Stripe Recruiting Coordinator Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Stripe interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. What challenges do you face in getting along with others?
How to Answer
As a recruiting coordinator at Stripe, you will need to be able to interact and connect with people from all different backgrounds. The interviewer wants to know that you have strong interpersonal skills. Pick one or two challenges to mention but then focus your answer on emphasizing how easily you get along with other people.
Answer Example
"I'm the type of person who is outgoing and friendly. I think my friends would say that I'm likable and easy to talk to as well. So, in general, I get along with other people and am able to build a rapport with them quickly, even if I've just met them. I suppose it's challenging for me to get along with someone if they are very reserved and don't like to open up. For me to connect, I like the other person to tell me about themselves so I can learn about them. This is how I determine where they might fit in our organization. I try to identify their strengths and weaknesses while I listen to them. If they don't want to say much, it makes this difficult. To combat this, I try to put people at ease and usually start with some small talk to warm them up before broaching heavier topics. In general, I tend to be successful in getting people to open up and tell me about themselves. I like to build new relationships, and I look forward to doing this one day at Stripe."
Behavioral
2. Do you consider yourself a team player?
How to Answer
Recruiting coordinators at Stripe work closely with a team of recruiters to oversee the entire candidate experience. The interviewer wants to know that you're able to successfully work with people in different roles with varying experience levels. If possible, give an example of a time when you worked well with others.
Answer Example
"Definitely. As a recruiter in previous roles, I worked with managers, coworkers on other teams, and other recruiters on a daily basis. This is something that I love about my job; I enjoy working with others, hearing their feedback and sharing a common goal. I believe the saying that two heads are better than one, and I really value the thoughts and opinions of my teammates. There was one time when we were really struggling to find the right person to fill a senior-level data position. I worked with the data manager to check the criteria we were looking for and using to filter applicants. After adjusting a few things based on her feedback, we started finding candidates that were more along the lines of what we needed. I worked with other colleagues to go through resumes, screen applicants, and then interview several people who looked like potential fits. In the end, we found the right person for the role. I couldn't have done it without my team."
Behavioral
3. How do you manage work-related stress?
How to Answer
Recruiting coordinators at Stripe work in fast-paced environments that require a lot of multitasking. The interviewer wants to know that you have methods in place to manage stress. Talk about what you do to relieve stress and emphasize that you are able to handle high-pressure situations.
Answer Example
"When I previously worked as a recruiter, I was constantly being pulled in multiple directions. Trying to manage lots of different candidates who were all in various stages of the recruiting process, handling the logistics and scheduling of interviews, and finding the time to filter through hundreds of resumes could be stressful at times. On my way to work, I'd listen to music in my car to zone out, and I always made sure to take a walk or shoot the breeze with my coworkers at lunchtime so I could relax a bit. In general, I enjoy being busy and having lots to do. I thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure work environments."
Behavioral
4. How do you think your coworkers would describe you?
How to Answer
While you want to be honest as you answer this question, keep in mind that there are certain qualities and skills that the interviewer is looking for you to have. These include being very organized, a strong communicator, adaptable, able to work in a fast-paced environment, a team player, and process-driven. Try to focus on descriptions that fit both you and the role.
Answer Example
"Right off the bat, I think that my coworkers would describe me as friendly and personable. I am a people person who enjoys conversing with others. I'm non-judgmental and always look for what's interesting about someone and their life. It's very easy for me to strike up conversations with anyone, even people I've just met. I also think my coworkers would say that I'm diligent and organized, as well as someone who thrives in hectic environments. I like variety in my work, and I pride myself on being highly organized and capable."
Competency
5. How do you create an effective job ad?
How to Answer
One of your responsibilities as a recruiting coordinator at Stripe may sometimes include posting advertisements for job openings. The interviewer wants to know that you're experienced in creating job ads and that you know how to properly structure them. Brush up on this topic before the interview so you can confidently talk about what makes a great job ad.
