Exploratorium Interview Questions
& Process

So, I did this take-home assignment first, like a system design thing. Then there were three interviews. The first one was super technical, then the second one was more about general problem-solving, and the last one was pretty chill, just chatting about stuff to see if I'd fit in and get along with everyone. It was a pretty solid process overall, tested both my tech skills and my people skills.

I'm not sure if it was just the hiring manager or the whole company, but the process felt really unorganized. They asked questions quickly and didn't answer my questions about how many people were in this role or when I'd hear back. It also took them five months to even offer me an interview.

The interview has two parts. First, a current Explainer will chat with you about who you are and why you want to join, then you'll do a mock explanation of an exhibit. It sounds tough, but it's actually pretty chill. Afterwards, you'll do some basic paperwork. The second part is with an adult employee, in my case the manager. This interview is straightforward, asking about your personality and your motivation for working there. Even though it sounds simple, you can't just wing it. You need to prepare answers that fit the Exploratorium's desired tone, as their more serious approach might catch you off guard.

You need to call on a specific day to set up an interview, it's best to call as early as you can, likely during school hours. There are only 60 spots available, so it's first come, first served. You'll first meet with two current explainers, and then have a one-on-one with a supervisor. They'll ask you simple questions about what you're interested in at school, how you found out about the job, how you'd describe yourself, and what you think the job entails. There are no wrong answers; it's mainly to get a sense of your personality. Making a good impression on the explainers can really improve your chances of getting hired.