I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Manhattan Prep (New York, NY) in Feb 2020
Interview
I first got an email asking about my salary expectations. A couple days later, I hopped on the phone with the head of the department. We had about a thirty minute conversation about my background and my interest in working at a company that specializes in test prep. About a week later, I received an assignment asking me to take a few minutes to analyze two of their videos and suggest how I would make it better. They also requested I send a screenshot of an example of my file sorting/project management.
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Manhattan Prep (New York, NY) in Nov 2018
Interview
MPrep had one of the most vigorous interview processes I have experienced. While this may intimidate some, I felt as though the team at Manhattan Prep put so much care into getting to know me, my work habits, and if I would be a good fit on their team.
I started off with a Google Hangout screening with the director of the department, where she told me I would be receiving a task to do in the coming weeks to reach the next round. The task came about a week later, and I had around a week turnaround time.
Once the task was submitted I was invited to an in-office interview, where I spent around two hours talking with people from a myriad of departments and positions. Every person who came in to meet me had a copy of my resume, cover letter, and interview task. It seemed as though they were prepared to meet me with specialized questions meant just for me. It was one of the few times that someone who was interviewing me was already familiar with my resume. While intense, the interview process demonstrated that they really were detailed oriented and took the time to get to know me. This made me even more excited about the position.
A few weeks later, I received an email from HR asking if I was still interested in the position, and I confirmed. I got a call from the hiring manager the next day and had a weekend to review the offer and accept. I've now been here for almost three months, and it's been a lovely experience, as demonstrated by my interviews. Everyone is very candid and honest while also remaining kind, respectful, and personable.
They configure an online interview through Google Hangouts. Communication is always through E-mail, and is disorganized. I was asked to reschedule my interview 40-hours beforehand, which happened to be my birthday and sister's engagement birthday. In fairness, they could not have known this but I was practicing law during the day and got a great deal of slack for not responding with a follow up interview date the same day.
The only inference one can draw is the expectation is that applicants treat Manhattan LSAT interviews like God, and make sure to check their e-mail hourly notwithstanding personal and professional commitments
The other issue is the nature of the video interview is that internet connectivity in office buildings in large cities is not always 100%, and it's kind of dumb to rely on Google Hangouts as the end all be all of communication.
I had an e-mail with the teaching instructions, but then another 2 or 3 subsequent emails with add'l materials that Gmail registered as Spam - because they come across as 3 short copied and pasted emails in a few minutes and set off the spam filter. The fact, I had only the instructions and not the actual test question caused the reviewer to end the interview before it started.
I had researched the interviewer, and he seemed to be a brilliant and interesting individual and is probably fine in real life but the mechanics of the company are so ridiculous that it's shocking they are owned by Kaplan. I don't know why you would have a multi-million dollar business, and have such disorganization in the hiring process and only communicate through e-mail.
The expectation that someone needs to respond to an e-mail the same day an interviewer asks to reschedule the interview notwithstanding personal and professional obligations is ridiculous. When normal people are at an immediate family member's engagement party, unless there is an urgent call from a current employer, they are not responding and common sense would say urgent communications should be made through telephone or at least an e-mail with a subject line marked "Urgent".
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why didn't you reply to e-mail asking to reschedule the interview the same night?