Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal

Welcome to inside the manager’s mind — a space where leadership meets reality. Explore the highs, lows, and everyday decisions that shape teams and drive success. From strategic thinking to people management, this blog offers raw insights and practical wisdom for those leading or aspiring to lead. In this feature we’d like you to meet Gaurav Bansal! Gaurav Bansal: As a manager, my constant focus is on solving challenges that my team faces. The key is staying aware of these challenges, acknowledging them, and taking decisive action. Let me share how I approach some common management challenges. Building Cross-Functional Collaboration When my team expanded from client-only developers to include Backend developers, I noticed collaboration gaps emerging. While client developers had strong relationships from working together for a year, the integration with Backend developers needed attention. To address this, we focused on creating a collaborative environment through regular team activities, including recent bowling and dinner events that helped break down barriers and foster natural connections. We’ve made significant strides in fostering technical understanding between teams. Our backend team now regularly shares insights about API performance, which has led to client teams implementing more effective loading states. Similarly, when client teams demonstrate user interactions, it helps backend developers design more intuitive API endpoints. These exchanges have transformed our team’s mindset from “That’s not my job” to “How can I help?” Maintaining Team Motivation Recognition plays a crucial role in keeping the team motivated throughout the development lifecycle. We celebrate joint wins and team contributions, making sure everyone feels valued for their unique contributions. Mercari’s employee-centric culture and various club activities provide additional avenues for engagement and motivation.Work-life balance is another cornerstone of our approach. We’ve implemented flexible working hours, understanding that some team members are early birds while others peak later in… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/inside-the-managers-mind-gaurav-bansal/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal</span></a>

Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Cross Border Team

Welcome to our hiring series- Building Bridges. At Mercari we pride ourselves on building a talented and dynamic team. In this series, you’ll get to know the faces behind the teams that run our organisation.Let’s dive in and get to know them better with the Engineering Manager – Atif Shaik Mercari India: Can you tell us a bit about  what a typical day looks like for the Cross Border team? Atif:  We’re one of the teams building the next big thing at Mercari, so our days are packed with energy and purpose. We start with a quick sync to catch up on where everyone is with their tasks and anything exciting (or challenging) from the day before. After that, we often have discussions with our product manager and maybe a few other team members to make sure everyone is aligned. Once we’re on the same page, we dive deep into focused work—building the core pieces of our new app. It’s pretty intense, but knowing we’re building something global makes it super rewarding. Mercari India: Tell us more about the engineers you are currently hiring for, and what qualities do you look for in potential candidates? Atif: We’re looking for a passionate folks to join us—a true enthusiast who’s excited by the idea of building for a global audience. It’s fast-paced here, but if you love learning quickly and tackling fresh challenges, you’ll fit right in. We’re after someone who doesn’t just think about the tech; we want someone who has a real appreciation for the product and the experience we’re delivering to people. It’s not just about code; it’s about crafting something people will love using.  Mercari India: How does your team collaborate and what tools or methods do you use to stay connected and productive? Atif: Slack is our… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/building-bridges-introducing-our-dynamic-cross-border-team/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Cross Border Team</span></a>

Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Platform Team

Welcome to our hiring series- Building Bridges. At Mercari we pride ourselves on building a talented and dynamic team. In this series, you’ll get to know the faces behind the teams that run our organisation. Let’s dive in and get to know them better! Team Introduction Mercari comprises four main divisions: Marketplace, Merpay, Mercoin, and Souzoh. Within these divisions, there are hundreds of microservices. The Platform group serves as the foundation for all services across the entire organization. Our Platform Engineering teams play a crucial role in assisting engineers at Mercari and its subsidiaries in building and delivering superior products to our customers. We provide the necessary infrastructure and DevOps toolchains to enhance the reliability, security, and observability of our services, making engineers’ work more efficient. At Mercari, our mission is to empower the business to take and scale risks, enabling the discovery of new opportunities and driving growth. Mercari India: Can you tell us a bit about what a typical day looks like for the Platform team? Rajesh: As platform engineers, we take end-to-end responsibility for the entire platform. A typical day involves a mix of various activities, including working on new initiatives, enhancing existing components, aligning with stakeholders, and providing support to our customers—primarily developers. You can expect to spend: Mercari India: Tell us more about the role you are currently hiring for, and what qualities do you look for in potential candidates? Rajesh: The Platform group at Mercari consists of multiple teams working together, each focusing on dedicated areas. These teams include Infrastructure/Observability, Network, CI/CD, Developer Experience (DX), MLOps, Experimentation Platform, and Data Platform. Each team has specific ownership and responsibilities.In Mercari India, we have extended Infrastructure/Observability and Network teams. Despite being in different geographical locations, these teams function as a single cohesive unit. We are looking… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/building-bridges-introducing-our-dynamic-platform-team/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Platform Team</span></a>

