Panel uses an interview method called STAR, google it. STAR has been around for years and it elicits behavioral response. All answers to interview questions must be in the STAR format is my opinion. STAR stands for situation, task, action, and result and is meant to help you structure your answers to those questions. The benefit of the STAR method is that it should help you provide clear and concise answers — be specific, but don't get caught up in the details. The 4-member interview panel was professional, at least I thought so. The single criticism I have is the TOTAL lack of communication with HR or hiring manager after the interview. It's almost like an interview never took place, almost bizarre. You will get zero communication for many weeks, guaranteed, perhaps months. I even called HR and was told all they can confirm is I sent an application in, huh? After 3.5 months, I was sent a generic email from HR thanking me for my time, but position was filled. At this point, I had given up on Sandia Labs and secured other employment. Good thing I did not rely on this organization for a job, and nor should you. My best advice is to just assume, after you depart interview no matter how well you think you performed, that you did not get the job. Remember, you are likely competing with internal applicants and colleagues/friends of existing staff. I have no regrets because there are more employers out there who actually communicate with applicant and it took this experience for me to appreciate my current job.
