20 Paylocity Interview Questions and Answers

As a leading provider of cloud-based payroll and human capital management (HCM) software solutions, Paylocity is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team.

If you’re lucky enough to snag an interview with this company, you can expect to be asked some tough questions about your experience and qualifications. In this article, we’ll give you a head start by providing some sample Paylocity interview questions and answers.

Paylocity Interview Process

The interview process at Paylocity is relatively quick and easy. Most candidates report that they are able to complete the entire process within a few weeks.

The interviews themselves are not overly difficult, but candidates should be prepared to answer questions about their experience and qualifications. Overall, the interview process is positive and efficient, and candidates generally have a good experience.

1. What is your experience with Microsoft Office?

This question is a good way to assess your technical skills and how you use them. It’s also an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you’re willing to learn new software if necessary.

Example: “I have been using Microsoft Office since my freshman year of college, so I’m very comfortable with all of its features. In my last role, I was responsible for training other employees on how to use it as well. I’ve found that there are many similarities between Paylocity’s products and Microsoft Office, which makes learning easier.”

2. How do you think the cloud will affect the software industry in the future?

This question is a great way to gauge your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to future growth. Your answer should include information about what cloud computing is, why businesses use it and how it will affect the software industry in the future.

Example: “Cloud computing has changed the software industry by allowing companies to access their data from anywhere at any time. This allows them to make more informed decisions because they have real-time information on hand. I believe that this technology will continue to grow as more businesses realize its benefits.”

3. If hired, what would be your strategy for growing client relationships and revenue?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to develop a strategy for success. Your answer should include how you would use your communication, problem-solving and analytical skills to achieve the company’s goals.

Example: “I believe that my customer service experience will help me grow client relationships and revenue. I plan to reach out to clients who have been with Paylocity for at least two years and offer them free training on our software. This will allow me to get to know their business better and provide more personalized support when they need it. I also plan to attend networking events in the community where I can meet new people and share information about Paylocity.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an angry or upset customer.

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your customer service skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you helped the customer and what actions you took to resolve the issue or calm them down.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their payroll information on time. They were worried that they wouldn’t have enough money for their employees’ paychecks. I explained to them that our company would cover any late fees incurred by the employer. This seemed to calm them down, and they thanked me for helping them understand the situation.”

5. Provide examples of how you have used sales skills to meet and exceed goals.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your sales experience and how you have used it to achieve success. When answering, consider providing examples of the skills you use in a sales role that can also be applied to other aspects of the job.

Example: “In my previous position as a sales representative for a software company, I was responsible for identifying potential clients and selling them on our products. To do so, I would first research companies to find out what kind of software they were using and if there were any areas where we could improve their systems. Then, I would reach out to the decision-maker at each company and explain how our product could benefit them.”

6. Do you feel comfortable working with clients over the phone?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your communication skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you had to work with clients over the phone and how you were able to help them.

Example: “I have worked in customer service before, so I am comfortable working with clients over the phone. In my last role, I helped customers understand our software and answered any questions they had about payroll or HR management. This was an important part of my job because it allowed me to build relationships with clients and ensure that they were satisfied with their experience.”

7. What are some qualities that make someone successful at Paylocity?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and see if your personality is a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of your own personal qualities that make you successful in your career.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities someone needs to succeed at Paylocity is flexibility. The work environment here is very fast-paced, so I need to be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Another quality I have is my ability to multitask. In my previous roles, I’ve had to manage multiple projects at once, which has helped me develop these skills.”

8. Why should we hire you as opposed to another candidate who has more experience?

This question is a great way to show your confidence and highlight the skills you have that make you an ideal candidate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list some of your most relevant qualifications and how they will benefit Paylocity.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate for this position because of my extensive knowledge of payroll software and my ability to work well with others. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in several different roles where I was responsible for managing payroll processes. This experience has given me valuable insight into what works well and what doesn’t when it comes to implementing new systems. Additionally, I’m highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a strong asset to any team.”

9. What do you know about our company culture?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show that you’re interested in the company. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you know about the company culture. If you don’t have any knowledge of the company culture, it’s okay to say so and ask for more information.

Example: “I’ve read through Paylocity’s employee handbook and I’m very impressed with the company culture. Your company values transparency, collaboration and innovation, which are all things that I value as well. I think we would work well together.”

