Congratulations on your upcoming interview, we knew you could do it! Preparing for an interview can be nerve racking, but Marqeta’s recruiting team is here to help. We want to make sure you feel as prepared as possible.
From ensuring your technology is functioning properly, to post interview follow up, let’s look at each step you can take to prepare for the big event.
As you’re preparing, remember you’re always welcome to reach out directly to your recruiter. Our goal is to ensure that you feel confident enough to be yourself and blow your interviewers away.
Preparing for your interview
Step 1: Prepare your technology
At Marqeta, we work Flexible First. That means we conduct our interviews remotely and call them “virtual on-sites.” The first step to prepare for your virtual on-site is to ensure you have a functional tablet or laptop for your interview. If you don’t have a personal device you can use, we recommend searching for a local library you can take the interview at or asking a friend if they have a device you can borrow.
Before calling in to your interview, make sure that your internet connection is stable. If you aren’t sure you are getting the best connection you can check at Speedtest.net. If the speed test verifies that your connection is in fact unstable, you can always connect to your mobile device’s hotspot. (Here are hotspot instructions for: Apple & Android.)
Lastly, verify your interview platform (Zoom, Google Meets, etc.) and make sure it is installed and updated. Have a test run with a friend!
Step 2: Set your interview scene
In the world of remote work, it can be hard to ensure complete privacy while working from home. However, in an interview you want to make sure your interviewer is able to stay focused on you and not what your cute pet is doing in the background. If possible, try to be the only one in the room during your interview and make sure the lighting frames your face in the center of the screen. If you are unable to have a distraction free background, consider a virtual background. Here are some to consider!
Lastly, as the old adage goes, “dress for the job you want, not the job you have”. Dressing well for an interview shows that you took the time to prepare yourself even in a virtual setting.
Practicing your answers
Step 3: Practice makes perfect
The more you prepare, the more confident you will feel. Study different interview methods and common interview questions that relate to the roles you are interviewing for. Also, come prepared with some of your own questions for us. As much as we want to get to know you, you should get to know us as well! Some good questions to consider asking are: Can you share an example of an employee who was able to grow within the company? What are the common themes that you find amongst your highest performers?
Never shy away from asking your recruiter for interview prep. We are happy to get on a call before your virtual on-site to talk through common interviewing frameworks. Here are just a few of the frameworks that many successful candidates apply during their interviews:
- Situation, Task, Action, Resolution. The STAR method is the most common. However, everyone is different, choose the method that works best for you!
- Situation, Objective and Obstacles, Action, Result.
- Context, Action, Result
Run through an interview scenario with a family member or friend. The more practice, the more comfortable you will sound. If a friend or family member is not available, utilize your professional network. Maybe someone in a similar role to the one you are interviewing for can help you prepare. Lastly, you can always ask your Marqeta recruiter to do a practice session with you. If for whatever reason they can’t, another team member can. Remember, we want you to succeed!
Making an impression
Step 4: During your interview,
make a connection
Before your virtual on-site, it is common for your recruiter or coordinator to share the names and LinkedIn URLs of the folks you’ll be meeting. Once you have these, it’s time to do some research. Did you attend the same college? Work in any of the same places? Maybe you have some of the same skills or have taken the same certifications. Use these commonalities to build rapport with your interviewer and show them how invested you are in joining their team. Don’t forget to BE YOURSELF! Interviews can be incredibly stressful but remember, the people on the other side of the screen are just that, people. Just like you.
Step 5: Once your interviews are complete, follow up
Send a quick thank you message to each member of your interview panel via LinkedIn or email (often you can find their emails in the interview invitation). If you have not heard back from your recruiter within a week post-interview, do not be afraid to reach out and ask for your application status. If you are notified that you were not selected for the role following your interview, request feedback. It never hurts to ask.
Lastly, pat yourself on the back! Interviews are competitive and you just completed yours! Statistically only 20% of all applicants make it to the interview round, that’s an accomplishment in itself!
So, as you prepare for your Marqeta interview and any interviews in the future, remember our 5 step framework:
1. Prepare your technology
2. Set your interview scene
3. Practice makes perfect
4. Make a connection
5. Follow up
