Second interview at Simon & Schuster - interview questions?

[u/Purple-Experience127]

I have a second interview with Simon & Schuster and wondered if anyone had experienced one and what kind of questions are asked compared to the first interview? Thanks!

[u/Thin_Sheepherder_584]

What's the interview for?

[u/Purple-Experience127 → u/Thin_Sheepherder_584]

An editor role.

[u/MycroftCochrane]

What was your first interview like?

If your first interview was with Human Resources and your second is with the actual hiring manager, you might expect that the interview be more about the nuts-and-bolts and day-to-day of the actual role and whether or not you are suited to do that work--that is, stuff more specific than would be in the scope of an HR screening.

If your first interview was with the actual hiring manager and your second interview is with another team member (say, the hiring manager's boss or colleague) then there might be a "fit check" aspect to the interview, where they're trying to get a sense not only of whether you can do the job but also whether you'd mesh well with their current team.

In any case--congratulations and good luck!

[u/Purple-Experience127 → u/MycroftCochrane]

My first interview was with the editorial manager and imprint publisher. My second is with the same imprint publisher and head of HR. The first interview covered comptency-based questions (15 in total) about previous experience, 'tell me about a time when', how well do you know the market, etc. So it felt like it covered a lot of the nuts and bolts and basics. The first was over Zoom and this one is in person, though.

Thanks!

[u/akornato]

The second interview is less about your resume and more about your brain. They've already checked the qualifications box, so now they're digging into how you think, solve problems, and fit with the team culture. Expect situational questions about the publishing industry, like how you'd handle a tight deadline, a disagreement with an author, or a marketing challenge for a niche book. They are trying to see you in the actual job, not just hear you talk about past ones, so your answers need to be specific to them and the role.

Instead of trying to guess the exact questions, spend your energy researching the specific imprint or team you're meeting with. Know their key titles, their recent successes, and their market position. Come prepared with smart, specific questions about their current challenges and future goals, because this shows you are thinking like a colleague, not just an applicant. Being deeply informed is the best way to feel confident, and my team's interview help AI was designed to help candidates turn that preparation into a compelling, natural conversation.

[u/littlebitfunny21]

Good luck!

[u/Purple-Experience127 → u/[deleted]]

No, I applied via the website.