Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Interview Questions
& Process

I had a phone interview where they discussed my previous work history and how it could benefit the company. They also asked about my availability since the work hours can vary, and let me know that training hours would be different from my regular work schedule.

The interview process was quite nice, everyone was friendly. But, they never talked about salary expectations at any point. When they finally gave me an offer after a few weeks, it was for a different job than what we discussed and for way less money than I was currently making. I told the recruiter my current salary, and she asked if I'd be willing to take less. I didn't accept because the offer wasn't competitive, and it felt like a waste of time since they didn't even ask about my salary needs upfront.

The hiring and interview process is pretty straightforward. Just be aware that even if you get hired, you still have to get federal clearances and then go through an interview with a federal reviewer if they have questions. This could happen up to 6 months after you start, and if you don't pass, you'll lose the job. There's also a 6-8 week training class, and if you fail any of the 3 tests, you're let go. So interviews and hiring are pretty brisk because there's a lot of turnover. Attendance is super strict, including being late returning from breaks – this can also get you fired.

You start by applying online, uploading your resume and answering some questions. If they like what they see, they'll give you a quick phone call. If you pass that and a quick criminal and credit check, you'll come in for an in-person interview. It's business casual, and you'll meet in a side room where you can see the cubicle farm. It's pretty quiet, everyone's on headsets taking calls, so you'll see what the job's like. The trainers usually do a lot of the interviews. They're really friendly and give you the straight scoop on the job, expectations, pay, and shifts. If you get hired, there's a day of orientation and another day for paperwork for federal clearances, since the student loans are government property. This involves interviews with neighbors and past employers for the last 7 years, plus credit, driving, and criminal history checks. The whole federal investigation can take up to 6 months before you even meet the investigator. They could also let you go if they find something negative during this time.