20 Personal Capital Interview Questions and Answers

Personal Capital is a financial technology company that provides free financial tools and services to help people manage their finances. The company was founded in 2009, and today it has more than 2 million users.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Personal Capital, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with financial technology, your knowledge of personal finance, and your ability to provide excellent customer service. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Personal Capital interview questions and answers.

Personal Capital Interview Process

The interview process at Personal Capital can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by one or more interviews with hiring managers. For some positions, you may also be asked to do a mock sales call or take a personality test. Overall, the interview process is generally quick and easy, although some candidates have reported being ghosted after their final interview.

1. What do you know about Personal Capital?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and its products. It also allows you to demonstrate that you have researched the company before applying for the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific features or benefits of Personal Capital.

Example: “I know that Personal Capital is an online financial management tool that helps people track their investments and net worth. I’ve used the platform in my previous role as a personal finance manager at XYZ Bank, where I helped clients use Personal Capital to manage their finances. The software was easy to use and provided valuable insights into how much money they were spending on various expenses.”

2. Why did you join us today?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about the company and its mission. It also shows that you did your research on the company before coming in for an interview. When answering this question, make sure to mention something specific about the company or what drew you to it.

Example: “I am here today because I have been following Personal Capital for quite some time now. I love the transparency of the company and the fact that they offer free financial advice. I think my background as a CPA would be a great fit for this company, and I can’t wait to get started.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an unruly customer, how did you approach it?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills. Interviewers want to know that you can handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism. In your answer, try to highlight how you used your problem-solving skills to resolve the situation.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset about our services because they didn’t understand them. I took the time to explain everything in detail so they understood what we were doing for them. They were still unhappy, but at least they knew why we were making certain recommendations. We ended up finding a solution that worked for both of us.”

4. How would you handle a client who was upset because they lost money on their investments?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills and ability to empathize with clients. Use examples from previous experience where you helped a client through a challenging situation, or describe how you would handle this situation if it’s something you’ve never encountered before.

Example: “I have had several clients who were upset about losing money on their investments. In these situations, I try to listen carefully to what they’re saying and ask questions to understand why they feel that way. Then, I explain our investment philosophy and how we make decisions based on research and data. If the client is still unhappy, I offer to speak with my manager to see if there are any other options for them.”

5. Do you have experience working in financial services?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a similar role. If you don’t, they may ask additional questions to learn more about your financial knowledge and how it applies to this role. Use examples from previous work or education experiences that show you understand personal finance.

Example: “I worked as an accountant for five years before I started my current position at a bank. During my time there, I helped clients with their finances and prepared tax returns. This experience taught me how to use software like Personal Capital to help people manage their money.”

6. What is your opinion on the current state of the economy?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your economic knowledge and how you feel about the current state of the economy. This is a broad question, so it’s important to focus on specific details when answering. You can discuss what you think are some of the biggest challenges facing the economy today and how you would address them if given the opportunity.

Example: “I believe that one of the biggest issues in our current economy is income inequality. I think that we need to find ways to help those who are struggling financially while also encouraging businesses to create more jobs for people looking for work. Another issue I see with the economy is the lack of financial literacy among many Americans. If we could educate more people about money management, they might be able to avoid making costly mistakes.”

7. What are some things that you think we can improve upon as a company?

This question is a great way to show your willingness to help the company grow and improve. It also shows that you are willing to be honest about what you think could use improvement. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on specific ideas for change rather than just stating that something needs to be improved.

Example: “I think one thing we can improve upon as a company is our communication with clients. I’ve noticed that sometimes there’s a delay in responding to questions or concerns from customers. I think if we were able to respond more quickly to these inquiries, it would make the customer experience much better.”

8. What is your favorite thing about our product?

This question is a great way to see how much you know about the company and its products. It also shows your enthusiasm for working with Personal Capital. When answering this question, make sure to highlight something specific that you like about their product. This will show that you have used it before and are familiar with what it can do.

Example: “My favorite thing about Personal Capital is the ability to track all of my finances in one place. I love being able to see everything from my checking account to my investments in one place. It makes it so easy to keep track of where my money is going and helps me stay on top of my budgeting.”

9. Do you have any experience dealing with high net worth clients?

Personal capital is a financial management software that helps individuals manage their finances. The company wants to know if you have experience working with high net worth clients and how you handled the situation. High net worth clients are those who have more than $1 million in assets, so your answer should show that you can work with this type of client.

Example: “I worked for a private wealth management firm where I helped wealthy clients invest their money. My job was to help them find the best investment opportunities based on their risk tolerance and goals. I learned how to communicate effectively with my clients and make sure they understood all aspects of their investments.”

10. Are you comfortable making cold calls and outbound sales calls?

Personal Capital is a financial services company that offers its clients investment advice and management. The company needs employees who can make outbound sales calls to potential customers, so interviewers ask this question to see if you have experience doing this type of work. If you do, explain what techniques you use to be successful on the phone. If you don’t have experience making cold calls, tell them about your willingness to learn how to do it.

