← Wiley
Wiley role-play cheat sheet
For the mock cold call at the end of most SDR interviews.
What they sell, in one line
zyBooks, a Wiley brand, makes interactive online course content that replaces traditional college textbooks, homework, and programming labs.
Who you'd be calling
College professors and department chairs in computer science, STEM, and business at colleges and universities
Your opener
“Hi [Name], this is [You] from zyBooks. I know you're likely between classes. I'm calling instructors who teach intro programming about replacing static textbooks with interactive content. Do you have a quick minute?”
Problems you solve for them
- Students don't read static textbooks, and textbooks are expensive
- Instructors spend hours grading homework and lab assignments
- Hard to see which students are struggling until exams
Discovery questions to ask
- What do you currently use for your course, a textbook, online homework, or both?
- How much time do you spend grading or setting up labs each week?
- How do you find out which students are falling behind?
Objections they'll throw at you
“I'm busy right now.”
→ Of course, I know semesters are hectic. When's a better time this week for a short call?
“Not interested.”
→ Understood. Is that because your course materials are working well, or because you're not changing anything this term?
“We already use something for that.”
→ Makes sense. What do you like about it, and what would you change if you could?
“Send me an email.”
→ Happy to. Which course are you teaching, so I send something relevant?
Competitors worth knowing
Pearson, McGraw Hill, Zybooks-style tools like Codio
Interview tips for this company
- Study how zyBooks works: students interact with animations and practice problems instead of just reading.
- Academic calendars matter. Know when instructors pick materials (often a term or more ahead) and mention it in your calls.
Written from public information about Wiley to help you practice. Ask an insider what their role play looked like; it's the best prep there is.