(1) Completed internship with PRH Editorial team.
(2) Applied for role with carefully tailored cover letter and CV.
(3) First round online interview with a robot.
(4) Second round online interview with an editor and senior editor.
(5) Third round interview in person with three senior editors.
(6) Never heard back....
(7) Followed up after 2 weeks only to receive an automated reply.
* I'm a strong candidate and took the process seriously because I cared about the role and was excited to have the opportunity. It is exceptionally disappointing to have been let down by such a respectable company. All that effort and preparation and care for an automated rejection email after silence for two weeks?? Wow. I don't have much else to say.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
All the questions were fair and trying to get to know me. E.g., tell us about yourself, what are you reading at the moment, tell us about your experience.
I applied online. I interviewed at Penguin Random House
Interview
I would say the interview process was difficult simply because of the assessment before the interview. 72 hours to read 2 manuscripts, write 2 readers reports, and 2 flap copies with no guarantee that you’ll get an interview or a job offer. I understand that there needs to be an assessment given to prospective employees, but this one (compared to other assessments I’ve done) felt over the top. At a point, it’s too much and just feels like free labor.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Assessment: read 2 manuscripts, write 2 readers reports and 2 flap copies. Then if you’re selected, you move onto the interview phase with the potential employers.
I applied online. I interviewed at Penguin Random House
Interview
Interviewed over Zoom. Prior to the interview, I had to read a couple of manuscripts and write evaluations of them. They got back to me about their decision within a few days of the interview. I appreciated that they had me practice some of the essential duties of the position and that they did not ghost me.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about a time something didn't go as planned and how you dealt with it.
I applied online. I interviewed at Penguin Random House
Interview
Interview process consisted of three rounds - initial interview , second interview with different members of staff and a third with a task which involved copywriting. The interviews were thorough but the staff were very friendly.