20 RAND Interview Questions and Answers

RAND is a non-profit organization that provides objective research and public policy analysis services. The company has a long history of conducting high-quality research that has had a significant impact on policymaking.

When it comes to interviewing for a position at RAND, applicants can expect to be asked questions about their research experience and skills, as well as their knowledge of public policy. Additionally, interviewers will be interested in learning about an applicant’s ability to think critically and solve problems.

Preparing for an interview at RAND requires applicants to brush up on their research skills and knowledge of public policy. Additionally, it is important to be able to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

RAND Interview Process

The interview process at RAND can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screening interview and an in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to give a research presentation. The interview process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

1. What are your salary requirements?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are in line with their budget. Before your interview, research the salary range for similar positions and use that information to answer this question. If you don’t know what the salary range is, you can say something like “I’m looking for a competitive salary.”

Example: “My current salary is $50,000 per year. I am looking for a position where I can continue to grow my skills and experience. I would be happy with a 10% increase in pay if it comes with more responsibility and opportunity for advancement.”

2. Why do you want to work at RAND?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working at RAND. Use this opportunity to show that you have done some research on the company and understand what it does. You can also use this time to highlight any specific skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I am interested in working at RAND because I believe in its mission of providing objective research and analysis services. I think my background as an economist would be beneficial to the organization, especially since I have experience conducting research and analyzing data. I am excited to apply my knowledge to benefit society.”

3. How do you think proprietary information will be impacted by the current administration?

The interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your political views and how they might impact your ability to work at RAND. To answer, consider the current administration’s stance on open government initiatives and research transparency.

Example: “I believe that the current administration has a very different view of what it means to be transparent than previous administrations. I think that as a result, we will see more proprietary information being withheld from the public. However, I also think that there are many people within the federal government who still value transparency and will continue to make efforts to provide the public with access to important data.”

4. What area of research interests you most?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interests and how they align with those of RAND. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area that you are passionate about or have experience in.

Example: “I am most interested in researching public policy issues related to education. I have worked as a tutor at my local elementary school for the past two years, and I find working with children to be incredibly rewarding. I believe that if we educate our youth well, then we will see improvements in many other areas of society. I would love to work for a company like RAND where I could use my skills to help improve education.”

5. Do you have experience managing people?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have management experience and how well you might fit in with their team. If you don’t have direct management experience, consider describing a time when you managed a project or group of people to complete a task.

Example: “I’ve never been in a position where I had to manage others, but I do have some experience managing projects. In my last role as an analyst, I was responsible for completing weekly reports on current events that were distributed to senior members of the company. This helped me develop my organizational skills and learn how to prioritize tasks.”

6. Can you tell me about a time when you had to make an urgent decision, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you make decisions and react to pressure. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your ability to think critically, analyze information and make good choices quickly.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist, I was working on a project when our network crashed. The company’s CEO called me directly asking what happened and if we could fix it before the end of the day. I immediately began troubleshooting the issue while also trying to figure out why the crash occurred in the first place. After about two hours, I figured out the problem and fixed it so the network would be stable again.”

7. Tell us about a conflict that happened with one of your team members and how you handled it.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you resolve conflicts. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you were able to use your communication skills to help resolve the conflict.

Example: “In my last position as an analyst for a private company, I had a team member who was constantly late to meetings. This made it difficult for us to start our meetings on time, which would cause other employees to arrive late to their own meetings. I approached this employee privately and explained that while we appreciated their work, they needed to improve their punctuality. They agreed to try harder to arrive on time. After several weeks of arriving on time, they became one of the most punctual members of the team.”

8. Describe your experience working in data collection/analysis.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with data collection and analysis. This is because RAND conducts research in these areas, so you should highlight any relevant skills or experiences that relate to the job description.

Example: “In my last position as a market researcher, I was responsible for collecting data on consumer preferences and behaviors. I used surveys, focus groups and other methods to collect information from consumers who were using our client’s products. I also analyzed the data we collected to determine trends and make predictions about future customer behavior.”

9. Are you comfortable working with public policy issues?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the work that RAND does. If you have experience working with public policy, it can be beneficial to mention this in your answer.

Example: “I am passionate about public policy issues and I think they are important for our society. In my last job, I worked on a project that analyzed how different policies could help reduce poverty rates in the state. It was interesting to see how certain policies affected people’s lives. I would love to continue doing similar work at RAND.”