Answer Example
"In my previous role, I was in charge of creating all of the job ads that the company posted when it was trying to hire. Over time I've become proficient at writing them. I've also come to realize how important they are when trying to attract the right candidates. So when I'm creating a job ad I keep the following things in mind. First, I make sure the writing is engaging and that it accurately describes the position. I want the language to sell the job opportunity and to excite the reader about our company and this role. Next, I spend time choosing a title that is direct and clear since people won't even look at the ad if its title isn't relevant to them. I make sure the ad is around 300 to 700 words long - not too long or too short - and I explain the steps the applicant needs to take to apply to the job. Finally, I promote the vision and culture of the company in the ad as well."
Competency
6. Do you have any experience handling travel and lodging logistics?
How to Answer
Recruiting coordinators at Stripe typically are in charge of handling the logistics when it comes to arranging in-person interviews. Sometimes this includes hotel and airfare bookings when a candidate is coming from out of town. Talk to the interviewer about any past experience you have in this area. If you've never handled these sorts of details before, explain that you are organized and detail-oriented.
Answer Example
"I do have experience in this area. While as a recruiter I haven't done much logistics planning yet, earlier in my career I was an office manager. During this role, I was in charge of planning company parties and social events. A lot of my colleagues lived in different states and worked remotely, so I became accustomed to arranging travel and hotels for them when they came to visit our headquarters. This involved setting up flight, train, car, and hotel reservations. I even booked Airbnbs for some of them one time! I kept all of the details in one place on a Google doc so nothing ever fell through the cracks."
Competency
7. How do you ensure on-site interviews go smoothly?
How to Answer
One of the key duties of a recruiting coordinator at Stripe is to ensure that in-person interviews go according to plan. Talk with the interviewer about how you will manage the logistics of the interview process to make sure both the interviewee and the interviewer(s) have a positive experience.
Answer Example
"To start, I have to be very organized and make sure that we don't double-book any interviews. I also have to confirm that we have an interviewer or two available - given their work schedule - to perform the interview. To keep organized in this area, I rely heavily on Google calendar because it can be shared and seen by both me and the interviewers. It also allows me to send out calendar reminders about the interview to the candidate and the interviewers. This helps to keep us all on the same page. Next, I make sure that there will be a quiet space available for the interview to take place and that everyone knows where it is and how to get there. I also communicate frequently with the candidate, sharing information like the interviewer's name, the dress code, and the interview format, so they are comfortable. I suggest that they arrive a few minutes early to the interview so they can gather themselves beforehand. I also create and send out standardized interview scoring sheets several hours before the interview so that the interviewer has time to look it over and prepare themselves. Finally, when the candidate arrives, I approach them in a friendly manner and help them get settled into the interview room. I want them to have a good interview experience and for us to learn as much as we can about them so we can decide if they are the right fit for our company and the position."
Competency
8. When is hiring for a role complete?
How to Answer
There are multiple steps that occur during the recruiting process. While many people automatically think of the earlier stages in the process, like posting job ads and interviewing, as a recruiting coordinator at Stripe, you'll also need to be acquainted with later stages like extending the job offer, conducting background checks, and onboarding. Discuss these later steps in the process with the interviewer.
Answer Example
"As a recruiter, I naturally spend a lot of time trying to find and nurture high-quality candidates. This includes searching for applicants using various tools, posting job ads, filtering resumes, screening candidates, and later interviewing them. But once it appears that someone might be the right fit for a position, things don't end there. At this point, we will likely check their references and conduct any necessary background checks. Also, deciding to extend a job offer is a big deal that requires a lot of thought and discussion on behalf of multiple people within the company. Once we have offered the job to the candidate, there is typically some back and forth and salary negotiation. Once it's official, we have to gather a lot of paperwork from the new hire, set up their workspace, provide them with an orientation, assign them a mentor, and explain their job responsibilities. After onboarding has been completed, which can take a few weeks, and the employee is settled into their new role, at this point I consider the position filled."
Competency
9. How would you plan and carry out a recruiting event?
How to Answer
As a recruiting coordinator at Stripe, one of your responsibilities will be to plan hiring events that assist in your team's recruiting efforts. If you have any experience in this area, tell the interviewer about it. If not, walk the interviewer through the steps you envision taking in order to prepare for and pull off a successful recruiting event.
