Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Archer Daniels Midland, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After I applied, it took a couple of months before I heard back and got an interview. Once I actually got time on the calendar, the process felt pretty simple and moved quickly. I ended up doing one main hour-long interview, and then I got a response within a week.
Once I got to the later stages, a huge part of my experience was centered on the facility itself. I had an initial online stage, and then I went to the site for a second stage where there was a tour and time to talk with people deeper in the organization. The onsite also included seeing multiple departments and getting a walkthrough of major areas of the plant.
The interview process typically starts with a recruiter call followed by multiple interviews, often including a mix of online and onsite stages. Candidates noted that the overall timeline can stretch over several weeks to months, with some experiencing delays between steps.
Interviews generally emphasize fit and behavioral questions rather than technical assessments, with many candidates reporting a relaxed atmosphere and a focus on how their experiences align with the role. Questions often follow a STAR format, exploring past situations and responses.
While the technical depth varies, candidates often faced questions related to safety protocols and operational processes, particularly in plant settings. Topics like lockout/tagout procedures and troubleshooting were commonly discussed.
Many candidates experienced a comprehensive onsite interview that included facility tours and interactions with various team members, which helped them understand the operational environment and culture of the company.
Candidates reported varying levels of communication throughout the process, with some experiencing quick follow-ups and others facing delays or a lack of feedback after interviews. This inconsistency can lead to uncertainty about their standing in the hiring process.
Some candidates expressed a desire to better prepare for the specific safety and operational questions that arose during interviews, as well as to clarify their understanding of the role's expectations beforehand.