Glassdoor is your free inside look at IRS interview questions and advice. All 55 interview reviews are posted anonymously by IRS employees and interview candidates.
Accepted Offer – Reviewed May 11, 2013 New
Interview Details Initial hiring is based on an online application, screening, and scoring system. Itf referred for consideration, it is more of a process for lower level than an interview. Application should NOT be a one or two page resume. Make it relevant, but be sure to be as detailed as possible.
Negotiation Details – Not applicable.
No Offer – Reviewed May 07, 2013 New
Interview Details Phone interview is the only process for hiring. they do not provide onsite interview.
Interview Question – Tell me the time when you were doing the project handling with the data analysis. Answer Question
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Philadelphia, PA (US) – Reviewed Apr 30, 2013
Interview Details There was a job application to fill out at their site. There was also a test of general basic skills that a high school graduate would have followed by a brief interview for those who passed. The interviewer just asked if I was fine with the job conditions and requirements (such as wearing a headset, etc.). There were no questions on my backgroud or qualifications.
Negotiation Details – none
No Offer – Interviewed in Indianapolis, IN (US) Jan 2012 – Reviewed Apr 16, 2013
Interview Details I was referred for this job by a friend who knew the person in charge of finding candidates to interview. I contacted this person by email with my resume and later in the week received a phone call to set up a face-to-face interview. The interview was with one person in charge of the program, and one who was from the IRS. After the interview, I followed up several times, but did not receive a response. I therefore assume they chose someone else for the job.
Interview Question – "Tell us about a time when you have had to make a difficult decision. What was the situation? What decision did you make and what was the outcome?" Answer Question
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Jul 2009 – Reviewed Mar 26, 2013
Interview Details The application process was easy but very lengthy. It took the IRS almost two months to contact me after I had submitted all the required paper work and documents. The salary that the IRS started me off with was laughable.
Interview Question – The most unexpected part of the application process was the background check. I had to list each and every place that I had lived over the past 7 years. Since I was just out of college I had to list every dorm room and house that I had lived in while I was in school. I couldn't recall exact room or dorm numbers and the IRS took that as suspicious, which I thought was quite ridiculous. Answer Question
Accepted Offer – Interviewed on Austin, TX (US) Feb 2013 – Reviewed Mar 23, 2013
Interview Details Initially, I had to apply through the federal job website, then complete numerous processing forms (e.g. background check form, tax compliance form) and fingerprinting. Subsequently, I was contacted over the phone and had a brief interview with the hiring manager. The interview consisted of about six or seven questions and lasted about 15 - 20 minutes.
Interview Question – How do you deal with handling customer concerns? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – It just necessitated replying to a job offer email.
No Offer – Interviewed in Kansas City, MO (US) Nov 2012 – Reviewed Dec 12, 2012
Interview Details After I applied online I was emailed and told a time and date to get fingerprinted and take a typing test. After going through security you're told to go into a room and await the typing test. While you're waiting for that to begin, people come and get you to get your badge photo taken as well as your fingerprints. Also while you're waiting you get your paperwork checked. The whole process goes much faster if you print out all the required documents from the initial email you get sent. The typing test is mainly 10-key with a little bit of alpha thrown in there. There is a requirement you must meet. I think if you only get 90% accuracy you have to be able to type around 5000wpm. If you're able to type 100% accuracy you have to be able to type around 4500wpm I think. I was told there were a lot of applicants and we couldn't hear back from them for over a month and it would be only by email to grant approval for the background check.
Interview Question – There was nothing difficult or unexpected. Answer Question
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Nov 04, 2012
Interview Details It is a very long process. You are given plenty of documents to review and sign. It is expected since it is a government job, but a couple of the documents seems like they are asking the same information over and over again. You do get someone from the HR office that interview you, and they usually perform the interview over the phone.
Interview Question – There wasn't any real difficult question. It was a surprise that technical questions were actually asked to be honest. Answer Question
No Offer – Interviewed in Northeast, NY (US) – Reviewed Oct 31, 2012
Interview Details Applied for the position via USAJOBS, took about 2 months prior to hearing back, interview was scheduled rather quick, within the following week
Interview Question – describe how you decreased the taxpayer's burden(internal question) View Answer
Declined Offer – Interviewed in Los Angeles, CA (US) Mar 2008 – Reviewed Oct 17, 2012
Interview Details Online scenario test. Wait 6 weeks until interview offer. Wait another 4 weeks until interview. Wait 5 weeks after interview to job offer. Wait another 4 weeks until start date.
Interview Question – Tell me about yourself. Answer Question
Reason for Declining – Better job offer.
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