Application Guide

How to Apply for Working Student, Onboarding Specialist

at Planet

🏢 About Planet

Planet operates the world's largest fleet of Earth-imaging satellites, providing daily, global coverage that enables unprecedented environmental monitoring and data-driven decision-making. Working here means contributing to impactful stewardship of our planet, with a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and mission-driven work.

About This Role

As an Onboarding Specialist Working Student, you'll be the first point of contact for new customers, ensuring a smooth transition from sale to active use of Planet's satellite data products. Your work directly impacts customer satisfaction and retention, helping users quickly leverage Planet's APIs and tools for their projects.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start by checking emails and Slack for new customer onboarding requests or follow-up tasks. Then, you might schedule an onboarding call, update a help guide based on recent feedback, or assist a customer via email with API setup. After lunch, you could join a team meeting to discuss process improvements, then spend time documenting a new training resource.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Planet Is Looking For

  • Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Geoinformatics, Environmental Science, Computer Science, or a related field with strong technical aptitude.
  • Excellent communicator who can explain complex API and satellite data concepts to non-technical stakeholders, both in writing and verbally.
  • Detail-oriented and highly organized, with experience managing multiple onboarding schedules, follow-ups, and documentation simultaneously.
  • Familiar with developer tools (e.g., Postman, Python, or similar) and comfortable troubleshooting basic API integration issues.

📝 Tips for Applying to Planet

1

Highlight any experience with satellite imagery, GIS tools (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS), or Earth observation platforms in your resume and cover letter.

2

Mention specific coursework or projects where you used APIs or developer tools, as this is a key requirement.

3

Tailor your application to emphasize organizational skills—give examples of managing schedules or coordinating events.

4

Demonstrate enthusiasm for Planet's mission by referencing their satellite fleet or recent environmental initiatives (e.g., Forest Carbon Monitoring).

5

Keep your application concise; Planet values clarity and efficiency, mirroring the role's focus on streamlined onboarding.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're passionate about Earth observation and Planet's mission to make global change visible, accessible, and actionable.", "Provide a concrete example of how you've explained a technical concept to a non-technical audience (e.g., in a student project or tutoring).", 'Showcase your organizational skills with a brief example of managing multiple tasks or projects with tight deadlines.', 'Mention any hands-on experience with APIs or developer tools, even if from a class or personal project.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Planet's product offerings: Basemaps, PlanetScope, SkySat, and their APIs (Orders, Data, and Subscriptions).
  • → Read about Planet's recent partnerships or environmental initiatives, such as the Norway International Climate & Forests Initiative.
  • → Review Planet's blog or case studies to understand how customers use their data for agriculture, forestry, or urban planning.
  • → Check Planet's career page and social media to get a sense of company culture and values.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would onboard a new customer who is unfamiliar with satellite data APIs.
2 Describe a time you had to coordinate multiple stakeholders or schedules. How did you ensure everything ran smoothly?
3 How would you explain the difference between Planet's Basemaps and their APIs to a non-technical user?
4 What improvements would you suggest to our current onboarding process based on the job description?
5 Tell us about a time you had to learn a new technical tool quickly. How did you approach it?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Planet's specific products or mission—personalization is key.
  • Overlooking the technical requirement: failing to demonstrate familiarity with APIs or developer tools can hurt your application.
  • Not proofreading for typos or unclear language—this role demands strong communication and attention to detail.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Planet!

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