20 Scholastic Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at Scholastic, you can expect to be asked questions that assess your skills and qualifications for the role you’re applying for. However, you may also be asked some company-specific interview questions that are designed to give you a better sense of the culture at Scholastic and whether or not you would be a good fit for the organization.

Some examples of company-specific interview questions you may be asked at Scholastic include:

– What do you know about Scholastic’s mission and values? – How do you think you could contribute to the Scholastic community? – What do you think makes Scholastic a unique place to work?

Answering these questions well can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate that you’re truly interested in working for Scholastic. So, take some time to prepare your responses in advance and you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job at Scholastic.

Scholastic Interview Process

The interview process at Scholastic can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, like the Associate Software Engineer role, you may also be required to take a technical assessment. The interview process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Overall, reviewers found the interview process to be easy or average difficulty. However, some reviewers noted that the process took a long time and that they never received any feedback after their interviews.

1. What would you say is the most important thing to consider when working with kids?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you interact with children and what your priorities are when working with them. Your answer should show that you understand the needs of kids and can prioritize their safety, comfort and happiness in a classroom or other educational setting.

Example: “I think it’s important to make sure that kids feel safe and comfortable at all times. I would always ensure that they have plenty of breaks during lessons and activities so they don’t get too tired or hungry. I also believe that it’s essential to maintain an open line of communication between teachers and parents so we can keep everyone informed about our students’ progress.”

2. Tell me about a time that you had a conflict with a team member or manager and how you handled it.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. This is an important skill for working in a team environment, so it’s important to be honest and show that you can work well with others.

Example: “I once had a disagreement with my manager over the best way to handle a situation at work. I was new to the company and didn’t want to offend anyone by disagreeing with them, but I also wanted to voice my opinion. In the end, I decided to speak up during our next meeting and explain why I thought my idea would be better than theirs. My manager listened to me and we were able to come to a compromise.”

3. How do you approach meeting goals?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you approach challenges. When answering, consider what goals you’ve set in the past and how you achieved them.

Example: “I always try to meet my goals by breaking them down into smaller tasks that are easier to manage. For example, when I was working toward a promotion at my last job, I started by setting small weekly goals for myself like reading through all of my emails within 24 hours and responding to customer service inquiries within two business days. After a few weeks, I felt confident enough to apply for the position and got it.”

4. Are you comfortable traveling for work?

If you’re interviewing for a position that requires travel, the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your willingness to take on this task. If you are not comfortable with traveling, be honest and explain why in your response.

Example: “I am very comfortable traveling for work. I have done so many times throughout my career, and I enjoy getting to know new places and people. However, if I were hired for this role, I would need to discuss any upcoming travel plans with my family to ensure they can manage without me while I’m away.”

5. How do you think the digital transformation of children’s literature will impact the industry?

The interviewer may want to know how you feel about the digital transformation of children’s literature and what your thoughts are on how it will impact the industry. Use this question as an opportunity to show that you’re aware of current trends in publishing and have a strong opinion on them.

Example: “I think the digital transformation of children’s literature is going to be very beneficial for both educators and families. I believe that having access to books digitally will make it easier for parents to read with their kids, which can help improve literacy rates among young readers. For teachers, being able to integrate e-books into lessons could make learning more engaging and fun for students.”

6. Describe your experience building relationships with school districts and educators.

School districts and educators are the primary audience for Scholastic’s products. The company needs employees who can connect with these groups to ensure their success in selling books, magazines and other materials.

Example: “I have experience working directly with school districts as a sales representative for my previous employer. I would visit schools once or twice per month to meet with teachers and administrators about our product line. I found that it was important to build relationships with each person I met so they could feel comfortable reaching out if they had questions or concerns. I also made sure to follow up with them after our meetings to see how we could help them.”

7. If hired, what would be some ways you could improve our brand awareness in schools?

Scholastic is a large company that has many brands, so it’s important to show you can promote all of them. Your answer should include how you would use your communication skills and social media presence to help the company reach more customers.

Example: “I think one way I could improve brand awareness in schools is by creating an online community for educators where they can share ideas and resources with each other. This would be beneficial because teachers are often looking for new ways to engage their students and learn from each other. Another way I could increase brand awareness is through my social media channels. I have a large following on Instagram and Twitter, so I could post about Scholastic books and encourage others to do the same.”

8. Do you have any experience using CRM tools? Which ones?

Scholastic uses a customer relationship management (CRM) tool to manage its sales and marketing activities. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience using similar tools in your previous roles, which can help them understand how quickly you’ll be able to adapt to their processes.

Example: “I’ve used Salesforce CRM for my last two positions because it’s an effective way to track leads, organize data and collaborate with other team members. I find that it’s easy to use and has many useful features, such as lead tracking, email automation and social media integration.”

9. What do you think are the most significant challenges the education industry faces today?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the education industry and how you might approach challenges. Use examples from your experience to explain what you think are the biggest issues facing educators today, and how you would address them.

