Dallas Zoo Interview Questions
& Process

First you send in your resume. It might take a while to hear back. If you get a call or email, they'll set up a phone or in-person interview. Sometimes, you might get to shadow on the job, depending on the specific part of the zoo you're looking at.

I applied for a position through the Zoo's online portal. About 1 month after submitting the application, I received an invitation to do a phone screen. While the phone screen wasn't explicitly difficult, it seemed "advanced" - that is, they began to delve past the "why do you want to work here" and "what do you know about us" questions typical of an initial screen. The questions seemed more appropriate for a second-round interview. Following the phone screen, I sent my interviewers thank-you emails and physical thank-you cards as well. It has now been over 5 weeks since my interview (over 9 weeks since applying), and I have heard absolutely nothing from the company. I tried to contact my interviewers directly via email and through the career portal to seek updates, but have been met by silence. For 5 weeks. My application status is still listed as "in process," but based on the silence from the interviewers I have to assume this is a glitch and that I am no longer being considered for the position. However, I should not have to assume this. If you take the time to interview someone for a job, you take the time to contact them about the position. Period. Even if by some slim chance I am asked for a second-round interview, 5 weeks of silence leaves a bad taste in one's mouth...

The interview process was pretty long, but it was worth it. I went to a job fair on a Friday and when I walked in there were 50+ people there, which was kind of overwhelming. But you sign in, grab an application for the position you're applying for (there are multiple jobs within the zoo), fill it out, and wait your turn. I think the wait is what's the most nerve-racking because you see people go in with a smile and come out with a straight face. Guest Services is probably the hardest position to interview for, and for good reason. They pick the best of the best, so if you smile and can be confident, you'll land the second interview. When you are picked for the second interview, it's easier. You take a tour around the zoo and they observe you on how well you do, the questions you asked, and how friendly you are. It was such a fun experience, and hopefully, if you get that second interview, you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

I applied online and got a call a few days later for a phone interview. It went well, and after waiting a couple days, I had a face-to-face interview with the initial interviewer and another staff member. A couple days after that, I got an offer, but we couldn't agree on terms. They were very professional and polite throughout.