Groupon Interview Questions

So you've scored that big interview with Groupon and you're wondering what questions you might be asked. I had an interview with the company not long ago, and while most of the questions were predictable, there were a couple I hadn't anticipated. Here's a rundown of some of the most commonly-asked questions at Groupon interviews.

Groupon background
By now most everyone knows Groupon is the website based in Chicago that offers daily discounts to businesses in your neighborhood. Despite the weak economy, Groupon has been growing by leaps and bounds, expanding to dozens of American cities and countries around the world.

Because of this expansion, Groupon continues to interview potential new hires regularly. If you live in a major metropolitan area, chances are good that you can score an interview at the company. Search their website or check out Craigslist.

Groupon Interview Details
Obviously, the questions you are asked will depend on which position you're applying for. Groupon has a number of different departments, from IT to marketing to executive positions. My interview was for a basic editorial position, so most of what follows will be applicable for editorial (writing, proofreading) interviewees.

My interview lasted about an hour and I met with three people, all of whom asked the basic questions you'd expect from any interview, plus a few specific to Groupon.

The company seems fairly progressive, and the employees I passed in their offices were casually dressed. The biggest surprise for me about the workplace environment was how silent the place was. There were about a hundred people all sitting side-by-side in front of their computer screens, and you could hear a pin drop. Nobody even looked up when I walked past.

Questions from my Groupon Interview
One inquiry you're likely to get: "Why do you want to work for Groupon?" And of course, you should always be prepared for, "Do you have any questions for me?" Come with a list of questions ready to toss out when prompted.

Other queries included, "Tell me about your past experiences with meeting deadlines" and "Tell me about a time you weren't able to meet a deadline and how you handled that."

There was just one major question I hadn't prepared to answer, and all three interviewers asked it: "How does this position fit into your long-term career goals?" I didn't have a good answer for that one. I could've lied and said, "I want to be a proofreader for the rest of my life," but that obviously would've come off as phony.

If you're preparing for a Groupon interview, you'd be well-advised to figure out a fake answer to that question, because you're certain to get it.

Other Typical Groupon Interview Questions
Other folks across the Internet have posted their own experiences from Groupon interviews. Other common questions the company typically asks include:

Why would you hire yourself?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

How would you describe Groupon to someone who has never heard of us?

Groupon Interview Questions: Summary
Overall, the interview was pretty standard for an office-type job. Some of the interviewers were more personable than others, but they all seemed reasonably friendly and asked standard professional interview questions.

I wasn't hired, and in retrospect I'm happy about that, because it wouldn't have left nearly enough time for my writing. But if you're aiming to secure employment at Groupon, this should give you a good picture of what to expect during the interview.

Sources
www.groupon.com
www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Groupon-Reviews-E301291.htm