Question Overview: This is a standard interview question that helps you assess the interviewee's self-awareness. You want to make sure they are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and that they can articulate them.
Sample Answer: I think my biggest strength is my ability to work with people. I've been told that I'm a good listener and that I can help people come to a decision. My biggest weakness is that I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I like things done right the first time, but sometimes this can cause me to take longer than necessary.
Question Overview: This question helps you gauge the potential hire's experience level and how that experience informs on their reasoning and analytical skills. The interviewee should be able to list common problems in the industry and what to do.
Sample Answer: Any clients who have charges on their records that have remained there for a long time present a potential risk to the company. If I can see that a client did not read the policy stipulations, that is also a problem.
Question Overview: This is a simple question that can tell you a lot about the interviewee's motivations. It can help you understand their goals, how they see your company and what they think they can get out of the job.
Sample Answer: I've always been interested in the insurance industry and I've been trying to find a way to get into it for a while. I think your company is a good place to start because of its reputation in the field. I like that you are expanding into new markets and I think I can help you do that.
Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge the interviewee's self-awareness and their ability to articulate their strengths. You want to hire someone who knows what they bring to the table and can communicate that effectively.
Sample Answer: I have a lot of experience in the insurance industry and I've been working in underwriting for over five years. I have a lot of experience with the Applied Epic software and I think it would be a great fit for your company.
Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that helps you gauge how the interviewee will handle a tough question. You can use this question to see how the potential hire will respond to a negative question.
Sample Answer: I'm not always the best at delegating tasks. I tend to take on too much and spread myself too thin. I'm working on improving this.
Question Overview: A good leader can inspire and motivate a team to achieve goals. This question helps you gauge the potential hire's leadership skills and how they might apply to your company.
Sample Answer: A good leader needs to be able to inspire and motivate a team to achieve goals. They need to be able to handle difficult situations and conflicts in a productive way.
Question Overview: This question is designed to gauge the interviewee's personality and sense of humor. It can also help you learn a bit about their interests and what they like to do in their spare time.
Sample Answer: I would love to be able to fly. I think it would be fun to see the world from a bird's eye view.
Question Overview: This question helps you gauge the potential hire's career goals and how they might fit with your company. It also helps you understand how the potential hire might grow with your company and how they might fit into your long-term plans.
Sample Answer: I would like to be a senior underwriter for a large company in 5 years. I would like to have a lot of experience under my belt and be able to work with a variety of different clients.
Question Overview: This question is a good way to gauge the interviewee's interest in the position. It also helps you understand how they might approach the job.
Sample Answer: I have been working in this industry for a long time and I feel like I have a good grasp on the challenges and opportunities it presents. I think I can help your company grow.
Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the interviewee handles stressful situations. It also gives you a sense of how they communicate with others.
Sample Answer: I had to tell a client that his policy was being cancelled. He had not been paying his premiums for a long time, and I had to explain why he was not eligible for coverage anymore.
Question Overview: This question is designed to gauge how the potential hire might handle stressful situations in the future. You can also use it to learn about the candidate's personality and how they might react in a crisis.
Sample Answer: I've always been afraid of heights. I've learned to deal with this by not going near high places.
Question Overview: This is a great question to ask at the end of an interview. It helps you gauge the interviewee's self-awareness and their ability to evaluate their own performance. It also helps you understand how they feel about the interview process as a whole.
Sample Answer: I think I did well on the exam. I was able to answer all of the questions and I feel like I was able to show you my strengths and weaknesses.
Question Overview: This question is designed to gauge the potential hire's interpersonal skills and how they handle conflict. It also helps you understand how they might handle a difficult situation in the future.
Sample Answer: I had to deal with a client who was very upset about a claim denial. I was able to resolve the situation by explaining the reasons for the denial and offering some alternatives.
Question Overview: This question gives you a chance to gauge the interviewee's motivation for changing jobs. You can use this information to determine whether they are likely to stay with your company for a long time.
Sample Answer: I've been working in the insurance industry for a long time and I'm ready for a change. I'm excited about the opportunity here and I think it will be a good fit.
Question Overview: As a manager, you need to know that your new hire can communicate effectively with their co-workers. This question helps you gauge the interviewee's ability to do so in a professional manner.
Sample Answer: I always try to give feedback in a private setting. I try to make sure that I am not interrupting the person's work and that they have time to listen. I also try to make sure that I am not too harsh or critical.
Question Overview: This question is a classic. It gives you a chance to see how the interviewee presents themselves and how they answer questions. It also gives you a chance to gauge their personality and how they might fit into your company's culture.
Sample Answer: I'm a very hard worker who is always looking to improve my skills. I'm a team player who is always willing to help out and learn from my co-workers.
Question Overview: This question is a classic interview question that can help you assess the potential hire's ability to think on their feet and their general knowledge of the company.
Sample Answer: The 10 core values are: focus on the user and everything else will follow, be passionate, be open, be fearless, do good, get shit done, be smart, stay in the now, be humble and focus on the user.
Question Overview: This is a classic brainteaser question that can help you gauge a potential hire's problem-solving skills. The answer to this question is not as important as the way the interviewee approaches the problem.
Sample Answer: I would start by breaking down the problem into smaller parts. I would then try to figure out how many golf balls can fit in a car, and how many cars can fit in a 747.
Question Overview: Any good underwriter needs to be able to resolve disputes and conflicts in a professional manner. This question helps you gauge the potential hire's interpersonal and professional problem-solving skills at the same time.
Sample Answer: I have had some experience with people who disagreed on documents we needed to sign. I've always understood that the primary goal is to get to the "agree" stage. I used negotiation tactics to make a point while reaching an amicable compromise.
Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of the interviewee's personality and their motivations. It tells you about their interests, how they see themselves in the future and what they want out of life.
Sample Answer: I want to be a part of something that is bigger than myself. I want to be able to help people and make a difference in the world.