There are so many things that I love about this Research Engineer role. You are joining a team of fantastic researchers that work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Our labs are equipped with cutting edge technologies and we partner externally with the some of the best universities and R & D organizations in the world. Our team is highly sought after and often lead some of the most exciting projects at Lubrizol. We are committed to investing in the development our employees and maintaining our leadership position in our industry.
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Lubrizol (Wickliffe, OH)
Interview
The interview was pretty good I actually felt. Most of their staff was great to work with in my opinion. The interview was LONG though. I started with a 90 minute phone screen a few weeks prior, then they had me come out to the facilities for a two day interview process. The first day onsite, I had to go through a 2 and 1/2 hour interview with management. This was followed by an 8 hour interview the next day.
The interview was not necessarily hard, per se, it just seemed like a dog and pony show in the grand scheme of things. I had to strut on stage for 10 and 1/2 hours only to get a curt "We've decided to move in a different direction" rejection message from HR. You're moving in a different direction? You told me you were looking to double the size of your department and you just brought me in for a 2-day interview. Hindsight makes me wonder if they had some internal candidate that was already being given the job. My field is specialized enough that I would be surprised if you had more than maybe 6 or 7 candidates. Don't have HR tell me some form response that due to an overwhelmingly large response to the job you cannot hire me.
One suggestion generally: Avoid multiple alcoholic beverages while doing part of the interview over food. That was slightly unimpressive. I'm not some sort of freak prohibitionist, but when you have drunk enough that you begin to guffaw loudly during the meal....it's hard for me to feel like you are taking the interview process seriously. While you may be "off the clock," if I'm there and you are asking me interview questions, avoid becoming inebriated. Especially when I have to hop in a car and ride back with you.
Also, one suggestion I would give to HR: Use email more. Most people would likely prefer to directly reply to an email to set up travel. Calling me on the telephone to ask me if you can send an email with travel option is a silly waste of our time. I already told you twice that I was planning on coming out to interview! My plans have not changed! Just email me to begin with. I wasted several days playing phone tag with HR trying to get them to set up my travel plans. At the very least, if you want to call me on the telephone, be willing to pick up the phone when I call you back.
Overall, didn't seem like a horrid place to work. It was clean and calm. The actual work did look super super super boring. I'm not turned on by engine sludge. Maybe that's why they did not want to hire me! Who knows.