Zapier Job Application and Interview Process + Interview Questions

Applying for a job at Zapier can be an exciting and rewarding experience.

Zapier is one of the world’s leading automation companies, with tools and products that are changing the way we do business. But to join the Zapier team, you'll need to make it through a few different stages.

Don't worry, though—in this 4dayweek.io guide, I'll walk you through the entire Zapier job application and interview process from start to finish. We'll cover everything from how to write a great resume and cover letter to the types of interview questions you can expect.

Ready? Let's dive in!

What Is Zapier?

Zapier is a powerful automation platform that connects hundreds of applications and systems. Through Zapier, users are able to perform complex tasks with the push of a button through automated workflows.

As a company, Zapier has been growing steadily since it was founded in 2012. With an annual revenue of $140 million and a valuation of $5 billion, Zapier has become one of the most successful software companies in the world.

But what is it like to work there? Let's find out!

What Is Working at Zapier Like?

The first thing you need to know about life at Zapier is that the company is 100% remote. All teams are distributed around the world in order to serve customers better and keep employees connected. That means that there is no physical office, but a virtual one.

Beyond that, working at Zapier is incredibly flexible. While the company hasn’t implemented 4-day workweeks (yet), employees are encouraged to take control of their time. They have the flexibility to design a work schedule that makes them feel happy and productive—whether that means starting work at 11 AM or swapping Tuesdays with Saturdays.

You don't have to take our word for any of this, though. Look at Zapier's Glassdoor profile, and you'll find that employees give the company an impressive 4.6/5-star rating.

Zapier Job Application

Before any kind of interview takes place, you'll need to submit an application. If this were any other company, you’d probably have a fair idea of the ins and outs of the application process. Zapier’s process is a little more unconventional, however.

Instead of requiring a resume and CV, Zapier asks applicants to answer 6-10 long-form questions. These questions cover areas, concepts, topics, and skills that Zapier has deemed important to the role and to success at the company in general.

Zapier cares more about what you can do than where you’ve been—and their application process reflects that.

Zapier Interview Process

The Zapier hiring process usually takes 4–6 weeks from application to decision. Part of this process is a fairly standard three-stage interview process that typically takes three weeks to complete.

Let’s take an in-depth look at this interview process to help get you ready:

1. Recruiter Screen (30 Minutes)

The first step is a 30-minute video call with a member of the recruitment team. This might be the same person who reviewed your application, but that's not a guarantee.

The recruiter will ask you questions about your background, skills, and experiences. They'll also discuss things like desired compensation range and benefits with you.

This is a fairly informal chat, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare! You’ll want to do some research into Zapier’s mission, product, and culture. You’ll also want to review your resume—since Zapier doesn’t ask for it during the application process, resume questions are a big part of the recruiter screen stage.

The recruiter who conducted the call will be in touch within a week to let you know the results of this step. If you're moving on, the recruiter will schedule a 45-60 minutes video call with the hiring manager.

Zapier Recruiter Screen Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• What interested you in this particular role?
• What do you know about Zapier and our mission?
• What have been the biggest successes of your career so far?
• How would your colleagues describe you as a professional?

2. Job Fit Interview (45–60 Minutes)

The job fit interview is conducted by the hiring manager. It's normally a 45-60 minutes video call, but this can vary depending on the role.

At this stage, you'll be asked questions that help get to the heart of your knowledge, skills, and experiences. You should also expect to be asked questions related to the job's specific requirements—this is your chance to show that you can hit the ground running.

The hiring manager will also give you time to ask any burning questions you have. It's not mandatory, but asking detailed, well-thought-out questions can help make a good impression.

The recruiter should be in touch within a week to let you know the results of this step.

Zapier Job Fit Interview Questions

• What have you accomplished that makes you most proud?
• How do you think your past experiences would help you excel in this role?
• What challenges have you faced in your career so far, and how did you overcome them?
• Describe a time when you had to make an important decision quickly. How did you approach it?

3. Skill Interview (45–60 Minutes)

The technical interview is conducted by the whole hiring team. It might include an interview over a video call, a take-home assessment, or both.

