ALSTOM General Intern interviews, decoded.

The interview was conducted online. It started with an HR call, followed by a meeting with people from the relevant department. The goal was to find someone for a project involving a real case study about a hydrogen train.

This was a shockingly unprofessional interview experience. To start, the recruiter got my name wrong multiple times. Then, when I arrived, the receptionist asked me if I was Jewish, which was weird since I'm German. The hiring manager seemed nice, but the employee I would have worked with actively sabotaged the interview, clearly not wanting to work with me and trying to protect his own role. In the end, they hired someone with no experience. They said they'd get back to me by a certain date, but they were several days late. Overall, it was probably the worst interview experience I've ever had, and I'm an older grad student who's had many full-time, consulting, and internship roles.

The interview process was smooth and well-structured, with clear communication at each stage. The interviewers were professional, respectful, and engaging, creating a positive experience that allowed me to showcase my skills effectively.