Western Paper Distributors Interview Questions
& Process

So after I applied online and did that first test, they called me to set up the first interview. When I got there, I had to do another computer test. After that, I went to the interview room. The talent team talked to me first. They looked at my test answers and asked me how I got them. They were nice and made me feel comfortable. We talked about my experience and past jobs. Then, a middle manager from another department took over. He was also really nice and asked good questions that made sense for the job. He and the talent team really seemed to want to figure out where I'd fit best.

The first interview was with the Head of HR, followed by an easy computer logic test. We then went over my test answers and I was asked a few more questions. The Head of HR was very nice, and I felt the interview went well. He mentioned scheduling a second interview promptly. The second interview happened about 1-2 weeks later and seemed to go alright, but it was hard to tell. Since then, which was back in December, there's been no communication. It would have been nice to get some feedback after two in-person interviews. They really need to improve how they handle their hiring process and communication.

So I applied for an Administrative Assistant job that I saw posted, and to even submit my resume, I had to do this online quiz with math and word problems. They weren't too bad, but I guess it helps filter people. Then, I got a call back saying they liked my score and wanted to schedule an interview. I rearranged my schedule, got a babysitter, and drove across town during rush hour. When I got there, instead of an interview, they had me take another quiz. This one was way harder and had some tricky questions. I'm a recent Earth Science grad, so I'm used to tests, but I kind of rushed through it because I thought the actual interview was next. After I finished, the person at the front desk just told me they'd let me know if they wanted to move forward with *another* interview. I never even got into the building. This was for an Admin Assistant role, probably around $15/hr. It's baffling because I have a bachelor's degree and couldn't even get inside. It's just paperwork, not complex science. I've also noticed these jobs are often open, which makes me think employee turnover is high, suggesting management issues.

I sent in my application and had to do some short online puzzles, which I guess is a way to filter people out. About a day later, I got a call for an 'appointment,' not really an interview. When I got there, I was taken to a small room and had to answer around 10 more puzzle-type questions. They weren't super hard, just time-consuming, took me about 45 minutes. After waiting a bit, an HR person reviewed my answers with me one by one, and I had to explain my thought process. They also asked some general questions about my experience and education. They mentioned I'd hear back by the end of the next week if I wasn't selected, but I actually got a call a week after that supposed deadline, so that wasn't accurate. Honestly, I wasn't sure about this company from the start; the office seemed full of miserable people, and it felt very old-school with all the cubicles. The next interview was with the team leader and her boss, and it was a really draining experience. They were quite dull and, instead of asking about my skills for the job, they focused on my past positions and what my supervisors would say about me. The boss, who I think was the CFO, was the rudest person I've ever interviewed with. He kept clicking his pen, rolling his eyes, and downplaying my experience and education, which made it clear this wasn't the right place for me. When I asked about the next steps and the timeline for a decision, he just stood up and said, 'TIMELINE? There is no timeline. When we fill the position we fill the position!' which was a pretty simple question. Overall, the interview itself wasn't extremely difficult, but it's worth noting the office vibe and the arrogance. It's a shame a leader would treat candidates that way; I can't imagine working there daily. It makes sense why people looked so unhappy.