Preparing for your Department of Defense interview?

The Department of Defense interview process typically includes an initial recruiter screen, followed by one or more technical or behavioral rounds, and a final on site or virtual loop. Each stage evaluates different skills depending on the role you applied for.

Most Department of Defense roles involve 3 to 5 interview rounds. This usually includes a recruiter call, a phone or video technical screen, and 2 to 3 on site or virtual loop interviews with the hiring team.

Department of Defense interviews include a mix of behavioral questions (using the STAR method), technical or domain specific questions, and situational problem solving. The exact mix depends on the department and seniority level of the role.

Research Department of Defense thoroughly, practice common interview questions for your role, prepare 3 to 5 stories using the STAR method, and prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. Using a tool like Orbit can generate tailored questions specific to Department of Defense and your role.

For Department of Defense, business casual is generally a safe choice for most roles. Tech and creative roles tend to be more casual, while finance, consulting, and executive positions lean toward business professional. When in doubt, ask your recruiter.