To work at Centene Corporation, you have to be passionate about compliance and accuracy in your work. Tell me why this is important to you.

"We've all been on the receiving end of an incorrect bill. People who have been to the hospital or clinic don't have the time or energy for those mistakes. Through my work, I can make sure patients can focus on getting better rather than making phone calls to figure out an incorrect bill."

Many people might not understand why the area of claims, billing, and medical coding are important at Centene Corporation. But the fact is that it is vitally important, and the organization puts a lot of time and effort into assuring compliance and accuracy in all work they do. Your interviewer wants to ensure you aren't just looking for your next job, but you genuinely care about the impact your role can make for your clients on the receiving end.

As you stress why accuracy and compliance are important in this role at Centene Corporation, talk about past work environments where corporate compliance policies were in place, and you needed to ensure accurate work on your end 100% of the time. No matter how you answer, speak with a passion to assure your interviewer that you will always take compliance seriously on the job in this role.

"In this industry, patient billing information and reimbursements are picked over with a fine-toothed comb, and I know I need to be accurate in all of my work here at Centene Corporation. In my current position, we have strict corporate compliance policies and procedures in place for when a mistake is found. I always follow the guidelines and procedures and do what is right for the members."

"In my profession as an administrative assistant, it is part of the job role. Your team is entrusting you to maintain accuracy when completing ad hoc projects or any work assignments. I have to enter expense reports and consist of being compliant with the company's policies."

At Centene Corporation, we believe in continuous feedback from our providers and members to help us become better. Tell me about a time you received constructive feedback. What did you do after hearing this?

"I received feedback from my manager that because I was pushing for so many new ideas, it seemed like I knew more than everybody else- especially some of the staff who had been here for many years. I took this feedback and decided to include others on my team in shaping some of the new ideas I had before bringing them up in the team meeting. This approach helped to get their buy-in."

With the nature of the business at Centene Corporation regularly changing, the organization relies on feedback directly from its members and providers to ensure that processes are running as smoothly as possible. Your interviewer needs to know that you can take criticism in your work without taking offense. Instead, they want to see that you use feedback to improve your performance.

In today's workplace, you can't be afraid to give or receive criticism, and this is especially true at Centene Corporation. It is ok to be candid as you answer this question, but be sure to show your interviewer that you took the feedback to heart and did something about it moving forward.

At Centene Corporation, innovation is important to us. Give an example of an innovative idea you've had recently.

"When I started in my current role, I noticed that we were spending a lot of time playing phone tag with our clients. I started to use a calendar app that syncs with my Outlook calendar to eliminate all of the back and forth. After implementing this, I ended up saving 4 hours a week. I showed it to all of my colleagues and now the whole company is using it!"

Healthcare is a continuously innovating and shifting industry, with new methods for care developed almost daily. Because of this, managed care organizations like Centene Corporation need to be equally as innovative, and your interviewer needs to know that you would help drive innovation if they consider you to join their team.

Before your interview with Centene Corporation, think about some ways you've been able to drive new ideas and innovation in your work environment throughout your career. As you answer, describe how you saw a need for change and took action to help implement it.

We want to hire people who can grow from within here at Centene Corporation. When have you stretched yourself in your current role and done more than what was expected of you?

"I noticed that our department was utilizing Excel spreadsheets for complex reports. The process was very manual and took about one hour out of everybody's day. I noticed we had a new database tool after a recent software upgrade, so I researched it, tested it, and then brought the idea to my manager as an alternative. She loved the idea and has asked me to train the whole team on how to use it. Here at Centene Corporation, I would love to one day be in a role where I can mentor and train new hires because it is a duty that I shine in."

Centene Corporation takes great pride in its ability to nurture and grow its staff from within, knowing that everyone's journey is different and at its own pace. Your interviewer wants to know that you are scalable within the organization over time and can one day grow to a higher-level role in the future.

Your answer to this question can be twofold. First, you'll want to describe how you have stretched yourself before work to learn more and take on more responsibility in hopes of taking on a promotion. Then, you'll want to do your homework on any potential career paths within Centene Corporation that would be of interest to you and openly discuss them with your interviewer.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to grow within Centene Corporation and have been working towards a leadership role in my current company. I currently fill in as a contact for my director when she is out of the office and help approve bi-weekly timecards for our team. If hired here, I would look to continue this trajectory and wow you with my future leadership skills."

Centene Corporation seeks to hire those with strong problem solving skills. When did you successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?