This is an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in the technical area that's relevant to the role. They're looking for applicants who can showcase their skills, think on their feet, and communicate clearly. Zapier makes it clear that they'll only ever test you on skills that matter, so read the job description carefully.

Zapier Skill Interview Questions

• Describe a project you have worked on that required technical problem-solving.
• Walk me through how you would approach solving this particular problem.
• What methods and tools do you use to debug code?
• How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends?

4. Final Review

After the skill interview, Zapier evaluates all the applicants who made it this far. They'll compare notes from the interviews, review any assessments you completed, and look at your overall application to determine who should move forward.

If no one meets Zapier's standards, they widen the pool by scheduling interviews with applicants who didn't make it to the recruiter screen stage initially.

If you do happen to meet Zapier's standards, that means you're their top pick for the role, and you'll get an offer after a reference check and a background check.

5. Offer

After completing these checks, you should hear back with an offer within a week. If they don't make you an offer, they'll keep your application on file in case something more suitable opens up in the future.

An offer usually includes details about salary, start date, benefits, and other expectations. If you're not happy with your initial offer, you might be able to negotiate. That said, you should be mindful that salary negotiation is a delicate process—tread carefully!

How To Ace Your Zapier Interviews (5 Actionable Tips)

1. Have a Framework Going in

Before each interview, prepare a framework that will help you organize your thoughts and answers. This will make it easier to tackle complex questions and avoid any hiccups in the flow of your answers.

One popular method you may have heard of is STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)—this is a great one for behavioral questions. We've written an in-depth guide on how to use STAR to ace Amazon interviews that you should check out if you're looking for guidance. While the article may be looking at Amazon, many of the STAR principles are universal and can be used across many companies’ interview processes.

There's also the less well-known MPSC (Mission, Product/Service, Culture) framework—this one helps you flesh out your answers to company fit questions (e.g., “Why do you want to work at Zapier?”). When you get a fit question, try to touch on all three of the MPSC elements to give the fullest answer possible.

2. Ask Questions

Interviews aren’t just about you answering questions—it’s a two-way street! Asking questions will help you better understand the role, which can come in handy when crafting answers to fit questions.

Asking questions also shows that you’re engaged and curious about the company, which can leave a great impression on your interviewer. If you have any lingering doubts about something, don't hesitate to ask for clarification.

Finally, you can use questions strategically to guide the conversation. If you feel like you gave a weak answer, guide the conversation back to that topic with a related question and supplement your original answer.

3. Practice Active Listening

Active listening is an important skill to have when communicating with anyone—but especially in interviews.

This means paying attention to what your interviewer is saying and asking if you don't understand something. It also means being aware of non-verbal cues—if the interviewer pauses or looks around, that's usually a good sign to pause as well and see if they have anything else to add.

Active listening shows that you're engaged in the conversation, and makes it easier for you to ask pertinent follow-up questions.

4. Look for Opportunities to Showcase Your Work

The best way to demonstrate your skills and experience is by offering concrete examples of past work that's relevant to the role.

This could be a project or invention you made, an app you developed, or even how you helped a client or colleague solve a problem.

When sharing an example, don't just say what you did—try to explain the thought process behind it and how you overcame any challenges that came up. Also, try to make it an interactive experience if possible.

5. Follow Up

After the interview, it's important to follow up with a thank-you note. This could be an email or handwritten letter—whatever you think will make the best impression on your interviewer.

In your thank-you note, reiterate why you're excited about the role and that you look forward to hearing back soon. The tone should be professional and friendly, but don't get too personal—you want to keep it professional.

Following up shows that you're eager and enthusiastic about the role, so make sure to reach out shortly after the interview.

Steer Your Career in the Right Direction With a 4-Day Week

At 4dayweek.io, we believe that everyone deserves a work-life balance. We help connect talented applicants with top employers offering jobs with a shorter work week.

We also offer resources to help you get the most out of your job and career, including advice on salary negotiation, tips for creating an awesome resume, and more.

So what are you waiting for? Find the perfect job that fits your lifestyle.