10. What can you tell us about the position you applied for?

This question is a great way to assess your research skills and determine if you are truly interested in the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two things that particularly interest you about the role.

Example: “I am excited to apply for the Payroll Specialist position at Paylocity because I have experience working with payroll software and enjoy helping others solve problems. In my previous role as an HR specialist, I helped train new employees on how to use the company’s payroll system. I also worked closely with payroll specialists to ensure all of our employees were paid accurately and on time.”

11. Describe a project you worked on where you had to work closely with others.

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project that involved collaboration and highlight the positive outcomes of working together.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked on a team that was responsible for creating new features for our software. We had weekly meetings where we discussed what we were working on and how we could collaborate to create better products. This helped us all learn more about each other’s strengths and develop ideas that would benefit the company.”

12. When was the last time you made a sale?

This question is a great way to gauge your sales experience and how you can apply it to the role. If you have no prior sales experience, you can talk about other ways you’ve helped increase revenue or achieve goals in previous roles.

Example: “In my last position as an HR manager, I was tasked with finding new employees for our company. After researching several different job boards, I found a candidate who had all of the qualifications we were looking for. We hired her, and she’s been working here ever since.”

13. What are your career goals for the next 2-3 years?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also gives you an idea of what type of employee they will be if hired, as someone who plans for their future success is likely to work hard and stay with your company for a long time.

Example: “I am currently working toward my CPA certification, which I hope to have by next year. After that, I would like to move into a management role within this industry.”

14. What tools do you use to keep up with the latest trends in technology?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in technology and how you stay up-to-date on industry news. You may want to mention a few websites or blogs that you regularly read, along with any social media accounts that you follow for tech updates.

Example: “I subscribe to several tech blogs and newsletters that I find interesting. I also have an account on Twitter where I follow many of the top tech influencers. This helps me keep up with the latest trends in the industry and see what new products are being released.”

15. Give an example of a difficult goal you’ve set for yourself and achieved.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you’re willing to work hard and achieve goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific goal you set for yourself and the steps you took to achieve it.

Example: “When I first started working as an accountant, I was determined to learn all of the ins and outs of payroll software in my company. At the time, we were using Paylocity’s competitor, so I decided to spend one weekend learning how their system worked. After studying their software, I was able to implement our new Paylocity solution within two weeks.”

16. Can you tell me about a time when you disagreed with one of your colleagues? How did you handle it?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you resolve conflicts. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you disagreed with someone but were able to work through the disagreement in a productive way.

Example: “In my previous role as a payroll specialist, I had a coworker who was always late submitting their payroll reports. This caused me to rush my own work, which made me feel stressed out at times. Instead of confronting them directly, I scheduled a meeting with our manager to discuss the issue. They agreed that they would speak with my coworker about the problem and set up weekly deadlines for all employees.”

17. We need this job completed by Friday, but I am still waiting for information from my team members. How would you proceed?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks. In your answer, explain how you would manage the situation and ensure that the job was completed by Friday.

Example: “I would first ask my manager if they needed me to complete this task before other assignments. If not, I would immediately begin working on the assignment as soon as I received it. If they did need it completed sooner, I would contact each team member who had yet to submit their portion of the project and request an immediate response. Then, I would focus all of my attention on completing the assignment until it was ready for review.”

18. The role requires independent thinking and decision making. Have you ever been in a situation like that before?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the situation in detail and explain how you came to your decision or solution.

Example: “In my last role as an HR manager, I had to decide whether or not to hire someone for a position that was already filled. The person who held the position before them left unexpectedly, so we needed to fill the position quickly. After speaking with the candidate, I decided they were the best fit for the job.”

19. What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also acknowledging any areas for improvement. When answering this question, consider the job description and highlight how you can use your skills to meet the employer’s needs.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am always looking for ways to improve processes and procedures so that I can make sure all payroll information is accurate. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on accuracy that I forget to communicate effectively with coworkers about changes or updates to our processes.”

20. What type of work environment makes you most productive?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your preferences and how you might fit into their company culture. When answering, think about what type of work environment you’ve had in the past that was most productive for you. Consider mentioning any specific elements of a workplace that make it more conducive to productivity.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when I have a quiet workspace with minimal distractions. In my last job, I worked from home one day per week so that I could focus on getting work done without having to commute. This helped me get ahead of deadlines and stay organized.”