Explore Learning Interview Questions & Answers

The interview had several stages first a one to one interview at a centre. This was competency based but also about the company and scanario based situations for example how would you deal with one of the staff if they were racist. Following, this you had to teach the children for 15 minutes.

Why do do you prefer law above teaching?
Do you think Explore learning is expensive?

Slow down responses and think before speak. Also brush up on commercial awarness

The assessment centre was attended by 12 people. It was made up of a competency interview which lasted 15 minutes. This was followed by a pre-prepared presentation about your idea for a community event. Next there was a role play to tell a teacher about the services Explore Learning offers. In addition, there there a numerical test including fractions with questions asking how you would explain the answer to children. Then there was a literacy test which assessed your ability to find grammatical errors. Next, they took us out for lunch at Zizzi. After a lunch we had to write random words on pieces of paper. Then draw out the words and talk about the word for 2 minutes in front of the group. Finally, we had to group task about increasing membership at a gym which we then had to present to a panel who asked questions.

The Interview at the Explore learning center in Woking was wonderful. I was able to learn more information about the company and really got to see how things worked. The center was active whilst the interview was taking place so you were really able to understand how the tutoring worked, and got to talk to some of the children and see what systems they were using. The actual interview consisted of a sales role play which was quite daunting, but they gave me lots of feedback and the opportunity to do the role play again. There was then a few scenario questions based on interacting with parents and children. I was a very fun interview, serious but being in the environment allowed you to relax more. The interview lasted around 2 hours, of which about 45 minutes consisted of talking to the children and helping them out with their work. This consisted of being introduced to one or two children and then left to your own devices, especially as the center was very busy.

The most difficult questions were the ones that asked you how you would deal with children that aren't concentrating and how you would approach situations where the parents wish to take their children out of the program, as customer retention is a big part of the company's policy.

They really like to see personality, so just be yourself. And they are reliant on sales techniques and so I would recommend brushing up on the hard sell in order to push through the sales in the Role Plays.

The assessment center involved a lot of sitting around. There were 12 of us there, and after the initial introduction film and presentation, we were given timetables that told us the times that we would have the two different interviews and the personal task which was a numeracy and literacy sheet. The interviews consisted of a talk about my CV and what skills I had that I could bring to the company and what skills I needed to work on. Whilst the other consisted of a Role Play of talking to a teacher in a school. Again they gave wonderful feedback for the Role Play, which is brilliant information to take further on to other interviews. We then had lunch and got to know the interviewers a bit more, as well as getting to know more about the company and each other. It is not a competitive interview, so the relaxed atmosphere means that some of the pressure is lifted off. Then we were tasked with a group presentation where we were in groups of 6 and had to come up with a 5 point plan to get more members into the gym by the end of the month. This was the only bit of the assessment day that I felt could have been organised or worded differently, as we were given 20 minutes to come up with our plan but when we presented to the interviewers it became clear that they just wanted us to have come to the idea of half price joining fee or the first month half price.

The initial interview was informative. I learnt lots about the centre that I visited. I spoke to the existing Assistant Director about her role and was encouraged to ask questions and find out more. Explore Learning really just wanted to find out more about me; my passions and interests. The sales role play was fun and clear, immediate feedback was given.

The most difficult question was "is this the end for your teaching career, why?"

Be sure to have a good knowledge of the company. Prepare for the sales role play by predicting questions that you might be asked by a potential customer. Enjoy yourself and be confident in your own experience. Get a feel for the company by talking to others as much as possible

The assessment centre comprised of a written task (maths test and English test), a 5 minute presentation, a sales role play, an interview based on my cv and skills and a group activity.

Phone interview - brief (20 minutes) but decent questions regarding previous work experience, personal skills and qualities, how much I knew about the company/role, and scenario based questions. You are expected to have thoroughly researched the company and role to answer all questions in a fitting manner (i.e. all with relation to the qualities expected, the vision and values of the company, the requirements for the role). I was contacted within a week to arrange for a centre interview.

Centre interview - starting with a centre tour by the Centre Director, I was given similar personality/experience/skills questions in a private interview with the CD and Assistant Director. Following this was a sales role play, which was performed twice with feedback after each trial. They are looking for your receptiveness and adaptability as well as sales patter, so listen carefully and incorporate elements back in the second time. Lastly there was a period of observed interaction with children, with feedback afterwards. Friendly and professional, I was contacted within 1 working day inviting me to the next Assessment Day.

What would you consider the biggest obstacle you have overcome?

Do your research, really learn about the company and their culture/vision/values to help answer questions. Be confident in understanding the role (not just a teaching or managerial job), and if you have no sales experience make sure you do your research and practice before the interviews. Above all, be honest and genuine and friendly - they promote a supportive and family-like staff culture, so side-eyes and attitude do not go down well.

10-4.30, the day felt longer because of lots of waiting periods while other candidates were interviewed. The area was designed to be friendly and welcoming however, so it was not unpleasant.

Two individual interviews consist of a personal presentation, a sales role play (only once this time), and a skills-abilities interview. These are conducted privately with one interviewer, so no presenting or role playing in front of other candidates or staff. There was a short written task testing basic maths and English skills, and a short group activity in the afternoon designed to assess your team-work, response to other personalities, leadership, and cooperation.

Interviewers are all team members who started as ADs and progressed through the ranks, and most applicants were recent (or soon-to-be) graduates.

