Random House Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Nov 8, 2011 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 9 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 9 ratings
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| 1–9 of 9 Random House Interviews | Sort by |
Publishing Assistant at Random House
Posted Nov 8, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2011 (took a day)
A recruiter contacted me to set up an interview. I showed up, he is not even there. No one knows where he is (turns out, he was in another interview and forgot about me). He finally shows up almost an hour late, and then proceeds to tell me he does not think I am right for the position, and that he doesn't really believe my resume is truthful. Why contact me for an interview then? Another sticking point was that I didn't know a certain type of software that I last used in 2005. I don't even think they make it any more. For some unknown reason, he then asks his HR coworker to interview me, and the coworker found it as awkward as I did. We sat in silence for a while, and then I left. Never heard another peep from anyone. I can't really comment on the process because there was no process at all. Unless you count wasting someone's time.
To be honest, I got the impression that no one has any idea what is going on there. People were rushing around like headless chickens, and there seemed to be no captain of the ship. The arrogance was surprising, considering how bad publishing is doing these days, but I got the feeling that no one has stuck their head out of that office in the past decade to realize their ship is quickly sinking. It seems to be a place that if you get hired, you never leave and never learn new skills. To me, it seemed like one big cubical farm of people who still think publishing is in it's heyday. And if anyone with new skills comes along, it's seen as a threat to their job. I suppose it could be a cool place to work if you luck out and your team is good, but it seemed really political and out of touch. And really, the whiff of arrogance that permeated everything was truly unbearable.
Interview Questions
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.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Ad Promo Associate at Random House
Posted Sep 9, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2011 (took 3 days)
Applied online and was contacted right away. Met with HR manager twice on separate days. Then met with hiring manager and her boss, all one-on-one. Also had to show my portfolio to everyone. They were all very nice. Office itself was a bit drab. The elevator waits for about 30 seconds after you press the button for your floor before it leaves.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Publicity Assistant at Random House
Posted May 26, 2011
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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 Jun 2010 in New York, NY (took 2 days)
I had a phone interview with the HR manager that seemed pretty typical: asked about my favorite books, why I'd like to work in publicity, etc.
When I came in, I had three separate 1:1 interviews with the HR manager and two of the publicists, which seemed grueling. One of the interviews was conversational (with a publicist), the other two were more formal.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
More Random House Publicity Assistant Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Operations Project Leader at Random House
Posted Sep 1, 2010
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2010 in Westminster, MD (took 3 days)
I applied through the main Random House, LLC website. After about a month, I received a call from the HR manager requesting a telephone interview. Set up for another time, two ladies from the Operations section called me. During the telephone interview, I was asked very general questions such as: What interested you in Random House? What is your greatest strength/weakness? The interview was rocky as I was on speaker phone and could not clearly hear the questions. The two young ladies that interviewed me were professional, but could have used a more experience in the interview department.
I was called about a week later for 3 group interviews, scheduled to take place over a 3 hour time period. I met with HR first, who were very professional and organized. I then met with the first group, a V.P. of Operations and one of the young ladies I would be working with. They did not seem to know what they really wanted out of the position. From what it sounded like, they needed someone to coordinate teams to answer very general, knee-jerk reaction questions as to why money was being lost in certain areas. Presented as a scape goat position. Also, V.P. wanted to ensure a lot of "hand-holding" could be expected for other senior management.
Finally, I met with another group. With the exception of the V.P., all of these people, while very nice, could not have been over 22-25, and it showed. Again, very general questions. I had to tell them where I could take the Operations Department, and they seemed less than interested. Questions such as "how do you deal with conflict" and "what is your greatest regret" seemed more like an interview with a psychologist, not a potential employer. I expected questions such as: Tell me about the time you increased profits by ".."% within the first quarter while working at -----.
They still have not hired anyone, even though 6 people interviewed over the telephone, and 3 in person. Who knows how many qualified people even applied.
If the idea of the position is to conduct cost/benefit analysis, streamline operational procedures and cut costs, someone should tell them. I consider it a bullet dodged. I'll take my over-educated over-qualified self somewhere else.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Entry Level Editorial at Random House
Posted Aug 27, 2010
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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 Jan 2009 (took a day)
I interviewed at Random House for an entry level editorial position, and although I wasn't offered the position in the end, the actual interview process was pleasant. My first meeting was with an HR staff member who was professional but relaxed. Immediately following my approximately 30 minute interview with her, she brought me downstairs to the department in which I would be working to meet with what would be my direct supervisor and the department head. I spent about 15 minutes with each, and then went on my merry way.
I felt that the interviews went well, despite them being my first attempts at breaking into this field, so I was a bit surprised to find that several weeks later I still had not heard anything back, despite having sent the thank you note and followed up by e-mail and phone. One of my job responsibilities has long been hiring so I know how it can get when your work is piling up and calling to reject someone is on the back burner. I get it. I'm fine with not getting the job; I realize that it's competetive out there. But the least they could have done was shoot me an email and say, "Thanks, but no thanks."
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Associate Producer at Random House
Posted Jun 24, 2010
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed May 2010 (took 2 days)
A month after applying I received a preliminary screening interview from HR. I met with them a few days later. They were very professional. Asked a few questions pertaining to the site. Then I met with 2 hiring managers who interviewed me together. They asked situational and skill based questions. They also gave me a verbal test on html. After the hour long interview I was given a homework assignment with 2 days to complete. It has been 2 months since I applied to the job and a decision has not been made.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Online Marketing Manager at Random House
Posted Feb 11, 2010 — 0 of 1 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2009 (took a day)
Interview process was not go smooth. The hiring manager was not on time and was no where to be found at the time the interview was scheduled. HR rep was excellent. Can't say the same about the hiring manager. It was obviously they were trying to hire someone to do a four-person job.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
View Comments (1)
Inappropriate?
Assistant Editor at Random House
Posted Jul 29, 2009 — 2 of 2 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 Declined Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2009 in New York, NY (took 2 days)
Phone interview asked about college, very general. The interviewer, a senior editor seemed distracted (took two calls). Followed in two weeks by a requestion to come in for in-person interview. Met with four people, one HR, other low-level editors. Each completely different. There weren't many tough questions, standard behavioral questions and a few about what I read. It was impressed on me that this job requires lots of "homework."
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
Had offer elsewhere
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Publicity Assistant at Random House
Posted Mar 19, 2009 — 2 of 3 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 2007 in New York, NY (took a day)
Effective - I met with the Publicity Director, Associate Director and Senior Publicist all within one hour.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was offered the job within two hours of the interview, but given only a few days to make my decision
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
More Random House Publicity Assistant Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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