Example: “I’ve made many cold calls in my career as a financial advisor. I find that being friendly and positive while also clearly explaining the benefits of our service helps me get through to people more often than not. I’m willing to practice any techniques that help me improve my success rate.”

11. Describe a time where you went above and beyond for a client.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and passion for helping others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you helped someone overcome an obstacle or achieve their goals.

Example: “I once had a client who was trying to save money for a vacation but also wanted to start investing in the stock market. I researched several different options that would allow them to do both while still saving for their trip. After finding some suitable investment accounts, I created a plan that allowed my client to invest small amounts of money each month while still being able to afford their vacation. They were so happy with my help that they referred me to two of their friends.”

12. If hired, what would be your approach to providing quality customer service?

Personal capital is a financial management platform that helps users track their spending and investments. The company wants to know how you would interact with customers, which can be challenging when discussing personal finances. Use your answer to highlight your customer service skills by describing the steps you would take to help clients understand the software and use it effectively.

Example: “I believe in treating every client as if they were my only client. I will make sure to listen carefully to what each person needs from me and provide them with all of the information they need to feel confident using the software. To ensure that everyone has access to the same level of support, I will train new employees on the best ways to handle customer interactions. This ensures that we are providing quality service to our entire user base.”

13. What type of software development projects have you worked on before?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you might fit into their company. If you have no prior development experience, consider describing a time when you used software to complete a project or helped someone use software to complete a project.

Example: “In my last role as an accountant, I worked on several projects that involved using personal finance software. For example, we had to create reports for our clients based on what information they needed. We also had to make sure all of our data was accurate so we could provide accurate financial advice to our clients. In addition, I’ve completed many online courses in personal finance management.”

14. What programming languages are you most familiar with?

Personal Capital is a web-based application, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with web development. If you do not have any programming language experience, consider mentioning other technical skills that are relevant to the role.

Example: “I am most familiar with Java and C++, but I also know HTML, CSS and JavaScript. I’ve used these languages in my previous roles to create websites and applications for clients. In my last position, I was responsible for updating the company’s website on a regular basis, which required me to use HTML and CSS regularly.”

15. What is your experience with agile methodology?

Agile methodology is a software development process that focuses on creating and implementing solutions quickly. This method of working allows for constant feedback, which helps teams create better products. Your answer should show the interviewer you have experience with agile methodology and can apply it to your work at Personal Capital.

Example: “I’ve worked in an environment where we used agile methodology before. I find this approach to be beneficial because it allows me to understand what my team members are doing and how they are progressing. It also gives us the opportunity to make changes as needed. In my last role, I was responsible for managing the project backlog and ensuring all tasks were completed by their due dates.”

16. What kind of database management systems have you used?

This question is a great way to see how you apply your knowledge of database management systems. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the specific names of the systems and what you used them for.

Example: “I have worked with several different types of database management systems in my career so far. I started out working with Microsoft Access, which was useful for creating simple databases that were easy to use. Then, I moved on to using MySQL, which allowed me to create more complex databases that could handle large amounts of data. Finally, I learned about NoSQL databases, which are even better at handling large amounts of data than SQL databases.”

17. Tell us why you want to work at Personal Capital.

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the company and its mission. When you answer, make sure to highlight what attracted you to Personal Capital in the first place. Consider mentioning something specific about the company that made you want to apply.

Example: “I’ve been following Personal Capital’s work for years now, and I’m so impressed with how much they have helped people manage their finances. I think it’s important to help others achieve financial freedom, and I would love to be part of this team. In fact, I was inspired by one of your blog posts on saving money on groceries, which led me to start meal planning at home.”

18. Have you ever been part of a team project that failed? What happened and what could you have done differently?

This question is a great way to see how you respond to failure. It’s important for employers to know that you can learn from your mistakes and apply those lessons to future projects. In your answer, try to be as honest as possible about what happened and how you could have done things differently.

Example: “I was once part of a team project where we were supposed to create an online database with information on the company’s products. I thought it would be best if everyone worked independently on their own sections of the website. However, when we presented our work to the client, they said there wasn’t enough information on each product. We had to go back and add more content to each page.”

19. Tell me about a time when you were given a task that required you to learn something new. How did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you approach new challenges and whether you’re willing to take on responsibilities that require additional training. Use your answer to highlight your ability to learn quickly, seek out resources and ask for help when needed.

Example: “When I first started working as an accountant, my manager asked me to create a budgeting spreadsheet for our department. At first, I was unsure about what information I should include in the spreadsheet or how to format it. However, I took some time to research different types of spreadsheets and found several templates online that helped me understand what information I should include. After creating the spreadsheet, I shared it with my manager and other accountants so they could make any changes.”

20. Give an example of a time when you found a bug in software or code, how did you report it?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to report the bug and how you communicated with your team or supervisor about the issue.

Example: “When I was working as an accountant for a small business, I noticed that one of our clients had been overcharged by $100. After looking into the issue further, I realized that there was a coding error in the software we were using. I reported the issue to my manager immediately so they could address the issue before sending out any more invoices.”