What is the Build Training Program?

• Overview
  • The Build Training Program teaches participants the fundamental knowledge required for software engineering. Over the course of 2 weeks, participants will take on individual challenges with support from Mercari Group engineers.
    • This program is unpaid.
    • We are planning to hold the program information session for this program.
      • January 9th, 2025 (Thu) 18:00-19:00 JST ※YouTube broadcast
        Click here for details and registration.
    • See video archives of the program information session here.

• Participants will be split into small teams and communicate with teammates while working on their individual challenges. By working through these challenges, participants will learn the basics of web app development, such as:
  • How to use Git
  • Basics of databases
  • Web API development using Python or Go
  • Frontend web development
  • Providing services using Docker/Docker Compose

• Participants will be provided with videos from Udemy and DevDojo, Mercari’s series of in-house technical training programs for new graduates. Participants will use these videos to deepen their understanding of topics and reference them as they tackle challenges. (After the training program, participants will continue to have access to the online video courses for 1 year.)

• Programming languages
  • Backend: Python or Go

• Dates
  • Participants residing in Japan: March 1–14, 2025 (2 weeks)
  • Participants residing abroad: March 3–14, 2025 (2 weeks)

• Schedule　
  • Orientation: March 1 or 3, 2025
    • Participants residing in Japan 
      • March 1, 2025, from 10 AM (JST)
      • Attend offline at Mercari’s Tokyo office
    • Participants residing abroad
      • March 3, 2025, from 3 PM (JST)
      • Attend online
  • Online learning: March 3–14, 2025
    • Work on shared challenges with your teammates and communicate via Slack messages and huddles (voice calls)
    • The solution to each challenge will be explained in lecture format
  • Final presentations: March 14, 2025, from 3 PM (JST)
    • Present what you learned

• Additional information
  • Mercari will arrange and cover the costs of any transportation and accommodation required for the day of orientation. (Primarily applies to participants traveling from prefectures other than Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa.)
  • During the Build Training Program, each team will be assigned a mentor. (Mentorship will be available in both Japanese and English.) Mentors will be available on weekdays between the hours of 10 AM and 7 PM (JST).

Unique Challenges

• Through the Build Training Program, you will have the opportunity to learn basic practical programming skills by taking on technical assignments created by Mercari Group engineers.
• During the training period, you will be able to consult with Mercari Group engineers regarding both the technical assignments and your career.

Application Requirements

• We are looking for participants who:
  • Have a shared belief in the mission and values of Mercari Group and its various companies
  • Identify as female and are either a student aged 16 or above or an adult with less than 3 years of work experience
  • Have access to a computer and the internet
  • Have experience coding in at least 1 programming language
    • Specifically, possess the skills to do the following:
      • Understand simple programming statements such as if and for in a language of your choosing
      • Use a code editor (such as Visual Studio Code) in a programming language of your choosing
      • Use simple commands such as cd/cp/mv in Terminal or Command Prompt
  • Can participate in both of the following:
    • Build Training Program
      • Day 1 (orientation)
        • Participants residing in Japan: March 1 (full day at Mercari’s Tokyo office)
        • Participants residing abroad: March 3 (2–3 hours online)
      • Day 2 until the end of the program
        • Can secure at least 2 hours per day (between 10 AM and 7 PM JST) to learn
• Notes
  • For those who feel unconfident in their technical skills, we will hold an optional follow-up session prior to the training program.
    • Details regarding the follow-up session will be sent at a later date to all those who are accepted to the program.

• Language requirements
  • Training
    • Japanese or English: Independent (CEFR - B2)
  • Internship
    • Japanese or English: Independent (CEFR - B2)

For details about CEFR, see here.

Selection Process

• Selection flow
  • Application → Document screening → Basic coding test → Final screening → Acceptance

• Application deadline: January 15, 2025
  • This is the deadline by which applications must be submitted. The coding test will then be sent to all those who pass the document screening phase. Please allow us a few days to screen your application. You will have approximately 1 week to complete the coding test.
  • Accepted applicants will be notified in late January.

Selection Criteria

• We will select candidates based on a comprehensive evaluation of both your coding test and personal statement letter, but we place especial emphasis on your letter (your reason for applying to join Build@Mercari 2025).

Equal Opportunity Hiring  

Here at Mercari, we work to realize a world in which no one’s potential is limited by their background and everyone has the opportunity to freely create value. We also firmly believe that a mindset of Inclusion & Diversity is essential for us to achieve our mission.

This, of course, extends to our hiring practices as well. Mercari is committed to eliminating discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, physical disability, and other such factors so that anyone who shares our mission and values can join us, regardless of their background.

For more details, please read our I&D Statement.

Please read and acknowledge our Privacy Policy prior to submitting your application.

After the Build@Mercari Training Program

• After the Build Training Program, participants who have reached a certain skill level and pass the selection process will be invited to participate in a paid internship.
• There are 2 types of internships available based on your experience and preference.
  • Build Internship
    • Content: Work with a Mercari/Mercari Group development team and take part in the development of features designed to resolve specific issues
    • Work hours: Approximately 20 hours per week for a duration of 1 month (hours can be adjusted)
      • Either August 1–31 or September 1–30
    • Selection process: 1 interview with a team manager
  • Employment Internship
    • Content: Work as a member of a team at Mercari/Mercari Group
    • Work hours: Approximately 20 hours per week for a duration of 2–3 months (hours can be adjusted)
      • Internship dates will be determined based on your availability.
    • Selection process: Up to 2 coding tests and interviews
• Selection period for internships
  • Scheduled for April–May 2024