Social Science Research Council Interview Questions
& Process

It was a three hour panel interview with various teams/employees. Straightforward process. I didn’t hear back for a while after my interview concluded and I felt as though the folks were somewhat condescending.

After I applied, I heard back a few weeks later to set up a phone screen. Then, the next week, they invited me for a second interview. This second interview was a two-hour block in the afternoon. First, I spoke with HR for about 30 minutes. Then, I spent an hour with my potential supervisor and another manager at the same level. Finally, I met with two other Program Assistants who were at my peer level for another 30 minutes. About two weeks after the interview, they told me someone else got the job. It was a positive and professional experience overall, though the length of the interview was the toughest part. The questions they asked were pretty standard and fit well with the job and the experience they were looking for.

The interview process felt long but was quite conversational. They made the structure of the SSRC very clear, and I felt the panel was engaged. It was nice to gain insight into how they operate and what they're looking for. Unfortunately, I wasn't successful. They seemed to have paid close attention to my application, as the questions suggested they had read my proposals carefully and considered how I might fit their goals. However, the waiting period for the result was very long, taking almost a month to hear about a second interview. HR was slow to respond, and I eventually received a rejection email. When I asked for advice, I was met with resistance. While I understand it's not policy to disclose the hiring process details, I feel a brief discussion about my application's strengths and weaknesses wouldn't be too much to ask, especially after spending weeks on it. It seems like a great organization with creative people, but their HR department could improve its public relations.

I met with the President and senior staff. It was a mix of one-on-one and group interviews. They mentioned that the interview process differs for different staff positions. Some candidates were asked to give presentations. We discussed ideas related to the program area, current priorities, and the need for fundraising.