After reading the reviews about staff writer interviews at Groupon, I was worried. After my experience, however, I realized that I shouldn't have been as nervous as I was. About a month after I applied online for the position, I received an e-mail inviation to Groupon Academy. When I got there, I was one of about 35-40 people. They told us that we made it through the hundreds of others who applied. They gave us a presentation about how to write in the Groupon Voice and then we broke up into small groups to receive feedback on the writing samples we submitted as part of the online application. The next step in the process was another writing sample. After completing this sample, I received a phone call from a recruiter who gave me feedback and asked for another sample. I would receive a new sample every few days, eventually completing four. I'm not sure how many other people were asked to complete. After my fourth sample, I was asked to go in for a face-to-face interview. I met with the person who had been giving me feedback and she asked me a few personality-type questions and told me more about the position. Then an editor came in and gave me feedback on my latest sample and asked me a few more questions. I couldn't tell right away from his feedback if he felt like I was hirable since he said some good things and a lot of areas that needed improvement. I then gave them my 3 references and they told me I would hear back within two days. I know that they contacted at least one of my references.The whole interview took about an hour. I heard back by the date they gave me and they gave me an offer which I accepted. I feel like I shouldn't have worried as much as I did because everyone was helpful and the process was straightforward.

Despite the extensive interview process, this was a refreshing and educational experience. Based on some of the other reviews, I originally had my doubts about what I was undertaking, but as I turned in each sample, the feedback given was encouraging and provided concrete steps for improvement. Unlike other reviewers, I had no trouble grasping Groupon voice after a few samples and watching the Groupon Academy video (I am not from Chicago), which clearly outlined the process. If you follow the listed steps, you will at least achieve the format. The recruiter that contacted me was professional, intelligent, and offered helpful advice. Additionally, each sample was critiqued promptly the next day. I completed 3 samples before I had a phone interview, and had one followup sample before I was offered a job, which I accepted. Overall, as long as you follow their instructions and take their critique seriously then you will come out with a positive experience.