Answer Example
"Within my current role, I have successfully coordinated several recruiting events. In my opinion, there are two important parts to an event like this - first, it's imperative to oversee and take care of all the necessary logistical details. Second, it's equally important to promote your event so that many qualified candidates come to it. I always start by establishing a timeline and budget for the event. Next, I make sure everyone at the company knows it's happening, and I invite them to attend and to bring along anyone they know who is interested. I work with my team to lock down an appropriate venue and theme, as well as a date and time, and then we work on promoting it both internally and by sending outbound emails to our contacts via our CRM or ATS programs. It's important that people have a way to register and then we send out automated reminder emails. I also work with my team to ensure we have the signage and materials we need for branding purposes and to inform our attendees about our company and the various openings we are trying to fill. Finally, after the event has taken place, I always make sure to follow up with everyone who was involved; even if they aren't the right fit at that moment, it's great to build our network and fill up our database for the future."
Competency
10. What platforms do you think are best to post job advertisements?
How to Answer
There are many different places online where companies can post job ads. Explain to the interviewer which ones you prefer and why. Remember to discuss the different demographics that various platforms target and how this applies to the Stripe recruitment strategy.
Answer Example
"I have experience posting to many different online platforms, so if there are particular ones that the Stripe recruiting team prefers to use, I'm sure I can jump right in and start using them too. In terms of the 'best' ones, I think it depends on who you're trying to target. At my prior job, when we advertised for senior-level positions, I found that posting our job ads on LinkedIn brought in many experienced and high-quality applicants. There were times, however, when we were looking for entry-level applicants instead. In this case, I preferred to use sites like Indeed.com. I'm assuming because LinkedIn is less popular with college students than people in the workforce, we had better success finding junior-level candidates using sites like Indeed instead. I had also established contacts within several local universities and was able to post on their sites as well. In the end, I think it's important to know what demographic you're targeting when you decide which job posting platforms to use for that particular job opening."
Competency
11. Tell me what your recruitment process typically looks like from start to finish.
How to Answer
As a recruiting coordinator for Stripe, you'll be in charge of overseeing the entire recruitment process for all candidates from beginning to end. The interviewer wants you to talk them through your overall recruitment process. Explain how you would locate a great candidate, build a rapport with them, and bring them in for an interview.
Answer Example
"I have spent my entire career thus far working as a recruiter so I have a well-established recruitment process that I've found works well. To start, I have to find the best candidates. I do this in several ways. First, I make sure that any job ads we have running are not only accurate and informative but also really sell our company and all it has to offer. Second, I use various tools to proactively search for people who look like the ideal fit, and I reach out to them. Next, I work to build a rapport with these various candidates while also evaluating them via phone screens. I try to determine if they truly seem like they would fit in at our company and in the role. If they still seem very promising, I bring them in for an interview (or conduct one over Zoom) where I, and usually colleagues of mine as well, spend time talking to them and assessing their fit. We also score them using a standardized scoring sheet, which helps us when we meet later to discuss if we want to offer the person the job or not. This entire process requires that I be very organized and personable, both of which are areas where I excel. As a coordinator, some parts of this process will likely be handled by other recruiters that I am overseeing; however, I am fully comfortable in all areas and aspects of the entire recruitment process."
Competency
12. What recruitment strategies have you found to be effective?
How to Answer
There are many different ways a recruiter can go about trying to find and close high-quality candidates. Talk to the interviewer about some strategies that you like to use. If possible, support your choices with an example or two from past jobs.
Answer Example
"To start, I think that it's imperative to develop a clear employer brand online through the company's career website and its LinkedIn page. This helps potential candidates feel informed and get excited about the prospect of working for the company. Second, it's also important to have accurate and engaging job posts that draw the interest of qualified candidates. I also like to use social media to advertise openings, in addition to attending college job fairs when I'm trying to fill entry-level positions. My favorite recruitment strategy, however, is using a tool called LinkedIn Profinder, which in the past has allowed me to peruse the profiles of potential candidates and then reach out to ones that look promising via a LinkedIn Inmail. Compared to simply posting job ads and going through the resumes I receive, using LinkedIn Profinder allows me to target people who fit my specific criteria. It's an effective recruitment strategy that, in conjunction with the other strategies I also mentioned, has worked well for me in the past."
