I sent my standard state application via mail, got a phone call from HR about 2 weeks later to schedule an interview another 2 weeks later. I drove to the capital and checked in with the front desk (where ~7 other names on the interview list were already checked off above mine -- a bit discouraging to say the least). I've had a number of interviews with private sector, non-profit orgs and government agencies, but this interview was probably my least favorite. There were 3 women in the room -- I didn't know what their positions or titles were, because they only introduced themselves by first name. One of them assured me that they were laid back and told me to relax. Okay. There was no small talk, no "how are you doing?", no "so tell us about yourself." (Not the ideal environment to 'relax') They didn't talk at all about the position or department either. Frankly, they all looked tired, impatient and incredibly bored. They asked me 5 interview questions; each was printed on its own page of paper inside a binder in front of me. The interviewers didn't speak or respond or ask follow up questions to my answers -- they strictly read the questions and took notes as I answered. Most of them were behavioral questions: "Tell me about a time where you had to deal with a frustrated co-worker or employee.."Obviously a skilled interviewer can come up with great answers to unexpected questions, but I felt that they could have asked more relevant or interesting questions to get to know me as a candidate more. For example, the last question was "Tell me about one of your biggest AHA! moments." It's difficult to answer that question and relate it back to the position. One of the women walked me out to the main hallway and asked me a couple more questions about myself while she held open the door for me to exit -- If she wanted more information from me, why didn't she ask me when I was in the room with the other interviewers? The interview probably only lasted 10-15 minutes. I was called 2 weeks later with a rejection and some feedback from my interview (nothing surprising, but mildly helpful).