Quinn Emanuel Interview Questions
& Process

It was a quick and easy interview process, focused on competency-based questions. I spoke with two really nice people in a panel interview, and it felt pretty laid-back. They asked general competency questions and we discussed managing competing tasks under pressure. I found out about this role through an agency referral.

The interview followed the usual structure: introductions, a short discussion of my background, and questions about my interest in the firm. One interviewer had to leave unexpectedly, which meant the session concluded well before the allotted time. Although the questions were standard, the early finish made the overall process feel a little disjointed.

Got parking validation which was appreciated given the downtown location. A recruiter handled all communication. Upon arrival, I was offered a restroom break, allowing me to tour the office and check out the work vibe. The office space itself was artsy and decorated with a lot of art, but also had a lot of hipsters around, which made me question if it's an equal opportunity employer or just pretentious, as the staff seemed a bit cookie-cutter and hipsters were everywhere. I'd seen online reviews mentioning poor work-life balance, favoritism, and a cutthroat atmosphere, but I went in with an open mind. The staff I observed appeared overworked and stressed. Two managers conducted the interview. While the initial part went okay, I felt one of the hiring managers was looking for someone to just 'apple polish' rather than a genuinely competent candidate. After the standard questions, the interviewer's tone shifted to defensive and somewhat aggressive when I inquired about their tenure at the firm and the number of roles they'd held. One manager had only been there 7 months, which suggests high turnover. The limited observations made a big impression, and I decided this wasn't a place I wanted to work. The young woman who showed me out to the elevator ignored me and walked off when I was thanking her. All contact was via a recruiter who was very helpful. However, it's a red flag that the firm uses an outside party for hiring, hinting at high turnover, and they made no effort to contact me about an interview or follow up afterward, despite me reaching out before and after. The interview itself was easy, but the interviewers seemed uninterested in hiring talented people. My advice: to reduce turnover, keep employees happy and focus on retaining talent.

A recruiter reached out about a position, and I was able to interview within a couple of days. The interview felt like a conversation with my potential supervisor, discussing my career goals and the role's specifics. I also met with the person currently in the position I was applying for, which was a unique opportunity. After chatting with them and asking some questions, I took an Excel test. During the test, the interviewer indicated an offer would be extended. I requested a week to consider, as I had another interview pending. I decided to accept the offer over the weekend and confirmed at the start of the following week.