RAND Analyst Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 18 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at RAND.
RAND
Analyst
Senior Average Positive experience Decline offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Technical screen Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation
I went through two rounds of interviews. The first one was conducted via Skype because I was abroad at the time. It involved speaking with two senior researchers from RAND Europe in Cambridge, UK. They asked standard questions about my background, my understanding of relevant subjects, and research methodologies. The second interview had three parts. First, I had a casual meet-and-greet with two fellow analysts to discuss the role and the company. Then, I met with HR to go over the practical aspects like salary expectations and benefits, and also to answer some questions about my personality. The last part involved a two-page brief from a potential client, and I was asked to outline a plan for that proposal. After about twenty minutes to review and brainstorm, I discussed my proposed strategy with a senior researcher and an analyst. The initial interview lasted an hour, while the second one took roughly two hours.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- What's an area your supervisors/bosses would identify for your improvement?
- How would your coworkers/colleagues describe you? And do you feel that description accurately reflects you? How would you describe yourself?
- Describe a situation where you were unable to meet a deadline or fulfill the requirements of an assignment.
RAND
Analyst
Mid Difficult Neutral experience No offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
I applied in August 2022. Two months later, I got a call for an interview. Another two months passed, and then I was invited for a full day of interviews and an assessment. The actual interviews happened a month after that. It was a 6-hour Zoom session with different people from the company. The people were nice, but it was really disappointing to be ghosted about the decision. Taking a whole day off work for interviews means people deserve an answer, even if the role is on hold. I liked the talks and the people seem great. But, I wonder if they're getting top talent when the whole process took over six months.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you share your desired salary range?
RAND
Analyst
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation
After I applied online for a job posting, I had a one-hour interview with my potential supervisor. They asked me questions about my interest in RAND, my research process and methodology, and how I'd handle a hypothetical client research question. It was a pretty detailed interview, and I liked that we got to discuss technical details. After that, I was invited to go to a regional office for a full-day Values panel. I'm still waiting to do that part and will update later.
Confirmed questions4 questions
- Could you explain your reasoning for applying to analyst roles in three separate departments?
- What about RAND caught your eye?
- Walk me through how you approach research and your methodology.
RAND Analyst Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from RAND interview reports.
“What are your thoughts on current international relations developments?”
Read reports →“Which RAND studies have captured your interest?”
Read reports →“What about RAND caught your eye?”
Read reports →“What would you do if the project budget was low and activities were not finished?”
Read reports →“What research topics are you interested in?”
Read report →“How do you approach analysis?”
Read report →“How do you handle prioritizing tasks when you have multiple clients at the same time?”
Read report →“Describe a situation where you were unable to meet a deadline or fulfill the requirements of an assignment.”
Read report →“How would your coworkers/colleagues describe you? And do you feel that description accurately reflects you? How would you describe yourself?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 18 RAND interview reports.