Xero.

Understanding basic accounting concepts (debits and credits, chart of accounts, reconciliation, financial statements) is very helpful. You do not need to be an accountant, but knowing why these concepts matter and how software automates them shows you can build meaningful features. Xero engineers regularly make decisions that affect financial accuracy for millions of businesses.

Xero believes accounting software should be as intuitive and well designed as consumer products. This means engineers care about UX, performance, and making complex financial operations feel simple. Interviews evaluate whether you share this design sensibility and can build features that delight small business owners rather than just meeting functional requirements.

Xero interviews include a mix of behavioral questions (using the STAR method), technical or domain specific questions, and situational problem solving. The exact mix depends on the department and seniority level of the role.

Research Xero thoroughly, practice common interview questions for your role, prepare 3 to 5 stories using the STAR method, and prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. Using a tool like Orbyt can generate tailored questions specific to Xero and your role.

Xero receives a high volume of applications for most openings, making the selection process competitive. Standing out requires a tailored resume, strong interview preparation, and clear articulation of how your skills match the specific role and team needs.

Xero interviews typically blend both behavioral and technical elements. Most loops include at least one behavioral round focusing on past experiences and one technical round assessing domain skills. The exact split depends on the role, team, and seniority level.

The Xero interview process typically includes an initial recruiter screen, followed by one or more technical or behavioral rounds, and a final on site or virtual loop. Each stage evaluates different skills depending on the role you applied for.

Many Xero roles include a technical component, though the format varies. Engineering roles may involve coding challenges or system design, while other positions focus on case studies, portfolio reviews, or domain knowledge assessments relevant to the team.