Glassdoor is your free inside look at IDEO interview questions and advice. All 10 interview reviews posted anonymously by IDEO employees and interview candidates.
IDEO Interview Questions & Reviews
Getting the Interview 10 Interviews
Interview Experience 8 Ratings
Mechanical Engineering Intern at IDEO
No Offer – Reviewed Mar 9, 2013
Interview Details – I was interviewed first by someone in HR. I then had an interview with the mechanical engineering team. The whole process was pretty short. They contacted me a few days after I submitted my application.
Interview Question – Tell us about your engineering passion. What do you do in your free time. Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
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Coordinator at IDEO
No Offer – Interviewed in San Francisco, CA Sep 2010 – Reviewed Jul 4, 2012
Interview Details – Overall positive experience. A couple of questions stumped me, which in hindsight, was a good indication that the job was not the best fit. Everyone was very nice, smart , and passionate, so I'm sure it's a fantastic place to work.
Interview Question – Describe a situation in which you went above and beyond Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
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Designer at IDEO
No Offer – Interviewed in Palo Alto, CA Oct 2010 – Reviewed Feb 25, 2012
Interview Details – The people of IDEO are generally very kind. They ask interesting questions and are very selective. So much so that if you leave a bad impression with one of the interviewer, that will kill it (which was my case). Be prepared. Know IDEO's culture. Read the books. Make "thinking out of the box" second mature.
Interview Questions
- How do you price a product when it is an entirely new invention? View Answer
- What is the most motivating speech you have heard and why? View Answer
Helpful Interview?
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Human Factors Specialist at IDEO
No Offer – Interviewed in New York, NY Dec 2011 – Reviewed Feb 6, 2012
Interview Details – I was contacted by IDEO NY for the human factors position, after getting an employee working in their Palo Alto to refer me. I was interviewed by two members from their team - a designer, and a project manager type. They were good looking and well dressed. I didn't end up getting the job, but I feel like they were open and honest through the process.
Interview Question – What's a brand that you love, and why? Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
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No
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Design at IDEO
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Palo Alto, CA Dec 2009 – Reviewed May 7, 2011
Interview Details – The interview process on telephone will be the first indicator if your character fits. There might be a lot of calls and the people interviewing you are very likely to be the people you will working with, so see it both ways.
Helpful Interview?
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IT Support Specialist at IDEO
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Palo Alto, CA Apr 2009 – Reviewed Mar 19, 2011
Interview Details – Asked me a series of technical related questions, which helped determine my skill level and problem solving process. Also, they asked me questions, which helped them to determine my ability fit into the team and its unique dynamics.
Interview Question – Someone in Senior Management needs to print a document, but is in a rush. What would you do to take care of the problem View Answer
Helpful Interview?
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Problem with this interview?
Visual Interaction Designer at IDEO
No Offer – Interviewed in Chicago, IL Jul 2008 – Reviewed Nov 21, 2010
Interview Details –
They have a pretty intense online application process which is fairly time-consuming but allows you to save and continue later. You can even come back and apply for another job later.
They emailed me only a few days after my submission to offer an interview. I had 1.5 weeks to prepare. They did tell me who would be in the room.
The interview was 5 people, those who would be my teammates. Overall people seemed distracted right off the bat. My experience was admittedly not up to snuff, and I knew it, so I'm sure that was a factor in the lack of connection. A couple people seemed a bit cold to the point they bordered on rude. I didn't expect that from IDEO people as I know a few of them and they are warm and friendly.
Afterwards I got a tour of the place. It was inspiring. I was introduced to a human factors person who seemed awesome.
I never heard back from anyone after the interview. I tried contacting the person who initially contacted me and arranged my interview. I didn't feel too good about the interview but just wanted to know the decision and maybe get some feedback if lucky. But she never responded. I tried again a couple times, but spread out over a couple weeks--not pesty. Never heard a word.
I was surprised as I expect clearer communication from IDEO. Weird. But I got a fantastic job at a different place, so it worked out for the best.
Interview Question – I don't recall any particularly difficult questions. Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
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Problem with this interview?
Lead at IDEO
No Offer – Reviewed Oct 22, 2012
Interview Details – Incredibly interesting people, nice interviewers but definitely need to be on your toes and know your stuff. Cultural fit takes precedence so be prepared for a lot of interviews (6-10 rounds!) with lots of senior people to assess fit and skills.
Interview Question – Be prepared for tough questions that don't sound like tough questions at first, so take time to think and respond thoughtfully. Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
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Mechanical Engineer at IDEO
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Jul 26, 2012
Interview Details – For the interview through existing connections at the company. Once people were interested, HR was very helpful and responsive to inquiries. Several rounds of interviewing with a range of technical, process, personality questions.
Interview Question – What are you the most proud of and why? View Answer
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Management at IDEO
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Munich (Germany) Jan 2008 – Reviewed Jan 21, 2010
Interview Details – Got approached by a recruiter, once I indicated that I'm interested got a detailed job-description and background info. First rounds with recruiter, than met senior management, visited other locations, had a group interview with executives. Overall very positive, I had the impression that I meet friends and that my skills where a good fit. My advice: just be yourself, everything else won't work...
Interview Question – Where did you fail in your past and how did you deal with it? Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
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IDEO – Why Work for Us?
We strive to be an extraordinary and sustainable workplace for world-class professionals. We’ve applied the human-centered design process to our own organizational structure and processes, and we continually fine-tune… — Full Overview
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