How to Answer Hiring Manager About Interviews with Other Companies

Joni Erdmann · 2025-08-01 23:42:46.593143+00

:bulb:*Job-seeker Question:* When a hiring manager asks, "Are you interviewing elsewhere and with how many other companies?" what is the ideal response they are looking for? Is it better that you are interviewing with 3 other companies and that demonstrates that you're desirable? *Or* does that make you less desirable because the likelihood of you getting snatched up is greater, so you're shooting yourself in the foot because they will decide, "Bah they'll land somewhere else let's look at other candidates"?

How to Answer Hiring Manager About Interviews with Other Companies | CMAweekly Customer Marketing and Advocacy Slack

9 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Mary Green
·
·
Good question, I think it depends on the person who asked. I usually say I am talking to 1 other company.
🙏1
Lauren Stefano
·
·
My snarky side wants to respond by saying "How many other candidates are you interviewing?" but probably not something you can say in real life. I would be vague and also think of it as a timeline question. And of course a chance to reiterate your interest. Like "I'm talking to a few other companies, but at the early stages. Based on our conversation, I'm looking forward to talking more with you about how I can help you with xyz. If I'm nearing the end of the process with anyone else, I'll let you know. I don't want to miss out on a great fit because of timing." or "I've been talking to a few other companies and am in late stages with one. I expect that process to wrap up in the next week, but I'm really excited to be talking with you because this role offers xyz. I've enjoyed our conversation so much today and want to make sure that neither of us misses out on a great fit because of timing."
💯4
🙏2
4
Joni Erdmann
·
·
Lauren Stefano, first of all, I love your snarky side 😂 I definitely think the same thing. These are great answers!
🤣1
Cara Peterson
·
·
just checking is this the hiring manager that asked you this or a recruiter?
👍1
Joel (Salesforce)
·
·
I just say that I’m in conversation with other companies and varying stages. If I’m excited by the opportunity and actually am far along with a process, then I’ll call out that I’m excited about the role and whatnot and would appreciate a swift process to make an informed decision.
🙏1
Liz Pedro
·
·
I always tell how many companies I’m interviewing well if I am. It helps speed up the process and can result in higher pay. I’ve managed 15+ years and that’s true as a hiring manager too. Good luck!
👍2
🙏1
Shannon Howard
·
·
I usually take this to mean 2 things:
1.
Do you know what you're looking for? If you're interviewing for a ton of different things, how do I know you actually want the job you're interviewing for vs. whatever offer you get?
2.
How quickly do I need to move? If I like our conversation, do I need to get my internal teams to move faster to extend an offer?
🙏1
Cara Peterson
·
·
Shannon Howard’s points are spot on. It is a tough market, and hiring managers are getting a lot of interest in their positions. Granted, this is totally just my opinion, but I think showing how thoughtful you are in your job search goes a long way. Having a few bullet points on why the position/company made you apply goes further than I'm currently interviewing for three other roles. That being said, if you are currently interviewing for other roles, be honest about the timeline. If a company really does want you, they are going to move things around to accommodate or at least do their best. Maybe I'm snarky, lol, but I have totally asked how many people they are interviewing throughout the hiring process. As a candidate, I think it is super important to know. For example, if they take 5 people to the final round and also have them do an assignment, it probably shows red flags on their side and is important information to know.
🙏1
Joni Erdmann
·
·
Thank you all for the replies! These are all super helpful. Cara Peterson, I get this question mostly from recruiters, but sometimes from the hiring manager. Recruiters/HR managers tend to be quicker to reject and move on (or maybe their write-ups of our initial screening interview aren't interesting enough to the hiring manager to proceed) but by the time I get to the hiring manager they take me more seriously and I get this question less - at least so I think? Everything changes all the time it seems and that's why I appreciate you all's input!
❤️2

Mary Green
·
·
Good question, I think it depends on the person who asked. I usually say I am talking to 1 other company.
🙏1
Lauren Stefano
·
·
My snarky side wants to respond by saying "How many other candidates are you interviewing?" but probably not something you can say in real life. I would be vague and also think of it as a timeline question. And of course a chance to reiterate your interest. Like "I'm talking to a few other companies, but at the early stages. Based on our conversation, I'm looking forward to talking more with you about how I can help you with xyz. If I'm nearing the end of the process with anyone else, I'll let you know. I don't want to miss out on a great fit because of timing." or "I've been talking to a few other companies and am in late stages with one. I expect that process to wrap up in the next week, but I'm really excited to be talking with you because this role offers xyz. I've enjoyed our conversation so much today and want to make sure that neither of us misses out on a great fit because of timing."
💯4
🙏2
4
Joni Erdmann
·
·
Lauren Stefano, first of all, I love your snarky side 😂 I definitely think the same thing. These are great answers!
🤣1
Cara Peterson
·
·
just checking is this the hiring manager that asked you this or a recruiter?
👍1
Joel (Salesforce)
·
·
I just say that I’m in conversation with other companies and varying stages. If I’m excited by the opportunity and actually am far along with a process, then I’ll call out that I’m excited about the role and whatnot and would appreciate a swift process to make an informed decision.
🙏1
Liz Pedro
·
·
I always tell how many companies I’m interviewing well if I am. It helps speed up the process and can result in higher pay. I’ve managed 15+ years and that’s true as a hiring manager too. Good luck!
👍2
🙏1
Shannon Howard
·
·
I usually take this to mean 2 things:
1.
Do you know what you're looking for? If you're interviewing for a ton of different things, how do I know you actually want the job you're interviewing for vs. whatever offer you get?
2.
How quickly do I need to move? If I like our conversation, do I need to get my internal teams to move faster to extend an offer?
🙏1
Cara Peterson
·
·
Shannon Howard’s points are spot on. It is a tough market, and hiring managers are getting a lot of interest in their positions. Granted, this is totally just my opinion, but I think showing how thoughtful you are in your job search goes a long way. Having a few bullet points on why the position/company made you apply goes further than I'm currently interviewing for three other roles. That being said, if you are currently interviewing for other roles, be honest about the timeline. If a company really does want you, they are going to move things around to accommodate or at least do their best. Maybe I'm snarky, lol, but I have totally asked how many people they are interviewing throughout the hiring process. As a candidate, I think it is super important to know. For example, if they take 5 people to the final round and also have them do an assignment, it probably shows red flags on their side and is important information to know.
🙏1
Joni Erdmann
·
·
Thank you all for the replies! These are all super helpful. Cara Peterson, I get this question mostly from recruiters, but sometimes from the hiring manager. Recruiters/HR managers tend to be quicker to reject and move on (or maybe their write-ups of our initial screening interview aren't interesting enough to the hiring manager to proceed) but by the time I get to the hiring manager they take me more seriously and I get this question less - at least so I think? Everything changes all the time it seems and that's why I appreciate you all's input!
❤️2