how we hire

How we hire We like to Think Big and Act Fast . Our recruitment stages are flexible and depend on the role you applied for. Here’s what you can expect. Application process Let's start the conversation Video/Phone call (15-45 mins) Chat with one of our Talent Acquisition Partners so that we can learn more about you, your motivation and ‘Why Zalando?’ We’ll also talk about your salary expectations and next steps. Getting to know each other Video/Phone call (30-60 mins) Meet one of our Hiring Managers. This is your opportunity to find out more about Zalando and the role, as we explore your experience in more detail, and we also review how aligned you already are with our values. Ready for a challenge? Virtual We may ask you to complete a ‘case study’ to demonstrate your role-specific skills, e.g. a business challenge or coding exercise. The final interviews Typically Video/Phone call (60-180 min*) This is your chance to meet your potential teammates and take a deep dive into the role and our culture to make sure it’s a great match on both sides. * There might be more than one interview at this stage. 1 2 3 4 Let's start the conversation Video/Phone call (15-45 mins) Chat with one of our Talent Acquisition Partners so that we can learn more about you, your motivation and ‘Why Zalando?’ We’ll also talk about your salary expectations and next steps. Getting to know each other Video/Phone call (30-60 mins) Meet one of our Hiring Managers. This is your opportunity to find out more about Zalando and the role, as we explore your experience in more detail, and we also review how aligned you already are with our values. Ready for a challenge? Virtual We may ask you to complete a ‘case study’ to demonstrate your role-specific skills, e.g. a business challenge or coding exercise. The final interviews Typically Video/Phone call (60-180 min*) This is your chance to meet your potential teammates and take a deep dive into the role and our culture to make sure it’s a great match on both sides. * There might be more than one interview at this stage. 1 2 3 4 Let's start the conversation Video/Phone call (30 mins) Chat with one of our Talent Acquisition Partners so that we can learn more about you, your motivation and ‘why Zalando?’ We’ll also talk about your salary expectations and next steps. Ready for a challenge? Virtual We may ask you to complete a ‘case study’ to demonstrate your role-specific skills, e.g. a business challenge or coding exercise. Getting to know each other Video/Phone call (45-60 mins) Meet with your Hiring Manager or potential Team Lead for a more detailed discussion about the position and your experience. This stage is about getting to know each other and giving you an opportunity to ask questions about the team structure, typical tasks, and challenges in the role. The final interviews Video or on-site (3-5 interviews; 45-60 min each) This is your chance to meet your potential teammates and take a deep dive into the role and our culture to make sure it’s a great match on both sides. There might be more than one interview at this stage. 1 2 3 4 Let's start the conversation Typically Video/Phone call (15 mins) Chat with one of our Talent Acquisition Partners so that we can learn more about you, your motivation and ‘Why Zalando?’ We’ll also talk about your salary expectations and next steps. Hiring Day In-person (15 min, plus waiting time) Hiring Day is the chance for us to get to know each other even better and in person. We’ll talk about your expectations and explore which team would be the best fit for you (read this article for more information). There will also be lots of time to answer your questions as you decide whether Zalando is the right place for you. The offer In-person (At the end of the hiring day) If you’re successful on Hiring Day, you’ll get an offer right there. We'll discuss your contract terms and benefits before you make a decision. 1 2 3 Send us your CV Every CV we receive will be seen by a real human: one of our Talent Acquisition Partners. We hope to get back to you within seven days. Let's start the conversation Video/Phone call (15-30 mins) You’ll have a 30 minute intro call with us, helping us get to know you better, deep-dive into your skill set, and learn what your career aspirations are. We’ll tell you more about the role and answer any initial questions you may have. Meet a Hiring Manager* Video/Phone call (30-60 mins) You’ll get to know one of our Hiring Managers and have the opportunity to find out more about the job. We’ll also discuss your experience in a longer, more detailed conversation to explore whether you’re a good fit for the role. *For some roles, you may speak directly with a member of the team. Ready for a challenge? Virtual We may ask you to complete a ‘case study’ to demonstrate your role-specific skills (e.g. business case study, numerical test) and learn more about how you face challenges. The final interviews On-site or video call (30-60 mins) This is your chance to meet your potential teammates and take a deep dive into the role and our culture to make sure it’s a great match on both sides. We may ask you to complete smaller assessments such as role plays or role specific tasks. 1 2 3 4 5 Interview tips Come as you are, wear what you love! We have no dress-code at Zalando, so wear what makes you comfortable. Here are some handy interview tips: Check out Our Founding Mindset Principles Think about why you would like to join Zalando Have a clear picture of the role and responsibilities Treat the interview as a conversation — there are no stupid questions here Highlight examples from your experience (you might like to use the STAR technique ) Digital Housekeeping — get set up for success We use Google Chat, so you won’t need to download additional software. But it’s still a good idea to prepare: Check that you have a strong internet connection Set yourself up in a quiet space that’s bright enough for a video chat Ensure your audio, microphone and webcam are working properly (headphones are recommended) Interview tips FAQs What can I expect after I apply? After you apply, you’ll get an email to confirm we’ve received your application. We’ll then look at your CV and let you know the next steps – these vary depending on the role. What language is spoken at Zalando? Our main business language is English, so please submit your application in English. But for some roles or teams, fluency in German or another language may be a requirement — it will be clear in the job description. Do you hire people from abroad? Will you take care of the relocation? Yes we do, but it depends on the requirements of the role. If you get invited to interview with us, you will be able to ask your Talent Acquisition Partner. If you’re asked to relocate, our People Services team will be there to help guide you with visa assistance, accommodation support, and settling in. If applicable and eligible, they’ll be in touch after you sign your employment contract. How can I be sure that it is the Zalando recruitment team that is in contact with me? To officially apply for a job at Zalando, candidates must submit their application online via our job page . Our recruiters will then contact applicants using an official Zalando e-mail address (@zalando.de). Does Zalando work with partners for recruitment? Yes, we have a list of approved headhunters and agencies that work with us to fill certain positions. Please note that Zalando never approaches candidates directly via social media other than LinkedIn. If you are contacted by a headhunter or agency, please ensure that they are reputable before responding to them. Are there any payments involved during the recruitment process? Zalando and our authorised recruiting partners will never ask for any kind of payment to apply for a job or attend an interview. If you receive such an e-mail or message, please report it to the authorities and do not pay the requested fee. Do I have to live in Berlin? 
