I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Sweetwater (Fort Wayne, IN) in Aug 2022
Interview
Honestly felt a little like tryouts for the navy seals. I applied online and was soon contacted by a recruiter. She scheduled a phone interview and sent me a few links for a cognitive skills test (similar to an IQ test), a typing speed test, and a "Preliminary Music Technology Assessment" which was 100 questions and timed. Very very difficult... in my hay-day I probably would've scored better, but I was definitely rusty on my gear knowledge and the timer made it nearly impossible to think back on prior knowledge.
First phone interview with the recruiter seemed to go very well, a "hey nice to meet you" type interview where she asked questions about my musical background and explained what the job entailed. That went well so she booked asecond phone interview with a sales manager. Questions were similar to the first interview, but he was able to go more in depth by explaining what it was like for him when he was in the position. That interview seemed to go well too and he mentioned it would be a good idea for me to come visit their office in Fort Wayne.
About a week passed and I didn't hear anything, so I contacted the recruiter and she told me it would be better to schedule a Zoom interview. This sort of threw me off guard, but I was more than happy to oblige.
So the 3rd interview was a zoom interview with the recruiter and another sales manager. This time the questions were much "deeper" and a lot of questions on hypothetical situations. It was very long, lasting almost 2 hours and by the end it was pretty clear that I had dropped the ball at some point ... she was very quick to end the interview and I still can't put my finger on what the heck happened. We also did a role-play call and I was incredibly nervous, but I didn't think I failed too miserably. I made it clear early on that a sales position was something I'd have to learn a great deal about, but I was ready to go all in.
After that I did not hear anything for 2 weeks and I decided to reach out just to get an update. The recruiter did finally answer and sent me a typical rejection style email saying other applicants have been chosen and to consider applying for other positions.
All in all, it was very strange... everything seemed to be going well and I went through over a month of rigorous interviews - it seemed like I was getting somewhere if they were willing to put in all this time to get to know me, but at the last interview it all seemed to fall apart and I had to reach out to them just to get an update.
It kinda sucks because I was getting very excited about the possibility of working there when the sales manager in the second interview told me what it would be like. Maybe I'll reapply someday if they let me... Who knows.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What does your musical background look like?
Do you have any sales experience?
How do you handle rejection?
What would you do about co-workers that are harassing/toxic?
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Sweetwater (Fort Wayne, IN) in Aug 2024
Interview
To start when applying for this job right at the beginning of the application it tells you in bold letters, "Sweetwater is a drug free workplace. All candidates must submit to a test for illegal drugs, INCLUDING MARIJUANA, before any job offer will be extended," and this was a concern for me as I am a medical marijuana patient where I live so I asked about that and the interviewer pretty much gaslit me saying that they don't test for marijuana, and I didn't read it right. My next question was about commission and the interviewer started saying that wasn't the case for the Category Advisor position and asking me what interested me in that position, I told the interviewer that I was confused as I thought I had applied for a Sales Engineer position, to which the interviewer proceeds to say that I did in fact apply for sales. Last major red flag for me was the interviewer seemed to want my undying loyalty to this company. It's a job not an entire lifestyle and many employers are making this mistake. You sign my paycheck that is all, we as humans do not owe any company everything we have. Honestly, I feel like they won't even offer me the position at this point, but I'd most likely turn it down if they did anyways. Something doesn't sit right with me about this company, just kind of screams "we want slaves that will devote their entire life to our company."
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
They mostly just ask about your background and all the other typical interview questions. Some of them make the company seem like a cult mentality though
3 rounds of phone and in person interviews on top of “how did you think you did” style questions after the interview. All in all it wasn’t too bad. The training is 13 weeks of intense “drinking from the fire hose” graduate level gear knowledge
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
To sell a home studio setup face to face over lunch
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Sweetwater (Fort Wayne, IN) in Feb 2024
Interview
I had a short phone interview asking about my knowledge and experience.
First I got a tour of the campus, and a history of the business and founder. After that, I took a 170 question interview (2 hours). You’re expected to fail this test, so don’t trip if you don’t know a lot of it. Next I ate lunch with a couple of their employees (great cafeteria). After lunch, I had a mock session with possible Sweetwater lead. Some people do this part on the phone before flying out. Next I answered questions that gave them a better idea of who I am as a person. What motivates you to do what you do, what makes you depressed, what could you see causing you to not pass Sweetwater Uni, etc… Lastly I took a drug test (not for THC), & got a job afterwards. It normally takes a day - week for an offer, so don’t trip if it takes a min.
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