"In my most recent position, we had a consistent problem with employees showing up late for their shifts or calling in sick at the very last moment. Rather than the typical documenting and reprimanding style that management usually takes, I decided to track the results of an accountability reward system. For 180 days, I rewarded my employees for coming to work 10 minutes early. Also, for every month with zero sick days, I added a bonus. We awarded those with perfect attendance a $600 bonus. The bonus cost us less than the cost of lowered productivity due to absent employees. The program was a success, and upper management chose to keep it implemented for another six months. We will re-assess in December, but it seems to be working very well."

Problem-solving and dispute resolution are critical skills to possess as a staff member at Centene Corporation. Because they'll expect you to bring these skills to their team, your interviewer wants to hear you talk about a specific time you were resourceful and diligent in solving a problem on the job.

Display to the interviewer that you are capable of problem-solving in the workplace by talking about a time you were creative and proactive and displayed the leadership qualities required to resolve a workplace issue. Paint a clear picture of the situation, define the problem, and then walk through your process of solving it.

Our goal is to hire ambitious people. Tell me about a time you went the extra mile, even when it may not have been required or asked of you.

"My manager asked me to review a spreadsheet of providers to make sure they were credentialed properly at a certain medical facility. Upon looking at the spreadsheet, I noticed many errors in the spelling of people's names and fields on the document that didn't make sense. Instead of just ensuring they had all the missing pieces of the credentialing process, I cleaned up the entire spreadsheet so everything was accurate and the reports would have the proper data."

Throughout your time with them, your interviewer will ask several questions to make sure you fit with Centene Corporation's culture and values. One such value is ambition, and the organization expects all staff to go the extra mile for their members to give them the best service possible. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to hear about one of your more ambitious ventures on the job in providing excellent service.

Before your interview with Centene Corporation, think of a time you went the extra mile in your work. It is great if you can highlight an example where you went that extra step without being asked and provided great support or service to a colleague or customer.

"The controller asked me to check a PO in SAP to see if it was posted and paid. Upon looking at the PO, I realized that it was a contract, so I asked if he had the contract or agreement because I couldn't find it in our files. He asked why? I told him that the PO had not been paid, and it seems the last few entries were not either. I would like to see the end term date of the contract. The controller told me I was too ambitious."

Many of our jobs at Centene Corporation require us to do projects when there is down time. Can you give an example of a project you led start to finish?

"I always have a list of projects to work on, and I enjoy them. I had the opportunity to lead a project to create a peer feedback review process. My manager discovered errors in some of the work from our team. I had the idea to create a peer review system. It took more time but was very helpful in reducing errors. We were able to reduce errors by 90%. My manager was pleased, and the team was happy and proud of the work."

There will be times at Centene Corporation where you will be tasked with project work that falls outside of your day-to-day duties. Your interviewer would like to know if you can take on more work outside your normal job responsibilities and can flex higher-level project skills.

The project you discuss in your answer doesn't need to be huge in scope, but you should explain what you did and why it was important. This question is also an opportunity to ask questions about the type of project work their staff typically takes on, especially because it likely isn't highlighted in the job posting.

"Since I'm a new grad looking to join Centene Corporation, I haven't led any projects at work yet. When I was a college student, I completed a project for a local health care system where I did an audit of all of their credentialed providers. My goal was to find any parts of the process I could automate so that the manual checks could be faster. I set up a feed with the state licensing board that eliminated the need for somebody to manually check their license. It was a great project, and I know I added value to them, even as a college student!"

"Back in the days of my job in the local health insurance, I have to participate in the high-risk tool development. I did a lot of research and come with a useful tool and examples to make it complete as the CMS requirements. Also, I worked very hard in the creation of the individualized plan of care according to the disease."

This role requires patient collection, so you might have to have difficult conversations. Tell me about a difficult conversation you've had with a patient or customer.

"I know it isn't health care related, but when I was a waitress, I had an upset customer who didn't have his meat prepared the way he wanted. I apologized, but he was very upset to the point of yelling. I tried to stay calm so I wouldn't appear rattled. He did stop eventually- I apologized again, told him I would comp his meal, and that I would talk to the chef. I also asked him if he would like to order something different. He chose another option and was quiet after that."

Centene Corporation requires cash collection for unpaid bills. It is nobody's favorite part of the job, but the organization must stay on top of collecting the cash owed to them. Your interviewer needs to know that you can be diligent yet respectful during these difficult conversations with members.

Ideally, you'll want to outline a time or two where you've had to have a difficult conversation on the job and describe how you kept your cool if things got tense. You'll also want to reiterate that you know this is an aspect that comes with this job at Centene Corporation, and you are ready to tackle the challenge head-on.

