20 Betterment Interview Questions and Answers

Betterment is an online financial advisor that provides personalized investment advice and automated portfolio management. Betterment’s goal is to help people reach their financial goals, whether it’s saving for retirement, buying a home, or investing for other long-term goals.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Betterment, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with investments and personal finance. You may also be asked behavioral questions about how you handle difficult situations and work under pressure.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Betterment interview questions and answers.

Betterment Interview Process

The interview process at Betterment can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require a phone screen with a recruiter, an online assessment, and one or more in-person interviews. The in-person interviews may include a panel interview, a case study presentation, and/or a mock client meeting. The entire process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month.

1. What do you know about Betterment?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how much you know about their company. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’ve done your research and are familiar with the company culture. When answering this question, make sure to include information that shows you’re knowledgeable about Betterment but also highlight what makes it unique.

Example: “I have been using Betterment since I graduated college. I love the fact that they offer low-cost investment options without sacrificing quality. I also appreciate that they provide educational resources on their website and through social media channels. Their blog has helped me learn more about investing in my own portfolio.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an angry customer and how did you handle it?

Betterment is a financial services company, so it’s likely that you’ll have to deal with customers at some point. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and whether or not you’re able to diffuse the situation. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and use problem-solving skills to resolve issues.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t understand why their account balance wasn’t what they expected. I took the time to explain all of the details of their account in plain language so they could understand. They were still unhappy, but I offered to speak with them over the phone until they felt comfortable with their account.”

3. How would you go about explaining the benefits of investing in stocks over bonds to someone who is not familiar with investing?

Betterment is a company that offers investment services, and the interviewer may want to know how you would explain investing in stocks versus bonds to clients. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills and ability to educate others about financial topics.

Example: “I have experience working with clients who are new to investing, so I understand the importance of explaining complex financial concepts in an easy-to-understand way. When speaking with someone who has little or no knowledge of investing, I would first define what stocks and bonds are and then explain why stocks are more beneficial than bonds for long-term investors.”

4. Can you tell me about a project that was difficult for you, how did you approach it?

Betterment wants to know that you can handle challenges and learn from them. This question is an opportunity for you to show your interviewer how you’ve grown as a professional by overcoming obstacles in the past.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for creating marketing campaigns for our company’s website. One of my goals was to increase traffic to our site by 10% within three months. However, after six months, we only saw a 5% increase in traffic. At first, I felt discouraged because I wanted to meet my goal so badly. However, I decided to look at the data more closely and realized that I had been targeting the wrong audience. After changing our target demographic, we saw a 20% increase in traffic.”

5. How do you think automation will affect the financial industry?

Betterment is a company that uses automation to streamline its processes. This question helps the interviewer assess your understanding of how technology can impact their industry and how you might fit into it. Use examples from your experience with automation in other industries or explain how you would use automation to improve Betterment’s current processes.

Example: “I think automation will have a huge effect on the financial services industry, especially as more companies develop AI-based solutions. I believe this will help reduce costs for businesses while improving customer service. In my last role, we implemented an automated system that helped us answer client questions faster and reduced our call center expenses by 20%. I also think automation will allow financial advisors to focus on higher-level tasks like helping clients create long-term plans.”

6. Why should we choose you for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for the job. Consider highlighting any skills or experiences that align with what the employer is looking for.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people reach their financial goals. I have been working in customer service for five years now, and my experience has taught me how to help customers find solutions to their problems. In fact, I recently helped one of our clients save thousands of dollars on their investment portfolio by finding an alternative solution to their problem. I think these skills would be beneficial to your company.”

7. Do you have experience working on agile teams?

Betterment is an agile company, which means they use a specific method of project management. Agile teams are made up of cross-functional employees who work together to complete projects in short time frames. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working on similar teams and how well you can adapt to new processes. In your answer, explain what it means to be on an agile team and highlight any relevant skills or experiences that make you a good fit for Betterment’s process.

Example: “I’ve worked on several agile teams throughout my career. I find that this type of structure makes it easier to get feedback from other members of the team. It also allows us to quickly change our approach when we need to. At my last job, I was part of a three-person development team where we used agile methods to create software applications.”

8. Have you ever worked remotely before? Would you be comfortable doing so?

Working remotely is a common practice in the financial services industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with working from home and that you have experience doing so. If you haven’t worked remotely before, explain why you would be willing to do so if hired.

Example: “I’ve never worked remotely before, but I am very open to it. I understand how important it is for employees to feel like they can trust their coworkers. I think I could work well from home as long as there was regular communication between me and my team members.”

9. Describe your experience with building backend systems.

Betterment is a technology company, so it’s likely that you’ll be working with backend systems. This question allows the interviewer to assess your experience and determine if you’re qualified for the position. If you don’t have any experience building backend systems, consider describing an instance where you had to troubleshoot a system or fix a problem.

Example: “I’ve worked in several different positions throughout my career, which has given me the opportunity to work on many different types of projects. In one of my previous roles, I was tasked with creating a new backend system for our client portal. The project took about six months to complete, but we were able to successfully build a new system that allowed us to streamline our processes.”

