Job interview process for a software developer position: 7 rounds, 10 hours. Would you apply?

A recent job interview roadmap for a software engineering roles shared on Reddit has sparked a heated debate about the growing complexity of hiring processes. The post, which detailed a seven-stage selection process, left many questioning whether companies are overcomplicating recruitment. With over 10 hours of interviews spread across multiple rounds, netizens reacted with disbelief, frustration, and even humor. Many criticized the sheer time commitment required, arguing that it was excessive for most roles. Some users shared their own experiences with shorter, more efficient hiring processes, while others joked about using AI bots to complete the interviews on their behalf.

The hiring process in question starts with a 45-minute recruiter phone interview, followed by a 30-minute at-home Ruby coding assessment. If the candidate progresses, they face a 60-minute video interview with the hiring manager. The final stage is a four-hour "interview loop," divided into multiple 60-minute sessions over one to three business days. These include a system design interview, a coding interview, an interaction and impact interview, and a product and delivery interview. While some acknowledged that technical roles require thorough vetting, many felt the process was unnecessarily drawn out.

One commenter sarcastically remarked, "This role better pay in the millions for that time commitment." Others pointed out that expecting candidates to invest over 10 hours in interviews is unreasonable. A tech professional noted that their current job required just a two-hour discussion-based interview with no coding tests—yet resulted in the best job of their career. Another user shared an even more shocking example: a company requiring three hours of interviews plus a panel discussion for an $18-per-hour role.

Some users speculated about the inefficiency of such a process. One questioned whether the hiring team was "getting paid by the hour" given the excessive time investment. Another pointed out that if companies applied the same scrutiny to their own internal operations, they might find more productive ways to use their employees' time. One commenter humorously suggested using an AI chatbot like ChatGPT to complete the interviews on a candidate's behalf—only to imagine a scenario where the bot gets hired instead.

While some defended the rigorous process as standard for software engineering roles, many felt it reflected a larger trend of companies overcomplicating hiring. As one Ruby on Rails engineer put it, "Honestly, this isn’t even that rare." Whether justified or not, the growing complexity of job interviews continues to be a point of contention, with many candidates questioning if the time spent is truly worth it.