Just because each step might be a valid reason, does not make the steps as a whole valid. I'm doing to draw an example to hiring in the tech industry for examp

Just because each step might be a valid reason, does not make the steps as a whole valid. I'm doing to draw an example to hiring in the tech industry for example. It's fair to have a phone interview for a job position, I think we could all agree on that. The same goes for a phone interview plus an in-person. Now let's start adding more steps into the mix. Let's say you need a phone interview, followed by a small side project, another phone interview, a timed test, then multiple days of in-person interviews, followed by another phone interview and ending with a final vocal offer (which if you don't say the right salary might be rescinded). Are each of these steps valid in itself? Sure. But every time you add an additional step, you end up shedding a lot of individuals. Some that might be actually pretty good hires, but made a small mistake that got them filtered out early. The end result is the company has trouble finding 'the right candidate' and a position ends up open for months. It's the exact same idea here. The government has added so many steps and gotcha moments that all it takes is one small mistake to get denied.