I applied through a recruiter. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at SmithGroup
No offer
Negative experience
Easy interview
Application
I applied through college or university. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at SmithGroup (Washington, DC) in Sep 2011
Interview
Contacted by SmithGroup to interview for position. Received my resume from a University Database for prospective employers. This was the worst interviewing experience I've ever had. The interviewer was 15 minutes late and was on his blackberry the entire time. There were very few questions being asked on their end. It was almost awkward with how little it seemed they wanted me to be there. I ended up leaving the interview early because of how unprofessional and arrogant the recruiters were. Was offerered to interview with them on 2 additional occasions and turned them down. The members of this firm (DC Office) are very arrogant and self-absorbed. Of friends that I have that work there, they get worked to the bone (sometimes to 9-10pm on a Friday) and get modest compensation. Although they have "sexy projects," in my experience the culture leaves a lot to be desired. I have 4 peers who joined and left SmithGroup within their first 2 years for these reasons. From - Lighting/Electrical, Mechanical,& Structural Engineering positions.
Arrived late do to traffic, but made the interviewer and recruiter aware prior to arriving. Asked simple questions about HVAC, personality and salary. Interviewer did not seem interested from the start and less interested when given the salary range I was seeking. Asked for feedback from the recruiter and was treated rudely. Happy to not have received an offer knowing they lack work culture and understanding.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me a time you had to deal with client changes on a project.
It was a virtual interview through Microsoft teams. The interviewers were very polite and curious about my experience. They asked difficult questions and very engaged follow up questions to the answers I gave.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Explain a time when something didn’t go as planned
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at SmithGroup
Interview
Very standard and easy process overall. I had a 20 minute phone call with the HR manager then came in for 2 sets of interviews, each with 2 or 3 people, all within the mechanical engineering department.