[flyingchipmann]

The reason to interview a lot of companies at once is because of the competing offers. The candidate would have a huge raise by doing so. Certain companies would give out minimum offers most of the time unless they see the competing offers now, like Google/Microsoft.

[lmilcin]

Never had this happen to me and also they don't need more than one competing offer. Why would you need ten offers?

If you complain that companies waste your time then what is shopping for offers if not massive waste?

There are ways to check what you can earn at most large companies.

Just find the company you want to work for and focus getting as good impression as you can. It is likely going to yield better results than trying to optimize your effort to be as low as possible because you need to run so many concurrent processes.

Remember, one good offer is better than ten worse.

[lrvick]

I have known a number of people that interviewed with FAANG companies simply to get salary negotiation leverage with no intention of ever working there on ethical grounds.

Wasting the time of several unethical companies while getting valuable interview experience is a win/win.

[flyingchipmann]

Yes, one competing offer is enough. Applying for more is just upping the chances. The competition is fierce and luck is also very important. It's good to have backup plans.