MANA Group Interview Questions
& Process

I got an email from the company after posting my resume on Indeed. After checking out some reviews and confirming they were legit, I decided to check out what they were about. I went to the office and a receptionist asked me which company I was interviewing with. I told her Mana Group and was given a form to fill out, along with my resume. I waited about half an hour before a manager came to greet me and asked me a few simple questions - what were my best and worst qualities, my educational background, my goals, and what set me apart. We shook hands and I was told they'd be deciding on who would move on to the second round. I got a call later telling me I got the callback and that my interview stuck out. It felt like they were trying to sell me the job, which was odd. The next day, I went for the second interview and was asked for my resume a second time. There were a lot more people waiting this time, just as confused as I was. Eventually, a supervisor came to get me and another candidate for a 'job shadowing' experience. The other candidate and I were equally confused about what was going on. The supervisor took us with another supervisor and their candidates on a long subway ride to their destination (we had to pay for our own fare, which we weren't told about). When we got there, we never left the subway. The supervisor told us about the organization Mana partners with (a wildlife charity fund) and then started approaching strangers to collect donations. I realized this was a direct marketing company hiring salesmen disguised by a shady interview process. I told the supervisor the position wasn't for me and headed home on the train. No base salary, purely commission from bothering people.

The interview process is pretty straightforward, with three parts. First off, there's a quick 10-minute chat where they ask personal stuff like 'tell me about yourself,' 'what are your goals,' and 'what do you do in your free time.' If they like you, the second interview is a full day where you shadow someone. Turns out, this job is all about getting donations from people on the street for charities. No actual money changes hands, so it's not technically soliciting, but that's the vibe. Finally, there's a short closing interview. FYI, the job descriptions are misleading – it's a fundraising gig!

The first interview was a group setting with about 20 people and me, plus the hiring manager. They asked resume questions and said they'd call. I got a call that night for a second interview the next day at the office. The hiring manager said the group coordinator was the key person to impress, and she explained their direct marketing approach. This involves going to a random street via subway and trying to get strangers to donate $30 to charities by giving their credit card numbers. After two hours of the five-hour interview, I told the person in charge (who hadn't been there long) that I wasn't interested and left early. This company is not recommended for a meaningful career or self-respect.

This was my very first interview ever, so I was super nervous. But the interviewer was really nice and made me feel more comfortable. They asked for some basic info and about what I'm looking for in an internship at MANA Group. They also asked about my previous experience and why I'd be a good fit for the role.