CallisonRTKL Interview Questions
& Process

It was a pretty chill interview. They started off by asking me to introduce myself and then talk about some of my past work. While I was explaining, they asked follow-up questions about things like the size of the companies I worked for, the software involved, and my specific responsibilities. Then, they told me about themselves and the company, and asked if I had any questions. Overall, it was a good vibe.

Applied online and HR contacted me a few days later. I mentioned my salary range in the application. I proceeded to submit all the extra technical drawing sets they requested and then set up and interview once they seemed happy with the technical skill level. The interview was good and standard question. They then ask for references minimum of 5 references to fill out a questionnaire. After interview the HR person contacted me with a offer less than the range provided in the submitted online application. They wasted my time and my references time by interviewing me knowing they would not meet my salary range. If you interview bring up salary before wasting your references time in filling out their questionnaire.

I've interviewed here twice and both times I got offers. First time I declined because I got almost 20% more salary from another firm. The second time, I was interested because upscale retail was really attractive to me and I was planning on moving to NYC: emailed HR, got response after reviewing my materials and set up an in person interview (this was pre-covid). I got the offer and negotiated a little higher than was first offered. Benefits seemed great - lots of vacation, most of any firm I interviewed with (post-grad interviewed at 15+ and got over 10 offers, only sharing to say I've seen offer packages from top firms and could discern that CRTKL really leaned into that merger). I declined because they kept saying "perfect" and "perfection" in the work they do, workspaces were extremely tight and crammed (in NYC at least before they moved to their current office) and I heard murmurs of workplace culture that aren't a fit for me. I would entertain interviewing here again because I think my experience is biased since my interviewers did not seem to be great with people or particularly warm/representative of what the firm has to offer.

I connected with the company through an agency. Upon arrival at their nice office, where everyone seemed quite official, I had my interview. It was a bit nerve-wracking as it was only my second interview abroad, but overall it went okay. They asked me to talk about my background and present my portfolio. A key part of the discussion revolved around the software I'm familiar with. They also inquired about my potential start date. I believe there was a recruiter call before this, and I'm waiting to hear back about an offer.