Forrester Research Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated May 16, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 30 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 30 ratings
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| 21–30 of 30 Forrester Research Interviews | Sort by |
Sales Executive at Forrester Research
Posted Feb 22, 2010 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2009 (took 4 weeks)
Interview process was facilitated by HR. Met by phone with HR and in person with Sales Management. Company morale seemed challenged. Process was organized, follow up was inconsistent.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Research Associate at Forrester Research
Posted Jan 26, 2010
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2008 in Cambridge, MA (took 2 weeks)
Basically spoke with most people on the team, asked them about their work preferences and tried to make a good impression.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
No negotiation.
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
More Forrester Research Research Associate Interviews
Helpful Interview?
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No
Inappropriate?
Research Associate at Forrester Research
Posted Dec 28, 2009
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2009 (took 2 weeks)
Initial communication was through email, when they asked what times would be good for a phone interview. afterwards, i was called in for an in face interview. I interviewed with the hr rep whom I spoke with on the phone, as well as a former research associate. I also interviewed with a couple of people who would have been my bosses for the position, as well as a couple of people who were working in branches overseas (I talked to them over the phone). Questions asked include why i'm interested in the position, what multi tasking skills do I have, what organization experience do I have.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
More Forrester Research Research Associate Interviews
Helpful Interview?
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No
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Senior Analyst at Forrester Research
Posted Nov 23, 2009 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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5.0
Very Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2007 (took 2 months)
Lengthy and intense process which involves multiple phone and in-person interviews; writing a research paper and going through two rounds of edits; and presenting on your research paper to a team of analysts in person and on the phone. The analysts attending the presentation will challenge your findings and force you to explain/defend any claims.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Not much wiggle room. It is pretty rigid about salary bands and stingy with alternatives such as options/sign-on bonuses.
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Presentation and a Skills Test.
More Forrester Research Senior Analyst Interviews
Helpful Interview?
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Account Executive at Forrester Research
Posted Jul 30, 2009 — 2 of 2 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2009 in Cambridge, MA (took 2 weeks)
Initial phone screen with Forrester recruiter, followed by 2 additional phone screens with the prospective manager and the manager of a complimentary group. Invited in to interview with 5 others face to face. They paid for my plane travel and accomodations to Cambridge, MA.
Once there, I had lunch with the prospective manager which doubled as an interview. Then met with the manager of a key account management team, the manager for the inside sales team, the head of talent acquisition (HR), one senior analyst and the company's sales training consultant.
Each individual interview was about 45 minutes concluding with a 30 minute, 12 slide powerpoint presentation in which I was to present my 30/60/90 day sales plan.
The office and culture seemed fantastic. Really great atmosphere. Each floor in their HQ was a specific musical decade theme. I spent much of my time on the '60's floor with pictures of Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles. Really great group of people in my opinion.
I did everything correct and was told that I gave the best presentation they had ever seen of a prospective candidate, yet I came in 2nd to another candidate and only one position was open at the time.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Presentation.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Associate Data Advisor at Forrester Research
Posted Apr 12, 2009 — 2 of 2 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2008 in Cambridge, MA (took 1 week)
There was first an initial HR phone screening interview. This was very basic, just making sure you can make coherent sentences. The second step was a phone interview with my future manager; he was very interested in my education--what classes I took, and what I learned, as well as my previous work experience.
After passing this phase, I was invited to the office for a round of interviews with future colleagues. I was brought to one of the client conference rooms where I was interviewed, one by one, with more tenured Forresterites. They did not seem to have specific interviewer roles (almost like a good cop, bad cop), as some previous companies I've interview with did. Rather, each person asked whatever questions were on their mind, sometimes overlapping one another. It was very casual for the most part.
After passing this third phase, I was invited to participate in the final interview process--a presentation that tested time management, data interpretation, basic math, power point fluency and public speaking. I was fairly confident that I did well, and I received a job offer the next day.
Advice going in: Be honest. If you don't remember much from your statistics classes in college, say so. Just be prepared with a counter-point (i.e. quick learner--give example). Show enthusiasm toward your prospective role.
Good luck!
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Presentation, a Skills Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Analyst at Forrester Research
Posted Mar 25, 2009 — 3 of 3 people found this helpful
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5.0
Very Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2008 in Cambridge, MA (took 5+ weeks)
This was the most comprehensive interview process I had ever been though. I first had a number of phone screens. The first was with the in house HR recruiter. He was very friendly, but his job was to either screen me out, or help me along the process. After demonstrating how my background matched their needs, we proceeded to the next set of phone screens with the hiring manager and the research director. Both were very matter-of-fact kinds of conversations about my background, my passions for my work, and the very challenging role of being an analyst. They all wanted to hear the questions I asked -- so prepare questions to ask! They want to know how inquisitive you are.