The interview process was very relaxed and definitely not something that you should be worried about; they are just looking for you to be yourself. I was nervous about the gym membership role-play but the interviewer got into character very well making it easier. Meeting the children was really enjoyable, you almost forget that you're in an interview. Just be sure to chat to them, ask them what they're learning etc.
Overall a great experience!

Which of the Visions and Values do you think is most important?

Just be yourself. They are looking for friendly, confident and approachable people. If you make sure you are well prepared for the interview and the assessment day you'll do absolutely fine. Also try to make sure you have some questions planned in advance to ask them to exemplify your interest in their company/the role.

The assessment centre was a very enjoyable day, totally relaxed but obviously still important. The other candidates were all very friendly, and it definitely helped to know that I wasn't in competition with any of them. We had our individual presentations at different times so there was a fair bit of waiting around and chatting! The maths and English tests were very basic, all below GCSE level. Near the end of the day we were told to write a random word on a piece of paper to give to another candidate who then had to speak about the word for a minute. This was probably the hardest part of the day! Finally, there was a group activity about saving people on a shipwreck. I really enjoyed my day, particularily the lunch at Zizzi's getting to know everybody.

No telephone interview: straight to centre interview.

Greeted by one of the Assistant Directors. Was told to take a seat and was given an Explore Learning brochure to look through. Was briefly shown around the centre. (Make sure you have questions ready as they ask you a lot 'do you have any questions' throughout the tour).

Was then greeted by the centre director and had an interview with them both. They asked me why I applied for the role, what I knew about the role, how i' d be suitable for the role, my best achievement etc. No scenario based questions were given to me at interview.

Then had my role play: this I thought went well and not a lot of feedback was given back rather than to ask more questions to get to know the customer a bit better before you advertise your product (gym membership). Took this on board and after my second attempt was told I had done better and that I had took on board the feedback. That it was good that I got to know the customer more personally the second time round and secured a trial day.

Was given 15 minutes with the children; the AD/CD however didn't really assess me as they weren't in the room whilst I was interacting with the children. I enjoyed this part the most and helped many of the children at their computer desks.

What is your biggest achievement?
What is your hardest achievement?

Prepare questions to ask

Make sure you know the role thoroughly; on my feedback on why I didn't get to assessment stage was because I didn't know enough about the role even though I mentioned the four main parts: management, sales and marketing, customer services and teaching throughout my interview (not sure how I would know about it any more thoroughly when I hadn't started the job yet?)

Didn't get to the assessment centre stage

I initially applied online through an application form which asked about my experience in relation to areas of the job- different questions on sales and marketing, leading a team and working with children for example. This took around 2-3 hours so be prepared to give full detailed responses and to sell yourself well. After a few days, I was invited to a centre interview which was with two managers of that particular branch. This interview lasted two hours and was split into a tour of the centre, a competency and cv interview, a sales roleplay exercise and a child observation.

The next stage was an assessment centre in Guildford which lasted the whole day. It was split into an individual interview, a marketing presentation, lunch and a written task.

"A parent comes to the gate whilst you're in the middle of sorting out some figures for the head of Finance. He needs them urgently for a conference later that day. The parent looks very interested in our service and how we can benefit her children. What do you do?"

Research the company well and make sure you understand their vision and values and the job spec. A lot of the job is about performance, sales and marketing so be prepared to talk about relevant experience in that field and how you would make a difference to your centre's performance. Ensure you understand the hours as this makes a huge impact on the longevity of the job- they are long and unsociable so be prepared for that!
The most important thing is just to be yourself and let your personality and passion for children shine through as this is what they mainly recruit on- lots of energy, positivism and smiles!

We had to prepare a marketing presentation in advance which we then presented to the assessor. We could use notes and powerpoint if we liked. We then had to do a school roleplay and sell the benefits of the workshops to the teacher.

In addition, there was an individual interview, focussing on cv, competency and scenario questions. Prepare for these in advance as best you can.

There was a written task asking how you would tutor certain fraction and subtraction problems.

We were taken to zizzi for lunch as well- just be yourselves!

Finally, there was a group activity where you had to choose the five most important items that would help save you from drowning in the ocean when your ship crashes. Don't be alarmed if the assessors are mean to you- they do that on purpose!

I had an initial telephone interview, which was with their recruitment team and lasted about 15 mins and was just about my experience and CV. Then I was invited to an interview in one of their centres. It was two interviewees, with basic questions about my experience and also scenario based questions like what I would do if someone complained of a colleague being racist or what I would do if the director was away and the teams performance started slipping. I also had to do a role play selling a gym membership, which they email information about previous to your interview. They then give you feedback and then you repeat the role play. Be sure to take their feedback on board for the second role play. Then I was just asked to chat with some children and they watched from a distance- this was the nicest part. Overall lasted about two hours. Was called the next day to be told I was through to the assessment centre round.

The role play was the most nerve racking

Also the question about the performance of the team slipping whilst the director is on holiday and how I would combat it

Definitely do you research and prepare because you need to be able to sell the product assertively in the role plays. Put across your assertive manner and confidence because that is what they are looking for, you need to show you also love the product. I'd say this is more a marketing role than teaching so be sure you know this before going in.

Again I was sent an email prior to the assessment day saying I had to prepare a presentation about marketing the explore product , and a role play with a primary school teacher who is interested in partnering with her school. This was done with two people watching. There was also another interview, one to one and maths and English tests which was pretty easy. There was then a lunch at Zizzi's in which they were definitely still assessing us! Finally there was a group session, one where we had to put items in priority from a shipwreck and where we all put words into a hat and had to talk about it for a minute.