I was introduced to Rise Interactive through a friend. I submitted my resume and within a day got a response back from HR. As part of their screening process I was asked to take a math based skills test. The test consisted of a number of multiple choice and fill in the blank algebra problems related to internet marketing. I was given two attempts at the test. The test was actually a challenge considering that I hadn't done that much algebra work in about a year. Afterwords I learned only 20% of individuals actually pass their test. So be prepared. After I passed the screening test I had a short 30 minute phone interview. It was very easy-going and relational, however I would be prepared to answer questions that you might expect to come across at a big four consulting firm or a financial firm as Rise's business share many elements with the two. After the 30 minute phone interview I was asked to come into the office. I had a total of 4 office interviews. One with HR and the others with managers and an executive. Be prepared to answer some tough questions on the business and your thought process. I had a number of logic and process oriented questions. Also know your own material very well. Be able to walk them through your resume and specifically what you accomplished for your clients... even if you just graduated college and have only worked in a restaurant or had a few internships. Also make sure you KNOW their business. Do your homework and make sure you know their material. But most importantly be yourself and make sure you make it clear that you are also searching for a good fit for you not just trying to accommodate their fit needs. Within three days after I finished my last interview I received an offer from them. Overall I was satisfied with this process.

I applied online at the Rise Interactive website and recieved an email shortly thereafter asking me to take a skills test at my leisure. I took the test- pretty easy, just basic algebra disguised as marketing and a couple verbal questions. After that, I waited a few days and received another email asking to set up a phone interview. I set up the interview, but when the day came, did not receive a phone call at the expected time! (9:00am) Finally, around 9:45, I called the HR person I set up the interview with, thinking I had done something wrong or made some mistake with scheduling. However, I was informed that the person's, "boss had stepped in," and she had, "totally forgetten to call me." I was a little annoyed, but she promised to call at 10:00. At around 10:15, she called and we had the interview. It was very basic, just basic questions and information about the position, including salary information. They told me the position is salaried at $20k until you are moved into a consulting position after 4 months, which then moves you to about $35k. I was ok with that, even though it's a big pay cut for me for the first few months. I was told to keep in touch with the HR person as they only hire a few people every month. She told me to contact her around the middle of the next month. When that date rolled around, I emailed her asking about the position. I waited, and waited, and waited some more. After about a week, I called and left her a voicemail. I then waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, I received an email from a DIFFERENT HR person, saying that they had noticed I had taken the skills test and would like to set up a phone interview. I emailed back saying I had already been through that process, but would be happy to do another interview. The new person acted kind of confused and annoyed. (I would be too, if my co-worker had not notified me of what was going on.) She told me that that would not be necessary, and we set up an in-person interview after about another week of waiting for a response on my end. The in-person interview was very basic; she didn't even ask me much about my experience. She used basic get-to-know-you questions, which I thought I answered very well. She told me that she had to talk things over with the marketing teams as they are the ones that pick the final candidates and, if I was chosen, we would do another interview. After about a week, I had not heard anything, so I sent an email asking if any decisions had been made. Two weeks later, I still had not heard anything, so I called and left a voicemail. About a week after that, she left me a voicemail saying she still had to go over my application with the teams. A few days later, she called me with a rejection. I also received an email rejection with some resources for job-hunters in Chicago. In all, the process was extremely disorganized, and I felt I had to do most of the work for the HR people. After two months of chasing them around, I was disappointed with a rejection, but I feel I may not have wanted to work for such a disorganized place. If you are applying and waiting for a response, don't hold your breath.