10 Most Common Interview Questions & Answers | Siraj Uddin Chowdhury Rubel | HR Perception
DLA Interview Process
I interviewed with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) this week. According to my panel, this is how the DLA conducts all of its interviews:
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The panel will pull out your resume and ask questions they have about the information you provided. In my case, they asked me to clarify my job title (my official title doesn’t match my actual role), the pay scale used by my agency (they weren’t sure how it maps to GS), and one of the bullets in my resume (to confirm I met one of the qualifications).
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The panel will then ask you a series of questions. You’re explicitly instructed to structure your answers using the “STAR” (Situation, Task, Action, Results) method. The panel members can’t respond to your answers or ask follow-up questions; you’re basically monologuing the entire time, and your last word is final. While you’re talking, the panel members will be furiously transcribing your response (and, I presume, scoring it). There may be a 1-2 minute gap between questions if the panel members are still writing after you finish talking. Each of my panel members asked 3 questions, for a total of 9 questions. Most were about my experience performing specific tasks, although there were a couple of behavioral/judgment questions about dealing with irate customers or challenging coworkers. There was no “elevator pitch” or “tell me about yourself” question.
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After you answer the panel’s questions, you can ask questions of your own. I asked what a normal week in the job would look like, what their work culture was like, and how success would be measured in the role. This was the only time we had anything resembling a normal, back-and-forth conversation.
Introductions and the first stage took about 10 minutes. The second part lasted about 45 minutes because I tended to ramble. The third stage was about 15 minutes, and as soon as I was done with my questions, the interview ended. Because of Covid-19, this was a phone interview.
This was my first time interviewing with the DLA, and I had no idea what to expect going in. Hopefully you’ll be better prepared!
Interview process at Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)Overall experience
On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is Poor and 10 is Excellent, rating is 7.PoorExcellent
On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is Easy and 10 is Difficult, rating is 3.EasyDifficultInterview process lengthAbout a month33%More than one month24%About two weeks21%About a week12%About a day or two9%Most reported stepsOn-site interview59%Drug test53%Background check44%Phone call/screening41%Group interview28%Least reported stepsTake-home/sample work0%Presentation0%Other0%
What candidates say about the interview process at Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
- They have a board of people that ask different questions.Shared on May 15, 2021 – Warehouse Worker – Fort Lewis, WA
- A complete joke!Shared on October 8, 2019
- Behavior based. Comfortable interviewers with moderate intensity questions.Shared on September 30, 2019 – Equipment Specialist – Honolulu, HI
What was your interview with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) like?Your insights will help other jobseekers.
- Business casual (e.g. dress slacks)59 %
- Formal (business suit)20 %
- They didn’t have a dress code13 %
- Casual (t-shirt and jeans)8 %
- Special outfit (e.g. protective gear)0 %
FAQ
What questions do they ask in a carer interview?
- What do you think a care worker does? …
- What qualities do you bring to the role? …
- Can you provide an example of previous teamwork? …
- Can you outline how you’ve dealt with a stressful experience? …
- Have you cared for anyone before; either for a loved one or in a voluntary capacity?
How do I ace a support interview?
- Be an IT Softie. Soft skills are valued in today’s workforce, regardless of your job. …
- Be Honest About Your Knowledge. A necessary evil of applying for an IT job is the technical interview. …
- Steer the Conversation. …
- Be Enthusiastic with Your Enthusiasm. …
- Get Your Geek On.
What are common behavioral interview questions?
- Give us an example of a goal you failed to meet, and how you handled the situation.
- Tell us about a time when you solved a problem at your job that wasn’t part of your job description.
- Tell us of a time when you took a risky decision and it didn’t pay off.
