Teacher Created Materials Interview Questions
& Process

This was the most tedious interview experience I have ever experienced. First two interviews were with The Renaissance Network - first one was a typical phone screen, second one was more to make sure that you understood what the job entailed (outside sales, cold calling, etc). Third interview was via Zoom with the Regional Manager, then an in-person interview where they had me drive 2 hours to do with the same Regional Manager - this was fine, it was within the territory so it made sense. Then the fifth interview was a full ride along day, where I had to drive 3 hours to get to interview with the same person for the third time, he had let me know that there would be a final interview with his manager. I was notified the next day that they would be moving forward with other candidates, after I drove a round trip of 10 hours I was told that I didn't seem interested enough in the role or the company. They had also asked multiple times about me interviewing with other companies, and stated this was because they wanted to be sure that I didn't accept another offer in the meantime while we went through the interview process. The company seems really great and I hold no ill-will toward them, but I do think it is important to be very transparent with the expectations of the interview process, and honestly 6-7 rounds of interviews is obscene, and a good way to weed out good talent. I feel like there was no respect for my time in this process, even if I did receive an offer, I believe I would still feel this way.

I applied for the job through LinkedIn. The initial two interview rounds were handled by The Renaissance Network. Following that, there was a tough and confusing online cognitive test. The final stage involved three rounds of interviews with RVP's and top leaders at TCM, with two conducted over Zoom and one in person. I found everyone to be kind and supportive, and I genuinely enjoyed all our conversations.

I was contacted by their recruiter because they loved my resume and were having a tough time filling the position with highly qualified candidates. I was very excited to interview with them and had an initial phone screening with the recruiter which went well. I was then interviewed by the Regional Sales Manager. We had very good rapport on the phone and he asked me to join their sales division for an informal dinner because the reps were in town for a regional meeting. I thought that this event went very, very well, but based on the outcome of my final interview, I now think that the reps were checking me out and would make recommendations as well to the Hiring Managers. After the dinner that evening I was to report to the corporate office the next day for a formal multi-process interview with the COO, the VP of Sales and another Regional Sales Manager. After a grueling 3 hour interview process, I walked out feeling exhausted but also very confident that I had answered the questions, and the "what would you do in these sales scenarios?" with honesty and actionable steps. I waited for several days after this panel interview and after 4 days of not hearing back, called the Hiring Manager only to be told that they felt my personality would alienate their customer base. I was speechless! Had these people not listened or heard my presentation skills, track record of winning over a ton of business and increasing sales by over 1.5 million in a few years? In all honesty, they blew it. They lost out on a representative that would of have sold the living dailylights out of their product. I have never been put through such a grueling, detailed interview process with happy hypocritical faces staring at me during an interview and saying things to my face like "wow, what a great answer" and "You nailed that one, we like your thinking on that process..." and lots of other happy horse manure only to not be hired. Since I am still looking in educational sales, all I can hope for is that I can go to work for a company that competes against Teacher Created Materials. The sales representative that is currently in the position that I would have had, should we share territories, will definitely have her/his hands full with me as a competitor. My advice to candidates interviewing with TCM... ask them straight up, what kind of personality and skill set they need and want in this organization. It is very clear that based on my detailed interview experience with this company, that if you are an assertive, growth oriented, and highly motivated sales professional you will not be hired by them.

About 2 weeks after applying online, I got a phone interview that went well. About two weeks later, I was invited for an in person interview. I was asked to bring a portfolio and complete a 53-page proofreading test. I almost canceled because it seemed like a tedious job, but I did it anyway and went to the interview. I was supposed to meet three people, but the last one had an emergency, so it felt rushed. I didn't send a thank you note because I decided I didn't want the job. They never contacted me again and still have my portfolio, but I have another one anyway.