20 Etsy Interview Questions and Answers

Etsy is a unique e-commerce site that specializes in handmade and vintage items. Because of this, the company has specific interview questions that potential employees should be prepared to answer. These questions help to gauge an applicant’s creativity, knowledge of the Etsy community, and passion for handmade goods. If you’re hoping to land a job at Etsy, make sure you’re prepared to answer these types of questions.

Etsy Interview Process

The interview process at Etsy is relatively long, taking an average of two months from start to finish. However, the difficulty level of the interviews themselves is not particularly high, with most candidates finding them to be conversational and relaxed in nature. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with many candidates feeling that the company is genuinely interested in getting to know them and their skillset.

1. Describe a time when you had to deal with an angry customer. How did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you handle conflict and resolve customer complaints. This can be an important skill for any sales position, but it’s especially relevant if your role will involve handling customers who are purchasing handmade items from Etsy sellers.

Example: “I once had a customer who purchased a custom-made item from me that they were unhappy with. They sent me several messages asking for a refund, which I explained was not possible because the item was made specifically for them. After explaining my policy twice more, they continued to send me angry messages about wanting their money back.

In this situation, I decided to block the customer so I wouldn’t have to read any more of their messages. I then wrote them one last message explaining that I would no longer respond to their emails or messages and that I hoped they found another seller on Etsy who could provide them with what they wanted.”

2. What are your thoughts on the current state of e-commerce and how do you think Etsy fits into that picture?

This question is a great way to gauge your knowledge of the company and how you feel about it. It also helps the interviewer understand what you think about e-commerce in general, which can be helpful if they are looking for someone who has experience with other online marketplaces.

Example: “I think that e-commerce is an amazing tool for connecting people from all over the world. I love using Etsy because it’s a place where I can find unique handmade items that aren’t available anywhere else. I think this is important because it supports small businesses and artists.”

3. Do you have experience working in a team environment?

Etsy is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with others in the past. Use your answer to highlight any skills you have that make you a good team member.

Example: “I’ve worked on several teams throughout my career, including at my last job where I was part of a marketing team. In both cases, I found it helpful to be able to communicate effectively with my teammates. I am always willing to share my ideas or opinions, but I also like to listen to what other people are saying so I can understand their perspectives. This helps me collaborate better with others.”

4. What skills would you bring to this position?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on Etsy and understand what skills are needed for this position. When answering, think about which skills you possess that would be beneficial in this role.

Example: “I believe my communication skills and attention to detail would be helpful in this position. I am very good at communicating with customers and other team members to ensure everyone has all of the information they need. My attention to detail also helps me notice small errors or inconsistencies when working on projects.”

5. What is your process for developing software?

Etsy is a technology company that uses software to create an online marketplace for handmade and vintage items. Your answer should show the interviewer how you would approach this task as part of your daily responsibilities at Etsy.

Example: “I start by identifying the problem I need to solve, then I research solutions and develop prototypes. After testing my prototype with users, I make adjustments based on their feedback. Then, I implement the final solution into production.”

6. What is the difference between agile and waterfall methodology? Which one do you prefer, why?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your experience with different project management methodologies. Your answer should include a clear definition of each methodology and the differences between them, as well as which one you prefer and why.

Example: “Agile and waterfall are two very different approaches to software development. Agile is more flexible because it allows for changes during the development process. It’s also easier to scale up or down depending on the needs of the project. Waterfall, on the other hand, is a linear approach that involves several phases, including planning, design, development and testing. While I’ve worked in both environments, I prefer agile because it gives me more freedom to make decisions.”

7. What is your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know that you’re aware of your weaknesses and are actively working on them. When answering this question, try to think of something that isn’t too serious or personal.

Example: “My biggest weakness is my attention to detail. I’m always trying to improve myself, so I’ve started using an app called Grammarly to check for spelling and grammar mistakes when I write. It has helped me become more aware of my errors.”

8. Tell me about a time where you experienced failure and what you learned from it.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s ability to overcome challenges and how they use those experiences to grow as an employee.

Example: “I once had a client who was unhappy with their purchase, so I refunded them for the item. However, they still left me negative feedback on my profile. I learned that it’s important to always be sure of what you’re selling and make sure your customers are happy. Now, I always take extra time to ensure that all of my items are accurately described and photographed.”

9. Provide an example of a time you managed a large project.

This question is a great way to show your ability to work as part of a team and manage multiple tasks at once. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight the skills you used in managing the project and how they helped you succeed.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for creating an online marketing strategy that would increase sales by 20%. To do this, I created a plan with my manager that included social media campaigns, email marketing and paid advertisements. We split up the responsibilities so we could each focus on our strengths. In the end, we were able to meet our goal and increased sales by 25%.”

10. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. It’s also an opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I am passionate about handmade goods, which makes me a perfect candidate for this role. I have experience managing social media accounts and interacting with customers online, so I know how important it is to respond quickly to comments and questions. My customer service skills are excellent, and I’m always willing to help others.”

11. How familiar are you with the Ruby programming language?

Ruby is a programming language that Etsy uses. If you’re applying for a developer role, the company may ask this question to see how familiar you are with Ruby and if you can learn it quickly. To answer this question, explain your experience with Ruby or another similar language. Explain what you like about Ruby and why you would be excited to use it at work.

Example: “I have used Ruby in my previous job as an e-commerce programmer. I really enjoy working with Ruby because of its simplicity. It’s easy to understand and fun to code with. I also think it’s important to know multiple languages so I’m always looking for new opportunities to learn.”

12. What do you know about Etsy’s culture?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company. They want to know that you are interested in working for their organization and that you understand what it’s like to work there. To answer, think about what you’ve read or heard about Etsy’s culture. Try to include specific details from your research.

Example: “I’ve read a lot of articles about Etsy’s unique culture. I love how much the company values its employees and encourages them to be creative. I also learned that Etsy has an open floor plan where everyone can see each other. This is something I’m excited about because I enjoy collaborating with others.”

13. Describe a time you were given a project without much direction. How did you proceed?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a task when you’re unsure of what to do. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to new situations.

Example: “When I first started working as an e-commerce specialist, my manager gave me a project with no direction or guidelines. At first, I was confused about what exactly they wanted from me. However, after some research, I found out that they were looking for someone who could create their online store. I decided to use my previous experience in creating websites to build them one. They were very pleased with the results.”

14. What sort of creative thinking have you done to solve problems at work?

Etsy is a unique company that requires its employees to be creative and innovative. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from previous jobs where you used creativity to solve problems or challenges.

Example: “At my last job, I was tasked with creating an online marketing strategy for our business. We had no budget for advertising, so I decided to use social media as a way to reach out to potential customers. I created accounts on all of the major social media platforms and started posting content regularly. This helped us gain new followers who were interested in our products. Eventually, we gained enough exposure to start selling our products to people outside of our local area.”

15. Give us an example of a problem you solved creatively.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you used creativity to solve a problem that benefited your team or company.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with finding new ways to increase sales for our handmade jewelry line. After researching different marketing strategies, I decided to create an online tutorial series on how to make various types of jewelry. This strategy helped us reach a wider audience and increased sales by 20%.”

16. Do you enjoy working independently or as part of a team?

Etsy is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you’re comfortable working in an environment where you might not be the only person responsible for completing tasks or projects. In your answer, try to show that you value teamwork and are willing to work with others to achieve goals.

Example: “I enjoy both working independently and as part of a team. I find that when I’m working on my own, I can focus more deeply on a project and complete it without distraction. However, I also really appreciate collaborating with other people because it allows me to learn new ideas from them and share my own knowledge and skills.”

17. Are you comfortable sharing your screen while coding?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to work in an open office environment. Open offices are becoming more common, and Etsy’s headquarters has one. In your answer, you should let the interviewer know that you’re willing to adapt to their company culture.

Example: “I’m comfortable with sharing my screen while coding because I’ve worked in an open office before. I find it helpful to have others around me when I’m working on something new or challenging. It helps me stay focused and ask questions if I need help.”

18. What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know that you are self-aware and can recognize your own strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, try to focus on your strengths while also acknowledging any areas for improvement.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very organized and always make sure that all of my work is error-free. However, I do think that I could improve upon my time management skills. Sometimes, I get so caught up in the creative process that I forget about deadlines.”

19. We use GitHub to manage our code. If you don’t have any previous experience with GitHub, how willing are you to learn it?

This question is a great way to see how willing the candidate is to learn new things. GitHub is an open-source code repository that Etsy uses for managing its code base and collaborating with other developers. If you don’t have any experience using GitHub, it’s important to let the interviewer know that you’re willing to learn it.

Example: “I’ve never used GitHub before, but I’m always eager to learn new things. I would be happy to take some time after work or on the weekends to learn how to use GitHub.”

20. What is your favorite thing about Etsy’s website?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience with Etsy and how you use its website. Your answer should include an example of how you used the website’s features to help you complete a task or achieve a goal.

Example: “My favorite thing about Etsy’s website is the search bar, which makes it easy to find items that I’m looking for. For my last project at my previous job, I was tasked with finding all handmade jewelry stores in California. Using the search bar, I was able to enter ‘handmade’ as a keyword and then select ‘California’ from the drop-down menu. This narrowed down my search results to only those shops that were located in California.”