ICF Research Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 81 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at ICF.
ICF
Research Assistant
Entry Easy Positive experience No offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Take home Presentation Offer
Interview formats
Technical Presentation
Applied online via workable, and after 2 months, I was contacted for a data analysis assessment. This was followed by a final interview with three Economists. I had to prepare and deliver a presentation with a few slides to explain my data assessment results. The outcome was communicated 2 weeks later. It seems they prioritize candidates with UK project experience, as they didn't hire me despite my skills.
Confirmed questions1 question
- How do you handle conflict within a team?
ICF
Research Assistant
Entry Average Positive experience Decline offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Take home
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Case
It was a two-round interview process. The initial round was a get-to-know-you chat focusing on my interests and the team. The subsequent round involved more senior staff discussing technical skills and interests, leading into a 2.5-hour case study writing assignment, which felt appropriate for the role level. The entire process dragged on, with inconsistent communication – sometimes long silences requiring follow-ups, other times spontaneous calls about expectations. It was generally positive and friendly, though the communication could be erratic.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you explain how your background relates to this position?
ICF
Research Assistant
Entry Average Negative experience No offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
I applied in October 2016. They called me for a phone chat in early December. Then, they invited me for a final interview in mid-January. The process before the last interview was pretty good and I liked talking to someone who works there on the phone. In mid-January, I went to their Fairfax office for a full day of interviews. I met a bunch of people, from newer staff to more experienced ones. They told us there were several openings and we'd know something in about two weeks. I never got any word back, even though I sent thank you cards by mail and three follow-up emails to the HR person between January and March. I wouldn't expect a big consulting place to not get back to me after a phone call or even a quick in-person chat, but it really surprised me that they didn't even bother to send a rejection email after all the effort they put into setting up a six-hour interview at their main office. Since then, I've talked to a few ex-employees who are glad they left because things are getting more disorganized and there's tension between management levels.
Confirmed questions4 questions
- Can you share your most significant strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your motivations for seeking employment at ICF?
- Tell us about your top strengths and any areas where you struggle.
ICF Research Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from ICF interview reports.
“Could you place climate change mitigation strategies on a curve, comparing their costs versus their effectiveness?”
Read reports →“If you could be a superhero, which one would you choose and what is the reason why?”
Read reports →“What would you do if a teammate wasn't doing their share of the work?”
Read reports →“Regarding the written questions, were they straightforward, making you doubt if you were missing something due to the ample time provided?”
Read reports →“How would you handle a situation where a teammate isn't contributing their fair share?”
Read report →“What specifically about this research field attracts you and makes you want to work in it?”
Read report →“Given your international experience, do you think you'd be content working in the States? Might you get bored easily?”
Read report →“What was surprising to you when you began your first job after college?”
Read report →“What do you consider to be your main strengths and weaknesses in the context of a research assistant position?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 81 ICF interview reports.