Example: “I believe that one of the most significant challenges in the education industry is finding a way to make learning more engaging for students. I’ve seen many classrooms where students get bored with their lessons because they’re not presented in an interesting or exciting way. In my last role, I developed a program that used storytelling techniques to engage students and improve test scores by 10%.”

10. What type of books do you enjoy reading?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your interests and values. They want to know if you will be a good fit for their company culture, so they might also ask what type of books Scholastic publishes.

Example: “I love reading children’s books that are funny or adventurous. I think it’s important to read stories that kids can relate to and enjoy. I also like the idea of helping parents find new books to share with their kids. In my last job, I helped create a list of recommended books for different age groups.”

11. How would you handle an upset customer?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know that you can handle a variety of situations and respond with empathy and professionalism. In your answer, demonstrate how you would use your problem-solving skills to resolve the situation.

Example: “I once had a parent call me in tears because they couldn’t find one of our books at their local bookstore. I apologized for the inconvenience and told them we’d send them a new book right away. Then, I called my manager and asked if there was anything else we could do. We ended up sending the family two copies of the book so they could give one as a gift to another child.”

12. Tell us why you want to work at Scholastic.

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Scholastic that you admire or connect with personally.

Example: “I want to work at Scholastic because I am passionate about children’s literature and education. As someone who grew up reading many of Scholastic’s books, I know how important they are in sparking creativity and imagination in young minds. I would love to help continue this tradition by connecting educators and families through quality literature.”

13. What are your thoughts on the future of educational technology?

The interviewer may want to know how you feel about the use of educational technology in schools and classrooms. Your answer should show that you are excited about new technologies, but also understand their limitations.

Example: “I think it’s important for educators to be aware of the latest technological developments so we can incorporate them into our lessons when appropriate. However, I don’t believe that technology is a replacement for human interaction. Technology has its place in education, but I think teachers need to continue to focus on developing relationships with students.”

14. What makes you excited about working at Scholastic?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Scholastic that you are excited about or how you feel this job will help you grow as a professional.

Example: “I am so excited to work at Scholastic because of its commitment to children’s literacy. I have always been passionate about helping kids learn to read and write, and I think working here would allow me to do that in an innovative way. I also love the idea of being able to connect with educators and families through books and other resources.”

15. Give an example of a time where you made a mistake and how you handled it.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you’ve learned from past mistakes. When answering, try to focus on a time where you were able to overcome a mistake or failure and use it as an opportunity to showcase your strengths.

Example: “When I was in college, I had a professor who gave us a lot of assignments that required us to write creatively. One day, I wrote a story for one of my assignments and turned it in. Later that week, the professor returned our papers with red marks all over them. She told me that she graded my paper based on what she asked for in her assignment guidelines, but when she read it again, she realized that I didn’t follow the instructions. She ended up giving me extra credit for the assignment.”

16. How did you hear about this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your research process and how you found their job listing. They want to know that you’re passionate about the position, but they also want to make sure you did some background research on the company before applying.

Example: “I heard about this position through a friend who works here. She told me about the great benefits of working for Scholastic and encouraged me to apply. I looked at the company website and saw that it’s a family-oriented business with a lot of opportunities for growth.”

17. What skills do you feel like you can bring to Scholastic?

This question is a great opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on Scholastic and are familiar with their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention skills or experiences that align with what they’re looking for in an employee.

Example: “I feel like I can bring my passion for children’s literature and education to Scholastic. As someone who has always loved reading, I am excited to work at a company that shares my love of books and inspires others to read. I also think I can contribute my organizational skills to the team as well. Throughout my career, I’ve developed strong time management and project management skills, which I believe will help me succeed in this role.”

18. If a teacher was asking for advice on a book they should use in their classroom, how would you respond?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and its products. It also shows that you are willing to help others, which can be an important quality in educators. When answering this question, try to think of a specific book or series that you would recommend to a teacher.

Example: “If I were talking to a teacher about books they should use in their classroom, I would first ask them what they’re looking for. If they wanted something funny, I would tell them about ‘The Adventures of Captain Underpants’ series by Dav Pilkey. The stories are hilarious and full of silly adventures. They’re perfect for kids who need a laugh during the day.”

19. Provide an example of a time where you worked in a fast-paced environment.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to work in a high-pressure environment. When answering, it can be helpful to describe the skills you used to complete the task and how they helped you succeed.

Example: “In my previous role as an editor for Scholastic, I often worked on multiple projects at once. This required me to prioritize tasks and manage my time effectively. For example, when working on a book that was due to print in two weeks, I would focus on editing the manuscript while delegating other tasks like proofreading to other editors.”

20. How do you think you can make a difference as an employee at Scholastic?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and how you can contribute to the company. Your answer should include a few examples of how you’ve made a difference in previous roles, such as increasing sales or improving customer service.

Example: “I think I can make a difference at Scholastic by helping educators find books that will engage their students and help them learn new concepts. As someone who has worked with children for many years, I know what types of books kids love and how to connect families with books that are appropriate for their child’s age group.”