Very nice interviewer, felt very conversational. I wasn't well-prepared, but as long as you know your resume well, you should be fine even though it is competitive. Very corporate feel as expected of such a large publishing group.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is a recent challenge you have faced and how have you handled it?
I applied online. I interviewed at Penguin Random House (New York, NY) in Feb 2026
Interview
The interview process was quick and professional (20 days total). Applied, and the next business day I was invited to a skills test, which was a pretty good sized lift to deliver a :20 animation sample complete with audio (no compensation for the test.) After that it was a HR screener to prime for the interview with the hiring manager. Great conversations all around, but in this market there's a lot of amazing talent out of work, so I didn't make the final selection.
I'd say they were as respectful as possible throughout the process, but the rejection still stung. I feel if you have to take an unpaid design test of that magnitude, there should be full transprency on the number of people you're competing with. 5? 10? 15? I'm not sure it would make much of a difference, but it would be something.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you collaborate and mentor other designers?
I interviewed at Penguin Random House (New York, NY)
Interview
easy in person interview i thought they cared about what you are a as person but not so much on the techinical side of questions. I enjoyed talking to the team.