I applied through other source. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Penrose Tutoring and Learning (Saint Louis, MO)
Interview
I found out from a friend they might be looking for tutors. I called and asked and was told they were a startup, but were getting to the point where they did need other tutors at times, but couldn't promise how many hours I would have, but that they were growing and the need would increase. If I was okay with that and willing to work as a contractor, they would be happy to talk to me about working for them. I decided to go ahead and interview and see what happened. The interview was done online via Skype with both owners (husband & wife team). It was comfortable, and I didn't feel nervous, however the interview was very thorough. They asked questions about everything from how I personally felt about learning and if I still pursued learning new things, to giving me a question in my field and asking me to explain how to do it as if they were a student, to asking me questions that were about logic (both linear & "outside the box"), to the specifics of the job and what I was comfortable with/my preferences re: those. By the end of the interview, they told me that if I passed the background check, they would be happy to put me on their list and would send me a contract along with a W-9 to fill out. They had me take a picture of the receipt for the background check, email it to them, and within 30 minutes I was reimbursed through Square cash.
Interview questions [3]
Question 1
What do you think is the most important thing for a student to learn, regardless of the subject, age, or ability of the student?
My expertise is in Biology, so they threw me in the deep end of the pool, which took me a little off guard. I was asked to explain 1) Why mathematical modeling using the Hardy Weinberg principles is important in studying evolution and what it can tell us about natural selection and changes in alleles from one generation to the next. 2) What the 2 equations are and what they calculate, including the meaning of the answers. 3) The 5 conditions of the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium & their significance.
This was a "think outside the box" question. A hunter leaves his tent and walks 3.14 miles south and then 3.14 miles east and finally sees a bear. He shoots and kills it and then drags it for 3.14 miles going north, which brought him back to his tent. What color was the bear?
