20 Acorns Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at Acorns, you’ll need to know how to answer some specific interview questions.

Acorns is a finance company that allows individuals to round up purchases and automatically invest the change. The company is all about helping people save and grow their money, so it’s no surprise that interviewers will want to know if you have the same financial goals.

You may be asked about your experience with investments or saving money. The interviewer may also want to know why you’re interested in working at Acorns and what you know about the company.

Be prepared to answer these questions and more by studying up on Acorns before your interview. With a little preparation, you’ll be one step closer to landing the job you want.

Acorns Interview Process

The interview process at Acorns can vary in length depending on the position you are applying for, but typically it is a fairly lengthy process. There may be multiple rounds of interviews, including both phone and in-person interviews. The difficulty of the interviews will also depend on the position you are applying for, but they are generally not too difficult. Overall, the experience is generally positive, and Acorns is known for being a great place to work.

1. What do you know about Acorns?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. It also allows you to show that you have researched the company before applying for the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two things about Acorns that are unique or interesting.

Example: “I know that Acorns is an app that rounds up purchases and invests the change. I also know that they offer both traditional investment accounts and robo-advisor services. I think these features make them stand out from other financial companies.”

2. What excites you the most about working at Acorns?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. Your answer should reflect your passion for working in finance, customer service or business development.

Example: “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with a company that is changing the way people invest their money. I believe Acorns’ mission of helping everyone achieve financial freedom is an important one. I also love the idea of being able to make investing more accessible to young adults who are just starting out.”

3. Do you invest in stocks and/or bonds?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience with investing. If you do, the interviewer may want to know more about your strategy and how it has worked for you in the past. If you don’t invest in stocks or bonds, they may ask what other types of investments you are familiar with.

Example: “I’ve invested in stocks and bonds before, but I prefer index funds because they’re easy to understand and manage. In my last job, I helped clients choose between different types of funds based on their needs.”

4. What is your experience with customer support?

Customer service is an important part of working in finance. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with customer support and how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, explain what skills you use when interacting with customers and highlight any specific experiences you’ve had.

Example: “I have worked as a receptionist at my current job for the past two years. My primary responsibility was answering phones and helping customers with their questions. I also helped resolve many issues by connecting them with the right department or person. This role has given me valuable experience that I can apply to this position.”

5. How would you handle an angry client?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience dealing with it. When answering, try to provide a specific example of a time when you helped resolve an issue for a client.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their monthly investment on the day that they expected it. I apologized for the delay and explained that there was a system error that caused the delay. The client accepted my apology and appreciated that I took responsibility for the mistake. In this situation, I think it’s important to be honest about what happened and take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

6. Have you ever worked on a team to develop software, what was your role?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work in a team and how you can contribute. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills you have that make you an effective teammate.

Example: “I’ve worked on teams before when I was working toward my degree in computer science. In one class, we were tasked with creating our own app or website. My group decided to create a mobile game where players would try to find hidden acorns around town. We each had different roles within the project, including designing the game, coding it and marketing it.”

7. What type of programs have you developed before?

This question is a great way to show your technical skills and how you can apply them to the role. If you have experience with similar programs, it’s important to mention that in your answer.

Example: “I’ve worked on several investment tracking programs before, but I find Acorns’ program to be one of the most user-friendly. In my last position, we used an Excel spreadsheet to track our investments, which was time-consuming and difficult to use. The ease of using Acorns’ platform makes it easier for me to keep up with all of my clients.”

8. Are you familiar with any design patterns? Which ones are you familiar with?

This question is a great way to determine an applicant’s knowledge of design patterns, which are common solutions for problems in software development. You can also ask about specific design patterns that you use at your company or ones that the applicant may have used in previous positions.

Example: “I am familiar with many different design patterns, including Singleton, Factory and Observer. I find these patterns useful because they allow me to create more efficient code by implementing pre-built solutions instead of writing my own.”

9. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation or person in your workplace, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your problem-solving skills and how you handle conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation that was challenging but also one in which you were able to resolve the issue or find a compromise.

Example: “In my last role as an investment advisor, I had a client who wanted me to invest their money in a very risky stock. While I knew that they would have lost all of their money if they invested in that stock, I also didn’t want to lose them as a client. So, instead, I offered to help them create a portfolio with more conservative stocks that still allowed them to earn a decent return on their investments.”

10. You must be flexible to work evenings and weekends. Are you okay with this?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re okay with working evenings and weekends. They want to know that you can handle the responsibilities of the job, even if it means working outside of typical business hours. In your answer, explain how you are flexible and willing to work when needed.

