Brighthouse Financial Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process started with a pre-screen call, then a one-on-one meeting, and finished with a final round. The final round involved a group of sales desk managers where I had to give a short presentation and answer their questions. It wasn't too challenging, and they were quick to schedule follow-ups if I moved forward.

The first phone call was super laid back. Then I went in for what they called a team interview. I chatted with the hiring manager first, then I did a panel interview with the folks I'd be working with every day. Everyone was really nice and professional. One person couldn't make it in person, so I had a phone chat with them about a week later. It ended up taking 60 days to hear back about their decision. I sent a thank you email to the hiring manager the day after the interview. I followed up again two weeks later about the decision, and then another two weeks after that. No response from her at all. Then, 60 days later, I got a generic automated email from HR saying they'd filled the position. It was probably just a system thing that sends out after a while. They didn't even have the basic courtesy to send a short email thanking me for my time and letting me know what happened. I drove 4 hours round trip for this. When a candidate goes through a 3-4 week interview process, be professional and follow up. I'm not just an application in the system; I've taken time off my current job to talk with you. Show more respect.

This org spun off from MetLife a few years back and they're the annuity sales arm/division, now separate businesses looking to expand. They still have some MetLife culture but are making their own. Growing steadily, they expanded operations to the West Coast and opened Phoenix offices last year. They were looking for internal wholesalers to help grow the West Coast and some other roles. I did a phone screener and exceeded requirements, then got invited to a local in-person interview. Things were looking good, they were pushing hard for top candidates, offering a 10k sign-on bonus and a competitive base around 55k plus bonus (80k OTE). Recruiters even reached out on LinkedIn due to my background. After the first interview, I was asked to interview with Senior Leaders from Charlotte. I met them after hours in Arizona, though they were late. We met in a Weworks building while their offices opened. I already had my securities licenses (6/63/26) and experience managing/leading FAs and agents with annuity/life sales. The interviewers seemed to like me, and I thought I'd definitely hear back. We built rapport discussing sales processes and similar backgrounds. I sent follow-ups and waited. Eventually, I heard back but no offer, which was disappointing but I stayed in contact since I did well and thought they might circle back. A few months later, they needed more internal wholesalers and remembered me. I was excited to see what was new. This time, I had a formal in-person interview and presentation with their team, making an even stronger case. I met a panel of 3 employees, 2 leaders, and 1 senior internal wholesaler. They were a great group, and I was finally offered the role! However, they low-balled the offer, removed the sign-on bonus, and wanted me to start as an associate without bonus potential, promising quick promotion. Promises don't pay bills. Around this time, COVID was starting. I tried to counter but they were too cheap and wanted to take advantage. Money talks, so I walked. It was a shame because I really liked their team, brand, and culture, but they didn't want to pay for talent. The phone screener/recruiter was a great guy, but his hands were tied. I wish their AZ team the best; I know I grew a lot from their interviews.

The interview process took 6 weeks, and I felt my time wasn't valued. It included two phone interviews and one in-person interview. The first was with a recruiter, which went fine. I then had a second phone interview with the hiring manager about a week and a half later. This interview, after 10 days of prep, was very short, maybe 10 minutes, with just one or two questions. After that, I was invited for a third, in-person interview. The hiring manager rescheduled, and I had to chase down an unresponsive secretary for a couple of days to set a new date, which was two weeks after the previous interview. I even had to remind the secretary to send a confirmation email. I prepped for about a month for this final interview, which was supposed to be 1.5 hours. However, I only job shadowed for 20 minutes and had a 10-minute interview with two questions. They said a decision would be made in a few days, but I heard nothing for about 10 days. After a total of 6 weeks from the first interview, the recruiter told me they chose someone else. Apparently, the recruiter knew for about a week but didn't tell me. I'm not upset about not getting the job, just disappointed that my time and effort felt disregarded.