Top Tier Manhattan Interview Questions
& Process

I applied and was contacted immediately. I had an interview the following week with the CEO for 15 minutes, and they said they'd contact me later for a second interview for a senior account position. I made it to the second interview and arrived early, but other candidates and I waited over an hour for the employees' morning meeting. Afterward, another candidate and I met the employee we would shadow for the day. We took the subway (at our own expense) to their territory and started cold calling businesses. It was awkward because we didn't know we'd be doing cold calls, and I found asking to see people's utility bills invasive and unprofessional. Throughout the day, we were also asked to write down marketing responses. The employee belittled my experience several times, saying I lacked experience and they weren't convinced I was good enough. I realized this was a tactic to make me fight harder to prove myself. We had lunch (unpaid) where the employee discussed the progression stages and salary. I later found out this employee hadn't advanced in years and should be at a senior level by now, raising questions about the program's validity. When I asked about this, they said I'd have to ask in a third interview, if they deemed me serious enough. I also asked about time off and benefits, which they questioned, implying I seemed like someone who took a lot of time off. Again, they said I'd need to ask in a third round interview, which they would decide if I attended. We continued cold calling, and I defended my experience while they questioned it. After answering their final question, 'Why should I put my name and reputation on the line for you to go to the 3rd Interview?', I was not given the third interview. This was after a full day of cold calling in the rain, paying for my own transit and lunch, enduring bad jokes, and being repeatedly belittled. The only upfront information was on a form signed on the second day stating they wouldn't pay or offer a job for job shadowing. Their 'program' to reach Senior Manager from Entry Level Account Exec takes 20-40 weeks: 1) Account Exec ($400-$600/wk) for 1-2 weeks, 2) Corporate Trainer ( $800-$1200/wk) with no timeframe, 3) Lower Level ($1200-$2000/wk) with no timeframe, and 4) Senior Manager ($150,000) in 20-40 weeks. They claim no seniority, only performance-based promotions from within. Training is M-F 8:30-9:30, cold calling 9:30-6, with Saturdays 8:30-5:30.

The first interview was super short and vague; they didn't answer my main questions about the exact role and pay. I was told on the phone it was Mon-Fri with a set hourly rate, but then during the interview, we had to stand outside for 4 hours answering silly questions. It felt like a waste of time because they only have one client, and they seem inexperienced and desperate to hire anyone enthusiastic. They want people to start from scratch (standing outside and approaching people in NYC) without paying what you're worth. They should be upfront about the position so people don't waste their time. I've worked in marketing before, and they seem like novices with just one account.

I applied online and received an interview request about a day later. The next day, I went in to speak with the manager. After filling out a basic application about my previous experience, I noticed seven other applicants waiting for the same position at the same time. They called me in 30 minutes late. My conversation with the manager went well. She described the training process and the room for growth within the company. The whole thing was very rushed, lasting less than ten minutes. We quickly discussed my experiences, and I didn't get a chance to ask questions or take notes. She mentioned they'd been interviewing for weeks and had met with 30 applicants that day alone, which sounded insane and devalued my perception of their hiring process and the company.

The first interview was super fast, just went through my resume. It took longer because I had to wait in a lounge with more than 20 other people before I could go in. The second interview was a full day out in the field with a trainer. I was asked questions while watching her do sales.