I applied through an employee referral. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Showbiz Cheat Sheet (Ann Arbor, MI) in May 2013
Interview
After submitting a resume and cover letter for the writing position, I went through a process that lasted a couple weeks and involved me writing a couple sample articles for the website so they could determine whether I could write in their style. I was asked to do those articles under a self-imposed time constraint so they could assess my writing speed (an important aspect of this job) as well.
I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Showbiz Cheat Sheet (New York, NY) in Jan 2015
Interview
Applied, had a brief phone interview with HR, interviewed with Senior Editor and Managing Editor, then did a writing test. In total it took about 2 months from start to finish.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Standard interview questions, nothing that was overly specific.
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Showbiz Cheat Sheet in Sept 2012
Interview
I found the listing for this position (feature writer) on an online job board. I was a recent college graduate (B.S., Writing) with some, but not much, informal business education. I thought that my skills and interests were a fit but that the application was a reach.
Through email, I submitted the standard trifecta: cover letter, resume, and writing samples. There was a quiet period before I heard back, I assume because they were gathering and sorting applications. Eventually I received an email, asking that I complete a copyediting skills test and another writing sample (~750 words).
After submitting these, I soon heard back that I would have a phone interview. At the time I applied the company was still pretty small so the interview was with the CEO (Damien). The interview was pretty short (~20 minutes) and to the point. Damien asked me a few kind of general, abstract questions about me and my interests and expertise as a writer, and then told me some about himself and the company.
Shortly after that I was asked to do another skills test. This was a real-time writing exercise where I was asked to complete an assignment and submit it immediately for review.
Soon after this I heard back and was offered the position. I accepted and was being onboarded a week later.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The second skills test was the most challenging part of the process. The skills test is kind of like trial by fire -- it asks the writer to basically do the job for an hour, to actually do the work a staff writer would be expected to do.
Here's how it worked for me:
- Connected with the editor on Skype (text only at this stage)
- Received an "assignment", basically a loose idea for an article.
- Given instructions / conditions for how to approach the piece.
-- 1 hour, 500 words.
- Submitted article and the editor immediately reviewed it with me
- Cordial departure
- Heard back shortly after (1-2 days) with offer