Ask an Agodan: How do I get a Tech job at Agoda?

Welcome to our new Ask an Agodan series, where we bring you closer to the people in our global team. At Agoda, we’re bridging the world through travel, and this series will give you an inside look at how we build and nurture our talent to make it happen.

We’re excited to introduce Ria Santoso, a dedicated Talent Acquisition Partner who recruits top Tech talent to join our team. Ria and her colleagues are crucial in finding the right individuals to fill our backend, full stack, and data roles, driving innovation and excellence in our Tech department.

We asked for your most pressing questions about launching a Tech career at Agoda and have compiled Ria’s answers in this post. Whether you’re looking for advice on making your application stand out, preparing for interviews, or building a career with us, you’ll find it all here.

Thank you to everyone who sent in questions! Be sure to follow our social media channels to stay updated on future editions of Ask an Agodan, where you’ll have more opportunities to submit your questions and hear from our talented team.

Perfecting your application

Taylor Lampela asked: What’s the best thing someone can do to make their application stand out among the crowd?

Keep your CV short and sweet! You want it to be clear and impactful, so aim for one to two pages. Focus on the most important qualifications and experiences that match the job you’re applying for. Recruiters only really need fifteen seconds to review each CV, so ensure the key information is easy to find.

Anonymous asked: Could you share tips on building a career in Tech at Agoda? I’m interested in the key skills needed, how to make my application stand out, and interview preparation advice.

1. Key Skills: Focus on developing skills that are essential for the position you’re applying for, whether it’s coding, data analysis, or project management. Stay updated with the latest technologies and best practices in your field.

Hands-on experience with the tools and platforms we use at Agoda will be particularly valuable. Our software engineers and teams embrace a multiprogramming mindset. For example, our full-stack team uses JavaScript, React JS, Kotlin, .NET, and C#, while the backend team uses Kotlin, C#, Java, Scala, .NET, and Rust.

2. Growth mindset: Having a growth mindset is at the core of our culture. We believe in embracing new challenges, learning from experiences, and viewing failures as opportunities for growth. If you can demonstrate a willingness to take on new tasks, experiment, and adapt to changing circumstances, that will be highly valued.

3. Networking: Engage with the tech community through events, workshops, and online forums. Networking not only helps you learn new trends and technologies but also connects you with industry professionals who can offer guidance and mentorship.

4. Tailor your CV: Customize your CV for each job application. Highlight the most relevant experiences and skills that align with the job description. A tailored CV shows that you’ve taken the time to understand the role and are serious about the opportunity.

5. Interview preparation:

• Research: Look up common interview questions, especially on sites like Glassdoor. Consider possible questions based on the job description and prepare answers that you can adapt to different variations.
• Use a framework: Keep your answers concise but data-driven. You can use many frameworks to answer behavioral questions, but the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a good place to start. Time yourself to check that your answers are three minutes long at most.
• Role requirements: Always refer back to the job requirements when crafting your answers. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes and consider: What are they looking for?
• Practice: Build your confidence by practicing answering questions, either on your own or with a friend.

Here’s a handy overview of how we hire for Tech roles at Agoda.

Shruti asked: I’m a Lead Developer based in Bangkok with seven years of experience in front-end and React, Angular, and JavaScript. I’m confident about the technology stack, but how do I prepare for the coding round?

There’s no easy way around it: practice. To prepare for the coding round, you’ll need to practice extensively on platforms like LeetCode. The questions you’ll encounter will be specific to the role’s requirements, so reviewing the job description will give you a good idea of what to expect.

Here are some pointers:

• Be clear about tech: When talking about technology, make sure you clearly explain why you’re using it. This will help when the interviewer asks follow-up questions.
• Get clarification: Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions upfront to clarify the requirements early on. This not only guides the discussion in the right direction, but also provides you with helpful insight into what’s needed.

Check out our interview guide for more tips on preparing for the coding round!

Shruti asked: Will I be asked back-end questions if I apply for a full-stack role? Are there any front-end roles to apply for?

If you’re applying for a full-stack role, you may be asked both back-end and front-end questions, so you’ll want to brush up on relevant back-end technologies. We are hiring for front-end roles, so check the job listings on our Careers site to learn more.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask your recruiter for tailored advice on preparing for your interview rounds.

Relocating for a Tech role at Agoda

Anonymous asked: Does Agoda provide help for people who want to relocate to Singapore or Thailand?

