20 Mercari Interview Questions and Answers

Mercari is a global marketplace platform that enables anyone to buy and sell items from fashion, to toys, to electronics, to home goods. Mercari makes it easy for people to declutter their homes and earn extra cash by selling items they no longer need or use.

If you’re applying for a job at Mercari, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Mercari interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Mercari Interview Process

The interview process at Mercari can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screening, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be required to complete a take-home assignment. The overall process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of the ecommerce industry?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about the industry and how you might fit in. You can use this opportunity to show that you’re passionate about ecommerce, understand its current challenges and have ideas for improvement.

Example: “The current state of the ecommerce industry is exciting because it’s growing so quickly. However, I think there are some areas where improvements could be made. For example, I believe more sellers need access to selling online. Many people want to sell their items but don’t know how or have the resources to do so. I would like to see an increase in platforms that make selling easier.”

2. How would you rate Mercari’s mobile app experience for sellers and buyers?

The interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your experience with Mercari’s mobile app and how it compares to other apps you’ve used. Use examples from your own experience using the app to describe what you like or dislike about it.

Example: “I think that Mercari has a great mobile app for both sellers and buyers. I have been selling on Mercari for over two years, and I find the app easy to use. The search function is very useful because I can filter my searches by price, condition, location and more. For example, if I want to see all of the items in my area that are in excellent condition, I can do so easily through the app.

The only thing I would change about the app is the messaging system. It seems to be a bit glitchy at times, but overall, it works well.”

3. Why do you want to work at Mercari?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. Use your answer to highlight any personal connections you have with Mercari or how you learned about the job opening. You can also use this opportunity to show enthusiasm for the position and explain what makes you qualified.

Example: “I want to work at Mercari because I am passionate about helping people sell their items online. When I was in college, I sold some of my old clothes on Mercari and made enough money to buy myself a new outfit. Ever since then, I’ve been interested in working here. I think I would be a great addition to the team because I am detail-oriented and enjoy learning new things.”

4. Tell me about a time where you had to make a decision without all of the information available, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to gather information or research before making a decision.

Example: “In my previous role as an online marketing specialist, I was tasked with creating a social media strategy for one of our clients. The client wanted us to create a campaign that would increase their sales by 10% within the first month. After researching the company’s website and social media accounts, I determined that they were already doing well on all platforms. Instead of creating a new campaign, I suggested we use the budget to promote their existing content instead.”

5. Describe an example of when you had to communicate with someone who didn’t speak English well.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you adapt to different cultures and situations. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, ability to work with others and willingness to learn new languages.

Example: “At my last job, I worked with a client who didn’t speak English very well. We communicated through email most of the time, but when we needed to talk on the phone, I would write down what I wanted to say in simple terms so they could read it back to me. This helped us communicate more effectively and ensured that they understood everything I was saying.”

6. Do you have experience working in a startup environment?

Mercari is a startup company, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in that type of environment. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you develop as a professional. If you don’t have any startup experience, you can talk about what it would be like to work for a startup company.

Example: “I worked at a small software development company where I was one of only two developers on staff. We had to wear many hats, including customer service, sales and marketing. It was challenging but also rewarding when we saw our product being used by customers. I learned a lot from that experience, especially how important communication is within a team.”

7. Have you worked with any programming languages that we use here?

This question is a great way to see if you have any experience with the languages that Mercari uses. If you don’t, it’s okay to say so and explain what programming language you do know.

Example: “I’ve worked with Java before but not in a while. I’m currently learning Python, which I think would be helpful for this position because of its versatility. I can use it to automate processes and create scripts.”

8. What is your communication style like?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you will interact with your team members. Your communication style is a reflection of your personality and can be an indicator of how well you’ll fit in with the rest of the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe your preferred method of communication and what type of person you prefer to communicate with.

Example: “I am someone who prefers face-to-face interactions over other forms of communication. I find that when communicating verbally, I can better understand my colleagues’ intentions and emotions. In my last role, I was able to establish strong relationships with my coworkers by holding weekly meetings where we discussed our goals for the week and any challenges we were facing.”

9. Can you tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you had to use critical thinking and creativity to solve the issue at hand.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on a project that required me to create a new interface for our website. The client wanted to make some changes to the design, which meant I would have to go back to the drawing board. I decided to take a step back from the project and look at what we already had in place. Then, I looked at other websites with similar features and tried to incorporate those elements into our site.”

10. What do you think makes Mercari unique from other second hand marketplaces?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the company and how it stands out from its competitors. Your answer should include a few key features that make Mercari unique, such as its mobile-friendly interface or its ability to offer free shipping on all items.

Example: “I think what makes Mercari stand out from other secondhand marketplaces is its focus on customer service. The site has a dedicated support team that’s available 24/7 to help users with any issues they may have. I’ve used their live chat feature before when I was having trouble uploading photos to my profile and found the representatives to be very helpful.”

