Teacher Created Materials Sales Representative Interview Questions
& Process

I applied online and was contacted about two weeks later to schedule a phone screen. The HR person called exactly on time and seemed to appreciate my answers. She mentioned that hiring people with teaching backgrounds for sales isn't unheard of. She also indicated the process might be quick due to the July training start date and that my details would be passed to a regional manager. She promised to keep me updated. However, I heard nothing for a week, and my follow-up email went unanswered. A few days after that, I received an automated notification that the job was no longer available. It's frustrating to feel misled about potential callbacks. It appears to be a questionable business practice.

Went through a few emails and a phone screen with the recruiter, which was pretty standard. Then had an online meeting with the manager. He was a really nice and friendly guy, the kind of person you'd want to work for. The conversation was pretty casual. He asked about my past year, and I told him about my volunteer work and certifications. He also asked about the jobs and companies I'd applied to and why. He wanted to know if I would have taken those jobs, and I explained that I was a finalist for two but those roles were eliminated, and a third company merged and had no openings. This got a bit awkward because, honestly, I'd take any job after being unemployed for almost two years, but I had to convey my seriousness about this role. I did mention I wouldn't have applied if I didn't want it. To be fair, it was a Friday afternoon, and I was tired after a morning interview I thought I nailed, so I wasn't at my sharpest.

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.