Competency
13. How do you rate your communication skills?
How to Answer
The key to answering this interview question is to remember that communication includes more than just speaking. There are many subcategories that can include writing/reporting, giving presentations, non-verbal mannerisms, and listening. So instead of providing the interviewer with one rating that only refers to your ability to verbally communicate, consider including several ratings for the various ways one can communicate.
Answer Example
"I believe that I am an excellent communicator. When it comes to verbal communication, I would say I'm a 9 out of 10 because I'm very personable and can easily strike up meaningful conversations with people, even someone I've just met. When it comes to written communication like reporting, I'd rate myself an 8. I'm a good writer but prefer to talk in person or over the phone instead. To combat this tendency, I create template introduction emails that I send out when I'm recruiting via email. I have someone I trust look them over so I know that they are the best they can be. When it comes to listening, I rate myself a 10. I'm an active and empathetic listener who pays close attention to what people are saying so I can learn about them to connect them with the role that is right for them."
Competency
14. Talk me through how you prioritize tasks when you have a lot on your plate.
How to Answer
Recruiting coordinators are naturally very busy people. Beyond handling the logistics for candidate travel, accommodations, and interviews, you will likely be managing your own pool of candidates as well which entails maintaining numerous relationships in various stages of the recruiting process. The interviewer wants to know you are an effective multitasker who has methods in place to prioritize and organize your workload so that you don't get overwhelmed.
Answer Example
"I'm the type of person who thrives in fast-paced, stressful situations, and I'm used to juggling multiple, time-sensitive responsibilities all at once. Every morning I take a look at my to-do list and the meetings I have that day, and I take into account what is most important and most urgent. After I prioritize the items that I need to get done, I get to work tackling them. When lunch comes, I take a quick walk or read the newspaper for a few minutes to release any stress so I come back recharged. I also make sure not to waste the quieter moments; I take advantage of them to catch up on emails and other tasks and projects so that when it's hectic again I'm caught up on those things. I also rely on my Google calendar heavily to keep me organized. I use its Reminder feature so I don't overlook any meetings or calls. This is very helpful in keeping me on track."
Competency
15. Explain how you would choose between two equally qualified candidates.
How to Answer
There will be times when you and your team are considering several highly qualified candidates for a position and have to pick one. This is a great problem to have but still a problem that has to be resolved. Explain to the interviewer how you would make this difficult decision.
Answer Example
"Occasionally, I have run into this problem before in the past. A lot of time and effort goes into bringing a candidate through the entire recruitment process, so it can be difficult to make the decision not to hire someone if they seem promising. But ultimately we need to hire the right person for the role. When this has happened before in the past, I relied heavily on the standardized scoring sheets that we use when we interview candidates. These sheets provide us with a score at the end so it's easier to compare various candidates. If two candidates have the same score, or very similar, then it comes down to how we connected with them during the in-person interview and if we believe they will fit into the culture of the company or not. Generally, my team and I will have a meeting to discuss and compare these candidates. If needed, I will schedule follow-ups interviews, and we'll talk to the candidates again before making our final decision."
Discovery
16. What parts of this role do you think will be hardest for you?
How to Answer
Be honest when you answer this question, but make sure to discuss how you'll effectively and efficiently handle any challenging aspects of the job. The interviewer knows that some parts of the job will be harder than others but wants assurance you'll be capable of managing them.
Answer Example
"I think the most challenging part of being a recruiter coordinator is staying on top of all the details because there can be a lot of them! Not only are you keeping tracking of all the candidates and what their status is, but you're managing logistical details like hotel and flight reservations and cancellations, phone screen appointments, and interview details, which nowadays can also include Zoom links. Then there are all the resumes, cover letters, score sheets, interview notes, and more. There's just a lot of documents and details to keep track of, which I think is likely the hardest part of the job. However, I am very organized and detail-oriented, and I have already established multiple processes that allow me to effectively keep track of everything, so I'm looking forward to the challenge because I know I'll be able to handle it."
Discovery
17. What parts of this role do you think you'll enjoy?
How to Answer
This should be a relatively easy question to answer because if you're going after the recruiting coordinator role at Stripe, it probably appeals to you! Talk to the interviewer about the aspects of the position that sound enjoyable to you. Explain why you think you'll like these parts of the job.
