Certinia Interview Questions
& Process

It lasted two weeks. Initially, I was sent a technical test that could be done in Python, Java, TypeScript, or C#. It involved sorting an array, outputting a dictionary, and another exercise. After completing it, I had an interview in English where the recruiter basically talked about the project and asked about my availability. Then, I had a technical test with two seniors where they asked me for solutions and improvements on a Connect 4 (the board game) code. Finally, they explained the company culture. They were very nice, but in the end, I was rejected because of another candidate who apparently had slightly better skills.

I was contacted by a UK-based recruiter from Certinia, a PE-owned company. We had a 30-minute initial chat. She sounded positive about the next steps and moving on to meet the hiring manager. I asked how she felt about our conversation and she seemed very optimistic. However, I didn't get to meet any hiring managers and the role was eventually filled by someone from a competitor. I found this out after I followed up. It's interesting because many people on the Certinia team used to work at my previous company, including the CEO, and they've all done quite well. I really wish I had the chance to talk more.

I interviewed with Certinia for a sales position, and frankly, it wasn't a great experience. The whole thing felt pretty chaotic. My recruiter kept messing up the interview dates and would send last-minute updates, like this one email I got at 5:45 AM for an 8 AM interview – which was rough for getting ready professionally. The biggest issue for me was the lack of clear communication. At one point, they weren't even sure what job I was being considered for or what the pay would be. That uncertainty made it hard to take it seriously and made me wonder about how they operate internally. I really wanted to check out the job, but the whole experience made me question their internal processes. Hopefully, they'll sort out their interview process and communicate better with people in the future.

The process is pretty standard. First, you have a chat with a recruiter to give them more info about yourself. They might ask why you're looking to leave, about your sales performance, and what you're after. Then, you'll meet the hiring manager, followed by a panel interview. I had a great experience with the recruiter at FinancialForce; she really knew her stuff about the compensation plan, which is rare, and was super communicative, always clear about deadlines and what to expect. It's also a plus that you get to meet upper management. Pro tip: ask to chat with some sales folks to get a better feel for the job. Or even better, find them on LinkedIn and ask the recruiter to set up a meeting with an Account Executive. This helps you make a solid decision and gives you a glimpse into the AE life at FinancialForce.