Upon filling out an application directly on Northrop's Corporate website one weekend, I received an email from HR asking me to complete a questionnaire the following week which had questions like 1. Why do you think you would be a good fit for this position? 2. Why are you looking to leave your current job? 3. What (if any) of the job requirements do you meet for the job description? What salary do you make now and what salary are you asking for?
Once I filled out the questionnaire, I received an email the following day from HR to schedule an interview. We scheduled it for the following week.
I showed up wearing a suit and tie and was impressed by the level of friendliness and reception I was greeted with by the front desk and fellow passer by's when I arrived. The morale appeared to be very high over there. My POC, the hiring manager then came and greeted me and showed me around, basically giving me an overview of the project. It was very exciting to get introduced to the technology I would potentially get to play a part in developing on and see it first hand before the interview. It gave me a lot of enthusiasm and a way to bond with the hiring manager a little prior to the interview - which certainly eased the pressure.
We then conducted the interview along with an additional senior engineer for more technical-related questions. The hiring manager began the interview by asking me what I had been doing at my current job, and what my experience was with certain languages and source control. Next, the technical manager asked what specific areas of the project I worked on at my current job and the type of development processes we used . Upon answering those questions, we casually conversed about how my experience was inter-related and would prove useful on their project, and even got into some casual small talk and humorous reminiscing. Other questions were asked such as 1. What do aspects of Software Engineering you enjoy doing the most? 2. What's a typical development cycle for you where you work?
Concluding the interview, I could tell both of the managers were extremely satisfied about the experience, as was I, and they made to express how great of a fit I was for the role. It gave me great peace of mind and confidence that I would probably get the job. Sure enough, I received a call a couple days later from HR extending me an offer with higher a salary than I had initially requested! I immediately accepted the offer and was then directed to fill out necessary documents on their website to complete the offer, undergo the standard DoD background check, etc.
Overall, this was the best interview I had ever experienced period, and the management really made me excited to join the company and the project. My advice, come in prepared, relax, smile, and be yourself with a great attitude. These folks are great people, and you have no need to be nervous.