Example: “I am a night owl, so I actually prefer working in the evening. However, I understand that sometimes we have to work during the day or on the weekend. I am happy to do whatever is best for the company and my team.”

11. When was the last time you used SQL? Why?

SQL is a programming language that allows users to interact with databases. It’s an important skill for finance professionals, and Acorns may ask this question to see if you have any experience using it. If you don’t have much SQL experience, consider explaining why you would like to learn the language in your answer.

Example: “I haven’t had many opportunities to use SQL, but I’ve been interested in learning more about it for some time now. I think it could be useful for my career because it can help me understand how data works and what types of information are available. I’m excited to get the opportunity to work at Acorns where I can develop these skills.”

12. If we interviewed three people that you previously worked with, what would they say about you?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s interpersonal skills and how they interact with others. It also allows you to see if they have any recommendations from past employers or coworkers.

Example: “I would hope that my previous colleagues would say I’m an extremely hard worker who always goes above and beyond for them. They would probably say that I am someone they can count on when they need help, and that I am willing to take on additional responsibilities without being asked.”

13. We want our employees to take ownership over their projects. Can you provide an example of a project where you took complete initiative?

This question is a great way to show your ability to take initiative and complete tasks on your own. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the project you’re describing.

Example: “In my last role as an account manager, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s website. I wanted to create something that would help us reach more customers while also being cost-effective. After researching different options, I decided to hire a freelance designer to create a new logo for our site. The design ended up costing less than what we were paying for our previous logo.”

14. In the past year, tell us about a time where you learned something new.

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn and grow. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something you learned recently or an experience that helped you develop new skills.

Example: “In the past year, I’ve been learning more about investing. I started by reading books on the subject and then moved into online courses. I’m currently enrolled in a course where I am learning how to invest my money with stocks.”

15. What is one thing that is not listed on your resume that you think we should know?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they view themselves. It also allows you to see if there are any skills or experiences that they may have left off their resume, but could be beneficial for them to include.

Example: “I am an avid traveler and I’ve been to over 30 countries. While this isn’t something that directly relates to my job as a financial advisor, it shows that I’m willing to take risks and try new things. I think it’s important to always challenge yourself and push your comfort zone.”

16. What is your favorite part about being a Software Engineer?

This question is a great way to show your passion for technology and the work you do. It also allows you to talk about what you enjoy most about working in an office environment.

Example: “My favorite part of being a Software Engineer is getting to solve problems creatively. I love finding new ways to approach issues, especially when it means coming up with innovative solutions that help my team meet deadlines or exceed expectations. I also really enjoy collaborating with other Engineers on projects because I find it’s always beneficial to bounce ideas off others.”

17. What are some current trends in the tech world that interest you?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about current trends in technology. You can use this opportunity to show that you’re up-to-date on what’s happening in the tech world and how it might affect Acorns.

Example: “I’m really interested in blockchain technology, especially as it relates to finance. I think there are some great applications for using blockchain to make financial transactions more secure and transparent. I also think it could be used by companies like Acorns to create decentralized apps that don’t rely on third parties.”

18. Who inspires you?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your personality and values. They want to know if you have a role model or someone who inspires you. When answering, think of someone in the financial industry that you admire. You can also mention someone outside of finance who has inspired you.

Example: “I am inspired by my father. He is an entrepreneur who started his own business when I was young. He taught me how to be resourceful and creative with money. He always encouraged me to pursue a career in finance because he knew it would help me achieve my goals.”

19. What do you look for in a company culture?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are a good fit for their company culture. They want to know that you will be happy working at Acorns and that your values align with the company’s. When answering, think about what is important to you in a workplace environment. Consider mentioning some of the things that make Acorns unique or special.

Example: “I am looking forward to joining such an innovative company like Acorns. I love working for companies that encourage creativity and innovation. In my last position, we had a lot of fun during our weekly brainstorming sessions. I would love to bring those ideas to Acorns.”

20. Describe a particularly stressful day for you as a Software Engineer. How did you manage the stress?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you overcame the stress. This can show your interviewer that you have experience with stressful situations and how you manage them.

Example: “I once had a very busy day at work where I was working on multiple projects at once. One of my coworkers was out sick, so I took over their project as well. I felt overwhelmed by all of the tasks I needed to complete in one day. However, I decided to prioritize the most important tasks first. Then, I worked on the next most important ones until I got through everything I needed to do for the day.”