Elster Interview Questions
& Process

So, I first got a call from HR. Communication was a bit slow; I had to follow up a few times to make sure they got my emails. During the call, I learned the role I really wanted was gone, but they wanted to interview me for a different one. I wasn't sure if they'd call back for an on-site, but a week later, they scheduled one. When I got there, the original role I wanted was mysteriously available again. I ended up interviewing for two different positions in that single on-site. I really liked both the engineering and management teams, and the place seemed cool. I thought I'd be a good fit and could see myself there long-term, especially with the technical challenges. A few days after, I got an email saying they went with someone else. Super disappointing and confusing, since I thought the on-site went great and I'm not sure where I messed up.

I applied online and about a week later, got an email for an interview. I was asked to provide availability in the next few days, which I did promptly but then heard nothing back to set up the interview. After following up, I was told the interviewer was traveling and would try to schedule for the next week. We eventually managed to schedule the phone interview. The interviewer seemed really impressed and was eager to have me come in for an in-person interview, even offering to cover my mileage since it was a 2-hour drive. When I got to the office, there was a panel of about 5-6 people, plus one on a conference call. They asked a lot of technical questions and wanted specific examples from my past technical experiences. I realized I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. After the panel interview, I met with the manager who asked if I was still interested, which I confirmed. He then sent me to HR to discuss benefits and my salary requirements, again asking about my interest. He inquired if I applied directly or through a recruiter, and upon learning I was direct, he mentioned they hadn't had direct applicants in a while. I was told I'd hear back very soon, either that day or the next. When I didn't hear anything, I sent thank you emails to HR and the manager. The manager didn't reply, but HR said they were still awaiting a decision. A week later, I followed up and was told they were still deciding and that my mileage reimbursement check was on its way. A few days after that, HR informed me they decided to keep searching. It felt odd to go through HR and discuss benefits if they weren't interested, which seemed misleading. They sent my reimbursement check, but when I asked HR for feedback via email, I received no response.

It was a really long day with 8 interviews scheduled back-to-back. That's just how they do things there, apparently. It was super tiring. Honestly, a second round might have been better, but hey, I got the job offer in the end. Since I wasn't from the area, they put me up in a motel, which felt a bit budget-conscious.

Got a ping from HR after I applied online. Had a phone chat with HR and two verification engineers. Then they brought me in for on-site interviews - two separate 2-hour meetings, each with two interviewers. Heard back about an offer a week or two later. They asked mostly behavioral stuff with a couple of technical questions thrown in.