This company likes to promote its cultural values, so the majority of the interview process includes tests to see whether you are a good cultural fit. It all begins with the phone screen -- As phone screens go, there isn't much to it. Basic questions were asked and the person I spoke to was more interested in identifying cultural fit than anything else. You can get everything you need to know about the corporate values from the company blog. Group Interview After the phone screen I was asked to attend a group interview. Candidates sit in a circle and are asked a series of questions. Two representatives from the HR department conduct the group interviews. Each person in the group was asked to identify a case where you took a risk and to discuss the outcome. We were also asked to specify what we knew about the company. I assume these questions change, but expect themes where you need to discuss failures or difficult situations. Once the ice breaker questions were done, candidates were broken into groups. Each group was given an egg and some straws for the egg drop exercise. As juvenile as it seems, the entire purpose of the exercise it to identify how you work with other people. When you're finished with your egg contraption, you must give a marketing presentation, then drop it from a desk chair. Obviously, the outcome is irrelevant. It may be more fun to build something that will guarantee breakage. HR purposely shorted us straws and time, so be aware that you can ask for more straws and time. Each team was asked to review their team's performance. The next stage of the group interview is a role playing exercise. Case studies are read out loud and you are required act out a response with another candidate. Each case study highlights one of their core values. The entire group discusses the results of each case study. When the group interview is over, you are sent back down to the lobby where you await the next interview. If you didn't do well during the group interview, you are asked to leave. Case Study I was called up to review a case study (delivered to me ahead of time). Two people I'd be reporting to conducted the interview. I was given 45 minutes to conduct a requirements session and write up a scope, risks, and schedule for the project. They like white boards, so prepare to write all over the place. Once the time has expired, I was given 10 minutes to summarize the project. Analysis Culture is in your face the entire interview process. I think this shows in how the interviews were conducted. I walked in with a set schedule, but it was completely different when I arrived. There was a sense of chaos, which coincidentally is one of their principles -- thriving in chaos. While that's fine, interviewing is already an unnerving process, made worse in this economy. It wouldn't hurt to have a little more organization when it comes to interviewing candidates. The interview process was not hard but it was draining and at times, tedious. Outcome Hiring managers told me to come in for a second round interview, but they changed their mind a day later.

I was referred for an open position by a friend who has worked at the company for 14 years. My friend gave me very valuable information regarding the group interview, strongly emphasizing the premium the company places on its core values and to come up with personal examples that demonstrated the company's core values. The interview process consisted of: 1) 90-minute group interview with 3 other candidates - each for a different job opening. Group interview focused on role-playing and team building using an egg drop exercise and marketing presentation scenario. Strong emphasis on identifying cultural fit. Definitely out of the box compared to any other professional interview and not for everyone. I've heard numerous stories of candidates walking out during the group interview b/c of how off-beat it is, but at the time I found it a bit refreshing. 2) The P&C (People and Culture = HR) administrator and observer(s) break, then recommend which candidates make the cut for the job-specific interviews. 3) If you make the cut, you are led to conference room where you have 1:1 interviews with 3-5 individuals whom you might be working with. As a whole the interview process took almost 4 hours. I was notified a few days later they were moving forward with contacting my references as well as doing a background verification. That process took longer than expected but I was contacted when the process was completed, and that I would expect to hear from the hiring manager. However, I didn't hear from the hiring manager for over a week and decided to contact him directly. I was then told that while I was still being considered for the job, they wanted to interview other candidates to find the best candidate for this position. The feedback I received, albeit later than I expected, was very constructive. In fact, the hiring manager asked if I would consider other opportunities at the company and make a specific recommendation. I took his recommendation and returned a few days later to interview for that position. I met with the hiring manager for this position as well as another associate (someone whom I already knew personally), and was offered the job 3 days later.