Workflow Engineer, Technical Platform Configuration Interview Process at Blend

As a candidate who interviewed for the Workflow Engineer, Technical Platform Configuration position at Blend, I can provide you with a detailed overview of the interview process, the kinds of questions asked, and some useful tips based on my personal experience. This role focuses on configuring and optimizing technical workflows within Blend’s platform, which is critical for supporting the company’s mortgage and financial services solutions. Below is an outline of the interview process and insights to help you prepare.

Overview of the Interview Process

The interview process for the Workflow Engineer role at Blend typically involves several stages. Here’s a breakdown of the steps I went through:

1. Initial Screening (Recruiter Call)

The process starts with an initial phone call with a recruiter. During this conversation, the recruiter will ask you about:

• Your background and experience: They’ll want to understand your technical skills, previous roles, and how they relate to the position you’re applying for. Expect questions about your experience with workflow automation, platform configuration, and the tools or technologies you’ve used in similar roles.

Example Question:

• “Can you walk me through your experience with configuring platforms or setting up technical workflows? What tools have you worked with?”

• Why Blend?: The recruiter will ask why you’re interested in Blend, and whether you understand the company’s mission in transforming the mortgage industry through technology.

Example Question:

• “Why do you want to work at Blend, and how do you think your experience aligns with the company’s goals?”

• Cultural Fit: They will also assess if you’re a good cultural fit for Blend. Expect questions about how you work in teams and how you handle fast-paced, evolving environments.

Example Question:

• “Blend works in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Can you describe how you manage competing priorities and work with cross-functional teams?“

2. Technical Phone Screen

After passing the recruiter screen, the next step typically involves a technical phone screen. During this interview, an engineer or technical manager will assess your technical skills related to platform configuration, workflow automation, and your problem-solving approach. The key areas covered will likely include:

• Technical Expertise: You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of workflow tools, platforms (such as Salesforce, Workday, or proprietary systems), and configuration practices.

Example Question:

• “How would you go about configuring a new workflow on a platform like Salesforce? What steps would you take from start to finish?”

• Problem-Solving: Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to explain how you would resolve specific issues or optimize workflows for better efficiency.

Example Scenario:

• “Imagine that a client is having trouble with the approval process in their mortgage application system. How would you diagnose and resolve the issue?”

• Integration with Other Systems: Given Blend’s reliance on integrating various technologies, you may be asked about how you would handle platform integrations or work with APIs.

Example Question:

• “Can you explain a time when you integrated two different systems or platforms? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?”

• Automation of Repetitive Tasks: You may be asked about your experience automating workflows to increase operational efficiency. This is particularly important for a Workflow Engineer role.

Example Question:

• “How would you design a workflow automation system to reduce manual interventions in a business process?“

3. On-Site or Virtual Interview (Technical Assessment)

After passing the technical phone screen, the next step typically involves a more in-depth on-site or virtual interview. In this stage, you’ll be asked to work through a more complex technical problem or perform a live configuration task. The key areas assessed include:

• Hands-on Configuration Task: You may be given a live task to configure a technical workflow or troubleshoot a process. This is designed to assess your ability to work directly with platforms and implement changes in real-time.

Example Task:

• “Here’s a scenario where a customer needs to configure a mortgage application workflow in Blend’s platform. Please walk us through how you would set it up, from defining the steps to ensuring the workflow is fully automated.”

• System Design: You may be asked to design a system or workflow that solves a specific business problem.

Example Question:

• “Design a workflow for an automated loan approval process. What steps would you include, and how would you ensure the system is scalable and efficient?”

• Troubleshooting and Optimization: The interviewer may give you a problem to solve, focusing on how you would diagnose an issue and optimize an existing workflow.

Example Question:

• “A workflow in the loan processing system is causing delays in approvals. How would you approach finding the bottleneck and optimizing the workflow?“

4. Behavioral Interview (Cultural Fit & Leadership)

The final round typically involves a behavioral interview with senior leadership or hiring managers. This part focuses on assessing how well you fit within Blend’s culture and your leadership potential, particularly in working with cross-functional teams.

You can expect questions about:

• Collaboration and Teamwork: This role requires strong collaboration with product teams, business stakeholders, and other engineers. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked in teams to resolve conflicts and achieve common goals.

Example Question:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to collaborate with a team to solve a complex workflow problem. How did you ensure that everyone was aligned on the solution?”

• Adaptability: Given that Blend is a fast-growing company in the fintech space, adaptability is key. Expect questions that assess how you handle change and manage multiple competing priorities.

Example Question:

• “How do you handle sudden changes to project scope or requirements? Can you give an example of how you’ve adapted to a changing work environment in the past?”

• Communication Skills: You’ll need to communicate complex technical issues clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Expect questions about how you’ve effectively communicated solutions in previous roles.

Example Question:

• “Describe a time when you had to explain a technical solution to a non-technical team. How did you ensure they understood the solution?”

Commonly Asked Interview Questions

Technical Questions:

• “How do you go about configuring a new workflow on a platform like Salesforce?”
• “How would you integrate a third-party system with Blend’s platform? Can you describe the process and the challenges involved?”
• “Describe a time when you automated a manual process. What was the outcome?”

Problem-Solving and Scenario-Based Questions:

• “How would you troubleshoot a workflow that’s not functioning as expected? Walk us through your debugging process.”
• “Imagine that a client wants to automate their loan approval process but is worried about system delays. How would you address this concern?”

Behavioral and Leadership Questions:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to influence a team to adopt a new tool or process. How did you ensure a smooth transition?”
• “Describe a time when you had to prioritize multiple urgent tasks. How did you manage your time and resources?”

Tips for Preparation

• Understand Workflow Tools and Platforms: Familiarize yourself with the types of workflow tools and platforms commonly used in Blend’s industry (e.g., Salesforce, Workday, custom workflow engines). Be ready to discuss these tools and your experience using them.
• Prepare for Scenario-Based Problems: Practice solving workflow optimization and automation problems. Think about how you would approach these scenarios in a real-world business context.
• Brush Up on System Design: Be ready to design scalable, efficient systems that integrate multiple components. Practice designing workflows that streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Communication and Collaboration: This role requires strong communication skills, especially with cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss how you’ve communicated complex issues or coordinated with various stakeholders in past roles.