Answer Example
"I'm the type of person who likes to organize things, so I know I'll both enjoy and excel at the tracking aspect of the job. Every candidate we reach out to will need to be recorded in our system and kept tabs on throughout the entire process, which is something I will do efficiently and meticulously. My knack for and love of organizing will also be helpful when I'm coordinating travel, accommodation, and interview logistics for candidates too. Outside of enjoying that part of the job, I know from past experience in the recruiting field that I love to build new relationships and meet new people. This makes every day interesting and fun for me. I like to learn about people and try to figure out where they best fit in the company. It's like a puzzle! I greatly look forward to joining Stripe and having the opportunity to use my organizational and people skills."
Discovery
18. What previous job experience has prepared you for this role?
How to Answer
It's ideal if you have a background in recruiting. If you do, discuss this with the interviewer. Mention the skills you have learned and the qualities you possess that make you the right fit for this position. If you lack experience, focus on the personality traits you have and the college classes you've taken that make you suitable for this kind of role.
Answer Example
"When I graduated college, I had other career plans, but my first job ended up being a recruiting position and I fell in love with it. Now it's the only career I want! I just really enjoy helping people land their dream job while I'm also assisting the company in finding dedicated and smart employees. I've now been a recruiter for the past seven years and have solid experience in the entire recruiting process all the way from finding the candidate to screening and interviewing them. I'm very organized and always looking for ways to make my processes more efficient. I'm also personable and enjoy talking to and learning about people from different walks of life. I know that I will excel in the recruiting coordinator position at Stripe because of all the skills and qualities I have to offer, in addition to my deep experience in recruiting."
Discovery
19. Why do you want to be a recruiting coordinator at Stripe?
How to Answer
In answering this question, you'll want to show the interviewer that you are passionate about this career path and also interested specifically in working for Stripe. Make sure it's apparent that you researched the company prior to the interview, that you will make a great fit, and that you genuinely enjoy recruiting.
Answer Example
"Well, as I see it, there are two parts to this question. First, I want to be a recruiting coordinator because I've been in the recruiting field for five years now, and I am sincerely passionate about it. I love matching people to jobs that make them happy. It benefits both the company I work for and the person I'm recruiting, and that motivates me and makes every day enjoyable. Second, I applied to Stripe in particular because I like working in the Saas industry, and I believe I'll fit perfectly into your company culture. I also think that your platform and APIs are amazing products, and I look forward to one day attracting new talent to work alongside me at your company."
Scenario
20. What would you do if your team wasn't happy with the shortlist of candidates you provided?
How to Answer
In prior roles as a recruiter, you've likely encountered an instance or two when you've worked hard to identify several top candidates for a role, and yet your team isn't impressed with those candidates. This can be frustrating because of all the hard work it takes to get to that point. Tell the interviewer how you would manage this type of situation and what you would do to fix it.
Answer Example
"The first thing I would do is go back to the list of criteria that my team and I had established at the beginning of the search and confirm that it is accurate and comprehensive. Since I strive to only bring in and continue building relationships with candidates that strictly meet that criteria, my guess would be that perhaps there was a miscommunication early on about what was needed for the role. This would need to be adjusted so that I could start over finding candidates that met those requirements. I would talk to all of my team members and the soon-to-be manager of the new hire to make sure I clearly understood what they needed. I'd also ask for their feedback about what they didn't like about the candidates on my current shortlist so I'm 100% clear on what I need to change as I move forward. Finally, I'd choose to take this all in stride because this is just part of the process sometimes as a recruiter. It's important to be resilient and to bounce back."
Scenario
21. You need to write a job description for a position you know nothing about. What do you do?
How to Answer
In order to create an effective and accurate job ad, you need to thoroughly understand the position that you're advertising and what you need from the applicant. If you're unfamiliar with the position, it'll be necessary to educate yourself prior to writing the job description. Explain to the interviewer the process you would follow in this situation.
