Heartland Payment Systems Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Mar 20, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 10 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 10 ratings
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| 1–10 of 10 Heartland Payment Systems Interviews | Sort by |
Account Manager at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Mar 20, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2010 (took 1 week)
I did 2 phone interviews and one face to face. Everything was well planned and went smoothly. Everything ran on time.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Operations Analyst at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Mar 20, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2012 (took a day)
I applied online and about two weeks later I received a phone call from the recruiter for the screening process. He just informed me more of the position and asked basic questions about my resume.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Relationship Manager at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Aug 31, 2011 — 7 of 8 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2011 in Los Angeles, CA (took 1+ week)
Heartland held two telephone interviews with me before inviting me to participate in a "tryout" for the Relationship Manager position. The interviews were very basic, but they were definitely looking for aggressive 'hunters' with a background in outside sales. They also made it very clear that this was a commission only position, and that all my expenses would be my own. After successful completion of the telephone interviews, they asked me to go out into my community and "solicit" a minimum of 20 consultations with business owners/merchants as a test of my ability to secure a sales meeting. The consultations would be scheduled for a later date, and would be presented by the Territory Manager as part of my training if hired. I was told that I would not be given any information on Heartland, beyond what I was able to research on my own, and that, "I should present myself as an individual interested in a position with a payment processing company, who would like to set up a time after I am hired to discuss Heartland's products and services." Furthermore, they instructed me not to discuss price, and not to make any promises that I would not be able to deliver as a Heartland Relationship Manager. Basically, they were asking me to provide them with business leads, without compensation and with no guarantee of being hired if I was successful in achieving the 20 appointments.
I agreed to the tryout, but wanted to know more about Heartland's business model and pricing before securing meetings within my local community. Heartland refused to provide any insight or training as to their business practices. I was apprehensive, and suspected that I may be bringing sheep to the wolf, but was successful in exceeding the 20 meeting requirement. I was extended an offer, but held off on signing the agreement until I had a chance to attend a few of the consultations I had set up with the Territory Manager... To hear the Heartland presentation first hand.
The Heartland rep was very aggressive in his presentation style, using a lot of prepared phrases and sales talk while being careful to avoid any direct questions about pricing, and he was pushy and talked down to merchants. He asked a lot of questions, boasted of Heartland's superior products and services, had a negative comment for every competitor that was mentioned, and often used the merchants own words against them... But offered little in the way of how Heartland could help their business or specific savings Heartland could provide. It was all very loose and vague, with an emphasis on Heartland's image. He finished by stating that, "Heartland was the best. You either want to be with the best, or you don't." He was unsuccessful in getting agreements signed by any of the three business owners that we met with on the first day.
Going in to the second day, the rep informed me that he had a standing meeting that conflicted with one of my appointments the next day, and that I would have to push the meeting with the merchant to a later time in the day, or just reschedule altogether (The meeting had been set for ten days and on the reps calendar the entire time, and he was only just now getting around to telling me that he had a conflict). Heartland had very little respect for the meetings I had set, and even less for the merchants we met with. Heartland is all about Heartland, and they love to tell you how great they are...
My concerns over setting up meetings for a company I knew little about, and with a rep I didn't know at all, had been fully realized.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
Heartland promotes itself as being a 'completely transparent' white knight within a "dark and unscrupulous industry" (actual words used by Heartland reps during the interview), but the Territory Manager I dealt with refused to answer any direct questions I asked him (nor those which my prospects asked during the consultations) with regard to pricing models. He maintained that I "didn't need to know about price, nor even need to discuss price with business owners while presenting." My sole responsibility was to "just get the agreement signed." He offered many sales tactics to use when "dealing" with merchants, including a lot of 'fluff talk' about Heartland being a tier one, debt free, publicly traded, Fortune 1000 company with W2 sales reps... And spoke of convincing business owners that they were "lucky to have found Heartland." He also stressed that Heartland didn't need any one client's business, and that small merchants were privileged to be meeting with Heartland, as they were "doing them a favor." This wasn't your typical "maintain a superior presence" sales tactic... This guy really believed his own hype (his arrogance was completely disgusting). He went on to exclaim that, "once the agreement is signed, we have them."