Can I work remotely? It depends on your position and your team — we have many locations outside Berlin, but your default location and country will be written in your employment contract. Our hybrid working model* is a year-based framework of 40% working time in the office. Decisions around hybrid working are based on what the role and team needs to succeed. For certain roles, you may also have the opportunity to work from abroad for 30 (working) days per year. *The Hybrid Model framework applies to all Zalando SE Berlin and Zalando SE Dortmund employees. To learn more, please ask your Talent Acquisition Partners. How can I check the status of 
my application? Unfortunately, we can’t provide status updates on every individual application. We strive to be as fast as possible, however, during busy periods some delays may occur — we hope you understand. Can you provide feedback or updates after the interview? We always do our best to respond quickly with feedback or updates. However, this may not always be possible depending on the role or if we have high numbers of candidates. We’ll give you an expected feedback timeline when talking to you — two weeks is the longest you should expect to wait. What can I expect once I get hired? 🎉 Congratulations — and welcome to Zalando! Prior to your start date, our Welcome Day team will reach out to give you all the necessary information for your first few days with us. Additionally, all new employees go through our Welcome Day session their first weeks. This will be your chance to learn more about Zalando, our culture, our Finding Mindset, and other teams that are here to support you. I couldn’t find a suitable job for me on the career page. Can I still submit an application? Join our Talent Communities to be the first to hear about suitable opportunities, Zalando updates, and tailored newsletters. What can I expect after I apply? After you apply, you’ll get an email to confirm we’ve received your application. We’ll then look at your CV and let you know the next steps – these vary depending on the role. What language is spoken at Zalando? Our main business language is English, so please submit your application in English. But for some roles or teams, fluency in German or another language may be a requirement — it will be clear in the job description. Do you hire people from abroad? Will you take care of the relocation? Yes we do, but it depends on the requirements of the role. If you get invited to interview with us, you will be able to ask your Talent Acquisition Partner. If you’re asked to relocate, our People Services team will be there to help guide you with visa assistance, accommodation support, and settling in. If applicable and eligible, they’ll be in touch after you sign your employment contract. How can I be sure that it is the Zalando recruitment team that is in contact with me? To officially apply for a job at Zalando, candidates must submit their application online via our job page . Our recruiters will then contact applicants using an official Zalando e-mail address (@zalando.de). Does Zalando work with partners for recruitment? Yes, we have a list of approved headhunters and agencies that work with us to fill certain positions. Please note that Zalando never approaches candidates directly via social media other than LinkedIn. If you are contacted by a headhunter or agency, please ensure that they are reputable before responding to them. Are there any payments involved during the recruitment process? Zalando and our authorised recruiting partners will never ask for any kind of payment to apply for a job or attend an interview. If you receive such an e-mail or message, please report it to the authorities and do not pay the requested fee. Do I have to live in Berlin? 
