Acorns Interview Questions: Crack the Code and Land Your Dream Job!

So you want to join the creative team at Acorns, the fintech giant that’s changing the way people save and invest? Well, get ready, because you need to know more than just what you’re talking about to ace their interview. You need to show that you can solve problems, care about the company’s mission, and do well in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Don’t worry, though, we’ve got your back! We’ve analyzed the Acorns interview questions and compiled a comprehensive guide to help you nail your interview and land your dream job.

Top 25 Acorns Interview Questions Your Ultimate Prep Guide

This guide covers the most frequently asked Acorns interview questions along with expert tips and sample answers to help you shine. Let’s dive in!

1. How would you decide which tasks to do first if you were working on multiple Acorns app development projects at the same time?

Expert Tip: Highlight your ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks. Discuss how you identify high-importance projects, utilize project management tools, and maintain flexibility to adjust priorities in response to unexpected changes.

Sample Answer “Prioritizing tasks in a multi-project environment is like juggling multiple balls in the air. I start by understanding the business objectives, deadlines, and resources available for each project. This helps me determine the urgency and importance of each task. High-impact tasks that align with Acorns’ strategic goals and have tight deadlines get top priority. Next, I employ an Agile methodology to break down larger tasks into manageable sprints. This approach allows for continuous evaluation of progress and re-prioritization if necessary. It’s also essential to maintain open lines of communication with stakeholders and team members to manage expectations and address any issues promptly. Lastly leveraging project management tools can help visualize task dependencies and streamline workflow. By combining these strategies, we can ensure efficient execution while maintaining the quality of the app development process at Acorns.”

2. Could you tell me about a time when you solved a tough customer problem and how that made their time with Acorns better?

Expert Tip: Focus on a specific situation where you listened to the customer’s issue, showed empathy, and took effective steps to resolve it. Emphasize how this turned their experience around and led to increased satisfaction or loyalty.

Sample Answer: “During my time at Acorns, I remember a particular incident where a customer was very frustrated because they were having trouble understanding how to navigate our app and use its features. They felt overwhelmed and were considering closing their account. Recognizing the importance of this issue, I took it upon myself to walk them through the process step-by-step over a phone call. I also shared some helpful resources from our website that could guide them in the future. This personalized approach not only resolved their immediate problem but also empowered them with knowledge on how to utilize the platform effectively. The customer expressed gratitude for the patience and support, stating they now felt more comfortable using the app. Following this experience, they became an active user and even recommended Acorns to friends. This situation reinforced the value of providing comprehensive customer service to enhance user experience and foster loyalty.”

3. Describe your approach to ensuring the quality of code in a fast-paced, high-growth fintech environment.

Tip from an expert: Show that you know how important good code quality is in a fast-paced setting. Talk about times in the past when you made sure the quality of code under similar circumstances by using methods such as thorough testing, peer reviews, and following coding standards.

Sample Answer “In a fast-paced fintech environment like Acorns, ensuring code quality is crucial for staying ahead of the competition and ensuring customer trust My approach involves implementing robust testing strategies and promoting a culture of code reviews. I believe in the principle of Test-Driven Development (TDD), where tests are written before the actual code This not only helps in identifying potential issues early but also guides the design of the software by defining what it should do. Additionally, regular code reviews can significantly enhance code quality. They provide an opportunity for team members to learn from each other and catch any oversights. To facilitate this process, I would advocate for the use of tools that automate parts of the review process, such as static code analyzers. Finally, continuous integration and delivery pipelines play a pivotal role in maintaining high-quality standards. These automated processes ensure every change to the codebase is tested and validated promptly, minimizing the chances of error propagation. By combining these practices, we can maintain high code quality while keeping up with the rapid pace of development inherent in a high-growth fintech company.”

4. How do you keep up with the newest technologies and trends that affect Acorns’ business?

Expert Tip: To answer this question, talk about how you take the initiative to learn new things and stay current. Talk about how you keep up with news in your field, go to events that are relevant, and network with other professionals in the same field.

