The Ultimate Guide to Acing Your Leidos Interview

Interviewing at Leidos can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. As one of the largest IT and engineering firms in the United States, Leidos receives thousands of applicants every year for roles ranging from software developers to aerospace engineers.

With competition fierce for jobs at this prestigious company, it’s important to thoroughly prepare for the Leidos interview process. This article provides an in-depth look at what to expect during Leidos interviews, frequently asked questions, and tips to stand out from the crowd.

Overview of the Leidos Interview Process

The Leidos interview process typically involves two to three rounds of interviews, with the first round often conducted over the phone or via video call. Subsequent interview rounds are usually held in-person at a Leidos office location.

Here’s a general overview of what to expect at each stage

Phone/Video Screening Interview: 30 minutes focused on your resume, skills, and experience. Questions evaluate your qualifications and communication abilities.

In-Person Interview Round 1 60 to 90 minutes with your potential manager and cross-functional team members Expect behavioral and technical questions to assess your experience, thought processes, and soft skills. There may be a code screening for developer roles.

In-Person Interview Round 2 Another 60 to 90 minute interview, often with more senior leaders This round goes deeper into technical skills, qualifications, and your ability to communicate effectively Management roles may involve scenario-based questions.

Reference Checks & Potential Site Visit: Leidos conducts extensive background checks and reference checks. For higher level roles, an onsite visit may occur prior to a final offer.

The Leidos interview process is rigorous but designed to set candidates up for success in the company’s fast-paced, innovative environment. Thorough preparation is key to shining during the interviews.

Common Leidos Interview Questions

Understanding the types of questions asked is critical for acing Leidos interviews. Here are some of the most frequent questions candidates encounter:

General Experience Questions

• Walk me through your resume and relevant work experiences. Why do you think you are a fit for this role?
• Why do you want to work at Leidos?
• What interests you about this position?
• What are your salary expectations?

Behavioral Interview Questions

• Tell me about a time you faced a challenging situation at work. How did you handle it?
• Describe a time when you missed a deadline. What was the reason and outcome?
• Give an example of when you took initiative to improve a process or solve a problem.
• Talk about a time you had a conflict with a coworker or manager. How was it resolved?

Technical Interview Questions

• What skills and technologies do you have experience with that apply to this role?
• What experience do you have with [X software, system, language, etc] that we utilize?
• How would you approach [designing a system architecture, debugging a coding error, analyzing data, etc]?

Management & Leadership Questions

• What does effective leadership mean to you? Share examples from when you have demonstrated strong leadership.
• Have you managed projects with binding budget and timeline constraints? How did you prioritize deliverables?
• How would you go about building an effective team? What approach would you take?
• Describe your management style. How do you motivate teams and individuals?

“Day in the Life” Questions

• Walk me through what an average day would look like in this position. How would you prioritize your time?
• What do you feel the day-to-day responsibilities are for this role?
• What do you think makes someone successful in this position at our company?

Preparing responses and stories around these common question types will ensure you are ready for anything thrown your way during the Leidos interview process.

Tips for Acing Your Leidos Interview

Here are some key strategies to implement as you prepare for your Leidos interview:

Research the Role & Company

• Review the job description in detail so you understand required qualifications and day-to-day responsibilities. Look up recent press releases to learn about new contracts and company initiatives.

• Check Glassdoor and LinkedIn to read up on pay scale for the position, culture, pros/cons, etc. Get a feel for company mission and values.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

• For technical roles, complete refresher training on key languages, systems, and technologies listed in the job description. Review programming concepts, math skills, systems design – whatever is relevant.

Prepare Stories & Examples

• Identify 3-5 stories from your past work experience that align to commonly asked behavioral questions. Prepare anecdotes that showcase skills needed for the role.

Practice Interviewing

• Set up mock interviews with friends to practice responding smoothly to typical questions. Record yourself to identify areas for improvement.

Learn About Your Interviewer(s)

• Research your interviewer(s) on LinkedIn to enable personalized connection points. Look for shared experiences, colleges, backgrounds.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions for the Interviewer

• Draft 5-10 strong questions that demonstrate your interest and understanding of Leidos’ goals and the position. Avoid basic questions that are easily Googled.

Dress Professionally

• Make sure your interview attire aligns with Leidos’ corporate culture. Well-fitting business formal is a safe option. Focus on neatness and conservative styles.

Demonstrating Soft Skills

While technical expertise is certainly important, Leidos also hires for fit within the company culture. Be sure to showcase these sought-after soft skills:

Communication Skills

• Use clear, concise language. Illustrate points with real examples vs. generic claims. Actively listen and respond thoughtfully during interviews.

Critical Thinking

• Ask clarifying questions if you need more detail. Walk through your logic when responding to case questions. Think on your feet.

Collaboration & Team Orientation

• Provide examples of collaborating across teams and roles. Highlight times you pivoted based on peer feedback. Discuss enjoying shared wins.

Agility & Adaptability

• Share examples of smoothly handling change at work. Outline how you adjusted your approach or learned new skills to meet shifting demands.

Initiative & Drive

• Proactively identifying problems to solve and process improvements to make reflects well during interviews. Be ready with related examples.

Integrity & Ethics

• Illustrate how you have made ethical choices at work even when difficult. Discuss upholding standards and matching your actions to your words.

Projecting professionalism while highlighting your flexibility, work ethic, and values can go a long way during the Leidos interview process. Keep these soft skills top of mind.

Questions to Ask Leidos Interviewer

Remember, interviews are a two-way street. The questions you ask your interviewer(s) are key to assessing company fit. Below are some great options:

• What success in the first 60-90 days looks like for someone in this position.
• What you enjoy most about working at Leidos and keeps you motivated.
• How collaboration across teams, offices, and business units occurs.
• Career development and learning/training opportunities.
• What dynamics of the team this role would join are unique vs. other parts of the company.
• How large projects are scoped and progress is tracked.
• What key problems someone in this role would tackle and projects they may own.
• How feedback to employees is delivered and improvements suggested.
• What workplace culture is like on a daily basis.

Keep questions focused on learning about day-to-day responsibilities, working environment, career growth, and company culture fit.

Following Up Post Interview

Always send a thank you email within 24 hours of your Leidos interview. This is another opportunity to express your interest, highlight qualifications, and reference something specific you learned.

If you interviewed with multiple people, consider sending individualized thank you’s highlighting a unique point of connection from each discussion.

After interviews, remain patient. The Leidos hiring process can take some time as the company conducts extensive candidate reviews, background checks, and reference checks. Don’t hesitate to follow up with your recruiter after 1-2 weeks if you have not heard an update.

With extensive preparation using the strategies outlined above, you will be ready to highlight your experience and demonstrate your soft skills when interviewing at Leidos. Stay confident under pressure and lean on your preparation – you’ve got this! We wish you the best of luck with your pursuit of an exciting and rewarding career at Leidos.