Intern Story: Evan Sandhu - 1Password & AMEX

Interview Process at AMEX and 1Password

The interview processes for both American Express and 1Password started with standard behavioral questions—pretty typical for most marketing or business intern roles. However, things got more interesting in the second round.

For AMEX, the second round stayed general. It focused on understanding how the company makes money and questions about their card products and offerings. Since this was a general “Marketing Analyst” role, there weren’t many position-specific questions. Instead, I applied knowledge from areas like digital marketing, product marketing/management, and research whenever relevant.

At 1Password, the second round was much more targeted. They were looking for a “senior and experienced intern,” so the questions were situational and specific to product marketing. For instance, they asked:

• How would you communicate a pricing increase to users?

• Tell us about a time you crafted a go-to-market (GTM) plan.

Additionally, I was asked to explain in depth my experience working with cross-functional teams like sales, engineers, and product managers, including some of the challenges I faced while doing so.

On the personal side, I always aim to keep interviews conversational and light. I’ll throw in a joke or two—it’s part of my personal brand to come across as genuine and personable. The more you can connect with the interviewer on a personal level, the more memorable you’ll be. Researching who’s interviewing you and asking them thoughtful questions helps a lot, too. It makes the conversation feel like a normal exchange between two people with shared interests. This approach, inspired by advice from Prof. David Miller, has significantly boosted my interview success.

What Does a 1Password Marketing Intern Do?

A day as a Product Marketing Intern at 1Password is never the same, which is what makes it so exciting. My projects focus on understanding the market and competitors, crafting messaging based on research, and ensuring everything we put out resonates with users.

Much of my work revolves around Passage, a tool for passwordless logins. I’ve had the opportunity to shape how we communicate its benefits, dive into user interviews, and contribute to go-to-market plans for new launches. It’s very hands-on—from testing messaging to collaborating on strategic launches—so there’s always something engaging to work on.

Collaboration is key in this role. I’ve worked closely with product managers, engineers, and sales teams to ensure that the product aligns with user needs. As a Product Marketing Manager (PMM), your job is to know users better than anyone else and ensure teams stay focused on solving real customer problems.

Key skills I’ve found essential include:

• Conducting effective research to understand the market.

• Having a genuine curiosity about the product and industry to stay a continuous learner.

• Adapting communication styles when speaking with users or cross-functional teams to ensure clarity and impact.

Resume Tips That Stand Out

The biggest lesson I learned from the AMEX recruiting process is that having a “stacked” resume isn’t necessary. They were more focused on whether I had domain knowledge, which can come from various sources like coursework, external certifications, clubs, or internships.

I always encourage students to keep learning and upskilling, especially in their free time. Don’t be discouraged from applying to large companies just because you don’t have big names on your resume. For me, my resume wasn’t loaded with prestigious names, and I never held an executive position in a club at UBC. What made the difference was being able to confidently communicate my knowledge of marketing, tech, and finance from personal research, along with leadership experiences gained from group projects, case competitions, and fellowships.

Tailoring your resume for each job is another game-changer. With AI tools, this is easier than ever, and it helps get your application past resume screeners while making you look like an ideal candidate.

As for cover letters, only write one if you’re really passionate about the role. In today’s job market, where the goal is to apply broadly, crafting great cover letters—even with AI—takes time that could be better spent elsewhere.

Networking Strategies That Actually Work

Everyone has different opinions on networking, but I’ve found that a depth-over-breadth approach works best. I’m not one to attend every networking event, join every club, or send mass cold messages on LinkedIn. In my experience, cold outreach on LinkedIn has peaked—it’s overdone, response rates are low, and the messages often feel insincere, especially when they come with an implicit ask for a referral.

Instead, I focus on building meaningful connections. Whether it’s with classmates, professors, members of the one or two clubs I’m involved in, or coworkers, I aim to develop relationships that go beyond surface-level coffee chats.

I’ve only received one referral in my career, but it came from a past coworker who became a mentor-like figure. Their referral wasn’t generic; it was detailed, spoke to my character and work ethic, and ultimately helped me land the job. I’d take this approach any day over sending dozens of cold LinkedIn messages.

Compensation at AMEX and 1Password: What to Expect

When it comes to compensation as an intern, I take a pretty old-school mindset. Especially if you’re a marketing student, a non-US citizen, or someone without a “stacked” resume, you should focus less on pay and more on experience early in your career.

For me, the priority was gaining work experience—whether at a scrappy startup where I could wear multiple hats or at a well-known company that would strengthen my resume. Compensation, within reason, should be an afterthought. The goal is to build a foundation that positions you as a strong new grad, both in terms of workplace experience and extracurriculars like clubs, certifications, case competitions, and fellowships. With that foundation, you can negotiate better offers later.

If you’re interesting in chatting with Evan you can reach out to him on LinkedIn!