Nairobi, April 28 -- It might be one of those random Tuesday or Wednesday mornings in Nairobi, a young graduate logs into her third interview for a role that pays just enough to cover her rent and transport.

By this time she has already done an aptitude test, a panel interview, and sometimes even, a take-home assignment. Today, she faces a final round with senior managers. By the end of it, she is exhausted wonders whether the process reflects the job at all.

It is a question that is becoming increasingly common across the job market: why do some roles, especially those offering modest pay, demand such intense and layered recruitment processes? And more importantly, is it time companies rethink how they structure hiring?

The rationale...