20 BlackLine Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a position at BlackLine, you can expect questions that assess your knowledge of accounting and finance, as well as your ability to use BlackLine’s software. The interviewer will also want to know how you handle difficult situations and how you work within a team.

Preparing for your interview by familiarizing yourself with BlackLine’s products and services, as well as the company’s culture and values, will help you ace the interview and land the job.

BlackLine Interview Process

The interview process at BlackLine is lengthy, and can take up to 20 hours to prepare for. However, the interviews are relatively relaxed and open, and candidates generally receive good feedback. The hiring process typically consists of several rounds of interviews, including a technical interview, followed by a meeting with the hiring manager and their manager. Finally, candidates will meet with the VP of DE and AT, and the VP of DACH.

1. What do you know about BlackLine?

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 done some research on the company before your interview. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two things about BlackLine that are unique or interesting.

Example: “I know that BlackLine was founded in Israel by three entrepreneurs who wanted to create an accounting software that would help businesses close their books more efficiently. I also know that BlackLine offers scalable applications that automate financial processes like closing the books and managing budgets.”

2. How would you approach a prospect that is not interested in buying your product?

Prospecting is a key part of any sales role, and the interviewer may want to know how you would approach prospects who are not interested in buying BlackLine’s software. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills and ability to persuade others.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they’re not interested in our product. I would then use my knowledge of the company to show them that we have solutions for their specific needs. If they still aren’t interested, I would ask if there was anything else I could do to help them.”

3. Have you ever been put on an improvement plan? If so, how did you respond to it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to accept feedback and implement changes. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you used the feedback to improve your performance or behavior.

Example: “I was once put on an improvement plan by my manager because I had missed several deadlines for financial reports. However, after speaking with my manager, I learned that I could use technology to automate some of the processes in my job so I wouldn’t have to spend as much time manually entering data. After implementing these new systems, I never missed another deadline.”

4. Describe a time when you had to be very persistent in order to close a sale.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential employer’s culture. It can also help you determine if the company values persistence and tenacity in its employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were able to overcome an obstacle or challenge that was preventing you from closing a sale.

Example: “I once worked for a small accounting firm where I had to convince my manager to purchase BlackLine software. He wasn’t sure if we needed it because our business was so small at the time. However, I knew that BlackLine could help us automate many of our financial processes and save us money in the long run. So, I spent several weeks researching different aspects of BlackLine and how they would benefit our company. Eventually, my manager agreed to buy BlackLine.”

5. Give me an example of a time where you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things your way at work.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to persuade others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of how you persuaded someone to see things your way and the positive outcome that resulted from your persuasive abilities.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project with another employee who had different ideas about what we should do for the project. We were both passionate about our ideas, but I knew mine would help us reach our goals faster. So, I met with her one-on-one and explained why I thought my idea would work best. She agreed with me and we implemented my plan. The project went well, and we finished ahead of schedule.”

6. What are some techniques you use for managing your pipeline?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage deadlines. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you plan your time, organize projects and meet goals.

Example: “I use a project management software that allows me to create tasks, assign them to team members and track their progress. I also use this system for managing my pipeline by creating different pipelines based on client needs or specific projects. This helps me stay organized and ensures I’m meeting all of my clients’ requirements.”

7. Tell me about a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped a customer solve an issue or helped them achieve their goals.

Example: “I once had a client who was looking for a new accounting software because they were unhappy with their current one. I spent several hours researching different options and comparing features of each program. In the end, I recommended BlackLine to my client, and they ended up purchasing our software. They have been happy with our product ever since.”

8. Can you tell me about a recent problem you faced during a sales cycle? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and adapt to new situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to communicate with clients and teamwork abilities.

Example: “I recently worked on a sales cycle where I had to convince a client to purchase more services than they initially wanted. The client was hesitant at first but eventually agreed to my proposal after I explained that it would save them money in the long run. I handled this situation by being honest about our company’s capabilities while also highlighting the benefits of working with us.”

9. Have you ever failed to meet a quota? If yes, what was the cause and how did you overcome this issue?

This question is designed to determine your ability to overcome challenges and learn from them. It also helps the interviewer understand how you might handle a similar situation in their company.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding, which made it difficult for me to meet my quota. I eventually learned that this was because they were underperforming as a business. I explained this to my manager, who helped me find ways to work around this issue. Eventually, we found a solution where I could help the client improve their performance while still meeting my quota.”

10. Why should we hire you over other candidates with similar qualifications?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a unique candidate and have what it takes to succeed in this role. Highlight your relevant skills, experience and education and explain how these qualifications make you an ideal fit for the job.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me well suited for accounting roles. I also have several years of experience working with BlackLine software, so I know exactly what to expect from this position. My previous employers always praised my work ethic and commitment to excellence, and I’m ready to bring those same skills to your company.”

