Citrus College Interview Questions
& Process

So, I followed up for a few months and then got an interview. They were super rigid on scheduling. First, there was this 25-minute writing test about how I'd manage a project, and then 10 minutes to look at some questions for the panel interview. The interview itself was like a round robin with a committee. They were nice but kinda distant, not much back and forth. Near the end, I got to do a quick portfolio presentation. I only got to ask one question about the job or the work vibe before we ran out of time. The second interview, again, no budging on the schedule. I had to do a portfolio presentation to the hiring committee again. This time, though, no laptops or anything, which was weird since the job is so tech-focused. And again, I couldn't ask any questions about the job, which was really unusual.

So, a written test was required a few days before the actual interview for this role. No phone screening was involved. They were supposed to email me a prompt on a specific date and time, and I had to send it back within 15 minutes of receiving it, but they were late with the email, so I had to call HR to get it sent. That wasn't a great start. Even though it was an in-office job, the interview was conducted over Zoom. They didn't really explain the interview structure beforehand, which was confusing. You join a Zoom lobby, and you have 10 minutes to look over 10 questions before they let you into the main Zoom room to meet with the interview panel, which had about 6 people. Then, I was told I'd only have 20 minutes to answer all the questions, making it feel rushed. It was very direct and impersonal, with no intro or discussion about the position, just straight into the questions. The atmosphere wasn't friendly or welcoming at all. When they finished asking their questions, I was asked if I had any, but their response to everything was that I'd need to ask HR. However, when the interview concluded, they just ended the call instead of sending me back to HR. So, I emailed HR about the next steps and when I could expect to hear back, but never got a response. It took about 2 weeks to get the disposition email saying I wasn't moving forward. All in all, it was a bad experience, and I probably won't apply for jobs there again.

The HR team laid out the interview process nicely. They mentioned I'd have 20 minutes for a writing sample in a quiet space. Before the panel interview, I was given the questions to look over. The panel interview began with a 5-minute presentation I'd prepared. I didn't realize I was being timed, and as the panel started whispering, which was distracting, I noticed I was going over my time. The panel took turns asking questions, and it was hard to gauge their reactions or personalities.

It was a quick but pleasant interview process. The discussion was directly related to the job itself, and the panel made me feel really confident in my ability to do the work. The conversation was natural and flowed well, which helped build good relationships after I was hired for the position.