For international IT students looking for jobs in North America, employee referrals are a common and helpful way to stand out. At fintech companies like Affirm, having someone refer you means your resume goes straight to the recruiter’s desk. This lowers the chance of your application getting lost among many others and boosts your chance of getting an interview. Compared to applying on your own, referrals help you get noticed faster.
If you know someone working at Affirm — a friend or a fellow student — it’s important to reach out to them first. When you send a message, keep it short and clear. Introduce your major and projects, show real interest in the company, and don’t send generic copy-paste messages to many people. Honest and specific messages get better replies.
After you get a referral, your resume still matters a lot. Affirm looks for strong tech skills and real project experience. Make sure your resume explains what projects you worked on, which technologies you used, and what problems you solved. If you have fintech experience, mention it clearly. Be honest and don’t exaggerate or write vague things.
Getting a referral is only the first step; preparing for the interview is just as important. Affirm interviews usually focus on coding problems and system design. Practice coding questions often and get familiar with common data structures and algorithms. When explaining system design, be clear and connect your ideas to real-world examples. Behavioral interviews also matter — be ready to talk about how you solved problems and worked with others, using simple and natural language.
In short, referrals open the door at Affirm, but whether you get the job depends on your skills and how well you do in interviews. Keep practicing, work on your communication, and stay positive. A referral helps you get in, but how far you go depends on you.
Release time:2025-06-18