11. What makes you passionate about selling software solutions?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what motivates you. Your answer should reflect your personality, interests and goals.

Example: “I love helping businesses succeed by providing them with software solutions that make their accounting processes more efficient. I’ve always been passionate about technology and business, so selling BlackLine is a great way for me to combine my two passions. I also enjoy working with clients to determine which solution best fits their needs.”

12. Describe your experience working in the accounting industry.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your experience and expertise in accounting. Highlight any specific skills you have that will be useful for this role, such as working with financial data or using accounting software.

Example: “I’ve worked in accounting for five years now, where I started out as a bookkeeper before moving into my current role as a senior accountant. In both roles, I’ve gained valuable experience working with financial data and managing projects. My most recent position was at a small business where I helped implement BlackLine’s applications to automate their financial close process.”

13. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can use them when you’re on the job. They also want to know about any weaknesses that you’re working on improving or have already improved upon.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very thorough with my work and make sure everything is correct before submitting it. My weakness would be my ability to multitask. When I’m focused on something, I find it difficult to switch gears and focus on something else. However, I’ve been practicing this skill by setting aside time each day to practice focusing on one task at a time.”

14. Do you have any experience with financial statements or accounting processes?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience with BlackLine and how it compares to other accounting software. If you don’t have direct experience, consider describing your previous work that relates to financial statements or accounting processes.

Example: “I’ve worked in finance for five years now, but I haven’t had much experience with BlackLine until recently when my company started using it. However, I do have some experience with other types of accounting software like Intacct and NetSuite. In my last role, we used Intacct to manage our finances and close out our books at the end of each month. Before that, I worked as an accountant for a small business that used NetSuite.”

15. What is an area of technology that you think will grow significantly in the next 5 years and why?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to BlackLine. When answering this question, consider what areas of technology have already grown in recent years and which ones are likely to grow in the future.

Example: “I think artificial intelligence will continue to grow significantly over the next 5 years. I’ve seen AI used for many different purposes, including automating repetitive tasks and making complex calculations. In my last role, I helped implement an AI program that analyzed data from our clients’ financial statements to predict their risk of bankruptcy. This allowed us to provide more personalized services to each client.”

16. What is your experience using Salesforce?

Salesforce is a cloud-based customer relationship management platform that many businesses use to manage their sales and marketing activities. If you have experience using Salesforce, explain how it helped your previous employer with its business processes.

Example: “I’ve used Salesforce for the past five years at my current job where I’m an accountant. The company uses Salesforce to track leads, opportunities, accounts and other important data about its customers. This helps us close more deals because we can easily access information about our clients and provide them with accurate reports on their financials.”

17. What book has most influenced your career?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are constantly learning and improving yourself. It also shows them what kind of person you are, as it can be an indicator of the type of books you read.

Example: “I would have to say ‘The Lean Startup’ by Eric Ries. I read this book when I was working at my previous company, and it really opened my eyes to how important it is to always be testing new ideas and methods in order to improve our processes. This helped me understand why we were doing things the way we were, and it made me realize that there’s always room for improvement.”

18. Can you describe a situation where you solved a difficult problem without the help of your manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your critical thinking, analytical and reasoning skills.

Example: “In my last role as a senior accountant, I was tasked with helping my manager prepare for an important client meeting. My manager had been out of the office for several days due to illness, so he asked me to take over his responsibilities while he recovered. During the meeting, one of our clients asked us to provide them with additional information about their financial statements. I knew that providing this information would be challenging because we hadn’t prepared it yet. However, I decided to use my accounting knowledge to find a solution. After some research, I found another company that provided similar services and contacted them to see if they could send us the information.”

19. What part of the sales process gives you the most trouble?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re aware of the challenges in sales and how you overcome them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you overcame a challenge during a sale.

Example: “The most challenging part of the sales process for me is getting through to clients who are on the fence about making a purchase. I find that my best strategy for overcoming this challenge is by being persistent but not pushy. I always make sure to follow up with clients within 24 hours after our initial conversation and try to answer any questions they have as quickly as possible.”

20. Sell us something right now.

This is a common question that interviewers ask to see how you would sell their company’s product or service. It also tests your communication skills and ability to persuade others. When answering this question, make sure you highlight the benefits of what you’re selling rather than just listing features.

Example: “I think BlackLine offers one of the best solutions for automating financial close processes. The software has many useful features such as automated data validation, built-in analytics and real-time reporting. I’ve used it in my previous role and found it very helpful when working with large amounts of data.”