The hidden burnout behind endless interviews

We need to address something that has become far too normalized in today’s job market: interview processes that exhaust candidates instead of evaluating them. We recently came across a story of a job seeker who went through 9 rounds of interviews over an entire month with a major tech company. Every round triggered severe anxiety, yet she showed up each time prepared, hopeful, and committed. And after all that emotional effort? No offer. No meaningful feedback. Just quiet disappointment. Stories like this remind us how often hiring teams forget there is a real human being on the other side of the interview. 

If you’re a job seeker, don’t miss this TEDx talk. It’s one of those “watch it now before you need it” videos.

Interview hoops don’t make a company more selective. They make the process more painful. It shouldn’t take 9 rounds to understand someone’s capabilities, and it should never take 9 rounds to treat someone with respect. A healthy hiring process is clear, intentional, and mindful of a candidate’s time and emotional energy. It doesn’t over-interview because the team is unsure. It provides feedback. It chooses humanity over hurdles. As a community supporting job seekers every day, we believe this is exactly where meaningful change must begin.

To every job seeker reading this, especially those navigating anxiety, burnout, or imposter syndrome, your feelings are valid. You’re not too sensitive, and you’re not alone. The system is flawed, not you. And we are here to help you navigate it with clarity, confidence, and support.