10. Would you consider yourself to be a leader or a follower?

This question is designed to determine your leadership style and how you would fit into the company culture. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a time when you led or inspired others.

Example: “I consider myself to be a leader who likes to collaborate with others. In my last position, I was tasked with leading a team of five people on a project that required us to create a new marketing strategy for our client. I met with each member of the team individually to discuss their ideas and then brought everyone together to combine all of our thoughts into one cohesive plan. We presented our final idea to the client, and they were very pleased.”

11. What is something you wish to see change within research organizations?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your values align with those of RAND. It also helps them understand what you might change if hired, so it’s important to be honest about any changes you would make.

Example: “I wish research organizations were more transparent in their findings. I think that by being open and honest about our methods and results we could build trust among the public and other researchers. This would allow us to have more meaningful conversations about the data we collect.”

12. If hired, what would your approach be for this position?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the position and how you would approach it. You can use this time to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I believe my ability to work well with others, collaborate on projects and manage multiple tasks at once makes me a great candidate for this position. I am also highly organized and detail-oriented, which are two qualities that will help me succeed in this role. My experience working as a research assistant has prepared me for this type of work.”

13. Which sector do you find more interesting: Private, Public, or Non-profit?

This question is a great way to determine if you are a good fit for the organization. It also allows you to show your knowledge of the different sectors and how they operate.

Example: “I find Non-profit organizations to be the most interesting because I believe that their mission is to provide services to those who need them most, regardless of profit margins. However, I have worked in both public and private sectors before, so I understand the importance of each sector’s role in society.”

14. What skills can you bring to the table?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the company and understand what they are looking for in an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention skills or experiences that match those listed in the job description.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which I believe would help me succeed at RAND. In my previous role as a policy analyst, I was responsible for researching current legislation and providing recommendations based on my findings. This required me to stay up-to-date with current events and develop solutions that were both effective and efficient.”

15. What types of analysis programs are you familiar with using?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the types of analysis programs that RAND uses. If you are not familiar with all of them, it’s important to mention which ones you do know and how they can help you succeed in your role at the company.

Example: “I am very familiar with using data mining software, statistical modeling software and simulation software. These tools allow me to analyze large amounts of data quickly and efficiently so I can provide my team with valuable insights into our projects. In my last position, I used these tools to create models for predicting future outcomes based on current trends.”

16. We look for independent workers who are able to prioritize their work load. Do you feel like you meet these qualifications?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can work independently. When answering, it’s important to show that you are comfortable working on your own and have the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

Example: “I feel like I am an independent worker who can manage my time well. In my previous position, I was often given multiple projects at once, which forced me to learn how to prioritize my work load. While this may seem overwhelming at first, I quickly learned what tasks were most important and when they needed to be completed by.”

17. How often do you check your email?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your time management skills. They want to know if you are able to balance multiple projects and respond to emails in a timely manner. Your answer should show that you can prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.

Example: “I check my email twice per day, once at 10 am and again at 4 pm. I find this schedule allows me to stay on top of all incoming messages while still focusing on my primary work. If an urgent message comes through, I will reply as soon as possible. However, I try not to let urgent messages distract me from my daily tasks.”

18. Have you worked in a non-profit setting before?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your experience working in a non-profit environment. Non-profits often have unique challenges, so it’s important for them to make sure that you’re prepared to handle these challenges if they arise.

Example: “I’ve worked at my current company for five years now, but I also interned at a local non-profit organization during college. The internship was unpaid, but I learned valuable skills like time management and how to work with limited resources. My current job has given me more opportunities to use those skills.”

19. What was the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you had to overcome a challenge and how you did so successfully.

Example: “The most challenging project I’ve ever worked on was when my team and I were tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s product. We had to create an entire brand identity from scratch, which included designing logos, writing copy and coming up with taglines. It was definitely a lot of work, but we all pulled together and created a successful campaign that helped increase sales by 20%.”

20. What do you hope to accomplish from working at RAND?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. Your answer should reflect your interest in working at RAND, as well as how you plan to contribute to the organization’s success.

Example: “I’m excited to work for an organization that provides objective research and public policy analysis services. I hope to use my skills to make a positive impact on society by helping government agencies develop effective policies based on evidence-based research. I also want to learn from other talented researchers and professionals who are committed to providing quality service.”