I applied online. The process took 7 weeks. I interviewed at Edelman (San Francisco, CA) in Mar 2018
Interview
I had begun an uncompleted application. They contacted me out of the blue to schedule a phone screen. Three weeks later. they contacted me again for an in-person interview a week later got the second interview the fourth week got no offer for the internship. Everything took about 7 weeks. The second person to interview doesn't even work in the SF office therefore there would be no contact with that person at all. She was also sick and had traveled from Sacramento, so this would have impacted her decision. In retrospect, I think she had her decision made before I even came in. So why would they have me come in for the second one?
What I forgot to mention was that it was a one on one interview.
Despite my enthusiasm, strong qualifications and the doing really well in the interviews. They came back with not fit for the role. That left me confused. The person working in HR was really awesome though. I wish she interviewed me instead I just wished the second interview would have been with someone I would have probably been working with.
For future interns, I do not know what to tell you. I was really prepared on all levels.
Good luck to you. After my experience, I felt the whole thing was mysterious.
I applied in-person. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Edelman (Jakarta) in Apr 2016
Interview
I was approached by a representative from Edelman on linkedin. I was offered a position due to my exposure as a researcher in different sectors. I was invited to have several interviews. The first was the Director himself, the second was the user. The third one happened due to change of their corporate structure. Apparently I was transferred to another relatively new division who needs someone understands about research methodology.
the first interview was just a general question, the director wanted to know what I have been working on and what are my interests. After the interview, the director asked me to send some samples of my previous research/writings which I sent not too long immediately. Since the HR didn't answer, I asked for a confirmation and the HR replied the email has been forwarded to the director and the user. few days later, I got an invitation for another interview.
the second interview, the user asked me more practical questions. the user gave me two case studies based on their real case studies. which showed me how I would design a solution based on research methodology before offering solution to clients. the second question was tougher and I asked her for a time (which she gave me). After three days, I followed up, the HR said the interview was good and the user was impressed and they were preparing for a contract.
After a week, I followed up the email. The HR replied that there was a change of management, thus I needed to have another interview. I complied and met another user whose division pretty much clicked with my background. I was interviewed for almost two hours. Basically the user familiarised myself what the team would do.
After the interview was finished, I went to the HR room got the contract and was asked to bring the contract on my first day of working.
This is probably one of the most professional interview experience I ever had. With a very good process such as a very responsive HR and fair interview questions by the users.
The catch: salary wise, I put range of a lower threshold and upper threshold, hoping they would give me a middle. But no, they gave me the lowest threshold, which is basically my last salary (still okay since it's will be reviewed after a year).
the initial contract is 6 months
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Q: A school sponsored by a mining company is having a dilemma whether they need to get more students from their employees' children or should they allow more students from non-employees. what is your approach without harming their presence there?