Want to learn more about a Home Shopping Network Internship? Here is a simple Q&A with did with an HSN recruiter:
Tell me a little about you and how you became an employee at HSN?
I moved to Tampa, FL in 2003, and immediately heard about Home Shopping Network (HSN) and what a great place it was to work. I really wanted to find a position at HSN, but when I applied online for openings, I never received calls back. In 2004, I was at a dinner party and met someone who worked in the Organizational Development and Learning area of Human Resources at HSN. He gave me his business card, and I stayed in touch with him, learning about his job and what the organization was all about. One day, I saw a job opening on the Careers page of HSN.com for a Human Resources Business Partner, a position that was perfect for me. I emailed my contact and sent him my resume, asking him to forward it along to someone in Recruiting who may be working on this opening. Two weeks later, I got a phone call to interview for the job and the rest is history.
What is the culture like at HSN? What makes your company stand out (qualities you find unique that would appeal to a student graduating)?
HSN has a unique culture that is unlike anyplace I have ever worked. The employees have tremendous enthusiasm for our business and our customers, and that excitement shows through in all that we do. Everyone here shares ideas for improving our programming and processes, which help bring dynamic television and online retail to life. We have a culture that embraces continuous improvement and employee engagement, and our leadership works hard to deliver great experiences to both internal and external customers. Many people say that our employees are our greatest asset, and I would have to agree!
What is the hiring process?
For most positions, candidates apply through the HSN.com Careers site by building a profile and selecting positions they would like to apply for. Recruiters screen the online applications and conduct phone screens for candidates whose skills and experience most closely match those desired by the hiring manager. After phone screens, a series of in-person interviews are conducted with the hiring manager and other key stakeholders. Sometimes, candidates are brought back to complete a second round of in-person interviews if additional key stakeholders are identified after the initial round of interviewing has been completed. The best candidate is then offered the position, and must go through a drug screen and background check prior to the final offer being made and a start date being established.
Do they have internship positions? If so what is the process for hiring interns?
Yes, we do offer internships in some departments within the company, such as Merchandising, Finance, Television and Marketing. For some intern positions, such as those in our Merchandising area, our Recruiting team meets students at college career and internship fairs and conducts interviews while on-site. Interns are then selected for openings in the next school semester, and must pass drug screens and background checks before the final offers are made. For other intern positions, such as those in Marketing or Finance, internship openings are posted to our Careers site and interested individuals can apply just as they would for any other job opening. Candidates are then phone screened and brought in for on-site interviews. The most qualified intern candidate then must pass a drug screen and background check before the final offer is made and start date is determined. In our Television group, the Internship Coordinator reaches out to various communications and broadcasting schools directly to find students interested in internships. The interviewing and selection are completed by the hiring managers and Recruiting team, and employees go through the typical drug and background checks before offers are made.
When hiring for entry level positions, what stands out on a resume?
In some departments, even “entry level” positions require some experience in the field. These departments are usually Finance, Marketing and Supply Chain Management. So, anyone in these fields who can show related internships plus a year or two of solid related work experience would be seen as a strong candidate. In Television, the department that puts on the live shows and works with our hosts and guests, an entry level employee needs an internship in the field and a related degree. No specific full-time work experience is necessary for those entry level roles. For all positions, school and professional activities are great to see, especially when a student can show that they have balanced school, work and social/professional activities. This shows us that a person can be successful managing multiple projects in addition to maintaining a work-life balance.
Do you attend career fairs at Universities (if so which ones)?
Florida State University Seminole Futures, University of Tampa, IADT and the Art Institute
What are the different career paths an employee can take within HSN?
Career paths vary across departments and can be very specific to an employee’s own personal and professional experience and goals. Within our Merchandising department, employees work their way up the ranks from Merchandise Assistant to Buyer. In Television, employees start in various entry level roles and may then go up through the ranks in Television or may move into our Creative or Marketing teams. In Human Resources, employees may start as HR Coordinators or Recruiting Specialists, and depending on their interests, move into Partner roles in Compensation, Employee Relations, Recruiting, HR Operations or Talent Development. From there, employees can even move beyond the Partner positions into Director and VP roles.
Learn more about HSN internships.
