20 Planet Interview Questions and Answers

Planet is a leading provider of satellite imagery, data, and analytics. They help customers see the big picture and make better decisions about the world around them.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Planet, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, qualifications, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of sample Planet interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Planet Interview Process

The interview process at Planet is lengthy, and can be difficult for some perspective employees. The process often starts with a phone screen with HR, followed by a 1:1 video interview with the hiring manager. A take home programming test is given, and then candidates may be ghosted. Some have reported being interviewed by as many as five different team members before finally being offered the job. However, others have been rejected after only a few interviews. It seems that the company does not always provide feedback to candidates after they have been interviewed.

1. Why do you want to work at Planet?

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 Planet or its products, as well as how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I want to work at Planet because I am passionate about environmental conservation. My family has always been environmentally conscious, so I grew up learning about recycling and other ways we can protect our planet. After graduating from college, I worked in a nonprofit organization that helped children learn about the environment through fun activities. I would love to use my communication skills to spread awareness of Planet’s mission.”

2. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what your strengths are so that you can use them on the job, as well as how you plan to improve any weaknesses. When answering this question, think about which skills you have that will be useful for this position and highlight those. Then, think of a weakness you’re working on improving or something you struggle with but are actively trying to overcome.

Example: “My biggest strength is my attention to detail. I’ve always been good at noticing small details and making sure everything is correct. In my last role, I noticed that we were missing some inventory, and I was able to find out who took it and why. This helped us make sure our inventory counts were accurate and avoid losing money.”

3. How would you describe the culture of the company?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are a good fit for the company’s culture. They want to know that you will be able to work well with their current employees and that you can adapt to their unique workplace environment. When answering this question, try to describe the company’s culture in positive terms while also showing that you understand what it is like to work there.

Example: “I have done my research on your company, and I think your culture is very collaborative. Your employees seem to value teamwork and support one another when working together. I am excited to join such a supportive team where we all feel comfortable asking questions and sharing our ideas.”

4. Do you have experience working with satellite imagery?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with a specific type of technology. If you do, share your experience and how it helped you complete projects or tasks. If you don’t have experience working with satellite imagery, you can talk about other types of imagery that you’ve worked with in the past.

Example: “I haven’t had the opportunity to work with satellite imagery yet, but I am familiar with different types of imagery like aerial photography and photogrammetry. In my last role, I used these images to create 3D models for clients who needed them. This allowed me to use my creativity to make sure the models were as accurate as possible.”

5. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with a difficult client, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and challenging situations. This can be an important skill for customer service professionals, as they may encounter difficult clients from time to time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you were able to resolve the issue or diffuse the conflict in a positive way.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset with our company because we couldn’t fulfill their request. I listened to what they had to say and explained that we would do everything we could to make sure they were happy with our services. We ended up finding them another solution that met all of their needs.”

6. What is your experience using Python?

Python is a programming language that can be used to create applications for many different industries. It’s also one of the most popular languages in use today, so it’s likely you’ll need some experience with Python if you’re applying for a role at Planet. Your answer should include your level of expertise and any specific projects you’ve worked on using Python.

Example: “I have been working with Python since I graduated from college. In my last position as an IT specialist, I was responsible for maintaining our company’s website and creating new features. I used Python to automate several processes, including updating social media accounts and sending out email newsletters. This saved us time and money by reducing the number of employees needed to complete these tasks.”

7. Describe a time when you were asked to help someone on your team who was struggling, what did you do?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to solve problems. Use examples from previous jobs where you helped a team member overcome challenges or learn new skills.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with an employee who was having trouble learning our company’s software program. He would often ask me questions about it during our breaks, which made it difficult for me to take care of other tasks. Eventually, he asked if we could meet after work so that I could show him how to use the program on his own. After showing him how to use the software, he practiced at home and learned how to do most things on his own.”

8. What is your process for finding clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you will find clients for their company. Use your answer to highlight your networking skills and ability to connect with others.

Example: “I have a few different ways I find new clients. First, I always make sure my website is up-to-date and has all of my contact information. Then, I reach out to local business owners who may need my services. Finally, I attend networking events where I can meet other professionals in my industry.”

9. When was the last time you had to learn something new in order to complete a project?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you approach new challenges and whether you’re willing to learn from others. Your answer should highlight your ability to adapt to change, as well as your willingness to seek out information from other sources.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous company, we were tasked with creating an entirely new website for one of our clients. The client had very specific ideas about what they wanted their site to look like, so I spent several days researching different types of websites and learning about coding languages that could help us create the design the client wanted. In the end, it was worth it because we created a beautiful website that helped the client increase sales by 20%.”

10. What kind of software development projects have you worked on before?

This question is a great way to see how your skills and experience can apply to the role. If you have previous experience with similar projects, it’s important to mention them in your answer. You can also discuss any unique or challenging projects that you’ve worked on in the past.

