20 AppFolio Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a position at AppFolio, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, our interviewers are looking to get to know you as a person, not just an employee. They want to know what motivates you and how you work best. Second, they want to see how you think through problems and how you would approach solving them.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some common AppFolio interview questions. These are questions that our interviewers have asked in the past, and they’re designed to give you an idea of the types of things we’ll be looking for.

When you’re interviewing with us, be sure to be yourself, think through your answers, and be prepared to share examples of your work. We’re looking forward to meeting you!

AppFolio Interview Process

The interview process at AppFolio is thorough and can take up to six weeks. You will have the opportunity to speak with the hiring manager to clarify expectations for the role, and you will be kept in the loop throughout the process by an outstanding lead recruiter. The interview itself will consist of standard questions about your strengths, weaknesses, and how you deal with difficult situations. You may also receive a tour of the company and shadow someone who works there for a few minutes.

1. What are your goals as a Customer Success Manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand your career goals and how they relate to AppFolio. Your answer should include a few statements about what you hope to achieve in this role, including any specific metrics or KPIs that you want to improve.

Example: “My primary goal as a Customer Success Manager is to ensure our clients are getting the most out of their experience with AppFolio. I believe that customer satisfaction is one of the best indicators of company success, so my first priority will be to make sure all of our customers are happy with their service. In addition to ensuring client happiness, I also plan to increase sales by 10% within six months of starting this position.”

2. How would you approach a customer who is not satisfied with our products?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. Use examples from previous work experience to highlight your problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills.

Example: “I would first try to understand what they are unhappy about and ask questions to get more details. I would then explain our products in detail again and offer them additional support or training if needed. If the issue is still not resolved, I would escalate it to my manager so that we could find a solution together.”

3. In what ways can you help us improve our client retention rate?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to improve customer satisfaction and retention rates. Use examples from previous experience where you helped clients achieve their goals or improved client relationships.

Example: “I have a proven track record of helping clients reach their goals, which has led to high levels of client satisfaction and retention. In my last role as an app developer for AppFolio, I worked with a real estate agent who was struggling to keep her business afloat due to low sales and poor marketing strategies. After working together to create a more effective marketing strategy, she saw a significant increase in revenue that allowed her to hire additional agents.”

4. Describe the different elements of software testing, and explain which one you prefer.

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of software testing and the different types of tests you can perform. You can answer by describing each type of test, including its purpose and how it helps improve the quality of a product.

Example: “There are several types of software testing that I have performed in previous roles. Unit testing is used to check if individual units of code function as expected. Integration testing checks if two or more components work together properly. System testing checks if the entire system functions as intended. User acceptance testing checks if the final product meets the needs of users.”

5. What do you think makes AppFolio stand out from other real estate management companies?

This question is your chance to show the interviewer that you know about AppFolio and how it compares to other companies in its industry. Your answer should include a brief overview of what makes AppFolio unique, including any specific features or services that make it stand out from competitors.

Example: “I think one of the things that sets AppFolio apart from other real estate management software providers is its commitment to customer service. I’ve worked with several different companies in this industry before, and I can say that AppFolio has some of the best customer support representatives I’ve ever encountered. They’re always willing to help me find solutions to problems I’m having using the platform.”

6. Why should we choose you as an Account Executive?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have what it takes to succeed in this role. Use examples from your experience and explain how they relate to the job description.

Example: “I am a highly motivated individual with excellent communication skills, which I believe are essential for success as an Account Executive. In my previous position, I was responsible for managing several clients at once while also ensuring their needs were met. I would often meet with them face-to-face or over the phone to discuss any concerns they had about our services. My ability to multitask and prioritize tasks helped me manage these responsibilities effectively.”

7. How much experience do you have working in sales?

Sales experience is a valuable asset for any position in the real estate industry. Employers ask this question to determine if you have enough sales experience to succeed in their company. If you don’t have much sales experience, explain what other types of experience you do have that are relevant to the job.

Example: “I’ve worked as a real estate agent for five years now. I started out working with a small firm where I learned how to market properties and find new leads. After two years, I moved to a larger firm where I gained more experience negotiating contracts and closing deals. My previous employer also provided me with training on AppFolio’s software solutions.”

8. Are you familiar with any of our competitors? If so, how will you use that experience to help us grow?

This question helps the interviewer understand your knowledge of the industry and how you might fit in with their company. If you have experience working for a competitor, explain what you learned from that job and how it will help you succeed at AppFolio.

Example: “I’ve worked for two other real estate software companies before, so I’m familiar with some of your competitors. While I don’t think there is one specific program that’s better than the others, I do believe that each has its own strengths. For example, my previous employer had more robust marketing tools while yours offers more customization options. However, I can use my previous experiences to help you grow by offering suggestions on how to improve your current offerings.”

9. Do you know anything about managing data migration?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the technical aspects of AppFolio. As a real estate agent, you will likely have to manage data migration at some point in your career. Your answer should show that you understand how to do this and what it entails.

