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National Security Agency interviews FAQs
Co-Op applicants have rated the interview process at National Security Agency with 2 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 33% positive. To compare, the company-average is 60.3% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Co-Op roles take an average of 135 days to get hired, when considering 3 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at National Security Agency overall takes an average of 123 days.
Common stages of the interview process at National Security Agency as a Co-Op according to 3 Glassdoor interviews include:
Background check: 21%
Skills test: 14%
Other: 14%
Phone interview: 14%
Personality test: 14%
One on one interview: 14%
Drug test: 7%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied online. I interviewed at National Security Agency (Fort Meade, MD) in Dec 2025
Interview
Long HireVue in December (very behavioral, like 9 questions). Then received a conditional offer in early January (contingent on security clearance). That's the brutal part - after a 2-month background investigation and 2 polygraphs (first one inconclusive, second one passed), I received word in June that my processing had been cancelled. No reason was given, and I was told in April after the second polygraph that I had passed. Poor communication all around but fairly easy to get through the interviews themselves.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What university classes have been the easiest? The most difficult? Why?
I applied through college or university. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at National Security Agency (Baltimore, MD) in Jan 2020
Interview
Since its a co-op it was mostly just getting you in the door. This was right before the pandemic so I had declined the job because I would have had to relocate to maryland. I submitted an application and had background processing done and was flown to maryland to do job processing.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
No technical Q's mostly soft skill questions like tell me about a challenge or what projects have you worked on
I applied through college or university. The process took 7 months. I interviewed at National Security Agency (Pittsburgh, PA) in Sep 2015
Interview
Applied online and talked to booth at career fair. Was invited for on-campus interview the following day. Mostly behavioral questions about resume and how you work in a team environment. The background process is incredibly extensive. Took 7 months from time of application. I'm still waiting to hear if I passed the background investigation. Don't apply if you are under a tight deadline to get a job.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why did you choose your major? Tell me about a time you supported a team environment?