"I used to work in a call center, so I often had customers upset because they had to wait a long time to talk to a "live person." One customer went on and on about how her time was valuable and how she couldn't believe it took this long to get a real person on the end of the line. I let her vent and then apologized. I told her I was here now and asked how I could help her. I listened carefully to what she needed, and instead of passing her to another individual when she asked me a question I didn't know, I put her on hold while I found the answer instead of transferring her. She was grateful I could help her and had calmed down by the end of the call."

"As an HR support in my present job, I had to handle a call from an employee who was in FMLA for over a year, and she had to report back to work. She asked if we can extend her time and asked her if she submitted a new claim, which she didn't. I had to inform her that she needs to report to work unless a claim has been submitted, with the doctor informing us that she needs more time. Unfortunately, she didn't, which caused us to terminate her."

At Centene Corporation, we have large patient data sets to analyze. Tell me about a large data set you had to analyze and how you added value through your analysis.

"I was looking at year-over-year data and noticed a huge increase in claims for heart-related incidents in March and April. I did a bit of research on the demographics of the patients in the 45 and under category, and it was an unusually high number of women. I pulled in our community relations team, and they started asking more questions at community engagement events. The stress and anxiety levels of women in that age bracket were very high. After showing my leader this data, she worked with the leader of the community relations to provide more outreach and education to women in this group. Our efforts resulted in a smaller number of claims the following year."

Data analysis is becoming a critical part of most positions available at Centene Corporation, given the high amount of regulation on programs like Medicaid and Medicare. If your interviewer asks a question like this during your interview, they hope to hear that you would come to their team with solid data analysis skills and experience.

Openly discuss your experience analyzing and organizing large sets of information and describe how that positively impacted the business. If you don't have direct experience before your interview with Centene Corporation, make it clear to your interviewer that you are ready to train and take on this challenge if hired.

"I currently watch our department budget like a hawk. I have to analyze financial data to make sure everything aligns. I enjoy this work- it is like putting puzzle pieces together so that all of our needs are met."

"Once a week, I run an SAP report of open and in transit purchase orders. I download the report into an excel spreadsheet and enter a VLookup function that links to the previous report. Any comments from the prior report will be copied to the new report. I analyze the new report for any discrepancies or outstanding POs that were not cleared."

At Centene Corporation, sometimes we have to make difficult decisions about whether or not a medical service is covered. In the past, how have you put aside your personal feelings for the good of the business?

"I was working with a patient going through a difficult time who had a procedure that wasn't covered. There was an alternative that was covered, but she had decided that wasn't the best route for her to take. I felt awful giving her this news, but I knew I couldn't approve it. I did mention the scenario to my leader to double-check I had done the right thing, and she verified that I made a good call."

In the managed care industry, difficult determinations sometimes have to be made, and some of them don't feel great when a member is impacted. Your interviewer at Centene Corporation needs to know that you can handle a difficult situation and do your job effectively when it arises.

The important aspect you want to cover in your answer to this question is your ability to make a difficult decision and then have the difficult conversation that comes with it. If you have direct experience in health insurance and have had these difficult conversations in the past, that is great! Be sure to talk about the importance and your ability to work through these situations. If you don't have direct experience in health insurance, discuss the difficult conversations you've had on the job in the past and explain how you approached them.

"I have a lot of empathy for others, so these situations are hard. I worked with a gentleman with a denied claim and tried to send him to community resources that could help him pay for some of his expenses. I also referred him to a social worker at the hospital where he had his surgery to see what resources and payment plans they could come up with for him. I tried to give him the best service and look into as many alternatives as possible."

At Centene Corporation, we do a lot of community education to help the people in our local communities understand their health insurance. Tell me about any community outreach you have done in the past.

"I have led sessions at community meetings for people who might not know what kind of coverage they have. That is one of the best parts about my job because I can see the light bulb go off in their heads when they see how their specific insurance plan applies to them and what kinds of free and preventative services are available."

Centene Corporation participates in community service to support the communities that have welcomed them as a neighbor. This service takes many forms, and your interviewer wants to make sure you will be comfortable on their team in working on community initiatives and presenting information to the public.

First and foremost, discuss your experience providing a service to your community. This can include volunteer work or extra service you put in through an employer. Then you'll want to discuss the importance of community outreach through education initiatives and any experience you have in this realm. Make sure your interviewer walks away knowing you are willing and ready to provide community outreach in this role with Centene Corporation.

