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Pearson Education Sales Representative Interview Questions & Reviews

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Updated Apr 25, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 8 ratings

3.6

“Difficult” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 8 ratings

Positive	12%
Neutral	25%
Negative	62%

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3.0

Average Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Apr 2012 in Dallas, TX (took 6 days)

The process started with a pre-screen email requiring a written response to 10 full blown interview questions. This was followed by a very casual phone interview.

Typical questions for a sales interview, however I was put off by questions about my college days, especially seeing as I graduated 8 years ago.

-"Did you have a job during college?"

-Me: Yes. Part time waiting tables.

-"Why?"

-Me: Excuse me?

-"Why did you have to work during college?"

This did not seem relevant to my current skills or qualifications. I reluctantly engaged the interviewer and passed on the next in person interview.

The in person interview was with the sales manager. Very cordial, very typical account manager interview questions, including the "Sell me this pen" routine. There was another exchange regarding my college experience that I found inappropriate for a Fortune 500 company interview. This followed another conversation about my college experience.

-"How did you pay for college?"

-"Did you take out any student loans?"

Again, questions like these strike me as too personal and revealing socio-economic factors that in no way should be used in qualifying candidates for any position.

Both interviews involved lots of talk about one's ability to work extended hours, go above and beyond, exceed expectations, and sell aggressively. Pretty typical. I detected little passion for the product or for the field of education in general.

I was next told to do a "campus project" consisting of spending a full day on a college campus to interview 15-20 professors about their impressions of Pearson. I was to create a report and presentation to present for final consideration. I was given 3 business days to complete the assignment. Most striking was I was not to identify myself as a Pearson rep, but "as a candidate researching the position for my own benefit." That would be true, if it were not mandated as the next step in the interview process.

I was given the names and phone numbers of local reps to interview prior to the campus project. Perhaps not a great idea, as I came away from the conversations with a negative impression of what life would be like as a Sales Rep.

Overall the entire interview experience eroded my enthusiasm for working with Pearson, and I withdrew my application.

Interview Questions

Why did you work during college?

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How did you pay for college? Did you take loans?

View Answers (1)

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Presentation.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed May 2011 (took 2+ weeks)

The recruiter called me to schedule a half hour phone screen. During the call she described the territory geography and account sizes. She kept asking if I had any questions throughout our conversation and emphasized this was a difficult job. From there I was recommended to meet with the district manager who scheduled a 1 hour face to face interview I thought the conversation went well but I never heard back from him.

Interview Questions

Why Pearson?

Answer Question

Describe your selling style.

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

5.0

Very Difficult Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Sep 2010 (took 4+ weeks)

This entire process was a huge and I mean huge waste of time. Interviewing for an entry level position and it was as if I was running for office in D.C. I had five face-to-face interviews and then three phone interviews. The last one was with the Sales VP in Boston who has a personality of a brick wall. He's strange and the most impersonal person I have ever met. As a matter of fact all the reps I know think he's strange too.

Interview Questions

Will you work 15 hour days if necessary?

Answer Question

Will your family adopt our culture and deal with you working on holidays?

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

What a joke, they pay you like a college grad and expect you to wait over a year to make a bonus and it you don't hit 95% of the sales goal you get nothing at all. So if you goal is three million and you come in at 94% of that Pearson makes a ton of money and you get NOTHING!

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Presentation and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Sep 2010 (took 2 weeks)

Interview process was long and a waste of my time. Started out with two very casual phone interviews where the people told you the scoop on what the interviewer is like, etc. Felt like they were trying to catch me in something when they continued to emphasize the "flexibility" of the schedule. Then did phone interview with hiring manager. Then was flown out of town for a face to face with the hiring manager and the VP of sales. THEN was expected to take another entire day away from my current position to do the Campus Project. As a sales rep with 8 years of experience, I was insulted to have to do this. I jumped through the hoop anyways and did my campus write up. They then asked me for a list of who I spoke to the day of the project and what questions I had asked, as they felt this was a very crucial part of they assessment. If they didn't already think I was a good fit for the job, they would've known it before that! THEN I NEVER EVEN RECEIVED A "THANKS BUT NO THANKS" RESPONSE. Ultimately, I am glad I didn't get the job because I feel I am overqualifield for such an entry-level position, but they did waste my time!!

Interview Questions

We are not going to be able to pay you what you make right now, is this going to work for you?

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Presentation.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Feb 2010 (took 4 weeks)

Intense, two projects and several interviews. Telephone and personal interviews with district manager Sent out for a day in the field with an experienced representative. Given two projects, follow up call with district manage before an interview with a regional manager. Will send you to headquarters to interview with executives before a job offer.

Interview Questions

How many hours do you usually sleep?

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Personality Test.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Aug 2010 (took 4 days)

Stressful, multiple stages

Interview Questions

Sell me this pen

Answer Question

What is your weakness?

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Aug 2010 in Sacramento, CA (took a day)

The phone interview was fairly basic. I was rather unprepared, thinking it would be a much smaller interview just to get my information and set up an in person interview. I have never had a phone interview before since I am fairly fresh out of college, but I found it very impersonal and sadly feel as though I was unable to represent myself. Although that could be due to my lack of preparation.

Interview Questions

Describe a professional situation when you had a disagreement. Explain the situation, what you did about it, and what the outcome was.

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

View Comments (1)

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Oct 2008 (took 2+ months)

4 interviews with District Manager, Regional Manager, National Sales Manager (over the phone), a campus project and an interview with a local rep. Be creative and be prepared to sell yourself.