Many of our roles come with full relocation support, particularly for our Bangkok-based Engineering positions. Our Singapore and Gurugram offices are also hubs for Tech with opportunities for relocation. To see which roles offer relocation support, check our vacancies and look for job listings with ‘Relocation Provided’ in the title. Along with this, we are hiring for remote positions in selected markets.

Our wonderful Visa, Mobility, and Onboarding teams will help guide you through the process. Here are some of the perks we offer:

• One month of accommodation
• Support for your family, including pets
• The option to ship your belongings out by cargo
• Dedicated visa support

Want to learn more about relocating and building a life in Thailand? Check out these blogs:
Find out why our techies relocated to work in Bangkok
Relocation and family life in Bangkok

Internships and early careers

Anonymous asked: What are your expectations for resumes and interviews from intern and entry-level candidates? Can an Agoda intern get a full-time offer at Agoda?

We look for enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and the ability to show how your skills align with the role. For interns and entry-level candidates, it’s important to demonstrate your potential and fit for the role rather than years of experience. The accuracy of your resume is also crucial, so make sure that your month and year of graduation are clearly stated.

Many of our interns have continued to pursue a full-time career at Agoda! We have internship programs that offer students and fresh graduates the chance to work on impactful projects with a global reach. Check out our Students page to learn more.

The best part? Our internships are fully paid, allowing you to gain experience, discover new passions, and make valuable connections as you kick-start your career.

Anonymous asked: Are there any internship opportunities for back-end positions at Agoda Bangkok?

We currently offer Agoda internships in three countries:

• Thailand: Our summer internship program is a 10-week program starting at the end of May, open to Thais and students studying full-time in Thailand. We also offer a co-operative internship program for Thais earning academic credits, depending on their university schedule.
• Singapore: Our co-operative Tech internship program is open to Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, and students studying full-time in Singapore.
• India: Our co-operative Tech internship program is open to Indians and students studying full-time in India.

We do offer back-end internships, so keep an eye on our Students page and join our Talent Community by adding us on LINE (@agoda_earlycareers) to stay up to date with any new opportunities.

Anonymous asked: Can you get an internship at Agoda without knowing Data Structures and Algorithms?

While you can apply for an internship at Agoda without knowing Data Structures and Algorithms, we encourage applicants for software engineering internships to have a good baseline understanding of DSA. These skills will help you get up to speed more quickly and make a greater impact in your role. Outside of Tech, our Product and Marketing departments also offer internships that involve lots of data and technical work, with less emphasis on coding and algorithms. Look out for internships in project management, as these will also focus on analytics.

Career moves

Anonymous asked: I’m a Senior Research Analyst working in EdTech, with knowledge of Tableau, SQL, and Python. I would love to transition to a Data Analyst role in Agoda. Do you have any advice on how I can do that?

When it comes to hiring, Agoda is a skills-first organization. We’re more focused on whether you possess the right skills and abilities, than on your current title or direct experience. To transition to a Data Analyst role at Agoda, start by ensuring you have the needed skills. You might want to take extra courses or pursue further education to strengthen your knowledge of data analysis.

Join community events and networking opportunities related to data analysis to boost your skills and connect with others in the field. Finding a mentor who has experience in data analysis will also be invaluable.

A lateral career move might come with some challenges. You may start at a different level than your previous position, as the new role might require different skills and expertise. Stay open to learning and adapting as you make the switch.

Opportunities at Agoda

Manish asked: Is it possible to join the Agoda Engineering team without a degree in Computer Science?

You can join the Agoda Engineering team without a Computer Science degree. However, we require several years of experience as a software engineer to be considered for a role. The amount of experience needed will depend on the level of the position you’re applying for.

Anonymous asked: Is there a required education level to join Agoda?

Again, it depends on the role you’re applying for, and each job description typically includes the required education level. If you have extensive, relevant work experience in the field, that will also be considered.

For Tech candidates who plan to relocate to Thailand, we require a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering (for Indian graduates), or other related fields. Otherwise, the candidates must have at least five years of full-time work experience in a related field.

Anonymous asked: I interviewed at Agoda last month and passed two Tech rounds, but after those, I was informed it wasn’t a good fit. When can I reapply for the same position?

You can reapply again after six months have passed.

Thank you to everyone who shared questions and thank you to Ria for sharing her expertise with us! Follow us on social media to see who’s next in our Ask an Agodan series.

Feeling inspired? We’re hiring! Explore our Tech vacancies today.