There's no doubt that Heartland's CEO, Bob Carr, is a marketing genius, as Heartland has a large initiative in place to create an image of superior integrity among their competitors. However, at the end of the day that's all it is... An image. It's all just smoke and mirrors that doesn't really mean anything. The only thing that really matters to a business owner is getting an honest and fair price, with full disclosure of all fees and no deceptive contracts locking them into adjustable rates down the road (or just plain misleading them as to what they are paying altogether). Beyond that, they want descent customer service that will not leave them hanging for hours without processing capability if there is a problem with their equipment. That's it. Period.
After all of the fluffy sales talk, PR initiatives and their "merchant bill of rights" Heartland is exactly the same as the other six direct processors.... Dishonest, deceitful and seeking to maximize their own profits at the merchant's expense. Heartland will tell you how great they are, but ask them to sit down and review your merchant statement and you won't be able to get them on the phone!
The honest truth about payment processing is that it is the responsibility of a business owner to educate himself or herself on how the industry works (complicated as though it may be to understand) and to figure out a pricing model that works best for their business. They need to know how the various parties involved in a card transaction are paid, what they are paid, and how to read a merchant statement and hold their processor accountable. They need to do their homework, and negotiate fair terms with an ISO who has a genuine interest in providing an honest service... Because putting your blind faith in a company like Heartland by signing an agreement based on some fancy sales talk and a carefully crafted image is just plain naive... And shockingly stupid!
Finally, Heartland will hire anyone who can get agreements signed. They don't care what your background and/or education is (The Territory Manager stated to me that, "unless you've murdered someone, we'll take you."). Apparently, If you can learn their pitch and get a business owner to sign, you're in! They also have no problem sending inexperienced reps with little to no knowledge of the company, or even of the payment processing business, out into the field to represent Heartland... There's no standard of ethics in that regard. Heartland's sole interest is in "getting agreements signed, while avoiding direct conversations about price... And then moving on to the next merchant." (direct quote from a Heartland employee).
This company is not the right fit for me. Business owners beware!
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Background Check.
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Relationship Manager at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Jul 6, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2010 (took 4 weeks)
Initial communications were very good. Only one interview with DM. Questions asked were very standard, set to elicit responses that either cut you from process or resulted in being handed an application Kot of questions to figure out how many hours you worked, how hard and how much of a hunter you are.. DM was very corporate thinking, though manner of dress was surprisingly inappropriate. Company did seem to have it together initially. Though within a few months Everything they proclaimed to be changed almost overnight with no warning...did Not walk the talk by any means. Joined one company, shortly thereafter seemed like I was working for another.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Nothing was negotiable.
Other Details
I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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Sales at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Jul 3, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed May 2011 (took 2 days)
1 phone interview, 2 1 on 1 interviews. The district manager is a nice guy but changed his view/position on certain sales strategy topics. This organization is a hard sell shop - which is fine but they need to be consistent when discussing those issues with potential new hires. That type of sales process wasn't/isn't for me.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Relationship Manager at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Mar 24, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2009 in Des Moines, IA (took 1 week)
company was very aggressive to hire right away and almost felt like I didn't have to work to get the job. Was hired immediately after HR approved, which seemed to be the only part that seemed not quick and desperate. company trying to grow faster than they know how to handle. There is no real office, you work from home so interview was in a lobby, which was fine, but looking back a little misguided.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I didn't have to negotiate because I was offered the job immediately and didn't have to try very hard to get the position.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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Account Executive, Marketing at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Jan 8, 2011 — 3 of 3 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2010 in Princeton, NJ (took a day)
One of the most surreal and bizarre experiences of my professional career.
