I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at The Hershey Company in Apr 2014
Interview
The interview process with Hershey is just like the other reviewers have said. Mine did vary just a little. I was contacted very quickly after submitting my resume online (like within the hour). A phone interviewed was scheduled for the next day and I was notified that I was being moved to the next step immediately. Another phone interview with the hiring manager was scheduled for the next week. That was also pretty easy and quick and I was notified I was being moved forward by email within the next few hours.
A in person panel interview was scheduled with the hiring manager and the hiring manager's manager. I had to travel in for this and could tell they were interviewing multiple people that day for this position (I assume) and other vacancies across the state. The in person interview was pretty casual and easy -- I have 4+ years of consumer goods experience and they even admitted that I was overqualified. However, I have had switched industries over the last few years and had to quit jobs after only a year or two in position as my husband's career kept advancing and forced us to relocate for his promotions. This left the Hershey folks unsure about my mobility and also concerned that I'd get "bored" with this job as a few levels below where I'd ended up working in my previous consumer goods roles.
Anyway, they moved me on to the field day where I spent a half-day with the hiring manager and one of the division reps (also a newer rep). I know this role backward and forward already -- it is much less involved than my previous consumer goods experience and I could probably do it on auto-pilot. There is very little to do in the stores and I was confident I could run circles around the rep that we were shadowing for the day. I did not communicate this (because obviously that would've been a turn-off) and just remained engaged, asked appropriate questions, and communicated enthusiasm for this position. Again, they brought up the fact that I was overqualified but expressed concern at my getting bored in this role. I assured them that I loved consumer goods and I was eager to return to this field and I would stay engaged by learning the new industry and hopeful to move up in the company in due time.
At the end of the day I was told it was between me and another candidate and I would know something by Monday (this was on a Friday). I did not hear anything until the next Tuesday (6 business days later than expected). I had followed up with the hiring manager and when she did not respond I followed up with my HR contact who said she hoped to have an answer soon. Finally I got the generic rejection email... Which I thought was inappropriate given the amount of time I'd spent with these folks, the length of time this process had taken (over a month), and the hoops I'd jumped through for these interviews (an entire day of flying for one interview then a 2+ hour drive each way for the field day).
So, I have mixed feelings about this. I understand their concern about my longevity with the company given my past experiences and qualifications but geez... I really thought they'd be pleased to have someone who could exceed expectations in this key territory and that would be worth the risk. I don't know. I guess the lesson was for me to withhold any information about my long-term plans and just tell them what they want to hear.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Nothing difficult or unexpected. Just be prepared for questions about how you'll deal with conflict, how you'll sell in key displays, etc.
I applied online. I interviewed at The Hershey Company in Mar 2012
Interview
Applied online,screened on phone .then a face to face interview.The whole process took about a month from start to finish,very accommodating for you in the process.They make arrangements to fly you to interview if needed.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Basic STAR format,tell me about a time when you could not close a sale.
Retail Sales Consultant applicants have rated the interview process at The Hershey Company with 2.7 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 33% positive. To compare, the company-average is 55.9% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Retail Sales Consultant roles take an average of 26 days to get hired, when considering 3 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at The Hershey Company overall takes an average of 30 days.
Common stages of the interview process at The Hershey Company as a Retail Sales Consultant according to 3 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 43%
Group panel interview: 29%
Drug test: 14%
Background check: 14%
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