The Clorox Company Scientist Interview Questions
& Process

Got an email from HR asking about my availability for a phone screen. After not hearing back for two weeks, I sent a follow-up email, which felt unprofessional. Following the phone screen, I had a phone interview with the hiring manager. Right after that call, I was contacted to set up an onsite interview. Everyone onsite was super friendly, but the hiring manager seemed to have already decided about me. They asked easy behavioral questions and went over my resume; it all seemed to go well. I followed up three weeks later and heard nothing. Then, four weeks after the interview, I got an automated rejection email.

I applied online, and after about 3 months, I got an email for a phone interview with two scientists. It was a mix of technical and interpersonal questions. Within two days, they invited me to California for an onsite interview, covering all expenses. The onsite included a pre-interview dinner, a presentation of my research, and five one-on-one interviews, which also involved technical and standard interpersonal questions. They emphasized Clorox's focus on innovation within deadlines, teamwork, and honesty.

This interview experience was quite disorganized, likely due to the Clorox Tech Center being small and lacking on-site HR, with coordination handled remotely. There were at least two schedule changes, and the interview team received various itineraries. I was fortunate to arrive early and interact with the hiring manager before his appointment. Lunch and a facility tour were provided. Some interviewers seemed like last-minute additions; one, with minimal professional experience, admitted to never having conducted an interview before and asked irrelevant questions. Another spoke for 20 minutes about my suitability without asking questions. Several team members were unaware of the position I was interviewing for, leaving me unclear about the role's objectives. Despite being told they needed to fill the position quickly, the disorganization made me skeptical, which proved to be correct. I never received an official response, only vague updates about knowing soon or 'one more week.' Eventually, I was informed they were interviewing other candidates, then that the position was on hold. During this extended period, I successfully applied for, interviewed for, was offered, negotiated, and accepted another job. This full-day interview required me to take time off work. I believe Clorox should improve its internal process organization. Knowing the process would be this disjointed beforehand, I would not have participated.