After responding to an online ad, I was contacted by the assistant of the company's "Marketing Consultant" who asked basic questions about my background and experience. I was informed that the "consultant" would be screening candidates off-site later in the week and that I would be notified. A few days later, the assistant e-mailed instructing me that I was scheduled to interview with the "consultant" at (time/date) at a Ramada Inn some 20 miles from the company's location. Bad Sign #1.
Against my best instincts, I agreed to the meeting. Days later, upon arriving at the location, I was shocked that this motel was a run down dump. What sort of NYSE listed firm does this? And for a marketing position? Talk about having no sense of understanding of value of a consumer's perceptions! And, beyond that, the very nature of a cattle call interview, off site at a seedy, run-down motel in this day and age - simply from a safety and security perspective!
I was greeted in the lobby by the assistant and escorted into a 1950's style "suite" (run down room) where I was introduced to the "consultant". This was an elderly man in casual (messy) clothes with a surly and arrogant demeanor. He spent 10 minutes explaining who he was, the procedure, the tactical details of the position, and what was expected of the person who would fill it. He then played with his glasses, glanced at my resume, and asked an irrelevant, out-of-context question or two, interrupted my answers, and then took on an aggressive tone. Needless to say, the meeting ended there.
Having researched the company prior to this interview, I was very concerned about Heartland being an antiquated company with a fractured management style that took little interest in it's employees. The interview process that I experienced confirmed this without question. Even in these hard and desperate times, Heartland Payment Systems is a backwards-thinking organization, and working for them in any capacity should be avoided at all cost.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Relationship Manager at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Nov 11, 2010 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2010 (took 2 weeks)
Received a phone call to set up an appointment for a phone interview. During the phone interview I was asked questions from a Regional Manager about my sales experience, hunter mentality, etc. I was invited in for a face to face with the Regional Manager and we went through more of the company and position. Final interview with the RM and also the Territory Manager who I would be reporting too. Very creative company with a lot of integrity. I was asked to find leads on my own by speaking to merchants, but no disclosing I represented any company. It was a test to see if I could get 20 merchants to agree to meet with me if I was to work for a payment processing company. I had one week to complete the list.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
Although I completed the 20 leads, I turned it down because of the honesty and integrity they had shown me. Because of their honesty and integrity, I felt it would be wrong to accept the position because if I were to receive another offer from a company with a base salary I would probably take it. I didn't want to put them in a position to have to hire again quickly. Long story short, I respected their honesty and I wanted to be honest and felt they deserved someone who was sold out on Heartland and that position.
Other Details
I Applied Online.
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Helpful Interview?
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Inappropriate?
Relationship Manager at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Nov 17, 2009
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2009 (took 1 week)
Phone interview, which lead to a one on one with a District manager.They let you know right up front that this job is not for everyone.they are looking for entreprenurial types,which really means you will invest your time and effort ,if it works great if not ......You need to be comfortable with cold calling which is the primary means to get your business. The background check takes time,if you're clean don't worry,its a process.They have benefits,they're just not given after 30,60,or 90 days you have to hit sales minimums to be eligible.For some it may be a deal breaker.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
There is very little to negotiate. There is no salary,it's all commission.If you recieve offer make sure your finances are in order,you may have to work a while to see money ,and longer to build your business to where you can survive.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a Skills Test and a Background Check.
More Heartland Payment Systems Relationship Manager Interviews
Helpful Interview?
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Sales at Heartland Payment Systems
Posted Jul 8, 2009 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed May 2009 in Nashville, TN (took 4+ weeks)
Extensive, thorough, and pleasurable. The initial contact is with the company recruiter, then if asked to proceed you will have a test with no wrong or right answers it's to see what type of sales person/person you are and if you will fit the position. Next is the one on one, it will be very casual in setting. Be prepared to do most of the talking, key points what you are looking for past experiences and why you would choose them.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
No negotiations allowed for sales.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a Skills Test, a Personality Test and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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