Exponent Scientist Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 29 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Exponent.
Exponent
Scientist
Mid Average Positive experience Accept offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Presentation
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation
We start with screening calls with people at different levels. After that, there's an all-day interview which includes a technical talk. For your talk, present on recent work or things you know really well so you can answer questions. Make sure you've done your homework connecting your skills to what Exponent does in your area of interest.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Why are you a suitable candidate for Exponent?
Exponent
Scientist
Entry Average Negative experience No offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen
Interview formats
Behavioral
I found a job posting that was pretty vague, but I had the qualifications for it. They reached out to me quickly for an interview. After I gave them my availability, the interviewer didn't respond, so I followed up and they eventually set a date and time. It was pretty obvious the interviewer wasn't prepared. A few minutes into the interview, they stopped and said I was totally unqualified after looking at my CV (it seemed like for the first time?) and asked why I even applied. They were really arrogant and condescending. It was a really unprofessional and weird experience.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- Can you introduce yourself and talk about your dissertation?
- Could you elaborate on your dissertation?
Exponent
Scientist
Entry Easy Positive experience Accept offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Presentation Onsite Offer
Interview formats
Presentation Behavioral
They're looking to hire new or almost-new PhDs from top schools. After a recruiter reaches out, you'll chat with someone in your field. If it seems like a good fit, you'll come in for a job talk where you present any research you want. I applied for a role in LA and it got filled after my call with an employee. But there was an opening in Menlo Park a month later. When I said I was interested in that location, they brought me in for an in-person interview. I got their offer about three weeks later, which I accepted over the phone. They covered moving costs and I started about a month after that.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- As long as you appear competent during the presentation of your own research, you should do fine.
- You will be naturally judged for how well your personality fits in with the other consultants.
- Are you better suited for academia?
Exponent Scientist Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Exponent interview reports.
“What's the distinction between the fracture surface of a ductile metal versus a brittle metal?”
Read reports →“What does a fatigue fracture surface look like?”
Read reports →“How does SCC propagate in low carbon steel?”
Read reports →“During a tensile test of a metal, does the failure initiate at the center or the middle of the specimen?”
Read reports →“How do you handle making decisions when you don't have all the information?”
Read report →“Given this defective product I recently worked on, what would be your initial steps to diagnose the issue?”
Read report →“Could you explain the key discoveries from one of your publications to someone without a scientific background?”
Read report →“What specific parts of your PhD project did you complete yourself?”
Read report →“Can you give a 5-minute overview of your current research?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 29 Exponent interview reports.