Achievers Interview Questions

Application

I applied online. The process took 4+ weeks. I interviewed at Achievers (Boston, MA (US)) in July 2012.

Interview

Saw a posting on LinkedIn, went for it and got a phone interview with a recruiter from the Toronto office on July 4th.

Phone screening went well and moved onto meeting with the director of the Boston office. He was really laid back and made me feel at ease, very straight to the point which I appreciated. Since the Boston office only had 7 people, it was a top priority that everyone got along well and so I suggested a job shadowing with the one other ISR there. He thought that was a great idea, but the recruiter wanted to give me another interview before they invested more time with me.

So, I had another phone interview, but this was all behavioral questions with the inside sales team lead over in Toronto. She was awesome and very patient when I took a few moments to answer her questions. I got the clear from her and I scheduled a time with the recruiter for the job shadowing.

Finally, on the day of the job shadowing I found out I wouldn't be alone on the job shadow. There was another kid whose mom was friends with the director and he had just recently graduated from college. For the job shadowing the ISR didn't reserve a room to do calls in, so for the next hour or so we were just skipping around conference rooms because we kept getting kicked out of the rooms from people who had reserved them ahead of time.

So fast forward an hour later and he asked us what we thought about the job so far. I told him I am ready to do this but the other kid said he didn't think he could do something like this, politely asked to leave and be taken out of the running.
After he left, we went to another conference room but this room didn't have a phone and the service in their was pretty shoddy. So the ISR had to use his cell phone but his calls kept getting disconnected or the prospect couldn't hear him. After 20 minutes he decided to just start looking on LinkedIn for new prospects and I just sat there staring at the wall. This was when I decided I should head out because I had taken time off work and realized it wouldn't be very productive to just sit there. I asked if I could see the director before I left but he said he was in meetings back to back so I headed back to work.
Sent an email to the director and the recruiter telling them I was still very interested in this position and I looked forward to talking to them again.

A week went by with no communication from Achievers before I decided to email the recruiter and see what was going on. She quickly replied and apologized telling me she had emailed me after the job shadowing but something must have happened since I didn't receive anything. Basically didn't get it because they didn't think I was right for the role long term.

Really disappointed because they seemed like an awesome company and I thought I would be a good fit, but my guess is I didn't click with the ISR.

All in all, it's a great company with amazing potential. Even though I didn't get the job I still got a lot of experience interviewing nonetheless. Will try again later on in my career, but for their San Francisco location this time, might have better luck there.

Interview Questions

Application

I applied through other source. The process took 4 days. I interviewed at Achievers (San Francisco, CA (US)).

Interview

Initial interview was general,talking causually to see if personality might be a match. Then had several other meetings, which then led to an interview methodology they use called "Top Grading". Be prepared for a ridiculous level of depth into your life, your work history - everything.

Interview Questions

Application

I applied online. The process took a week. I interviewed at Achievers (San Francisco, CA (US)) in August 2011.

Interview

1st Interview - Standard phone screen (30 mins), with standard experience and subtle behavior questions.

2nd Interview - 1:1, lasting over an hour. More of a discussion of background and company culture, financials, expectations. Very honest and immediate feedback; told I was being recommended to next round and given tips on what to focus on, how to prep, etc.

3rd Interview - Topgrading, a process that talks about all your successes and failures from high school to present day. Panel consisted of two people in SF and two observing via video conference from Toronto. Questions were consistent and patterned in each stage: proudest moments, what you should've worked on/what you learned, grades/test scores, what each manager would rate you on a scale of 1-10 and why, what each manager thought you needed to work on, why you exhibited that behavior, what you think each manager needed to work on and why.

At end of interview, they manage expectations and guarantee feedback within 48 hours. My topgrading was on a Wednesday and I had a voicemail on Friday morning that they were working on an offer that they would walk me through on Monday morning.

Interview Questions

Negotiation

Very open and detailed. Got walked through each phase of the contract and the reasoning behind each decision. Questions were encouraged and hiring manager made himself available to answer them over the next couple of days.

I was prepared to ask for time to think about it, but was told to take time before I could so. Offer was fair, but I did ask for more. When I did, I was walked through the thoughts behind the offer and was told what the position was originally budgeted for. Considering all other factors in the process and the overall culture, I accepted the offer as-is.

One thing that threw me off was that the hiring manager immediately asked my thoughts after initially walking me through the offer. I'm the type that needs a bit of time before deciding, so I was a bit thrown. They focus a LOT on culture and it's their main recruiting tool, so they don't detail benefits like I've been used to, so I had some questions about that.

Application

The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Achievers (San Francisco, CA (US)).

Interview

I found Achievers after speaking with a recruiting company. My contact there seemed more excited about the opportunity there than other companies and I could relate well to what they sell. I had an initial phone interview, then came into the office for an in-person a couple days later. After about 10 minutes speaking with the manager it was apparent it was going to be a good fit for both of us.