Swift Innovations Unleashed: A Look Inside the Mercari India Meetup

Hello, I’m Archita Bansal, currently working as a Lead Software Engineer at Mercari India. What an incredible day we had on February 10th at Mercari India! The Swift Meetup transformed into a unique gathering of Swift developers from various backgrounds, making it a special day filled with insights and collaboration. This event was much more than a Mercari India initiative; it was a testament to community collaboration. By welcoming Swift developers from different companies, we fostered an environment rich in shared learning and connections. Our attendees had the chance to engage with top Swift technology experts, including Mercari India’s own speakers and notable external specialists. Together, they navigated a wide array of topics, from optimizing build speeds in both local and CI environments to ensuring applications are accessible through comprehensive accessibility audits. The discussions didn’t stop there—they also covered practical tips for applying SwiftUI in production apps, showcasing the framework’s incredible power and flexibility, and delved into the innovative potential of MapKit in SwiftUI. The evident enthusiasm and passion from each presentation truly highlighted the vibrant spirit of the Swift community. It was a day of innovation, learning, and community building, a sentiment strongly supported by the positive feedback we received across social media. The meetup transcended the bounds of mere technical presentations; it embodied the spirit of collective growth and vision. Guided by our leadership, insights were shared that illuminated the core of iOS development at Mercari, revealing the ambitions and principles that unite us all. Being part of such community events demonstrates Mercari India’s dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, reaching beyond our immediate space. Reflecting on the meetup, we’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the moments we shared, the knowledge we exchanged, and the connections we forged. This event was a collaborative effort that benefitted… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/swift-innovations-unleashed-a-look-inside-the-mercari-india-meetup/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Swift Innovations Unleashed: A Look Inside the Mercari India Meetup</span></a>

SWE Intern to an Android Engineer: Unveiling the chapters of my experience at Mercari India

Hello, I’m Mrudul Tora, and I’m thrilled to share the comprehensive journey of becoming one of the Software Engineer Interns at Mercari India, spanning from the initial interview process to securing a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) and converting to a full time Android Engineer. A closer look at Mercari Mercari Inc., founded in 2013, is a prominent Japanese e-commerce company. The Mercari marketplace app, introduced in Japan in July 2013, has evolved into the country’s largest community-powered marketplace, facilitating over 23 Million active users each month. Application Process Motivated by a previous setback in the application process, I approached this opportunity with renewed determination. I meticulously updated my resume, ensuring it highlighted all relevant projects and internships. Applying through a referral in December 2022, I eagerly awaited the next steps. To my delight, within a few days, I received a link for an online test, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in my journey with Mercari. First Round: Online Assessment The initial phase involved an online assessment conducted on the HackerRank platform. The assessment comprised three coding-based questions, all centered around data structures and algorithms. Notably, the difficulty level for all the questions was medium. The assessment was to be taken in two weeks, and a duration of one hour was allocated for the test once it was initiated. Taking advantage of the given time span, I dedicated a portion to revisiting and reinforcing my understanding of data structures and algorithms before attempting the test. Following the completion of the assessment, a member from the Talent Acquisition (TA) team reached out to me. This interaction included discussions about my preferred duration and location for pursuing the internship, allowing for a personalized touch to the process, with options between India and Japan. Post-assessment, there was a waiting period of approximately two… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/swe-intern-to-an-android-engineer-unveiling-the-chapters-of-my-experience-at-mercari-india/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">SWE Intern to an Android Engineer: Unveiling the chapters of my experience at Mercari India</span></a>

