IBM Interview Questions & Reviews in Washington, DC Area
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Updated Feb 12, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
Ratings are reflective of location and job title.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 25 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 25 ratings
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| 1–10 of 25 IBM Interviews | Sort by |
Network Service Delivery Manager at IBM
Posted Feb 12, 2012
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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 Dec 2011 in McLean, VA (took 2 weeks)
While I did not get a written offer, I basically thought I had the job after interviews with people manager and the actual boss, hiring manager. However, I did not get the job and I was told the actual decisions was made "up the chain".
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Project Manager at IBM
Posted Jan 15, 2012
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5.0
Very Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2010 in Washington, DC (took a day)
This was a massive job fair - not happy with the time spent and the disinterested employees (not hiring managers) I spent some limited time with in a short, noisy ballroom with hundreds of other potential employees.
The employee was much younger and snotty. She showed no concern whatsoever as a potential employee of IBM.
Interview Questions
More IBM Project Manager Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
IT Specialist at IBM
Posted Jan 13, 2012
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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 Dec 2011 in Washington, DC (took 3 weeks)
I frequently researched companies and their applicant processes on Glassdoor so I wanted to post an informative description of the interview process for the position I accepted with IBM.
I am recent grad and found this opportunity on Dice. I pursued two internship opportunities while in college with IT firms and earned a strong GPA. After applying, I was notified by recruiters by email that I was chosen to interview over the phone. The only interviews were over the phone and they were 3 45 min interviews. Two were with Project Managers and one was with a younger employee. The interviews with the Project Managers were pretty open-ended. A lot of the questions were "situational" in nature. Both managers seemed interested in my work experience while in college and allowed me to expand on the skills I learned (SQL, Java, etc) and my responsibilities. Be able to answer why you chose to work for IBM without giving a canned response. Make sure you are prepared to answer any type of behavioral-type interview questions during the interview with the PMs.
My conversation with the younger employee was a little more technical. He wanted to know what languages I was comfortable with and asked me fundamental questions like "What are the four cornerstones of OOP". Nothing too difficult really - just research common tech interview questions. The interviews went well and they made me a preliminary offer. They seemed to be more interested in finding great, young talent that can work well with a team rather than a developer with 5 years of experience and plenty of SDLC knowledge. However, I would say my previous work experience was instrumental in getting noticed.
Still, I had to complete the IBM IPAT exam after the preliminary offer - do your research before completing it b/c it might be difficult if you are unprepared. Also, there is probably a minimum score you need to attain in order to proceed to the next step. I will not go too in-depth about it because it specifically states not to do so, but you can find basic info on different forums via google search about the format. After the exam, I received an official offer and a whole bunch of paperwork to fill out online. There is a week of orientation at the home office before they send you on-site.
Honestly, the offer was at least 8K more than my other offers. While the home office for GBS is in Herndon, VA, it was communicated to me that much of the work will be done in DC and the higher salary may be accounting for cost of living, frequent travel requirements, etc. but I can't be sure. Regardless, the offer was much higher than what I expected to make my first year out of college and IBM does have a strong reputation as one of the best employers for young IT professionals in the D.C. area, IMO. My interviews with about 5 smaller IT firms in the area were much more technical and paid less. My interview experiences with these firms were not as enjoyable.
This is just about everything I remember about the applicant process. I will be sure to post a review of my role after I have been with the company for an ample amount of time. To this point, my interaction with IBM has been pleasant and I am excited to engage the project I am assigned to.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and an IQ/Intelligence Test.
More IBM IT Specialist Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Consultant at IBM
Posted Jan 4, 2012
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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 Sep 2011 in Washington, DC (took 2 weeks)
I applied for the position through my schools career center website. I also had an alumnus from my program refer me.
The interview was 3, 30 minute interviews. 2 if the interview were behavioral, asking me about my experiences, and going over my resume. They also asked me multiple times why I wanted to work in consulting and for IBM specifically. Additionally, they asked about how I work in groups multiple times.
The 3rd interview was a case interview. This was the first year they have used cases. I was asked how I would help a health care company who had problems with their patient tracking software. I was told to explain how I would asses their problem, walk through a solution, and how I would implement the solution. I didn't use any case interview framework, and it was pretty informal. I did take notes though, and made sure to be logical, methodical, and summarize at the end.
About 2 weeks later I received a phone call offering me a position. While I was waiting for a formal written offer, I was asked to come into one of their offices. I had what amounted to another interview, where someone went through my resume and experiences. A few days later I received another phone call offering me a higher salary and sign on bonus.
My advice: When giving examples, be sure to answer the question asked, and follow the formula of explaining the situation, explaining what you did, and explaining the impact of your actions. Also, be prepared to tell them why you want to work for them.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I called my HR rep and told her I wanted to submit a counter offer. She had me email her my counter and the reasons for it, and said she would forward it to her boss. About a month later (this was during the winter holidays) I received an email with a counter to my offer. They offered only a slightly increased base, but a much higher sign on.
When all was said and done, I was able to increase my base salary by about 10%, and my sign on by 333%.
