Progressive Business Publications Interview Questions
& Process

Had a quick initial call, it was pretty straightforward. If you’ve done call center work before, you’ll likely do well. The interviewer, who is the manager, was friendly and seemed like a supportive coach. The work schedule is standard.

So the first part was a chat with the head of HR, just like normal interview questions about my experience and what I can do. Then, I had to do a timed test with math and reasoning problems. After that, I talked to an Editor about the job details. But, surprise! It wasn't for an actual job opening, but just to see if I'd be a good fit for future openings, which they didn't tell me beforehand. I felt kind of misled. The next step would have been to write some samples based on their stuff, but I decided not to do that since there wasn't a real job.

I was contacted in late October for an interview, which was scheduled for early November. The first interview lasted an hour, followed by another hour-long session. The three people I interviewed with seemed nice and interesting, working at Progressive Business Publications to pursue their writing passions. However, their deep looks of longing and heavy sighs when I asked how much they enjoyed their time there suggested otherwise. It seemed nobody works there for the company's betterment. After this initial interview, I spent three weeks on a 200-word assignment. This lengthy period wasn't due to my editing but because PBP took so long to critique it and interview other candidates. While I understand the need for a thorough vetting process, three weeks to critique a 200-word assignment felt unfair and unprofessional, just stringing along potential employees. I met the standards they required for the assignment and scheduled a final interview for the week before Thanksgiving. In this last interview, they asked why I wanted to work at PBP and how my journalism background fit their requirements. I gave the 'correct' answers, which I now regret. I mentioned their 'great reputations' and 'charismatic employees,' but in reality, the past month of waiting and critiquing had given me plenty of time for extensive Googling and research on PBP. Please, for your sanity and morals, Google 'PBP scam.' You'll find a world of F's and complaints from the BBB, Ripoff Report, and consumer affairs. (Initially contacted on October 25th. Found out I didn't get the job last week.)

Got an email after applying. HR asked some questions, then I went in for an in-person interview. First, I met with HR, then I did a test they gave me. After that, I met two people I'd be working with. About halfway through meeting them, I realized it wasn't the job I applied for. HR didn't say anything beforehand, so I wasn't ready, which felt unprofessional and unfair. They could have at least said, 'I know you applied for X, but I think you'd be good for Y too,' so I could have prepared. Pretty disappointing.