10. What are some tools that you use to keep up with the latest trends in technology?

Betterment is a technology-based company, so it’s important that you’re up to date on the latest trends in the industry. Your answer should show that you are passionate about technology and how it can be used to benefit customers.

Example: “I am constantly reading articles online about new technologies and software programs. I also subscribe to several newsletters from different companies that offer tech services. I think it’s important to stay informed about what’s going on in the world of technology because it helps me understand how to better serve my clients.”

11. Tell us about a time where you had to prioritize tasks and how you chose what came first.

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and how you prioritize tasks. It’s important for employees at Betterment to be able to manage their time effectively, so hiring managers want to know that you can do this in the past.

Example: “At my previous job, I had to work with multiple clients who all wanted different things from me. Some of them needed more attention than others, but I also didn’t want to neglect any of them. So, I would create a list of what each client needed most urgently and then schedule out when I could get to those tasks. This helped me ensure that everyone was getting the help they needed while still allowing me to focus on the urgent matters first.”

12. What programming languages are you most comfortable with?

Betterment is a technology company, so it’s likely that you’ll be working with programming languages. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the same ones they use at Betterment. If you don’t have any experience with the languages they use, consider asking what languages they use and how comfortable you are with them.

Example: “I’m most comfortable with Java, C++ and Python. I’ve worked in finance for five years now, and these were the three main programming languages we used at my last job. However, I am open to learning new languages as needed.”

13. If hired, can you start immediately?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you’re available for an immediate start date. If they haven’t specified a time frame, it’s best to assume the position is open immediately. When answering this question, be honest about your availability and let them know if there are any conflicts with starting on their preferred date.

Example: “I am currently available to start as soon as possible. I have no other commitments that would prevent me from starting right away.”

14. When was the last time you used a financial advisor service?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential employer’s values. If they value customer service, you can expect them to be interested in how you interacted with the advisor and whether or not you were satisfied with their services.

Example: “I’ve never used a financial advisor before, but I have worked with other advisors in my previous positions. My last experience was when I was working at a bank where we had an investment team that helped customers invest their money. The advisor I spoke with was very helpful and answered all of my questions. He made me feel confident in his advice and gave me some tips on how to manage my investments.”

15. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

Betterment is a growing company that’s constantly innovating. The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your comfort level with working in an environment where you might need to adapt quickly to new processes or procedures. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you’re willing to learn and grow as needed.

Example: “I’m definitely comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, especially one where I can see results from my work. At my last job, we were always looking for ways to improve our customer experience. We would regularly hold meetings to discuss how we could make changes to our website or mobile app to better serve customers. I enjoy being part of a team that works together to find solutions.”

16. How do you stay motivated while working independently?

Betterment is a company that values independent work. They want to know how you stay motivated and focused while working on your own. This question also helps the interviewer determine if you have any special techniques for staying productive. Your answer should include a few tips or strategies you use to keep yourself motivated.

Example: “I find it helpful to set goals for myself throughout the day. I try to make sure each task I complete leads me closer to my overall goal. For example, when I am working on one client’s portfolio, I think about what steps I need to take to finish their entire portfolio. This way, I can focus on completing each step of the process rather than just focusing on the current task.”

17. How do you feel about working from home?

Working from home is a common option for many remote positions. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with the idea of working from home and that you have the necessary equipment to do your job effectively. In your answer, explain why you are or aren’t comfortable with working from home. If you’ve never done it before, talk about how you would prepare yourself for it.

Example: “I’m very comfortable working from home. I actually did so for my last position as a financial advisor. I find that working from home allows me to be more productive because I can set up my work environment however I want. I also don’t feel distracted by other people in the office. However, if I were to get this position, I would invest in some noise-canceling headphones to help me focus.”

18. What is your management style?

Betterment is a growing company, and they want to make sure you can manage your team effectively. Your management style should be one that encourages collaboration and teamwork while also allowing for individual growth.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable manager who treats my employees as equals. I think it’s important to create a culture of trust where everyone feels comfortable coming to me with questions or concerns. I like to give my team members autonomy over their work so long as they meet deadlines and quality standards. This allows them to learn new skills and take on more responsibility.”

19. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the financial industry today?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your knowledge about the financial industry and how you might fit in at Betterment. Your answer should include two or three challenges that you’ve noticed, along with what you think is the best way to address them.

Example: “I believe one of the biggest challenges facing the financial industry today is helping people understand complex financial concepts. I find that many people are intimidated by investing because they don’t know where to start. My solution would be to create more educational resources for investors so they can learn more about different investment strategies.”

20. How would you describe your communication skills?

Betterment is a company that values communication. They want to know how you would use your verbal and written skills to help the team work together more effectively. Use this question as an opportunity to show them what makes you unique in this area.

Example: “I have always been someone who enjoys communicating with others. I find it’s one of my strengths because I can listen carefully, ask questions and respond clearly. In previous roles, I’ve used my communication skills to solve problems and answer questions for coworkers and customers. I also like to write things down so I can remember important details later. This helps me stay organized and ensures I’m providing accurate information.”