Hey there! It’s me again, Alexandra. I’m a Recruitment Marketing Specialist at Yardi Romania, and through a series of articles on our blog, I take a closer look at the people and stories behind our team here in Cluj. If you’re curious, you can explore the article series right here.
For this one, I sat down with my amazing colleague Raluca Terneac, our Talent Acquisition Advisor, who’s been part of Yardi for almost five years. She’s the friendly face (and voice!) behind the hiring process for our big marketing team. And when I say “big,” I mean larger than many standalone agencies. With a team of over 200 specialists, they cover the full digital spectrum: from data analysis, SEO, and PPC to content, PR and communications, design, conversion optimization, UI/UX, and email marketing. Our colleagues work across 70+ projects simultaneously, generating billions of digital impressions every year.
So naturally, I wanted to pick her brain and find out what really makes a candidate stand out and how you can put your best foot forward if you’re thinking about joining us.
To kick things off, I asked Raluca one of the most important questions:
What makes a candidate for a marketing role stand out?
Raluca: A genuine interest in marketing, paired with an analytical mindset and curiosity about the real estate industry, is a powerful combo that helps candidates stand out. Even more important than experience is attitude: being curious, open to learning, and with a great motivation to grow and develop.
A real interest in marketing and in our company seems to go a long way. With that in mind, I wanted to take a closer look at how the hiring process works, so I asked:
Can you tell us a bit more about the hiring process itself?
Raluca: Our process usually begins with a short phone interview, during which we confirm key details about your background and discuss your interest in the role. This is followed by a technical test, and candidates who successfully pass this stage are then invited to an interview with their potential future team.
We designed this test to assess marketing-related skills, and, in most cases, it takes approximately three hours to complete at our Cluj office. For more complex assignments, candidates may be given between one and up to three days to complete the tasks from home, depending on the role requirements.
These tests play an important role in our hiring process, as they allow us to evaluate candidates’ skills in a fair and efficient way, while also offering a quick glimpse into some of the tasks involved in the role and minimizing the need for multiple interview rounds.
The interview stage takes place at our office and gives candidates the opportunity to meet part of the team. Typically, team leaders and managers participate in these discussions. If the interview is successful, we will follow up to share the good news and invite the candidate to a final discussion, during which we present the financial offer and outline the next steps.
Now that we’ve covered how the hiring process works, let’s dive into the skills we’re looking for – especially for a marketing team that juggles more than 70 projects at any given time, from quick experiments to major launches, and delivers billions of digital impressions every year.
What makes someone a great fit for our team, beyond just their CV?
Raluca: Because we develop our own software products, marketing at Yardi often means working with complex, mature platforms. When running campaigns for these products, strong critical thinking is what truly sets someone apart. The ability to analyze results, challenge assumptions, and make evidence-based decisions, rather than simply following trends, is essential.
Beyond technical skills, we look for strong communication skills, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Attitude matters just as much. We value people who are eager to grow, comfortable asking questions, and ready to take ownership of their work.
Collaboration, a proactive mindset, and openness to feedback are equally important to us. A great fit for the Yardi marketing team is someone who aligns with our values and way of working, someone who’s genuinely motivated to contribute to the team, not just complete tasks.
When someone genuinely wants to contribute to the team, it shows and can make a real difference in the selection process. And since we all tend to get a bit nervous before interviews, I also wanted to ask:
What advice would you give candidates on how to approach interviews?
Raluca: From our experience, candidates tend to do best when they take the time to understand what we do at Yardi and come into the conversation prepared, but still natural. Being overly reliant on scripted answers or over-explaining without directly answering the question can sometimes get in the way of a good discussion.
When previous employers come up, it’s best to keep things constructive and professional.
Doing a bit of research about Yardi and our products really helps candidates stand out. While preparation is always appreciated, we value authenticity just as much. Clear, honest answers and genuine dialogue matter more to us than perfectly rehearsed responses.
And finally, since many people think long-term when applying, and because our marketing team has over 200 colleagues (bigger than many standalone agencies!), it felt like a good time to talk about growth:
How can someone grow their marketing career once they join Yardi?
Raluca: Yardi offers a supportive environment where learning and growth are encouraged from the start.
New hires can actively explore new tools and technologies, including AI-powered solutions, to improve how we work, from content creation and campaign optimization to data analysis. As you gain experience, you can take on more responsibility, specialize in areas that interest you, and grow within the team.
If you’re passionate about marketing technology and innovation, you’ll find a lot of room to explore that here.
After hearing all that great advice, I wanted to make things even more practical for anyone thinking about applying. So, I asked Raluca to share her top 5 recruiter tips to help candidates feel confident and make a great impression during the process.
5 Recruiter Tips to Stand Out
1. Take time to research Yardi and our products
Understanding what we do and showing genuine interest in our company, industry, and products makes a strong first impression.
2. Be prepared, but stay natural
Preparation is important, but we prefer authentic, well-rounded answers over rehearsed scripts.
3. Show curiosity and willingness to learn
We value attitude just as much as experience. Asking thoughtful questions and showing openness to growth really stand out.
4. Communicate clearly and honestly
Structure your answers, respond directly to questions, and don’t be afraid to say when something is new to you.
5. Be yourself and engage in the conversation
Interviews at Yardi are meant to be conversations. Being your true self, respectful, and engaged helps us see how you’d fit into the team.
So…
Whether you’re just starting out in marketing or thinking about your next step, standing out at Yardi often comes down to a few simple things: being curious, authentic, and open to learning.
As Raluca mentioned, we’re not just hiring skills. We’re looking for people who value long-term stability without giving up variety, people who want to grow alongside us over time, just like our 200+ colleagues in the Marketing Department do every day.
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re passionate about digital marketing, from data analysis, SEO, PPC to content creation, PR & communication, graphic design, conversion optimization, UI/UX, and email marketing, and looking for a fresh career opportunity, now’s the perfect time!
We’re expanding our Marketing Department and have several open positions available. Explore our current opportunities: HERE
