CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) Associate Interview Questions
& Process

About a week after applying for the Community Associate role, I got a call for a 10-15 minute phone interview. We chatted about my resume, what CIC is about, and the job itself. Right after that call, I was invited for an in-person interview with the Director of Operations and a Community Leader. This interview lasted an hour and focused on my background, my motivation for the job, and my experience with teamwork and client service. Following that, I spent another hour on an assessment called Talent Lens. A week later, I was contacted for the next stage, which was a paid shadow day. I met with a Community Leader, then worked on some tasks with their team, like assembling furniture. After that, I interviewed with two more Community Leaders who asked similar questions about my interest in the role and my team experience. The day concluded with a project where I had to draft responses to four client emails, and then a final interview with someone from talent acquisition. Although the people and spaces at CIC were great, I was informed a few days later that they were moving forward with other candidates, even though I felt the shadow day went well. The entire hiring process took about a month from application to rejection.

I interviewed for the Community Associate role at CIC in June 2016. I had a 15-minute Skype interview, and two days later I was informed that I did not get the position. It seems that CIC is looking for a very specific type of candidate. Despite having two and a half years of business development and start-up experience, a business degree, and a master's from a top 30 global university, I wasn't selected. The main takeaway is not to take it personally if you aren't chosen. I figure many applicants could handle the job's duties, but I think CIC seeks more than just skills.

I applied online and got an invite for a skype interview and a critical thinking test. After that, I had an in-person interview at their office. The people were really nice and the office was inviting. The interviewers were smart, funny, and serious about their job. I felt great about the experience. They later sent an email saying they were continuing their search. I think they didn't move forward with me because they prioritize employees being invested in their work and might not consider candidates whose outside passions could divert energy from their job.