Seattle Pacific University Interview Questions
& Process

So I had 3 interviews, first with my potential supervisor, then a panel with faculty and the supervisor, and then a final round with HR and the supervisor again. The HR part was kinda weird though, they made me confirm I was okay with their views on sexuality - basically that it's only man and woman, and marriage is between them, and they don't hire LGBTQ people. I got an offer right after, but then I thought about it and couldn't work there. The pay was low and vacation was bad too, so I passed.

I applied online. Pacific University requires personal spiritual details and a signed lifestyle code, which I found unusual but didn't conflict with my values. A phone screening happened, followed by an on-site interview a week later. The on-site included a test with math, hypothetical, and professional problems, mainly to assess my thinking process. The rest was a conversation focused on my work experience. I was initially told I'd be pursued, but after discussing my faith, they rescinded the offer because I'm not Christian, despite me disclosing this beforehand and it not being listed as a requirement. It seems they only hire Christians, which is discriminatory and likely illegal. It's probably a good workplace if you conform to their religious beliefs.

I sent in my application online and after about two weeks, the hiring manager contacted me. Then, I had a phone screening where I was asked some really simple IT questions. Following that, I went to the campus for an in-person interview with Doug and Jon. It was a pleasant conversation, but pretty basic for an interview process. We talked about my past experience, skills, and how I handle customer interactions in different scenarios. After that, I was asked to wait outside briefly before being brought back in and informed that I'd proceed to the HR interview. A few days later, an HR representative called to discuss my personal faith journey and my story with Christianity, as SPU is a Christian university. Finally, I had a director-level interview in front of a panel of 5 IT department directors. The entire process took several weeks but only about 5 hours of my time. The questions were challenging and well-thought-out, and the people were very kind; I genuinely enjoyed the whole experience.

The interview had three parts. First, I met with the whole search committee for about an hour. Then, an HR person did a 'fit' interview. The last part had three pieces. I met the team I'd work with, gave a presentation with recommendations to a faculty member, and met the search committee again. I got the presentation details a few days before. The only bad part was the 'fit' interview. Since it's a Christian school, they want to know if you're a Christian and agree with their beliefs. My problem was that most of their beliefs were on their website already. But their 'Statement Regarding Human Sexuality' wasn't easy to find online. So, you couldn't tell if you agreed with it before the 'fit' interview. The statement talks about sex, gender, and sexual orientation in ways many people, even some Christians, don't agree with. The HR person said I didn't have to agree with it myself, but I needed to be okay with being at a school that did. Luckily, I turned the job down, so I didn't have to decide about living with that. I wish all this had been super clear from the start.