I applied back in mid-March, and got a phone call with a personality test. They asked why I wanted to work at REI, my availability, and such. Instead of a group interview, I had a 1:1 with the sales lead. He asked me some simple questions about experience, availability, what a co-op was in my opinion, and such. Overall it was very easy and the interview lasted maybe 10-12 minutes. Less than a week later, I got a phone call notifying me that I was not offered the position. After applying to this same exact store a second time as I did 1 year ago back in 2015, gaining more work and social experience since then, and actually selling myself to attempt to make myself stand out from the crowd of other applicants, only to be turned down (not once, but) TWICE; that sends a clear message as to what kind of people from the management are. The sales lead even remembered me from the first time I applied, but his morbidly condescending demeanor was not in the least bit helpful nor welcoming. Being turned down again after I showed devoted interest by applying a second time and really putting my best foot forward implies that values such as loyalty and experience are not in their best interest. I guess having the ability to climb 14ers, do long backpacking expeditions, Trans-Channel Island expeditions, having a college education and real-world work and social experience just isn't good enough. Who knew?

Online interview. After viewing question, you get 30 seconds to think and then must record an answer. You get 2-3 min per answer. If not satisfied with your first recorded answer, you have two more chances to re-record, and can then choose which of the three recordings you wish to submit. Five questions total. After this video interview, you may be offered a virtual or in-person interview with real people.