After years of answering common interview questions on the Insurance Jobs Employment Blog, we’ve compiled a list of the most common interview questions and how to answer them. Start practicing your answers now!

 

Tell me about yourself.

keep it professional, be compelling, and illustrate to the employer why you’re the best candidate for the job.

It’s also important to prepare an answer ahead of time, so review your skills, work history, accomplishments, and relevant training relevant to the position before you walk into the interview. [Read More]

 

Why should we hire you?

This is a time to let the customer (the interviewer) know what your product (YOU) can do for them and why they should listen to what you have to offer. The more detail you give the stronger your answer will be. This is not a time to talk about what you want. It is a time to summarize your accomplishments and relate what makes you unique and therefore a viable fit for this position. [Read More]

 

What is your greatest weakness?

When interviewers ask this question they really don’t care what your weaknesses are. They care about how you handle this question and what your response indicates about you.

The response strategy to this question is:

• First, highlight your strengths for this position
• Second, highlight an area that you are working to improve upon
• Third, describe what you are doing to improve
• Fourth, describe how this new skill improves your value to the company
• Finally, ask a question.

[Read More]

 

Why are you leaving your job?

The answer you give could set the tone for the rest of the interview. For instance, if you were to indicate that you were bored or burned out at your last job, the interviewer would quickly become concerned about your performance at this company. The question can be especially tricky if you’ve had less than favorable conditions regarding your departure from a company. Regardless of the circumstances that have caused you to move, or are causing you to think about moving, you should be prepared to answer this question. [Read More]

 

What are your salary expectations?

When companies ask you about your last salary they are trying to screen you out. This is a high-risk moment and hence you want to delay the salary discussion for later in the hiring process. The representative from the company is trying to make sure there is a reasonable alignment of your salary requirements and their salary range. [Read More]

 

Do you have any questions for me?

Not asking questions at the end of an interview can signal unpreparedness to the hiring manager. It can also signal your inability to conduct due diligence. If you’re not asking questions, how will you know the role is right for you?

Our advice? Use the four C’s to determine your questions: connect, culture, challenge, and close. [Read More]