Answer Example
"This has happened to me before in past recruiting roles. While I'm a strong writer and accustomed to writing job descriptions, it's only possible to do this if I am knowledgeable about the position and what the role entails. If I don't know anything about the role, I seek out guidance from someone within that department who is very familiar with the job, whether it be someone who works in a similar role or the soon-to-be manager of the new hire. As I create the job ad, I make sure to collaborate with these colleagues to ensure my description is accurate. I also pull up similar job descriptions online and take a look at them to make sure I'm not forgetting anything. Ultimately, I'm confident in my ability to put together an engaging and correct job ad that will entice qualified applicants, and I look forward to having the opportunity to do this at Stripe."
Scenario
22. Imagine you advertise for a role and get 250 responses, but you're only allowed a shortlist of 20. How do you handle this?
How to Answer
As a recruiting coordinator at Stripe, it's very possible job advertisements will bring in a large number of applicants. Naturally, not all of them can move on to the interview stage. Tell the interviewer about the methods you would use to narrow this large group down to a more manageable size.
Answer Example
"In past recruiter roles, I have been in this type of situation many times before where there are a lot of applicants for an open job and I need to filter through them in order to create a shortlist of top-notch candidates. I start by determining the criteria I am going to use when looking at resumes. I then filter through the resumes either manually or using ATS software and knock out everyone who doesn't fit all of the criteria. That generally eliminates a lot of the candidates. From there, I reach out to set up phone screens. Some people usually don't respond. Those that do, either a colleague or I perform short phone interviews which allow us to further shorten the list. After following these steps, I generally have a shortlist that I'm happy with; however, if there are still way too many candidates on that list, I resort to either second phone interviews or in-person interviews. In the end, I narrow down the large pool of candidates to a select number that are highly qualified."
Scenario
23. What would you do if you'd found a great candidate but the company couldn't hire them?
How to Answer
Sometimes this happens in recruiting. You discover an amazing candidate but there isn't the right opening for them yet at the company or another candidate got the job they wanted but you know they would still be a great fit. Tell the interviewer what you would do to keep the relationship going so that you might eventually be able to match the candidate with the right role at the company.
Answer Example
"It has happened to me before where I'm looking for great sales candidates, for example, using LinkedIn Profinder, and I come across someone who would be an excellent candidate for one of our data positions. If there isn't an open data position at that time, I would make note of the person and reach out to them when there is an appropriate opening. If I've already started building a relationship with them and it's evident there isn't an opening that fits them at the time, I'm honest and tell them that but indicate that I will keep their information on file and contact them when there is an opening that works for them. And then I do actually follow up in that case, as it's challenging to find great candidates, and once I've found one I don't like to lose them. No matter what happens, I am always professional and respectful of the candidate's time and feelings."
Situational
24. Describe a time when you used social media to find candidates.
How to Answer
Nowadays social media is typically an integral part of recruiting. Talk to the interviewer about any experience you have using social media to find and build a rapport with candidates.
Answer Example
"First of all, I think it's important that a company have a strong brand presence online. After all, this is how most candidates discover and learn about the company. In my past role, I worked with my team to make sure that our company page on LinkedIn conveyed our mission, vision, and company culture so people who were interested could learn about the company. For several harder-to-fill roles, we used our own personal LinkedIn accounts to promote the openings, using relevant hashtags to expand our reach. We also encouraged our colleagues to post about openings too, which, in at least a few cases, helped connect us with highly qualified candidates."
Technical
25. What tracking, assessment, and other kinds of tools do you use when recruiting?
How to Answer
Recruiting coordinators use a variety of tools during their everyday workflow. They might use software that helps them sort through and filter resumes, automates sourcing, screening, and interviewing, implements online skills assessments, deploys behavioral data to choose the right candidates, and more. Talk to the interviewer about any recruiting tools you have used in the past and how they helped you.
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I've used several different recruiting tools that include testing and assessment programs, applicant tracking systems, and recruiting CRMs. When it comes to testing, I've used HackerRank and Pymetrics before to carry out skills assessments. This helps to narrow down my pool of applicants to candidates that are qualified and capable. ATS programs like Zoho Recruit simplify the process of filtering through a million resumes. And recruiting CRMs like TalentLyft, SmashFly, and others are useful because they automate personalized communications, build candidate profiles and pools, segment leads, and assist me in nurturing candidates. While I'm able to work off of Excel spreadsheets, over the years I have gained valuable experience in using various programs and tools that definitely increase my efficiency and success when it comes to recruiting."