I applied on January 25 and got an email on the 29th to schedule a phone interview with HR. Had phone interview on the 31st. Was asked specifically about contract experience with human subjects and asked questions about positions on my resume. I had a phone interview with the hiring manager on February 22. It was a good conversation and I felt at ease talking with her. I was told they were still taking in applications, but HR would be in contact either way. After about a month I was contacted to go in for an in-person interview with the other contract specialists and the legal counsel. Went in on April 5 and had a good conversation with the other specialists and the Counsel. Everyone was nice and were easy to talk to. After two weeks I had not heard anything so I sent an email to the hiring manager to follow up, and the next day I got an email from the recruiter asking for a writing sample. I submitted two samples. Two days later I got an email from the hiring manager telling me that I was in the final running with two other applicants and that executive leadership was reviewing our applications and that they would be in touch once a decision was reached. I got an email on May 4 telling me I was not selected. They said they enjoyed talking with me and learning about my experience and that I was a strong candidate, but they went with an attorney instead. Needless to say I was very disappointed. Not only did I not get the job, but I lost out to an attorney. It seems really unfair that and attorney can apply for paralegal/contract administrator type jobs, but paralegals/contract administrators can’t apply for attorney jobs. I’m really frustrated about that and this is not the first time I’ve lost out to an attorney. I’m a paralegal with a masters degree, but it’s like it doesn’t matter...so frustrating.

The interview process was very informative and pleasant. The interviewers asked very insightful questions and were very interested in my background/experience. The interviewers provided a very helpful view of the department/team structure.