Institute for Defense Analyses Research Analyst Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 7 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Institute for Defense Analyses.
Institute for Defense Analyses
Research Analyst
Entry Average Positive experience No offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call
Interview formats
Behavioral
This was the HR screening interview for a research analyst position. No questions were specific to the job itself, as the goal was to see if I'd be a good fit for the company. They asked about my interests and talked a lot about the role and company culture. They also discussed salary expectations, asking for my range and then sharing theirs.
Confirmed questions5 questions
- Could you tell me what you know about us?
- What is it that you are looking for in a role?
- What aspects of your previous role did you find most enjoyable?
Institute for Defense Analyses
Research Analyst
Mid Difficult Positive experience No offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Presentation Group Panel Onsite
Interview formats
Presentation Behavioral Group Technical
The interview was an all-day event, meeting with various people. It started with a 15-minute HR chat, then a 30-minute relaxed meeting with the department head. After that, I gave a presentation to a panel of about 10 people, consisting of 4 peers and 6 senior members. They all asked smart questions about my presentation. Then there was an hour lunch break where I spoke with the peers, and it seemed like they were assessing my personality and if I'd fit the company culture. The last two hours involved the same 10 people from the presentation, split into two groups of five, with each group session lasting an hour. Again, they were all very intelligent, and the panel discussion felt more like a conversation. I felt I performed well, but I sensed they were looking for candidates with perhaps more qualifications.
Confirmed questions1 question
- How would you structure the cybersecurity landscape using a framework?
Institute for Defense Analyses
Research Analyst
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 5 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Technical screen Presentation Panel Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation
Applied online after chatting with a campus recruiter. Got a call back about a month later for an initial HR phone interview. Then, there was a technical phone interview with a research staff member. After those calls, I flew out for the in-person interviews. My trip got messed up by the weather, so I had to push everything back a day. IDA was really helpful in rebooking my travel and hotel last minute, which was great. The in-person part had a research presentation, a technical panel interview, an HR chat, one-on-one meetings with staff, lunch, and a meeting with the division director. It felt more like a conversation, not trying to stump me. They mostly wanted to get a sense of my background and interests, and to answer my questions about working there. It's a lot like Google in that they care more about how you think than what specific facts you know right now.
Confirmed questions4 questions
- What role does IDA play in your future career aspirations?
- When faced with research data of poor quality, what strategies do you employ?
- Tell us about your background and what you are interested in.
Institute for Defense Analyses Research Analyst Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Institute for Defense Analyses interview reports.
“How would you structure the cybersecurity landscape using a framework?”
Read reports →“When faced with research data of poor quality, what strategies do you employ?”
Read reports →“Could you tell me what you know about us?”
Read reports →“What role does IDA play in your future career aspirations?”
Read reports →“What do you believe are the essential qualities for success at IDA?”
Read report →“What is it that you are looking for in a role?”
Read report →“What was an area where you received constructive criticism in your last job?”
Read report →“What makes you want this job?”
Read report →“How do you see yourself as a strong fit for this position?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 7 Institute for Defense Analyses interview reports.