From curiosity to Mailbirdian: Step into your new role with ease

Are you curious about the Mailbird application process? Then check out this post.

Mailbird: Beyond an ordinary workspace

We strive for clarity and simplicity in everything we do—and our hiring process is no exception. So we designed this short guide to illuminate each step of the process for you. But before delving into the specifics, let’s highlight what sets us apart from the flock.

At Mailbird, we…

• Embrace officeless offices: As a digital nomad, you can choose where you're most productive, whether it's a mountaintop, a local cafe, or the comfort of your own home.
• Respect your work rhythms: We don’t do typical 9-to-5s. When you're most creative and productive, that's your time to shine.
• Cherish our cultural mosaic: Celebrate diversity daily, with team members hailing from 20 different countries.
• Foster a strong community: Foster a strong community: Despite our geographically dispersed team, we built, and continue to strengthen, a tight-knit community that supports and uplifts its members.

Your journey to Mailbird

We recognize that traditional selection processes can sometimes fall short. After all, there's so much more to a person than what can be gauged through interviews, skills assessments, or aptitude tests alone. This is why we’ve adopted a holistic approach, drawing from various sources of information to get a well-rounded view of each candidate.

While we stay on top of modern HR trends and appreciate the importance of skill-based hiring, we also understand the limitations of relying solely on skill tests. These assessments can provide valuable insights, but they don't always capture the full essence of an individual.

So rest assured, you don’t need the most decorated CV or the longest list of work experience to catch our eye. Yes, they’ll give us valuable information to form a basic impression, but we’re always eager to look deeper to discover potential and passion where others might not.

Now that we've introduced you to some of our core values, let’s take a look at how we get to know our candidates.

Stage 1: Your exciting first steps

If you’re eyeing a spot on our dynamic team, rest assured, we’ve streamlined the application process to let your skills and potential shine effortlessly.

Have a look at this step-by-step overview to traverse the application landscape with ease:

• Explore our careers page: Begin by exploring the various roles listed to find one that resonates with your career aspirations and skillset. If you don't see anything that fits right now, you can always send us a general application, and we'll keep it on hand for when something opens up that's right up your alley.
• Submit your application: Use your resume and cover letter to share your professional story and ambitions. You'll also need to answer a few additional questions. Be real and thoughtful in your responses; we appreciate honesty and are eager to hear your individual insights and views. And don’t worry, we won’t ask you to repeat info that’s already on your CV.
• Application review: We carefully go through every part of your application—your CV, cover letter, and answers to our questions. We want to fully understand your skills, experiences, and aspirations to see if we’re a good fit for each other.
• Aptitude test: If you’re applying for a software development role, we’ll have you take an aptitude test to assess relevant skills, such as your attention to detail and logical thinking abilities.

Behind the scenes: I carefully review every application with our hiring team. We believe in the human touch in our hiring process—no AI is involved—ensuring every applicant gets a fair and genuine evaluation.

Stage 2: The culture fit interview

After shortlisting, you'll be invited to a ”culture fit” interview. But don't let the term discourage you! It's not about conformity but rather how you align with Mailbird's cherished values.

We celebrate uniqueness and diversity. So this stage ensures mutual respect for our principles: kindness, curiosity, and mindfulness of others.

This 30-minute conversation explores shared stories, hopes, and visions. Those applying for technical roles may also encounter some tech-based questions.

Your guide: Our experienced recruiters will facilitate this interview, addressing any preliminary questions you might have.

Stage 3: The skills showcase

If our visions align, you’ll be given a skill assessment tailored to your specific role. It could be a technical interview, a brainstorming session, or an assignment you can complete at your own pace.

Point to note: We don’t believe in “professional ghosting”. Even if you don’t progress beyond this stage, we’ll still notify you and try to provide some feedback. While it may not be exhaustive due to time constraints, you're always welcome to seek further clarity.

Stage 4: The technical deep dive

This stage only applies to those seeking a technical position.

Impressive skills pave the way to a detailed discussion with our tech gurus. Here, specifically for software roles, expect two technical deep dives to gauge your level of expertise.

Your facilitator: Our tech lead, Max, will spearhead this phase, guiding and engaging with you throughout.

In this final stage of interviews, you’ll meet with the hiring manager to discuss your potential role and contributions. This session is often complemented by the presence of other team members, ensuring a holistic introduction and exchange of perspectives.

Stage 6: The outcome

Your dedication throughout this process is met with constructive feedback. Successful candidates will either receive an offer letter or engage in a discussion where one is presented. And as mentioned earlier: regardless of the outcome, we’ll always get in touch with you to let you know our final decision.

Other helpful considerations

We wholeheartedly believe you're fantastic just as you are, and we trust you'll bring the same dedication to this process as we do. So, based on our experiences and interactions, we’d like to give you a few pointers to help make the most of your Mailbird selection journey:

• Think beyond your resume: As you already learned, it's not just about the details on your CV. We treasure the unique insights and perspectives you can offer. This is why our application process includes questions crafted to delve into your individuality. It's your moment in the spotlight, and we genuinely take the time to read and consider your responses. It may take a tad more effort, but we assure you, it's worth it.
• Use knowledge as a compass: We always recommend candidates acquaint themselves with potential employers. This isn't merely about impressing us; it's also for your benefit. Understanding Mailbird's ethos, tracing our journey, and getting a sense of the voices that shape our team can be instrumental. It not only provides a foundation for our discussions but also helps you gauge if we're the right fit for you.
• Value authenticity as much as presentation: Whether you're seeking clarity, need additional information, or just require a bit more time, always communicate your genuine thoughts and feelings. Although everyone wants to present the most polished version of themselves, there's a special kind of magic in being genuine and forming connections that feel right. Trust that authenticity; it serves everyone better in the long haul.

Joining the Mailbird nest

Intrigued? Our onboarding echoes our distinct hiring approach, designed to ensure you feel integrated and valued from day one. So spread your wings and begin your journey with Mailbird.