Can I work remotely? It depends on your position and your team — we have many locations outside Berlin, but your default location and country will be written in your employment contract. Our hybrid working model* is a year-based framework of 40% working time in the office. Decisions around hybrid working are based on what the role and team needs to succeed. For certain roles, you may also have the opportunity to work from abroad for 30 (working) days per year. *The Hybrid Model framework applies to all Zalando SE Berlin and Zalando SE Dortmund employees. To learn more, please ask your Talent Acquisition Partners. How can I check the status of 
my application? Unfortunately, we can’t provide status updates on every individual application. We strive to be as fast as possible, however, during busy periods some delays may occur — we hope you understand. Can you provide feedback or updates after the interview? We always do our best to respond quickly with feedback or updates. However, this may not always be possible depending on the role or if we have high numbers of candidates. We’ll give you an expected feedback timeline when talking to you — two weeks is the longest you should expect to wait. What can I expect once I get hired? 🎉 Congratulations — and welcome to Zalando! Prior to your start date, our Welcome Day team will reach out to give you all the necessary information for your first few days with us. Additionally, all new employees go through our Welcome Day session their first weeks. This will be your chance to learn more about Zalando, our culture, our Finding Mindset, and other teams that are here to support you. I couldn’t find a suitable job for me on the career page. Can I still submit an application? Join our Talent Communities to be the first to hear about suitable opportunities, Zalando updates, and tailored newsletters. What happens after I apply? After you apply, you’ll get an email to confirm we’ve received your application. We’ll then look at your CV and let you know the next steps – these vary depending on the role. What’s the recruitment process? When you first meet your Talent Acquisition Partner, they’ll explain everything you need to know — and if something changes, they’ll inform you ASAP. Find out more on this blog article . How long does the interview 
process take? We aim to be as quick as possible, but it depends on the availability of both you and the hiring team. If you have options in your calendar ready to go, it’s helpful to pass them to your Talent Acquisition Partner. Do I have to live in Berlin? 
Can I work remotely? It depends on the role, your team, and which part of Zalando you’re working for. The default country and city of work you’re required to work in is written in the job description and employment contract. Our hybrid working model* is a year-based framework of 40% working time in the office. Decisions around hybrid working are made by the leadership team and are based on what the role and team needs to succeed. For certain roles, you may also have the opportunity to work from abroad for 30 (working) days per year. *Hybrid Model framework applies to all Zalando SE Berlin and Zalando SE Dortmund employees who can work both remotely and at home. To learn more, please connect with your Talent Acquisition Partner. Can I have an internship or a mini-job in Logistics? Unfortunately, we do not currently offer either model at our logistics sites. How is shift work structured and when will I find out which shifts I’ll be 
assigned to? We work in three shifts, with most colleagues alternating (i.e. in a weekly rhythm of early and late shifts).The night shift is a permanent shift and therefore does not rotate — we advertise separately for this. Shift timing varies by location, so our Talent Acquisition Partners will give you more precise information when you first chat with them. If you apply for the rotating shift, you will find out on our Hiring Day whether you’ll start on either the early or late shift. Are you open at the weekend? Yes we are. If you work full time, you will work five days a week between Monday and Saturday. One of those days is always free and will alternate. Once you join, you will receive your schedule a year in advance, leaving you plenty of time to make plans. I don't have a car, can I use public transportation to get to 
logistics centers? Yes, our centres are conveniently located in industrial areas that are easy to reach by public transport. We also encourage carpooling – you can find more information on your employee notice board on site. Do I have to wear a uniform? As you’ll be working in a warehouse with machines, we have specific guidelines for what to wear, to help keep you safe. You’ll be given a new set of work shirts, safety shoes and any other necessary equipment. Is there a cafeteria/kitchen available? Yes. You’ll find kitchens with microwaves in the social area. At most of our sites, we also have a canteen that prepares fresh food every day with both vegetarian and meat dishes, as well as baked goods and salads. These canteens are subsidised by Zalando, so you can buy meals at a discounted price. There’s also free water and fruit available. Do I need to fill in an application form? Can I just send you my CV? We only accept applications that are submitted using our form on our job portal. Please don’t send in a CV or covering letter. When should I start to apply? How long should I plan for the interview process? We don't have any fixed application windows, we suggest you apply 2-3 months before your preferred start date to ensure a smooth process and allow time for paperwork to be completed What happens after I apply? One of our Early Careers team members will review your application and get in touch within seven days of your submission — usually via email. What locations are you recruiting for? Our main location is Berlin, Germany but you’ll also see opportunities in Dortmund (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), Zurich (Switzerland), Stockholm (Sweden) and Helsinki (Finland). Are the interviews in person or virtual? We use both, depending on the circumstances. Find out about a specific role by asking the Talent Acquisition Partner specified in the job description. When will I get feedback? After completion of an interview stage we assess with the whole hiring team involved on how best to proceed. Depending on holiday season etc. this sometimes might take up to two weeks, we usually strive to give you feedback within a few days and always give you an expected feedback time when talking to you. When will I hear if I’ve been successful or not? At the end of the interview, we’ll tell you when we expect to give you a decision. While we aim to let you know within a few days, this can take up to two weeks. How long will my profile be kept on 
your database? In alignment with European GDPR-rules, we will keep your application on file for up to 6 months. If you wish to have your application or other data removed earlier, please get in touch with [email protected] . You can find our privacy policy here . Get in touch with the recruitment team We’re always on-hand to answer any questions you have throughout the recruitment process. If you have any specific questions related to the role, please reach out directly to the relevant Talent Acquisition Partner — you can find their details on the job advertisement. Ready to reimagine your career? Discover all the Zalando career opportunities available. Find a role that fits