11. What is your favorite feature of Mercari?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with Mercari and how you might use it in your role. Your answer should include a specific feature, why you like it and what you would do if you were tasked with improving it.

Example: “My favorite feature is the ability to create my own listings. I love being able to take photos of items that are unique or hard to find and then list them for sale online. It’s fun to see who buys my items and where they’re from. If I was tasked with improving this feature, I would consider adding more filters so users could search for items by color, size or other attributes.”

12. Are you comfortable working with people from different cultures?

Mercari is a global company, and the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with people from different backgrounds. Use your answer to highlight any cultural competency skills or past experiences that show you can work well with others who are different than you.

Example: “I’ve worked in my current position for five years now, and I’m used to working with people of all ages, genders, races and cultures. In fact, I find it interesting learning about other people’s lives and customs. I think Mercari’s diverse team members make the company more innovative and creative. I would love to be part of a team like that.”

13. What do you know about our company culture?

Mercari is a fast-growing company that has been recognized for its innovative approach to ecommerce. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and understand what makes it unique. Before your interview, read through the Mercari website and social media accounts to learn more about their culture. Consider sharing something specific from your research in your answer.

Example: “I’ve noticed that Mercari’s employees are very passionate about the company’s mission of helping people sell their items online. I think this passion comes from the fact that Mercari offers many opportunities for growth and development. For example, I saw that the company recently launched an ambassador program where they selected 10 employees to travel across the country and teach others how to use the app.”

14. Tell us about a time you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.

When answering this question, it can be beneficial to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “When I was working as a buyer for a large department store chain, we were faced with an inventory shortage that resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars. The company’s management team asked me to find a solution to the issue, so I immediately began investigating the cause of the shortage. After speaking with my fellow employees, I discovered that one of our vendors had not delivered on their order. I contacted the vendor and explained the situation, and they agreed to deliver the missing items within two days. We were able to recover from the shortage without any further issues.”

15. If hired, what would be your approach to creating a product roadmap?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand your process for developing a plan that helps the company achieve its goals. Use examples from previous projects or describe how you would create one if you have not done so before.

Example: “I would start by researching what our customers want and need, as well as any changes in the market that could affect Mercari’s offerings. I would then use these insights to develop a timeline of product releases and improvements based on my research. For example, I might decide to release new products every three months based on customer feedback and industry trends.”

16. How do you feel about having to travel to Japan for meetings or training?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate feels about traveling. If you’re interviewing for an international position, it’s likely that you’ll have to travel at some point in your career with this company. It’s important to be honest and let them know if you don’t like to travel or if you’re excited to visit Japan.

Example: “I’m actually really excited to go to Japan. I’ve always wanted to visit there and learn more about their culture. I think it would be a great opportunity to experience something new.”

17. Tell me about a project you’re particularly proud of and what you enjoyed about it.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they feel about their work. It can also help you understand what kind of projects they’ve worked on in the past, which can be helpful if you’re looking for someone with specific skills or experience.

Example: “I’m proudest of my most recent project because it was so successful. I helped create an online store that sold handmade jewelry. The company had been struggling to find its niche, but after working together we were able to come up with a marketing plan that really resonated with customers. We saw a huge increase in sales within just a few months.”

18. As a member of the customer service team, how would you deal with a disgruntled customer?

Customer service is an important part of any business, and the interviewer may ask this question to see how you would handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to show that you can remain calm under pressure and use your problem-solving skills to find solutions for customers.

Example: “I once worked in retail where I had to deal with many upset customers. One way I learned to diffuse situations was by listening to what they were saying and asking questions to understand their concerns. This helped me learn more about why they were unhappy so I could try to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Another strategy I used was finding ways to make up for mistakes or errors on my part. For example, if I made a mistake while ringing someone up, I would offer them a discount on their purchase.”

19. We strive to provide the best possible customer experience. What steps can you take to help ensure this happens?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you can help improve the company’s current practices. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped customers or improved a process that led to better outcomes for clients.

Example: “I believe in treating every customer as if they are my only customer, so I always make sure to respond to their questions quickly and with helpful information. In my last role, we had a lot of customers who would contact us through social media channels, so I made it a point to check our accounts daily to answer any questions they might have. This helped me build relationships with many of our customers and increased sales.”

20. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews. It allows the interviewer to get an idea of your career goals and aspirations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you want to accomplish professionally in the next five years. You can also talk about how Mercari fits into those plans.

Example: “In five years, I hope to have progressed within my current company. I would love to have earned a promotion or even changed positions for something that better suits my skills and interests. As someone who values customer service, I see myself working as a sales associate at Mercari. I plan on continuing to grow with the company and helping others do the same.”