Glassdoor is your free inside look at Harvard University interview questions and advice. All 70 interview reviews posted anonymously by Harvard University employees and interview candidates.
Harvard University Interview Questions & Reviews
Getting the Interview 70 Interviews
Interview Experience 61 Ratings
Director, Educational Technology Group at Harvard University
Declined Offer – Interviewed in Boston, MA Apr 2012 – Reviewed Jun 1, 2013
Interview Details – Interviewed with group director, CTO, project managers and staff. Internal process as I was already an employee at HBS.
Interview Question – What would you do if a faculty member freaks out on you? Answer Question
Reason for Declining – After having worked with faculty in the past - I didn't want to do so in the future b/c they are hit or miss (I worked with GREAT faculty and lucked out - many aren't so good).
Helpful Interview?
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No
Problem with this interview?
Faculty Assistant III at Harvard University
No Offer – Interviewed in Boston, MA – Reviewed May 23, 2013
Interview Details – Application via the Harvard Website - Group Interview (4 candidates and 2 interviewers - Individual Interview (2 Interviewers) - 90 minute skills test (testing copy editing, internet research, powerpoint) . It takes a long time to hear back from the online application , and then it all happens rapidly.
Interview Question – The questions were all behavioral-interview questions. Perhaps the toughest questions always involve past criticisms of your work. Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
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No
Problem with this interview?
Finance Manager at Harvard University
No Offer – Interviewed in Cambridge, MA Mar 2013 – Reviewed May 9, 2013
Interview Details –
1) 30 min Phone Screen
2) 3 rounds of in-person interviews (first round was scheduled approximately 2 weeks after the initial phone screen, with the subsequent rounds ocurring over a three week period.
Interviews were each 30-45 mins in length and encompassed an individual from every department that the role would ultimately interface with. Interviewers generally asked insightful questions.
Interview Question – largely general questions on experience, how it fit with the role and a few behavioral questions. Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Multiple at Harvard University
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Apr 18, 2013
Interview Details –
Applying online is very easy. Phone screening by HR, followed by one or multiple interviews (depending on school and department) with hiring team. Study Behavioral Interviewing as it is the preferred format of interviewing at Harvard. I found the most helpful thing in getting jobs at HU was displaying passion for the position. HU relies on having people who are VERY dedicated.
Once you are in, you are in. Transferring is very simple and it is easier to get an interview if you are a current employee. If you are a member of the union, they can assist in getting you interviews.
Interview Question – Anything starting with "Tell me about a time..." Luckily I had studied some talking points because for every job I have held at HU, these have been the types of questions asked. View Answer
Negotiation Details – Not a lot of negotiation. If you have other offers, you can get them to pay you more. A lower percentage of people get hired at HU than get accepted to go to school there, so unless they LOVE you, you do not have a lot of leverage.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Library Assistant at Harvard University
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Cambridge, MA May 2009 – Reviewed Apr 14, 2013
Interview Details – I saw the job posting and emailed the head of the department to express my interest. I went to the office for a 30 minute interview. There were no hardball questions, I think that they just wanted to make sure that I had basic interpersonal skills and had the foreign language skills that the job required.
Interview Question – Tell me about yourself. View Answer
Negotiation Details – I took the offer without negotiating. Hmmm... maybe I should have negotiated.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Research Assistant at Harvard University
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Cambridge, MA Oct 2010 – Reviewed Apr 8, 2013
Interview Details – I asked a professor if they needed a research assistant in the lab, and they said yes. My interview was informal and they liked that I was enthusiastic and had an interest in the field. I'm not holding a student RA position that lasts for a few months, but I've been working here for a few years. They went out of their way to get me in even though I didn't reach all of the qualifications.
Interview Question – Why do you have a low GPA? View Answer
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Senior Analyst at Harvard University
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Apr 4, 2013
Interview Details – Informational interview, then position created
Negotiation Details – No negotiation, standard salary
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Staff Assistant III at Harvard University
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Feb 28, 2013
Interview Details –
The hiring process at Harvard takes a really really long time. For my current job, it took over 2 months from when I submitted my application to when I receive an offer. The interview process differs from school to school with the University; but for my position, I had an interview over the phone, 1 with the hiring manager, 1 with the hiring manager's manager, then a Word and Excel test. A week passed between each of these interviews.
The interview questions are standard behavioral interview questions: tell me about yourself, tell me why you are interested in the position, tell me about a time when you..., what would you do...
Interview Question – What would you do when you disagree with your manager? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – I asked for a higher salary but was turned down. A signing bonus was offered instead which I took.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Admissions Officer at Harvard University
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Feb 18, 2013
Interview Details – Job posting on Harvard Jobs website, tend to prefer people with background in either Admissions or Harvard University
Interview Question – If you were a fictional character, who would you be? Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Post Doc at Harvard University
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Feb 12, 2013
Interview Details – I contacted my current employer via email and she responded very quickly. It was all about having the right skills that she was looking for. Find skills that are sell able.
Interview Question – Everything was pretty much what I expected. They were trying to determine if I was right, well selling the school at the same time. Answer Question
Negotiation Details – The salary is set by the NIH.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
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