We know interviewing can be stressful. To help reduce stress in the interview process, below please find an overview of the interviewing process at Hillwood.

Step 1
Our process starts with a review of your application materials. This can be an application or a resume. 

Tip: Cover letter are not required but may be helpful for a candidate who is looking to change careers. In this case, consider sending a cover letter to share how your experience transfers to the role you are applying for, or include a statement on your resume about your transferable skills. 

Step 2
Candidates with the desired skills or experience will be invited to a phone screen. This is a short 15-20-minute conversation to help our recruiters learn more about your skills and for you to learn more about the role and Hillwood. The recruiter you speak with will be asking behavioral-based interview questions. To best answer behavioral-based interview questions, be prepared to share a specific example from your work or school experience. Read more about behavioral-based interview questions below. 

Tip: Watch this video or explore Hillwood's website to learn more about our mission and our founder. 

Step 3
A panel interview is the next step; this could be online or in person. The panel is made up of the hiring manager and other Hillwood staff who would work closely with the open role. Panel interviews allow more than one person to meet with the candidate and allow the candidate the opportunity to meet more people at Hillwood. This assists with gaining a better understanding of the work culture at Hillwood.

The panel will use behavioral-based interview questions. This allows the candidate the opportunity to share specific examples of how they handled past situations to highlight their ability to perform in a new role. Some candidates find it stressful to come up with specific examples during the interview. To help, consider using the following framework to answer the interview questions:

Answering behavioral-based questions using the STAR framework:

• Situation - Explain what situation you were in and what had to be done.
• Task - Share what the task was that had to be completed.
• Action - Explain what action you took.
• Results - Share the result of your action.

To help you become more comfortable answering behavioral-based interview questions, below are a few examples of questions and suggestions to answer them. 

Question: Give an example of how you worked on a team. 

All roles at Hillwood work closely with others. Share how you work and cooperate with others. Examples can be from work or school. You can focus on your role on the team and any success you found in communicating with others.

Question: How have you handled a difficult customer situation?

Hillwood is known for outstanding customer service, and all roles have customers: some are internal-facing and some deal directly with our visitors. Share how you have overcome a difficult situation by using your customer service skills to reach a resolution that felt good for the customer and for you.

Question: Share a time where you worked on multiple projects at one time.

All roles at Hillwood require the ability to prioritize to accomplish goals. Share an example of when you used your time management skills. You may also have examples relating to the tools you use to stay on task and track deadlines.

Step 4
After the panel interview, some roles benefit from a tour and meeting with other key stakeholders. An in-person meet and greet to allow the candidate to see Hillwood's space and ask more questions about the role may be arranged. 

Step 5
All candidates are notified, one way or the other, of the outcome of their application. There is often competition for roles at Hillwood. Hiring teams have to make difficult decisions between many high-caliber candidates. Successful candidates will complete a criminal background check and any required government employment forms. 

We hope this overview best prepares you for a positive interview experience.