Pew Charitable Trusts Executive Assistant Interview Questions
& Process

So I applied online and then they set up a phone interview. The recruiter called me and the questions they asked were about stuff on my resume. After that first phone call, they sent me a test for office suites, like Word and Outlook, and also a reading comprehension test. You should totally do some research before you take these tests because they do need some prep. Just using Word and Outlook every day doesn't mean you'll pass the test.

I initially got an interview at Pew through a recruiting agency that had already confirmed my abilities. I'd already completed four Microsoft Office Suite and spelling/grammar tests. The HR rep was quite formal. After that, she made me take another grammar and spelling test. I thought these were just formalities, but I was wrong. She graded my grammar test right in front of me, pointing out the three errors I made and stating that many people get perfect scores. The interview's atmosphere became quite cold after that, leaving me with a bad impression. I wasn't contacted again, which is probably for the best given Pew's reputation for a culture of intimidation and poor leadership. Interestingly, this job is posted again now, a few years later.

The interview process started with an initial excitement from the interviewer. However, upon arrival, I was informed that a grammar test would precede any one-on-one interviews. Despite attending a top-tier university, I found the test challenging due to its reliance on DOS operating software, which was difficult to navigate within the given time constraints. I was told that approximately 80% of candidates fail this test, and a retake would only be possible after a 30-day waiting period. Ultimately, I was politely thanked and dismissed without proceeding further, which was quite discouraging.