Example: “In my last position as a software developer, I was responsible for creating new features for an existing platform. This included adding new pages to the website and improving the user interface. I also created several applications for mobile devices using Java coding language. In my previous job, I developed a web application that allowed users to search for nearby restaurants based on their location.”

11. Are you comfortable traveling for business?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience traveling for work. If you do, they can learn more about how you handled the situation and what challenges you faced. If you don’t have experience with business travel, you can talk about your willingness to do so and why.

Example: “I’ve traveled for business before, but I prefer not to be away from home for long periods of time. In my last position, I was able to negotiate a remote working arrangement that allowed me to stay in my hometown while still getting paid. This helped me balance my professional life with my personal one.”

12. Tell us about a time that you failed at something, what lessons did you take from it?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s ability to take responsibility for their actions and learn from mistakes. It also shows that they are willing to share information about themselves with others, which can be an important quality in any employee.

Example: “When I first started working as a server at a restaurant, I was so nervous that I forgot to give my customers silverware when they ordered food. I learned that it’s important to remain calm and focused on the task at hand, even if you’re feeling anxious or stressed. Now, I make sure to take deep breaths before every shift.”

13. If hired, how would you use your past experience to make an impact here at Planet?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have researched the company and understand what they are looking for in an ideal candidate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight one or two specific skills from your resume that you feel would benefit Planet most.

Example: “I believe my ability to work well with others and collaborate on projects would make me a valuable asset at Planet. I am also very detail-oriented and organized, which I think would help me excel in my role as a customer service representative here.”

14. What do you think needs to be changed about the current state of the aerospace industry?

This question can help interviewers understand your opinions on the aerospace industry and how you might approach changes to improve it. Use examples from your experience or research to explain what you think needs to be changed, and describe how you would implement those changes if given the opportunity.

Example: “I believe that there is a lack of diversity in the aerospace industry. I have worked with many talented engineers who are women but rarely see them at higher levels of management. I think companies need to make more of an effort to promote qualified candidates regardless of their gender, race or other factors. I also think we should encourage younger generations to pursue careers in aerospace engineering by making STEM education more accessible.”

15. What are some of your favorite features of our product?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you know about their company and its products. Use your answer to highlight some of the features that you like most, but also include a few that you are unfamiliar with so you have an opportunity to learn more about them.

Example: “I really enjoy Planet’s ability to create custom reports for clients. I’ve used this feature many times in my previous role as a marketing specialist, and it has helped me provide valuable insights into our client’s target markets. Another favorite feature is the customer service portal because it allows me to communicate directly with customers and resolve issues quickly.”

16. What do you think makes a good salesperson?

Salespeople are an important part of any business, and employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary for success in their company. When answering this question, think about what makes a good salesperson in your opinion. Consider things like communication skills, confidence and empathy.

Example: “I think a good salesperson is someone who can relate to others. They should be able to understand what their customers want and how they feel. I also think it’s important that they’re confident in themselves and their product or service. Finally, I think they need strong communication skills so they can explain everything clearly.”

17. How many deals have you closed in the past year?

This question is a great way to see how you perform under pressure and whether or not you have experience closing deals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the most recent deal that closed and what made it successful.

Example: “In my last position as an account manager for a software company, I closed three major deals in one month. The first was with a large corporation who needed our product to help streamline their accounting department. They were hesitant at first because of the price tag, but after explaining all of the benefits they would receive from using our software, they decided to purchase it. The second deal was with a small startup company who wanted to use our software to create a mobile app. We helped them design the app and integrate our software into it so they could track sales and inventory. The third deal was with a local business who wanted to upgrade their current software.”

18. Do you have any experience working with geospatial data?

This question is a great way to see if you have any experience with the type of work that will be done in this role. If you do, explain how you used it and what your responsibilities were. If you don’t, you can still answer honestly by explaining that you’re excited to learn more about geospatial data.

Example: “I’ve worked with geospatial data before, but I haven’t had much experience working with it on such a large scale as Planet. In my last position, I was responsible for collecting data from satellites and analyzing it to find patterns. This helped me understand how important geospatial data is when it comes to making business decisions.”

19. We strive to provide excellent customer service to our clients, can you give us an example of a time where you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer and how it positively impacted their experience with your company.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a client who was having trouble finding an item in our store. After searching through all of our inventory, I realized we didn’t have any more of the item they were looking for. Instead of just telling them we couldn’t find the item, I offered to call other stores within our chain to see if they had any available. Luckily, one of our other locations had two left in stock, so I drove over there to pick up the items and deliver them to our customer.”

20. How would you approach a potential client?

This question can help interviewers understand how you interact with clients and customers. Use examples from your experience to show the interviewer that you know how to communicate effectively with others.

Example: “I would first introduce myself, then I would ask them what they’re looking for in a website or app design. If they already have an idea of what they want, I’ll ask if they have any references or resources so I can get a better understanding of their vision. If they don’t have much direction, I will offer my expertise and advice on different types of websites and apps based on their business type.”