I applied online and a recruiter replied back within a week or so. I made it through a phone screen, completed a written assignment, and then moved onto a video interview with the prospective position's superior. After that I was invited to a four-hour onsite interview where I met and talked with most of the team. One portion of the interview stood out as a working session where we took my previously completed written assignment and expanded on it as a group in an effort to get a feel for how we would work together. (Out of all of the interviews I've been through over the years, this felt incredibly empowering and motivating. It made me feel good about the company and the team I'd be working with.) A day or so after the onsite interview, the recruiter kindly reached back out to me to extend an offer.

I applied to Mercari through LinkedIn. I had heard of the company through friends/social media and researched it further to write my cover letter. When I was contacted by Mercari a few weeks later, the company Head of Talent and People was completely genuine and answered all of my questions about the company and position in a brief (5 min) phone interview. We set up another phone interview for me to talk with Mercari's CMO later in the week. In this stage, we discussed the Mercari mission and how I could potentially fit in the marketing team. I talked about my work history and how going to university heavily influenced my writing style. At the end of the 30 minute interview, he told me that he would contact me for further details for an in person meeting. In my third interview, I came to the Mercari office eager yet nervous. I spoke with 4 different Mercari employees, including the CMO, the Creative Director, Marketing Director and the Head of Talent and People. I talked with each person for 30-45 minutes and got to see a bit of each of their personalities as well as learned a lot more surrounding the Mercari mission. They dispelled all of my hesitations, especially when it came to the new Mercari updates and logo (they were planning on launching it all the next week). I loved conversing and learning -- I began to realize even if I didn't get the position, I was learning a lot through the entire process. I thoroughly enjoyed each unique conversation, especially when I started to realize how easily my passions meshed with the Mercari culture.