Example: “I’ve never had to perform a data migration before, but I know exactly how to do it. It’s important to make sure all information is backed up properly so there are no mistakes or lost files. Then, you can use tools like FTP to transfer the data from one system to another.”

10. Tell me about a time when your work was criticized, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Use examples from previous jobs to showcase how you used feedback to improve your work performance.

Example: “In my last job, I was tasked with creating an online marketing campaign for one of our clients. After presenting the plan to my team, they gave me some constructive criticism on how I could make it more effective. I took their advice into consideration and made changes to the strategy before implementing it. The client ended up being very pleased with the results.”

11. What steps do you take when developing new business relationships?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach new relationships and what steps you take to ensure they’re successful. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, ability to collaborate with others and willingness to learn from others.

Example: “I always make sure to introduce myself to my clients in person when I meet them for the first time. This helps me get a better understanding of their goals and expectations so that I can provide them with the best service possible. When working with new contacts or vendors, I also like to ask questions about their business to gain more insight into their processes and procedures.”

12. Have you ever had to present information in front of a large group of people?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your public speaking skills and how you interact with large groups. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences to showcase your communication skills, confidence and ability to work in front of others.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I had to present our financial reports to the board of directors every month. This was always one of my favorite parts of the job because it gave me the opportunity to show off all of the hard work that we put into the company each month. It also helped me develop my presentation skills and learn how to effectively communicate important information to a group.”

13. Describe your selling style.

This question is a great way to determine how you will fit into the company culture. It also helps employers understand your communication style and whether or not it would be compatible with their team. When answering this question, try to describe yourself in a positive light while still being honest about your strengths and weaknesses.

Example: “I am an energetic person who likes to get out there and meet new people. I enjoy getting to know my clients and helping them find exactly what they are looking for. My outgoing personality makes me a good salesperson because I can easily build rapport with others. However, I do sometimes have trouble listening to objections and focusing on solutions.”

14. What is it about AppFolio that made you want to apply for this position?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on their company and are genuinely interested in working for them. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through the job description thoroughly so you can reference specific requirements or skills they’re looking for.

Example: “I am very passionate about real estate and I know how important it is to find solutions that help streamline processes. After reading through AppFolio’s website, I was impressed with the features of the software and knew I would be an asset to the team if given the opportunity.”

15. What type of challenges do you face when dealing with clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and what your thought process is when dealing with clients. Use examples from previous work experiences to show that you are able to problem-solve and think critically.

Example: “I find that one of the biggest challenges I face when working with clients is helping them understand the importance of keeping their information up-to-date. In my last role, I had a client who was very active in updating her property listings but would forget to update her contact information. This caused some confusion for potential buyers because they were unable to reach her.”

16. What is your ideal process for preparing for a meeting with a prospect?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to plan and organize. It also allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry by mentioning a prospect’s name or a specific property type.

Example: “I like to start with research, so I would begin my day by looking at recent listings in the area that match the client’s criteria. Then, I would look for any new developments that have been announced recently. Next, I would pull up the client’s website to see what they’re currently offering. Finally, I would call them to introduce myself and ask if there are any questions I can answer before our meeting.”

17. How does your previous work experience relate to this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer how your previous work experience has prepared you for this role. Use examples from your resume or cover letter to explain how your past job helped prepare you for this position.

Example: “My last position as a real estate agent was in a small town, where I worked with many first-time homebuyers and sellers. This experience taught me how to help clients understand complex financial information while also helping them make important decisions about their finances. In my current career search, I found that AppFolio offers similar services to those I provided in my last position.”

18. Give an example of something you’ve accomplished that you’re most proud of.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It can also help you understand what motivates them, which can be helpful when deciding whether they’re a good fit for your company culture.

Example: “I’m most proud of my ability to work well with others. I’ve always been someone who enjoys collaborating with others on projects. In fact, in my last role, I was part of a team that worked together to create an innovative marketing campaign for our client. We all had different strengths, but we were able to use those strengths to create something amazing.”

19. How would you describe yourself as a Data Migration Specialist?

This question is a great way to assess your technical skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from previous projects or experiences to describe yourself as a Data Migration Specialist.

Example: “I would describe myself as an organized, detail-oriented individual who can work independently on large projects. I have extensive experience with data migration, having worked on several projects that required me to migrate client information from one database to another. In my last role, I was tasked with migrating all of our clients’ information from our old system into AppFolio. I spent two weeks researching different methods for data migration before implementing a plan to move all of our client information over.”

20. Can you tell me about a time when you worked on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you work with others and your conflict resolution skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to resolve the conflict and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I was working on a project with two other accountants when we had some disagreements about which numbers were correct. We talked through our concerns and decided that one of us would double-check the math while the other checked the data in the system. This helped us find the mistake and learn more about each other’s processes.”