Mercari’s Recruitment Journey at IIT Kharagpur

Hello, I’m Sanu Satyadarshi, currently working as a Lead Software Engineer at Mercari India. Mercari stands as a beacon of tech innovation, consistently upholding rigorous engineering standards. We firmly believe in the infusion of fresh perspectives, and our new graduate hires—often referred to as freshers—play a key role in infusing new ideas and dynamism into our systems. India’s burgeoning tech landscape has become a magnet for companies scouting world-class engineering talent. Recognizing this trend, Mercari has cultivated relationships with top-tier Indian engineering institutions for several years. As part of our annual recruitment strategy, we recently visited the esteemed IIT Kharagpur, a global powerhouse in engineering education. While our hiring process might appear simple, it’s anything but that. Planning commences a minimum of 6–8 months in advance, with our new-grad talent acquisition team meticulously orchestrating every detail. This time around, the hiring was being done for positions in Japan. However, since Mercari has a software development center in India, I was nominated by my manager to visit IIT Kharagpur directly and conduct interviews in support of the hiring team from Japan. At Mercari, we believe in working together toward common goals, and this is just one embodiment of our company value “All for One.” Here’s where the logistics get interesting: I was in Tokyo, Japan, until November 29th, with interviews scheduled in Kharagpur on December 1st. This tight schedule required quick transitions, including flights from Tokyo to Bangalore and then to Kolkata, followed by an early morning drive to Kharagpur. During the morning drive from Kolkata to Kharagpur, I was able to discuss a lot of technical topics with Mercari’s CTO Ken Wakasa, VP of Engineering Carlos Donderis, and other senior engineering leaders who had traveled from Japan for the hiring initiative. Upon reaching IIT Kharagpur, we were accommodated at the… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/mercaris-recruitment-journey-at-iit-kharagpur/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Mercari’s Recruitment Journey at IIT Kharagpur</span></a>

Mercari India’s Inaugural Corporate to Campus Triumph at IGDTUW

Hi, I am @SmriTea from India HR team. In the dynamic realm of technology, the transition from corporate to campus is a pivotal experience that sets the stage for mutual growth and opportunity. Mercari India, recently embarked on its first Corporate to Campus journey, selecting Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) as the canvas for its recruitment masterpiece. The two-day event, held on the 25th and 26th of October 2023, was a resounding success, resulting in the hiring of six talented women engineers across various roles. Why IGDTUW? Selecting IGDTUW for Mercari India’s maiden on-campus hiring drive was a strategic decision driven by the university’s reputation for academic excellence, particularly in producing women engineers of high caliber. Mercari India, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, recognized IGDTUW as a hotspot for potential talent that aligned with the company’s values and aspirations. Participation and Team Composition With an open invitation to B.Tech, M.Tech, and MCA students who scored 75% and above, Mercari India witnessed an enthusiastic response from approximately 200 students. The Mercari India team, comprising 2 members from the HR team and 6 seasoned engineers, spearheaded the recruitment process. Four engineers were dedicated to conducting technical interviews, while the remaining two conducted hiring manager interviews. The Rigorous Selection Process Mercari India’s commitment to excellence was evident in the meticulously planned selection process. Recognizing the importance of precision in the hiring process, Mercari India opted to conduct the HackerRank online test two weeks before the scheduled drive dates. The foresight in conducting the online test in advance allowed Mercari India to gauge the scale of interest and participation. With approximately 200 students stepping up to the challenge, it became evident that the drive was set to be a dynamic and competitive event.This allowed the team to tailor the number… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/mercari-indias-inaugural-corporate-to-campus-triumph-at-igdtuw/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Mercari India’s Inaugural Corporate to Campus Triumph at IGDTUW</span></a>

Mercari India Dev Meetup #02 Mobile

Hello, everyone! My name is Kayo and I am responsible for Mercari India’s Employer Branding. On January 21st, we held the 2nd online meet-up in Mercari India. Over 30 members participated and we received many questions and comments. I’d like to thank everybody who took the time to be with us! This is a summary of the Mercari India online meet-up. The main purpose of the meet-up was to introduce Mercari Group’s Mobile Team. In this article, I’d like to share the presentation materials and a recording of the event. These materials have more information about each of the teams at Mercari India,  so if you’re interested, please check it out! What is the Mobile Team’s role at the company? Over the past 2 years, the Mobile Development Team at Mercari has leveraged cutting-edge technology to completely redesign the Mercari marketplace apps for iOS, Android, and Web. We are now embarking on an even more exciting phase of Mercari’s growth, where we will continue to expand the service through our advanced technological capabilities. Making Mercari’s Business and Ecosystem Sustainable: Our Journey to Creating GroundUp App, a Project More Colossal Than Anything We Have Done Before | Mercan This phase will bring many opportunities for engineers interested in using advanced tech to enhance productivity. This will also be a great opportunity for anyone who is eager to contribute to design systems, accessibility features, dark mode and other such cutting-edge innovations. Technical challenges are synonymous with growth for an engineer, so we expect that this next phase will offer the ultimate development experience for engineers looking to take on these types of challenges! The content that was presented at the meetup can be found here: This slide was part of the presentation that introduced the Mobile Team. A recording of the event… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/event/mercari-india-dev-meetup-02-mobile/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Mercari India Dev Meetup #02 Mobile</span></a>