Think Tank Interview Questions
My post "How to Apply to a Think Tank Job" reviews some dos and don'ts for think tank applications. In this post, I lay out some of my common interview questions. These are fairly common with other hiring managers, so applicants should prepare for these questions.
General
- Tell me about yourself, your background, experience on defense issues, and why you're interested in this position.
- Tell me about this project (from your portfolio).
- What do you do for fun? (Closing question)
Research
- Tell me about a research project you're particularly proud of. What research question did you ask, what methods did you employ, and what was the result?
- What could you have done to improve the project?
- Tell me about a time you've worked with a team on a major project.
- What is your favorite kind of research? Who do you admire in your/our field of study, and why?
Administration
- Tell me about your management and administrative experience. Have you managed large budgets?
MDP-specific Quiz Questions
- What countries have nuclear weapons?
- What is the nuclear triad?
- Can you name a missile defense system?