20 Cornerstone OnDemand Interview Questions and Answers

As a leading provider of talent management software, Cornerstone OnDemand is often sought out by organizations looking to improve their recruiting, training, and management processes. If you’re interviewing for a position at Cornerstone OnDemand, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with talent management software, as well as your thoughts on the most effective ways to recruit, train, and manage employees.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Cornerstone OnDemand interview questions and answers. With these questions and answers in hand, you’ll be ready to impress your interviewer and land the job you want.

Cornerstone OnDemand Interview Process

The interview process at Cornerstone OnDemand can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, one with a recruiter and one with a hiring manager. For some positions, there may also be a third round of interviews with other members of the team. The interview process is generally fairly straightforward, but can be lengthy, taking up to several weeks to complete.

1. What are the key challenges facing Talent Management software companies?

This question helps the interviewer understand your knowledge of the industry and how you can help their company overcome challenges. Use examples from your experience to show that you have a strong understanding of the talent management software industry.

Example: “The key challenge facing Talent Management companies is finding ways to keep up with the changing needs of businesses. As technology advances, so do the expectations for what Talent Management systems should be able to do. I’ve worked in this field long enough to know that it’s important to stay on top of new trends and implement them into our products as soon as possible.”

2. How would you approach selling a new product to an existing customer?

This question is a great way to assess your sales skills and how you would approach selling to an existing customer. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide examples of how you have sold new products or services to customers in the past.

Example: “I believe that when selling to an existing customer, it’s important to understand their current needs and challenges before introducing them to a new product. I would first ask questions about what they like and dislike about their current software and then use that information to explain why Cornerstone OnDemand is a better option for them.”

3. Why do you want to work at Cornerstone OnDemand?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also helps you connect with the interviewer on a personal level. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Cornerstone OnDemand that excites you.

Example: “I want to work at Cornerstone OnDemand because I am passionate about helping organizations develop their people. In my last role as an HR manager, I helped implement Cornerstone OnDemand’s talent management software into our organization. The results were amazing, and I would love to continue working with this product.”

4. Tell me about your experience with producing and testing quality code in web-based applications.

This question is an opportunity to show your technical skills and knowledge of the job’s responsibilities. If you have experience with Cornerstone OnDemand, describe how you used it in previous roles.

Example: “In my last role as a web developer, I was responsible for creating code that would be compatible with different browsers and devices. My team and I tested our code thoroughly before releasing it to ensure there were no bugs or errors. We also had a QA department that reviewed our work after we released it to make sure everything was working properly.”

5. What does it take for someone to be successful in sales?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the sales industry and how you can help someone succeed. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what skills are necessary for success in sales and how they relate to the job you’re interviewing for.

Example: “To be successful in sales, I think it’s important to have strong communication skills, an understanding of customer service and empathy. These three things allow you to understand your customers’ needs and provide them with solutions that meet their expectations. In my last role as a sales representative, I was able to use these skills to build relationships with clients and increase revenue by 20%.”

6. Describe a time when you had difficulty working with a client. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges. It also helps them determine if you have any experience working with clients in a customer service role.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding, but I remained calm and professional throughout our interactions. I explained to him that Cornerstone OnDemand’s software is designed for companies of all sizes, so it may not be able to accommodate every request he made. He seemed satisfied with my response and continued using the software.”

7. Do you have experience developing, implementing, and tracking processes that improve productivity and efficiency?

This question helps the interviewer understand your experience with project management and how you can apply it to their organization. Use examples from previous projects that highlight your ability to manage time, resources and people to achieve goals.

Example: “In my last role as a senior project manager, I helped implement Cornerstone OnDemand’s talent management software. My team and I worked closely with the IT department to develop processes for onboarding new employees, tracking employee performance and managing training records. We also developed processes for terminating employees based on company policy.”

8. Can you tell us what a typical day as a Client Success Manager is like?

This question is a great way to learn more about the daily responsibilities of the role. It also allows you to show your interviewer that you understand what it’s like to work in this position and how you would fit into their organization.

Example: “A typical day as a Client Success Manager starts with checking my email for any urgent issues or questions from clients. I then review our sales funnel reports to see where we are making the most revenue, which helps me determine who I should be reaching out to next. Next, I reach out to potential leads via phone or email to introduce myself and explain why Cornerstone OnDemand can help them achieve their goals. After that, I schedule a demo for the client so they can get a better idea of how our software works.”

9. If a client was unhappy with our service, how would you handle the situation?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give a specific example of how you helped resolve a client issue in the past.

Example: “In my last role as a customer service representative, I had a client who was unhappy with our product and wanted a refund. I listened to their concerns and asked questions to understand what they were looking for. After learning more about their needs, I offered them a different product that would better suit their needs. They ended up being happy with the new product and gave us five-star reviews.”

10. We need employees who can think outside of the box, give an example of a time where you used innovation to solve a problem.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you used innovation to solve a specific challenge or overcome a particular obstacle.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with creating a new training program for our sales team. The company wanted to implement a more effective training program that would help the sales team increase their revenue by 10%. After researching different methods, I decided to create a blended learning program where we combined online training with in-person training sessions. This helped us achieve our goal of increasing revenue by 10%.”