Sample Answer: “To stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in the fintech industry, I regularly follow several reputable financial news outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg, and Financial Times. Additionally, I subscribe to newsletters from leading fintech platforms and forums like Finextra and Fintech Weekly which provide insights into emerging trends, new innovations, and significant shifts within the sector. I also attend webinars, conferences, and networking events centered around fintech to engage with other professionals in the field, learn about their experiences, and share knowledge. This not only keeps me informed about the current landscape but also provides foresight into future developments. Moreover, I make it a point to read research papers and case studies related to digital finance and investment strategies, focusing on consumer behavior and technological advancements. This helps me understand how technology is shaping customer expectations and what Acorns can do to meet these evolving needs.”

5. Share an instance where you had to collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product improvements at a previous company.

Expert Tip: Start by highlighting a specific project where your collaborative skills were put to the test. Discuss how you contributed to the team’s efforts, the role you had in driving product improvements, and any positive outcomes resulting from this collaboration.

Sample Answer: “At my previous company, we were developing a new feature for our mobile application. However, after the initial launch, customer feedback indicated that users found the feature confusing and difficult to use. I initiated a meeting with cross-functional teams including UX/UI design, development, marketing, and customer service to discuss potential improvements. We analyzed user feedback and usage data together, identifying key areas where users struggled. The UI/UX team proposed changes to make navigation more intuitive, while the development team assessed the feasibility of these changes. Marketing provided insight into how we could better communicate the feature’s benefits and usage to customers, and customer service offered valuable input on common questions or issues raised by users. The collaboration resulted in significant updates to the feature which improved its usability and acceptance. Post-implementation data showed increased engagement and positive customer feedback, demonstrating the effectiveness of our cross-functional collaboration.”

6. What strategies would you employ to reduce response times and improve overall customer satisfaction within Acorns support channels?

Expert Tip: Focus on your understanding of the importance of swift and efficient customer response. You could talk about using data to identify peak times and common issues, thus allowing for better staffing and training strategies. Mention your ability to leverage technology like automated responses for simpler queries or implementing a ticketing system to streamline processes.

Sample Answer: “To reduce response times and improve customer satisfaction, I would first focus on streamlining the support process. This could involve implementing a more efficient ticketing system to prioritize urgent issues or adopting AI-powered chatbots for immediate responses to common queries. Secondly, I’d emphasize on training the support team not just on technical aspects but also in communication and empathy to ensure customers feel heard and understood. Additionally, proactive communication can play a significant role in managing expectations and reducing frustration. For instance, if there’s an issue affecting many users, timely updates about the situation and expected resolution time can mitigate dissatisfaction. Lastly, collecting and analyzing feedback from customers regularly will provide insights into areas needing improvement and help measure the effectiveness of our strategies.”

7. Explain your process for troubleshooting issues found during software testing and how you ensure they are addressed efficiently.

Expert Tip: When addressing this question, highlight your systematic approach to problem-solving. Discuss how you identify and replicate the issue, investigate to understand its root cause, explore potential solutions, then test and implement the most effective one.

Sample Answer: “When I discover an issue during software testing, my first step is to replicate the problem in order to understand its nature and scope. This involves documenting every step leading up to the error, including the environment settings, user actions, and system responses. If possible, I also try to isolate the problem by changing variables one at a time to see if the issue persists. Once I have gathered enough data about the problem, I log it into our bug tracking system with all relevant details. This includes severity level, steps to reproduce, expected versus actual results, and any screenshots or logs that might help developers diagnose the problem. To ensure efficiency, I prioritize issues based on their impact on the end-user experience and communicate regularly with the development team about progress towards resolution. I also retest resolved issues to confirm they are truly fixed before closing them out in the tracking system. By following this process, we can minimize disruption for users and maintain high quality standards for our software.”

8. Describe your experience working with APIs, specifically pertaining to financial data or services.

Expert Tip: In answering this, focus on your experience with APIs in past projects or roles. Highlight any work you’ve done dealing with financial data and how you successfully used APIs to achieve results.

Sample Answer: “In my previous experience, I’ve had the opportunity to work extensively with APIs related