Acing the 1stDibs Interview: An In-Depth Guide to the Top 10 Questions and Answers

If you have an upcoming interview at 1stDibs, the premier online marketplace for rare and desirable design items, proper preparation will be key to landing the job. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share the top 10 commonly asked questions at 1stDibs interviews along with sample responses to help you impress hiring managers with your knowledge and skills.

Whether you’re interviewing for a technical, sales, marketing or operations role, these insider tips will ensure you’re ready to highlight your qualifications and stand out from the competition. Let’s get started!

Overview of the 1stDibs Hiring Process

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect during the 1stDibs interview process

• Initial Phone Screen: A 30 minute call with HR or the hiring manager to review your resume and experience.

• Technical Assessment: For engineering roles, a short coding test is required.

• Peer Interviews: Cross-functional panel interviews with future colleagues. Focuses on skills, collaboration ability and culture fit.

• Manager Interview Dives deeper into your experience, goals, leadership potential and more

• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader about strategic vision and executive presence.

• Reference and Background Checks: Feedback collected from provided references and full background check conducted.

• Offer: Congratulations, if all has gone well an offer will be extended! Time for negotiations.

Now let’s look at the 10 most common questions asked and how to master them:

Question 1: Tell me about yourself

This open-ended prompt allows you to highlight your most relevant experience upfront. Keep it concise and focused on key skills and achievements.

Sample Response:

• Start with your current role and professional background.

• Share 2-3 standout skills or qualifications that make you an excellent fit for this position.

• Discuss any major achievements or projects you led that demonstrate these skills in action.

• Express your passion for 1stDibs’ mission and enthusiasm for the role.

Question 2: Why do you want to work at 1stDibs?

With this question, interviewers want to understand what attracts you to the company and role. Convey genuine interest and knowledge of their brand.

Sample Response:

• Share your admiration for 1stDibs as the premier online marketplace for rare and beautiful design items.

• Discuss any personal experiences you’ve had as a happy 1stDibs customer.

• Highlight aspects of the company mission and culture that strongly appeal to you and align with your own principles.

• Explain why you’re excited by the specific responsibilities of the role you’re applying for.

Question 3: What relevant experience do you have for this role?

Use this as an opportunity to dive deeper into the specific experiences and skills on your resume that directly relate to and prepare you for the position.

Sample Response:

• Discuss 1-2 roles on your resume where you not only matched but exceeded requirements similar to those listed on the job description.

• Share examples of specific projects or tasks where you successfully demonstrated relevant abilities like the technical knowledge, leadership skills, analytical thinking, etc. needed for this role.

• Point out any industry experience, special certifications or other qualifications called out in the job description that you possess.

• Conclude by explaining why this role is an ideal next step to leverage your background and talents.

Question 4: How would your colleagues describe you?

By asking this behavioral interview question, the hiring manager is trying to understand your self-awareness and teamwork skills.

Sample Response:

• Share positive descriptors colleagues would use like hard-working, results-oriented, collaborative, innovative, etc.

• Give specific examples that demonstrate times you displayed these qualities at work.

• Discuss your commitment to building strong relationships and supporting teammates.

• Share unsolicited feedback you’ve received from colleagues praising your contributions.

• Emphasize how you lead by example and elevate overall team performance.

Question 5: Why are you looking to leave your current position?

It’s important to be thoughtful about how you frame your reasons for wanting to depart your current role. Avoid badmouthing your employer.

Sample Response:

• Explain you are seeking greater challenges, growth opportunities, leadership development, etc. which are limited in your current role.

• Discuss how the responsibilities of this new position are strongly aligned with your skills, interests, and career goals.

• If relevant, you can share that your current employer faced shifts (layoffs, restructuring) that changed the nature of your role.

• Express gratitude for all your experiences and relationships at your current company.

• Convey your commitment to long tenures when you find the right mutual fit.

Question 6: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hiring managers want to understand your career ambitions and trajectory. Demonstrate you are focused on growing with the company long-term.

Sample Response:

• Convey your hope to take on expanded responsibilities and rise into leadership roles within the organization over time.

• Share your continual aim to deepen both technical and soft skills through training opportunities.

• Discuss desire to manage ever-more complex company initiatives and teams.

• Express excitement to progress along a path that allows you to apply your strengths at the highest level over time.

• Affirm your focus is on delivering value and contributing to the company’s success through your personal growth.

Question 7: How do you handle a difficult coworker?

This behavioral question assesses your people management and conflict resolution skills in challenging interpersonal situations.

Sample Response:

• Explain you start with empathy, making an effort to understand their perspective and motivations.

• Discuss how you directly but privately address issues and find solutions collaboratively.

• Share how you involve management if additional guidance is required.

• Convey that you always remain professional and focus on resolving conflicts constructively.

• Emphasize that maintaining positive team dynamics is critical for everyone’s success.

Question 8: How do you stay motivated when completing repetitive tasks?

Interviewers want to understand your perseverance and drive even when the work itself isn’t exciting.

Sample Response:

• Share how you stay focused on broader goals and how each task contributes to overall success.

• Discuss leveraging music, podcasts or audiobooks to help time pass more quickly.

• Explain that you find opportunities to make processes more engaging or efficient.

• Share how the pride of consistently delivering great work keeps you motivated.

• Convey that work ethic and perseverance are integral parts of your character.

Question 9: Why should we hire you?

Summarize your fit for the role and convince the interviewer of the unique value you will contribute to the team and company.

Sample Response:

• State that your skills, qualifications and track record of achievements make you extremely well prepared to excel in this role.

• Discuss 2-3 specific accomplishments from past roles that demonstrate the tangible success you will bring.

• Explain how your personal work style, values and temperament align exceptionally well with the company culture and priorities.

• Share your excitement to apply your strengths and experience to help elevate the team’s performance.

• Express passion for doing meaningful work that you feel allows you to make an impact.

Question 10: Do you have any questions for me?

Ask smart, thoughtful questions that show your engagement and interest in the company, role and interviewer’s experience.

Sample Response:

• What do you enjoy most about working at 1stDibs?

• Can you tell me more about the training process for new hires?

• What are the most pressing goals the team is focused on this year?

• What do you think it takes to be really successful in this role?

• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth at 1stDibs?

Following these tips will ensure you are thoroughly prepared when interviewing and able to responded with confident, thoughtful answers. Show the hiring team how your skills and experience make you the perfect candidate to help drive 1stDibs’ continued success. Good luck!