11. Have you ever worked on a project that required more resources than expected? How did you manage the situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and adapt to new situations. Use examples from your experience that show how you overcame a challenge or faced an obstacle and achieved success.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with creating a training program for our sales team. The company wanted to implement a new software system that would allow us to track customer data and create more personalized marketing strategies. However, we didn’t have enough resources in place to train everyone on the new software while also completing our daily tasks. So, I worked with my manager to find additional resources within the company to help us complete the project.”

12. What are some KPIs that we should use to measure success in the sales department?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience with sales KPIs. Use your answer to highlight any previous experience working in a sales department and how you helped the company achieve its goals.

Example: “I’ve worked in several different sales departments, but I find that the most important KPI is revenue per employee. This metric helps me understand how much money each person on my team makes for the organization. Another useful KPI is customer acquisition cost, which shows me how much it costs the company to acquire new customers.”

13. Give an example of a time where you had to communicate something difficult to a co-worker or manager.

This question is a great way to assess your communication skills and how you handle conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on the steps you took to communicate effectively with your co-worker or manager.

Example: “In my previous role as an HR specialist, I had to let go of one of our employees due to budget cuts. The employee was upset about being laid off, but I made sure to explain the situation in detail so they understood why we were letting them go. I also offered resources for finding new employment and provided support if they needed it.”

14. How would you explain the benefits of our company’s services to a potential client?

This question is a great way to test your sales skills and ability to communicate with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of the most important benefits you’ve seen from using Cornerstone OnDemand’s services yourself.

Example: “I have used Cornerstone OnDemand for my last two positions, so I know firsthand how beneficial their software is. The first benefit that comes to mind is the ease of use. With Cornerstone OnDemand, I was able to learn the system quickly and efficiently manage my team members’ performance reviews and other tasks. Another benefit is the cost-effectiveness. My company has been able to save money by implementing Cornerstone OnDemand into our hiring process.”

15. Describe how you might respond to a customer complaint.

When working in customer service, it’s important to respond to complaints quickly and effectively. This question helps employers understand how you would handle a challenging situation with a client or customer.

Example: “I once worked as a receptionist at an accounting firm where I fielded calls from clients who had questions about their invoices. One day, one of the company’s largest clients called me because they were missing some information on their invoice. I apologized for the error and assured them that we would fix the issue immediately. I then contacted my manager to let her know what happened so she could follow up with the client herself.”

16. What skills do you feel are most important for being successful in this role?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list a few of the most important skills and then explain how you possess them.

Example: “I feel communication and problem-solving skills are two of the most important skills for success in this role. I’ve always been someone who enjoys communicating with others and helping them solve problems. In my previous roles, I was often tasked with explaining complex processes or ideas to other employees. I also enjoy solving problems and figuring out solutions to challenges.”

17. Provide an example of a goal you set for yourself and describe how you achieved it.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your self-motivation and how you apply it to your work. Use examples of goals you’ve set in the past, such as professional or personal goals, and explain what steps you took to achieve them.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing a team of five people. One goal I had was to increase employee morale by 10% within six months. To do so, I met with each member of my team individually to discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Then, I created a training program that would help employees improve on their weaknesses while also highlighting their strengths. After implementing these changes, we saw an increase in employee morale.”

18. Explain the importance of data security to a potential client.

Cornerstone OnDemand is a data security company, so it’s important that you understand the importance of data security to your clients. When answering this question, make sure you emphasize how Cornerstone OnDemand can help your client achieve their goals and protect their data.

Example: “Data security is extremely important for any organization because if they don’t have proper security measures in place, they could lose sensitive information or even be hacked. If an organization has been hacked, it could lead to financial loss, damaged reputations and more. I’ve worked with many organizations who were looking for ways to improve their data security, and Cornerstone OnDemand was able to provide them with solutions that helped them meet their needs.”

19. What other companies are currently considered our competitors?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the industry and Cornerstone OnDemand’s place in it. When answering, make sure you mention companies that are similar to Cornerstone OnDemand in terms of their offerings or services.

Example: “I believe some of Cornerstone OnDemand’s biggest competitors include Oracle, Workday and SAP SuccessFactors. All four offer talent management software with different features and benefits. For example, SAP SuccessFactors offers more training options than Cornerstone OnDemand, while Oracle has a wider range of employee data analytics tools.”

20. What does a good partnership between sales and marketing look like?

Marketing and sales are two departments that work together to achieve the same goal of increasing revenue. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you understand how these departments interact with each other. In your answer, explain what a good partnership looks like and give an example of when you’ve seen it in action.

Example: “A good partnership between marketing and sales is one where both teams communicate clearly about their goals and objectives. I have worked at companies where there was little communication between these departments, which led to miscommunication and confusion. When I started working here, however, I noticed that our company had clear guidelines for collaboration between sales and marketing. This helped ensure that everyone knew who should be doing what.”