The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Politico (New York, NY)
Interview
The interview process here was very standard, but looking at professional standpoint, some of the methods applied were completely unprofessional in my opinion. After e-mailing and communicating with the recruiter via e-mail, I confirmed a time to best connect over the phone. 15 minutes before I was supposed to have my phone interview, my interviewer abruptly canceled explaining that there was no internet connection. She then delayed my phone interview by an entire week. After patiently waiting for this week and confirming a new time for this interview, she canceled on me for a second time. So I had to wait another additional week. This time she explained that a co-worker was out of the office and she was going to have to “replace her” at an all-day event. This was very questionable but I decided to move forward and got selected to do so on their end after talking to this recruiter two weeks from the original date.
I then interviewed with two team members only to find out the position I was aiming to get was already filled, but I could interview for a different, but similar role to aim for the same start date I wanted when I first began my interview process. I then waited a day or so and was told I moved on and would be interviewing with three more team members the following week. During this final interview, it was overall decent – but one team member in particular was very brash and unprofessional. During the interview, he structured the interview in a way where it showed he had next to zero interest or he was in a rush. The icing on top of the cake was during the interview, someone interrupted and opened the door in which the interviewer carried on a conversation with him and acted like I was completely invisible. Because this person is a senior associate you would think he would have learned how to professionally conduct an interview with a potential candidate and how to display himself in an appropriate manner. I guess, however, that sometimes this isn’t necessarily the case.
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Politico (Brussels) in June 2023
Interview
The interview process included 3 total steps. One was a general interview with the team lead and HR. The second was a sales pitch exercise to be presented to the team lead and another manager. The third was an interview with the Executive Pro director and the team lead. All steps were enjoyable and genuine. Everyone I met throughout the process was extremely nice and curious to learn more about me. They want you to grow and succeed in the role, and it shows through their recruitment process.
It was straightforward. I had a phone screen and then they followed up with me over email to schedule additional interviews. Met with HR and then members of the sales team.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about yourself. Why are you interested in sales? Why Politico?
I applied and was soon contacted for an initial phone screen. I had an enjoyable conversation with the recruiter and my interest in working at Politico remained high. She contacted me extremely soon after and said that I had made it to the next round and that we would work out scheduling details with other members of the team that I would be interviewing with. I responded and said I looked forward to hearing from her regarding availability, etc. - and I received no communication after that. I sent multiple follow-up emails and never received a response so I have been completely ghosted. It has been months and I have not heard a thing from Politico - I moved on a long time ago but I find their lack of communication with a candidate who was selected to move forward in the process appalling. There are clearly some internal issues for this type of problem to occur.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Given your background, tell me why you're a great fit for this role.