PayPal Communications Specialist Interview Questions & Reviews

Interviewed Aug 2011 in San Jose, CA (took 2 weeks)

I was referred into this company. (Networking got me in the door!) My networking contact forwarded the job posting and since it was a strong fit, I jumped on it. He introduced me (via email) the next day.

After a few email contacts and reviewing my resume, the Hiring Manager (HM) arranged a phone interview, (which had to be rescheduled), but which eventually covered my recent work history and how it tied back to the Job Description.

That was followed by a face-to-face interview, and a panel interview, during which (both) I met several people who worked with the team in which I would be working. (The cross-functional role I would be taking on was not currently filled, and I would be working with others from outside my manager's team.) All of the interviewers asked typical questions, but it did not appear that they had a "typical" interview playbook... no behavioral or Leadership questions; all were skills- and experience-based. (...at the Director Level, this surprised me.)

I got the sense that I could make material contributions to this organization, and set up a follow-up conversation with the HM for three days later. In that conversation, I described the areas in which I felt I could make the strongest contributions, and asked if that fit his idea for the role... he agreed.

I was offered a position, which I was able to negotiate-up on compensation, and accepted the job.