The in-person lasted a little over an hour and afterwards I got back on the phone with the recruiter to schedule a Skype interview. That one was pretty brief and then I had to schedule with the recruiter again for a 2 hour top-grade interview at the office. A couple days later I spoke to the CEO for maybe 10 minutes and received a call with an offer within an hour.

There were quite a few steps in the process, but everything after the first in-person interview seemed like a mere formality as the manager and I were clearly on the same page from the moment I sat down.

Interview Questions

Interview

It was a really good process. I learned a lot about Achievers, and about the role. Ultimately, I did not go with the role as I decided to change my career focus, but I would definitely interview with them again. It seems like a company that is going through changes, and they are reading to make the changes needed for the company to continue having success.

Interview Questions

Application

I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Achievers (San Francisco, CA (US)) in December 2018.

Interview

The entire process took about 2-3 weeks. 1st round is with the company recruiter. 2nd round was a video chat with the hiring manager. 3rd round was also a video chat, with the VP of Sales. The entire process, everyone was exceptionally friendly and easy going.

Interview Questions

Application

I applied through an employee referral. The process took 4+ weeks. I interviewed at Achievers (San Francisco, CA (US)) in July 2013.

Interview

through process... lot's of steps, but it's because they only let through the best and a true no jerk policy (really, they enforce it, unlike other companies with the policy)

Interview Questions

Negotiation

Not much. They gave a very fair rate right out of the gate.

Application

I applied through an employee referral. The process took 1+ week. I interviewed at Achievers (San Francisco, CA (US)) in July 2011.

Interview

Getting through the hiring process with I Love Rewards is no walk in the park, but it's completely understandable why: they only want to hire the best. I can say that I am the happiest I've been since I started my professional career in 2006. Being a happy employee turns into becoming a productive employee and this company stops at nothing to reward their contributing players.

The company's goal is to become the number one web-based recognition and rewards company in the world. I have found quickly that I Love Rewards practices what they preach: they spend tons of time and money making sure their employees feel appreciated. It makes a huge difference on a daily basis which amazingly increases productivity, customer satisfaction and makes it more fun to come to work!

I was initially referred by a former co-worker, who happened to be the sourcer. She spoke to me for about 30 min about the company, the role and the company's expectations which made it easier to know what they were looking for in future interviews. I was immediately intrigued by the idea of a competitive, hard-working, yet fun and rewarding culture. Many companies claim this, but I knew the sourcer personally and we worked together at a reputable company together in the past, so I knew if she thought it was an improvement, it probably was.

From there I spoke with the VP of Employee Experience (HR) for about 30 min over the phone since I was in SF and he was in Toronto (where the HQ is). He asked me about my preference of role and responsibilities to see if I was a fit for what they were looking for. He also asked me my strengths and weaknesses as well. I liked that he wanted to know what I wanted to do, as opposed to could I do what they needed me to do. The outcome is ensuring they are hiring someone who enjoys the tasks as opposed to someone who can do the tasks. The next step was to meet face-to-face with the VP and the CEO in the SF office the following week.

When I came into the office, I was told there was a change of plans; I would not be meeting with the CEO, but instead the VP and the Recruiter in Toronto via VC. We talked, for the next 1.5 hours, about my past successes and failures from high school to present including classes, jobs and extracurricular. I was asked what my former and current managers would say about me and areas I could improve in. By the end of the interview, I was sure they knew everything about me and if they moved forward, they were sure what they would get from me as an employee and a contributing teammate.

I received word that an offer was being put together and from there I negotiated as I saw fit. I can say that it was a great day to learn I would be joining the team and I haven't looked back since then. As a Recruiter, I have worked for many companies, hiring all sorts of people, and I always feel confident in the final matches. I think this company was made for me and I encourage anyone who wants to work for a fast-paced and challenging company, while still feeling appreciated on a daily basis for their hard work, to apply here!

Interview Questions

Negotiation

I was able to negotiate, but I didn't push it... the opportunity to work here was worth more than a dollar value. However, I was a contractor at the time I accepted so while my hourly rate was high, I had no benefits. The benefits here are superb.

Application

I applied online. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Achievers (San Francisco, CA (US)) in September 2011.

Interview

After applying through their website, I was invited to a networking/presentation event organized by the company. It was really interesting and gave me the opportunity to talk to different people within the organization. Although, since all the attendants were applicants to a position with Achievers it was difficult to have a conversation with any of them without pushing the competitors out of your way.
I left the event with a good understanding of the company and a genuine interest for a career with them. CONS, not a single thank you email from the company or further communication afterward, which seems strange after attending an event that required to confirm attendance.

Interview Questions

Application

I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Achievers (San Francisco, CA (US)) in April 2013.

Interview

Had a phone interview with the hiring manager. We hit it off pretty well, so he invited me to come onsite to talk to the CEO. I came onsite, the CEO opens asking if I have any questions for him. Mid-conversation the CEO realizes this is an interview and changes his tone, is disappointed with the lack of Mobile experience (which was apparent on my resume) and cuts the conversation short.

Interview Questions