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      Elsevier

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      Editorial Assistant Interview

      Sep 27, 2018
      Anonymous interview candidate
      No offer
      Negative experience
      Difficult interview

      Application

      I interviewed at Elsevier

      Interview

      I applied online, about a week later I was asked for a telephone interview. This interview was competency and motivation based, and asked some background questions. I would recommend doing your homework on the publishing industry and the journal beforehand, but that's pretty standard for any interview for a role similar to this one. A few days later I was invited to a "2 hour face to face interview with [name of Assistant Editor]" in their office in London. In hindsight, I should have asked to be provided with more information about this interview beforehand. This interview was the hardest I've ever done by a long way - the individual task was to read 2 papers, summarise them, write down some key words, pros and cons... in 45 minutes, and then discuss with the Assistant Editor. It was pretty impossible to do a thorough job here, although maybe with some prep it would have been easier, if I'd have been made aware that I was even going to have to do an individual task. Then there was about 20-30ish minutes of email scenario questions, how you'd answer emails from reviewers/authors, fair enough, some were difficult as very little context provided. I then spoke to the Editor-in-Chief, this was a 20-30 minute very informal interview, she seemed nice but intense. Then I was introduced to other Editorial Assistants and spoke with them informally, they were nice. I didn't get a good feeling about the company when visiting, due to the lack of information given about my interview and its difficulty. I felt that I generally didn't 'get on' with the Assistant Editor. I'd decided I wasn't going to take the job if it was offered to me as I personally didn't want to work there. I'm going to assume I was unsuccessful as it's been over a month and I still haven't heard back from them, despite sending follow-up emails. The fact they haven't bothered to get back to me has pretty much solidified the fact that I don't want to work for them.

      Interview questions [2]

      Question 1

      Why don't you want to work in a lab?
      Answer question

      Question 2

      What can you tell me about Elsevier?
      Answer question
      5
      avatar
      Elsevier response
      5y
      Thank you for your review. We are sorry to read about your experience. This is not the kind of experience that we want potential candidates to have. We are constantly working with the Recruiters to improve the process. Your feedback has been shared with the Recruitment Team. Thank you for your interest in Elsevier.

      Other Editorial Assistant interview reviews for Elsevier

      Editorial Assistant Interview

      Apr 15, 2021
      Anonymous employee
      Accepted offer
      Neutral experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I interviewed at Elsevier

      Interview

      It was thorough. I met with two people who were very organized and asked lots of questions in a short period of time. They were friendly and the interview was less formal than others I had at publishing companies. They answered all my questions.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Based on what you know about this job, why is it a good fit?
      Answer question
      1
      avatar
      Elsevier response
      5y
      Thank you for your review.

      Editorial Assistant Interview

      Nov 26, 2020
      Anonymous employee
      Accepted offer
      Positive experience
      Easy interview

      Application

      I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at Elsevier

      Interview

      Writing test : how to classify the manuscript Video interview with HR : some easy topics Video interview with Editor : some assumption situations and how will you cope with them.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      What’s your positive effect for your friends
      Answer question
      5
      avatar
      Elsevier response
      5y
      Thank you for your review.

      Editorial Assistant Interview

      Aug 3, 2020
      Anonymous interview candidate
      No offer
      Negative experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Elsevier in Mar 2020

      Interview

      Completed a 3-hour test, then had a 60 minute phone call with a director, then had a 2-hour video interview. The video interview consisted of separate calls with two different editors, another one again with the director, and then an informal chat with editorial assistant team members. After spending 6 hours on the process over about 3 weeks I received nothing back. Even after emailing several times.

      Interview questions [2]

      Question 1

      Why do you want to be an Editorial Assistant?
      Answer question

      Question 2

      What would you do if you thought a review was incorrect?
      Answer question
      7
      avatar
      Elsevier response
      5y
      Thank you for your review. We apologise for your negative experience with us. Your review is very useful as we are working with the Recruitment teams to ensure that there is adequate communication at every stage of the interview process to ensure candidates are kept informed. Thank you for your interest in Elsevier and we hope that this experience will not deter you from applying to work with us in the future.

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