StoryCorps Interview Questions
& Process

In May, I interviewed for the Senior Coordinator, Learning & Engagement role at StoryCorps with three different people. Everyone was nice, professional, and really involved during the interview. They asked good questions about how I handle my time, showing they care about organization. Even though I found out in June that they picked someone else, I still have a good feeling about it. I really liked how they communicated respectfully and how I got to learn more about StoryCorps' important work. I would totally apply again if I had the chance.

Applied to this job and the interview was super awkward. The first person interviewing me didn’t know anything about design and just asked psychological and conflict-resolution questions. The whole thing was pretty lame, honestly. For a place that supposedly cares about humanity and interactions, it wasn’t very personable. They’d ask a question, mute themselves, and you’d have to tell them you were done so they could unmute and move on. No real conversation, no humor, nothing! After that, I knew I wasn’t going to talk to a hiring manager, which was a bummer. If you don’t answer the questions exactly how their HR folks expect, you don’t get to the hiring manager who actually interviews you and looks at your projects and design skills. That question-answer part was so anxiety-inducing, it felt like I was talking to a bot. It was a one-way interview. Then, a few days later, I got a generic email with typos saying they moved on with other candidates, no reason given. If you’re a designer, avoid interviewing here; it was insulting and a waste of time. It’s a shame because the org seems to do meaningful work. I really suggest that if StoryCorps wants to keep or get new talent, they should start with someone qualified to judge a candidate’s background and skills instead of wasting people’s time with an interviewer who’s younger, has no background in the field, and isn’t fit to make the decision.

I applied for this internship through my college's career site via email. About a month after applying, I heard back. After a few more emails (2-3), I set up an interview. The people interviewing me were really nice and the whole interview went well, we even shared some laughs. A few days later, I got the job offer. I've been working here for a month now, and I can really see how much StoryCorps cares about its employees. HR has done a great job making this a good place to work. Everyone is friendly, there's no office politics, and they have events and snacks sometimes. They also focus on intern professional development, which I appreciate. It's rare for companies to pay interns and also help them grow professionally. My only complaint is that some areas are a bit messy, but I've heard administration is addressing it and I'm hopeful. Overall, I highly recommend this organization for its culture and genuine care for its staff.

I submitted my application with a cover letter and resume. After about a month, I got a call from HR to discuss salary, start date, and job duties. I was interested in continuing, so a supervisor called me for a phone interview, which happened within a week of the initial HR call. Then, there was a wait of about 2-3 weeks before I was invited for an in-person or Skype interview. A few days after that, they requested three professional references, including at least one from a former manager.