of job seekers to accept offers elsewhere.
While waiting to hear back from companies, in an effort to get face-to-face time or check the status of their application, some job candidates may choose to visit a company’s physical location unannounced. These applicants are described positively by 71% of hiring decision-makers who say they are motivated (47%), take initiative (46%), and are driven (39%).
Optimize the Process
If your interview process doesn’t match candidates’ needs, it may be time to optimize it. Ensure the job application collects critical information upfront, provide ample opportunity for job seekers to get their questions answered, and consider including virtual interviews in the process. While 54% of decision-makers conduct interviews in person, 37% utilize a combination of in-person and virtual meetings.
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
The Job Insights survey was conducted in Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express among 507 hiring decision-makers from June 8 to 22, 2023, and 507 job seekers from June 13 to 26, 2023.
Last Updated on October 15, 2025
