Harvard University Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – I had a total of 4 interviews- one with HR, one with 2 hiring managers, one with the director, and finally, a group interview with the team I'd be working with. The interview process was grueling but very positive. It took a total of 2 months from the first interview to the last one and being offererd the position.

Negotiation Details – I didn't negotiate because I was offered much more than the minimum I would have settled for. I would advise that one does their homework and know beforehand what the average salary is for the job you're interviewing for.

I was lucky in that I was offered $10,000 MORE per year than the starting salary would be for the SAME EXACT job with my former employer. And I know this because in my old position, I had regular access to what everyone made in my department.

Interview Details – There was one position available and had the impression it had already been earmarked. Took months to respond to me before and after interview.

Interview Details – Long lengthy and meaningless, everyone wanted to see you for one reason or the other. Probably the idea behind having a dozen people interview is more political than anything else. Between phone interviews, in person day long sessions spent 3 days.

Was very difficult to figure out who has real decision-making. If you are coming in from outside world, you will find culture very different and ‘non veritas’.

Interview Details – Competency based interviews. Asked questions that elicit examples of a behavior. Have plenty of examples of how you have performed in various settings in the past. Try to pick out the key competencies of the position you're applying for and think of examples of those specific qualities and behaviors.

Negotiation Details – I asked for more money, but didn't get it. I felt confortable asking and was given a raise within the year.

Interview Details – At first I got a call about the offer to be a teaching assistant, the usual questions about who you are and behavioral type quires. This was followed by a group interview with 4 other potential candidates, we were asked to read a case beforehand and come prepared to answer questions about it. It was a painless process for the most part.

Negotiation Details – No negotiation, set salary

Interview Details – Applied by email in November 2008, was phone interviewed by PI in February 2009 for 90 minutes. Mainly informal discussion about job responsibilities and general questions about my research. Some questions about related research done by others to check that I followed the current research. Also a few hypothetical questions about what I would want (or be able) to do if hired.

Interview Details – I was interviewed at the Ed School. Very HR like process. First there was an initial phone call asking very basic information. Then there was a true phone interview. And then there was a face to face interview with an HR person. After that I would met with the department and essentially been given a final green light. I never got past that stage. I would not have accepted the position as it was a lateral move for very little more money, a much better title, but a LOT more work.

Reason for Declining – It was a lateral move and not a true promotion.

Interview Details – First Interview:

I was contacted for a phone interview by an HR rep and then scheduled for a panel interview consisting of 3 department heads and 1 unit manager. Each person took a turn asking me questions as the others looked on and took notes. Interviewees: Prepare for this interview! At times this interview felt more like an interrogation. Be prepared to defend everything in your cover letter and resume (which is to be expected anywhere) and have your "Tell me about yourself" pitch ready, as well as "Why did you choose Harvard and this occupation. Expect lots of follow up questions to your answers. The interviewers were professional, BUT don't expect this to be a comfortable interview ...you will be constantly challenged.

Second Interview:

After feeling pretty beat up from the first interview, I was shocked I got the call to come back to spend half a day shadowing a manager on the job, for the second "interview". This was a great experience and an idea that more companies should put into practice. I "observed and followed" from 10 am to 2 pm in a dining hall, was introduced to the entire staff and had a brief interview before I left with the unit manager that I was with. This was a much more comfortable experience for me than the panel interview and I enjoyed seeing the operation and my prospective co-workers in action.

Drawback to Interviewing or Working at Harvard:

There is NO place on campus to park! I paid $25 to park in a garage for the first interview, and had to pay $6.00 for 2 hours of time (maximum time the meter would allow), PLUS a $7.00 taxi fare (with tip), PLUS a $35.00 parking ticket (when my 2 hour garage sticker expired). This was an expensive day!! If you are considering Harvard employment research alternative transportation, car pooling OR be prepared to spend big bucks each day to park. I was not offered the position, so I never had to face this problem beyond my 2 interview days.

Interview Details – The initial interview consisted of a phone screener with the CTO, during which he asked me rate myself on a scale of 0-10 on a large variety of competencies, including familiarity with various asset classes, c++ programming skills, and devotion to my users. I tried to be very honest and he appeared to appreciate it. Next I had 2 more phone interviews with a technology managing director and a trader. These were not terribly difficult, he asked general questions about my background and a few specific questions about, e.g., forward rates. Finally I had an in-house interview, consisting of a brief one-to-one with the m.d. of fixed income (big shot) who grilled me pretty thoroughly about swaptions - he appreciated my thoughtfulness and I clearly did well. The next two were pretty softball, general chats with a few other employees. After a thorough reference check, I got the job!

Negotiation Details – I initially received an offer that was a bit lower than I had expected based on an offer I had received from a different company, but after I expressed this they pushed up the base salary a few k - mostly a symbolic gesture but it did the trick.