Perhaps the job's criticality justified that extra diligence?
Perhaps the job's criticality justified that extra diligence?
Let's just look at the data. If a bit under 1% of all not-previously-known applicants get hired, the system is provably broken and not worth the time of a not-previously-known applicant.
I'm sure there are a metric gigaton of examples already documented on this site explaining why this is bad for Tech, the Economy, our Society.
Want to know why there are so few young(er) people getting into the industry who are competent and instead you're inundated with frauds who can't write FizzBuzz? Here's your answer.
What will you pay me for a day of my time?
At this point, they've already invested their resources (and also you, yours).
If employed, then it's easy to point out that that's your cost in a vacation/PTO/"sick" day.
If not, point out that you are not currently working at mickydee so your time is worth more than minimum wage. If they stick at that, make out a reasonable guess at their cost of this process and point out that a day of your time is not a massive additional fraction. If they stick at that, ask if this means you are on the "short list", and how many others are on it. If they stick at that, then you have useful information about what they think you are worth and are likely to offer.
This does assume some flexibility, and leverage.