Glassdoor is your free inside look at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Programming Assistant interview questions and advice. All 3 interview reviews posted anonymously by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation employees and interview candidates.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Programming Assistant Interview Questions & Reviews
Getting the Interview 3 Interviews
Interview Experience 3 Ratings
Program Assistant at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
No Offer – Interviewed in Seattle, WA Apr 2011 – Reviewed May 10, 2011
Interview Details – I received a phone interview from applying online. The phone interview went well and the Recruiter even mentioned that she as going to pass my information along to a Hiring Manager and asked why I hadn't applied sooner. I felt that it was very positive. However, I was not contacted and didn't received a response to any of my follow up emails for three weeks.
Interview Question – They questions were very basic. Please go over you resume ith me in detail and elaborate on your experiences. Why do you want to work for the Gates Foundation? What are you hoping to get out of our conversation? Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Program Assistant at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Seattle, WA Feb 2009 – Reviewed Mar 10, 2011
Interview Details –
I was surprised that I had to be brought in three separate times to interview. Each time the recruiters were scrambling to find individuals to interview me (due to original people being out sick). I was also surprised that during the interviews the people interviewing me were late, or not even sure of what they were asking/looking for in an assistant.
To be fair, 2 of the 4 people who interviewed me are no longer with the foundation (due to their own decision), and it was these two who were the least prepared.
Interview Questions
- "If person A asks you to schedule meetings, but then person B asks you to make travel arrangements, and then person C tells you to drop everything and do their tasks - what would you do and how would you prioritize?" View Answer
- "Have you ever created secure portals on a SharePoint site, and if you have explain how you did it" View Answer
Negotiation Details – There was no negotiating; I felt that the offer given to me was fair albeit much lower than what I was making at a for-profit corporation ($12,000 less!).
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Program Assistant at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Seattle, WA Jan 2010 – Reviewed Feb 27, 2010
Interview Details – I applied on-line and got a call back within a week. Two phone interviews (about 1 hour each), then a day-long person-by-person interview at the office. They basically parked me in a conference room and had a new person come in and meet with me every hour. Lunch provided.
Interview Question – Questions were mostly centered on my past experience. Overall, it is difficult to say what was the most difficult question. Most of my interviews were more "getting to know you" interviews Answer Question
Negotiation Details – Very little negotiation on my part. The Gates Foundation uses a very fair salary calculation, basing the starting salary on experience and average salary of others currently in the same position, already working at the Foundation. I found the offer and benefits package very nice.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
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