The interview process with Metro is lengthy and thorough. I was applying for an administrative position that supported various program staff. There were three interviews: The first interview was with a panel of 3 including two admin staff and an HR person. There were 6 questions and we had an hour. We finished in a half hour. The questions were straightforward and simple- general questions about time management, dealing with patrons, handling data management, etc. I received an email one day later inviting me to the second round of interviews. I had to choose from a set of available times on their online scheduling system. The second interview was two weeks later, with a panel of 5 higher level staff that I would have been supporting. This was an enjoyable interview for the most part. The staff were all really nice and interested in having a conversation about the position as a whole. I got the sense that the job was vital to their work, and felt really excited about the possibility of working with them. It took an hour. The interview was followed by a one hour skills test that tested skills in excel, powerpoint, and scheduling (they give you the schedules of different staff and tell you to find 3 options for a meeting time that fits everyone's schedule- trick question, there are only 2 times). This is basically a test in time management as well. I received a call one day after the second interview inviting me to a third interview, this time with the department heads. I was given a couple of options for interview times. It was scheduled for a week later. The third interview was awkward and much less enjoyable than the others. I interviewed with 2 program directors. The questions were not really about the job at all but more to find out why the candidate wants the job. It all felt like a test. I was asked repeatedly why I want the job and told I was overqualified. I felt my answers were very straightforward and positive on that end, however I was asked again. When the first two interviews had led me to believe that the job was vital to the work they were doing the directors interviewing me were instead telling me that the job was essentially scheduling meetings and ordering pizza. It was hard to know how to react to that- either the directors don't value the job or they don't actually know what it does. Following the interview I was emailed three days later telling me I didn't get the job offer. (Advice to HR: after someone takes off of work 3 times for interviews over 4 weeks, you owe them a phone call)

Recruitments for Metro positions are highly competitive often resulting in some overqualified applicants competing for the one position. The interviews last about 45 minutes and involves a skills test. Depending on the hiring department, the experience can range from a positive experience to a not so great one. For the not so great one, there is a sense that the interviewer or panel of interviewers is just going through the motion and already have someone in mind for the position. There can be a lot of questions to answer in the 45 min allotted time, so take a deep breath before answering in a concise way. Elaborate only what is necessary to save time for questions for the hiring manager or interview panelists. Practice interviewing with someone else and understand the recruitment thoroughly. The job recruitment description is a preview of the type of questions that will be asked. There is very little wiggle room for mistakes, so look and sound polished and exude confidence. The first round interview (about 8 candidates) will be with a cross section of staff with whom the position will interact. They rank you and provide feedback to the hiring manager based on the interview and your application material. If you rank high enough, you will be invited to the second interview (about 4 candidates) with the management level staff who are assessing if your personality and work style is a cultural fit, and gauging how much you want to work with them.