After passing this phase, I came in person for a meet-and-greet interview. Then I was asked to prepare 1. a written report and 2. a presentation. I had two weeks to complete this. We selected a topic, and I was given the standard format that Forrester uses for reports and presentations. The goal here was that this was the work I'd do if I got the job. They wanted to see if I could do it before offering me the job. They did offer help. The template was easy to understand, and they had examples. They simply wanted to see if I could pick up the tone and style of their reports, and if my writing was punchy and compelling. They also wanted to see how I took feedback -- so they made a bunch of corrections and wanted to see how I'd incorporate the corrections into a final product.
Once the paper and presentation was competed, I mailed them in and scheduled the in-person. That was basically a three hour set of 30-min interviews with the rest of the team. The junior team members were not really sure how to interview. They just wanted to get to know if I was someone they could work with.
Finally, I presented to the team (some were on the phone and on video). It was a 45 min preso, with ample time for Q&A. Expect at least one zinger of a question from someone acting like a jerk -- trying to show you up. This is of course just done to see how you react and work with it. After the preso, the team meets for 15 min to talk about you.
They want to know: do you know your stuff? Are you asking questions at the right level of analysis? are you inquisitive? are you arrogant? can you handle pressure? can you write well? can you speak well? Will you present yourself well before clients? can you work with others?
Hiring an analyst is a huge deal for an analyst firm. They will take their time and get the right person. In general, I found that most everyone was friendly and wanted to see this work out. Once they think you are a potential -- then it's your offer to loose. So work with them. Note -- these people are incredibly busy -- so don't expect that they are going to respond to your emails within a day.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I found that once they decided that I was going to get an offer, there was really nothing to negotiate. They have a pretty standard package for analyst. I found this phase very easy and non-contentious. They made me an offer that caused me to turn down my other offer and take the job.
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Presentation and a Skills Test.
More Forrester Research Senior Analyst Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Researcher at Forrester Research
Posted Mar 28, 2009 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2008 in Cambridge, MA (took 3 weeks)
Forrester often makes it more difficult than need be to move internally. I know several people who have simply left rather than put up with the internal red tape necessary to switch positions. Personally, I was overly qualified for the position i was applying for, yet still had to wait more than 5 months between the time i applied and the time i started the position. in the meantime, "outside" candidates were sought to "interview against me".
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
There was no negotiation. Take it or leave it, basically.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Advisor at Forrester Research
Posted Mar 22, 2009
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2007 in Cambridge, MA (took 5 weeks)
It started with a screen with the recruiter, which I decided to do in person rather than on the phone so I could make the best impression. At that mtg, I ended up mtg the hiring manager too. Then I progressed to another round which was in-person or phone interviews with several stakeholders that took up the better part of the day. Then it was the 3rd round which was a presentation on how I would approach the first 90 days on the job. The next biz day I got word that they would be moving forward with an offer, which came a few days later. Kudos to the HR group for moving quickly and giving me feedback throughout the process.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Presentation.
More Forrester Research Senior Advisor Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Research Associate at Forrester Research
Posted Mar 19, 2009 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2007 in London, England (United Kingdom) (took 4 weeks)
The experience I had was relatively quick by company standards -- normally the process takes a month or two, where in my case it was a matter of weeks. I had 5 interviews prior to receiving an offer. In the order in which they occurred:
1) Phone interview with Director of European research
2) Phone interview with Research Director of my prospective team
3) 3 separate Face to face interviews (2 senior analysts, and 1 RA)
Everyone was friendly and imparted a strong positive company culture. The questions were varied, but focused mostly around IT markets (at the time the team I was applying for looked mainly at IT services and outsourcing). At this level they're not looking for someone who has expert knowledge in the subject area and basic knowledge should suffice. The key things they do look for are communication skills, writing ability, project management, and attention to detail.
My advice (especially once at the face-to-face interview phase), is to try to answer any questions about the IT market, but if you can't try to bring things back to topics you know about and are comfortable speaking about. A lot of the people in the company come from varied backgrounds and didn't join from IT backgrounds themselves so the key goal should be to prove your communication and writing skills.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Not much. Given the low level of the position they're not willing to compromise very much.
Analyst firms like Forrester typically give a base salary + bonus. The area where there might be flexibility is in the bonus, so when negotiating that's where I'd focus. Its pretty tough to get them to move on the base salary unless they really need you or you're applying at a more senior level.
Other Details
I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
More Forrester Research Research Associate Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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