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
More IBM Consultant Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
IT Specialist at IBM
Posted Dec 1, 2011 — 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 Sep 2011 in Washington, DC (took 3 weeks)
I got my interview through a university and then was put in touch with a recruiter. I got contact information for three interviewers and had to call them all one after the other. To be completely honest, I have interviewed for quite a few different jobs while in college and the people I interviewed with were among the most pleasant I've experienced. They seemed down to Earth, and the interview was the right amount of balance between a question and answer on both ends. Honestly, just speak passionately about what you know and love from your resume, because that will really make the interview more comfortable, I think.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
There was no negotiation. The offer was great, especially compared to what I would have gotten elsewhere.
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, an IQ/Intelligence Test and a Background Check.
More IBM IT Specialist Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Consultant at IBM
Posted Oct 29, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 in Herndon, VA (took 2 weeks)
I had a telephone screne with an HR Represenatative that lasted 30 minutes. Within 48 hours, I was notified I would be invited for an in-person 1:1 interview. I interviewed in Herndon, VA for 30 minutes with the Associate Partner in , who was the "top dog" overseeing a 140-person consulting team (Army FIP). He asked me about my most recent employment, but spent most of his time talking about IBM and the project. NOTE: You must be able to tell them (1) what you know about IBM, (2) the assignment/job, and (3) WHY YOU WANT TO WORK FOR IBM. I then interviewed for 45 minutes with a Sr. Manager on the Army FIP Project, who spent most of his time talking to me about IBM's benefits and training. (I had a very good interview with the AP.)
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was told the AP had already signed a special request to get me a salary above the normal range. (Since I am paying my own expenses to relocate to metro-DC, I asked if he could seek a higher salary to help compensate for relo expenses.) I could have (should have?) asked for separte relo expenses. However, the recruiter had indicated no relo was available.
Other Details
I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
More IBM Senior Consultant Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Consultant at IBM
Posted Jul 16, 2011
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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 2010 in Washington, DC (took 3 days)
First interview was an on-campus interview. Very conversational approach. Described the position and asked how my background would position me to exceed with the practice area of the company. God experience. Lasted 45 minutes.
Second interview was a telephone interview with HR. Basic questions about background and qualifications.
Third interview was a back-to-back interview with two managing partners at the company headquarters. Both interviews were fairly short (30 minutes) and very conversational. I was well-qualified for the position so much of the interview was feeling out if my personality would be a god fit.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
One month after the last interview I was called and verbally offered a position. I was asked what salary range I was looking for. They made an offer for the top number of the range. I was sent a email confirming the offer and a new employee package (paperwork).
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
More IBM Senior Consultant Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Consultant at IBM
Posted Jan 18, 2011
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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 Oct 2010 in Washington, DC (took 3 months)
Three "fit" interviews over the phone for approximately 45 minutes. No in person interview because their model is 5 days at client site. Friendly and warm interviews, pretty candide about the role and culture witin the company.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
More IBM Consultant Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Consultant at IBM
Posted Jan 16, 2011
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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 Feb 2009 in Gaithersburg, MD (took 4+ weeks)
Following the submission of my application -- a resume and a cover letter -- I was first interviewed on telephone by a recruiter who reviewed my personal details and sought more specific information on my salary and benefits.
I was then called for interview to an office, and met four interviewers in succession. The first was by a recruiter who went over my employment history. The other three interviewers sought professional data: first, by asking more details about the accomplishments listed in my resume, second, by checking my experience in specific areas of professional work (what exactly did I do, to solve what problems, with what result, and what was eventually accomplished) and, third, by seeking my answer to specific hypothetical and problematic situations in an organization.
The recruiter then called me after a few days to say that the company intended to engage me and negotiate an agreed salary. There was no flexibility on the benefits, which were offered as a package, but after some discussion of the reasons for and against the salary I had preferred, the recruiter offered me a slightly lower salary.
The quality of the interviews was: amiable and not intimidating, polite and not intrusive, gracious and not demanding. The interviewers did not seem particularly skilled; some of the questions were superficial, and many were repetitive and apparently unplanned. The last interview was with a partner who was particularly candid, pleasant and informative.
The interviews, all in all, left a good impression but were not professionally impressive.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
The negotiation was brief but cordial. I felt I gained something, but not all I wanted.
My advice will be: Go prepared to give a good reason for what you are asking. Check the market rate, emphasize your special strengths, cite concrete accomplishments that are likely to repeated in your prospective job and do it all in an immodest, matter-of-fact way. You are likely to get a decent, flexible response.
Do not expect to negotiate much on the benefits. It is a large organization that does not like to budge -- that is my impression -- too much from its existing packages.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
More IBM Consultant Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Global Business Services - Supply Chain Consultant at IBM
Posted Dec 7, 2010
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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 Jul 2009 in Herndon, VA (took 2 days)
Hiring process was quite thorough. After campus interview, was flown down for super Saturday event. Friday night consisted on networking/meeting IBM employees. Some people may look like other people interviewing but make note that people are probably evaluating you at this event as well. Saturday consisted of 3 one on one interviews. The interviews were pretty random and mostly discussed topics on Resume and situations scenarios.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Be yourself, and present yourself as someone the person on the other side of the table would want to work with.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Personality Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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