Initial phone screening with HR recruiter. Followed by group interview (8 in my session) where you are divided into 2 teams and must build a 'vessel' out of straws and tape to hold an egg and prevent from breaking when dropped. Also must create a story about the vessel and present to group. Although the egg vessel was a little bizarre the other parts of the group interview were interesting and informative. You are told immediately if you 'pass' the group process to move to next step. Next step is meeting with hiring manager and other peers or members of team. Fairly traditional interviews. My biggest issue is the lack of follow up communication (2.5 months), which seems to be the norm in todays job market, however Grand Circle markets themselves as being different.

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.