"I love volunteering in my town. I signed up to be a mentor for a girl in my community, and I read to her every Tuesday. I haven't had the opportunity to talk about health insurance to a public audience, but I am asked a lot of questions at family dinners and holidays. I provide a wealth of education to my family about how to make the most out of their insurance and understand the claims process."

"I lead faith-based outreach support groups in my community and volunteer my time when needed for free clinics as a translator in Spanish. I am heavily involved in my community in advocating for the minority who don't speak English. I tend to be their voice when there is a need for money or any assistance needed."

Centene Corporation invests in the latest technology to create efficient work flows. Tell me how you've gone about learning new technology in the past.

"I currently use a proprietary CRM that our company developed. I use it to track all of my conversations with customers. I also use all of the Microsoft Office tools and especially love OneNote. This has eliminated my need to have post-it notes, and I'm better able to keep track of everything. When I started in my current role, it took me about one week to learn the system, and then I was fully up and running."

Technology is changing rapidly in every industry, and it is no different in the managed healthcare world. Your interviewer is looking for you to demonstrate your expertise in electronic systems that you've worked with and to hear that you embrace learning new technology.

You can start by discussing the technology you work with in your current job and then talk about a time or two you were required to learn a new system or technology to improve your work. As you answer, stress that you saw the new technology as a great opportunity to improve and that you jumped in with both feet and an open mind to learn and master the new system.

"In my internships, I used a lot of Office 365 tools, especially PowerPoint and Excel. I have put together at least 20 presentations this year alone! Learning new technology comes easy to me because I grew up with it and can watch YouTube videos if I don't understand something right away."

At Centene Corporation, we deal with confidential patient data. Tell me about a time you followed HIPAA regulations even when it wasn't easy or convenient to do so.

"A couple of years ago, I was faxing over some patient data to a clinic. I didn't get a confirmation back, so I checked the fax number, and it was not correct and went to the wrong location. I could have just walked away and gone back to my desk, but not knowing who was on the receiving end of that data, I had to report the incident. I felt awful about it, but it was quickly resolved. If I had said nothing, it could have escalated into a huge fine for the company. Plus, I'm an honest person, so I had to tell the truth."

The HIPAA privacy rules are paramount in the health insurance industry, and at Centene Corporation, data privacy and security are vital to maintaining the trust of their members. Your interviewer needs to know that you are familiar with working in an environment with confidential data and that you are always compliant with maintaining the security of that information.

The amount of patient data you will have access to in this role at Centene Corporation is overwhelming. Show your understanding of HIPAA laws and share any experience you have in this area when answering this question. Also, demonstrate your integrity in upholding confidentiality in your previous work.

"My neighbor got into a car accident a few weeks ago and told me that some of her claims had been denied. She begged me to see what I could find out. I had to tell her there was no way I could do that and that it was a huge HIPAA violation. I told her that she should call our call center and ask for Lynn, who I knew could help her. I felt bad that she put me in that position, but I was glad to give her a person to call to hopefully address her concerns."

"I always make sure I am following HIPAA regulations by making sure that I do not leave patients' information uncovered or in an area where others can see if they are passing by. I also had an experience where individual family members wanted to know about my client; however, I was already made aware that she only wanted one identified person to know about her status. So I had to refrain from sharing information about my client to these family members."

"I handle the personnel records, which contains medical information from our employees. To follow HIPAA regulations, I created a separate folder for each employee and kept it locked for HR only."

You may work with patients and customers who are confused or upset about their medical insurance. Tell me about a time you had to teach and train an upset customer. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome?

"I was working with a client the other week who cried because her insurance didn't cover a procedure she had a month prior. She stated that she couldn't afford to pay the bill. I let her talk without interrupting and listened. I repeated what the issue was to make sure I understood her correctly. I took her information and looked up her account to see what her insurance covered. I discovered that our insurance covered 80% of the procedure, but she had to pay for the other 20%. Through further conversation in a calming voice, I was able to tell her that insurance did cover a big portion of the procedure and gave her the number of the financial assistance office at the hospital to see if they could put her on a payment plan for the remaining portion. I knew from my experience that most health care systems offer this. She sounded relieved and grateful when we hung up and thanked me for my help."

Health insurance can be very complex for the average person. For a managed care organization like Centene Corporation, helping customers navigate complex issues and questions is a part of everyday business. Your interviewer wants to know if you can handle an upset customer.

As you answer, you need to show that you care about each individual you will be working for in this role and that you will have empathy for that individual's needs. Showcase your problem-solving skills and the fact you can handle a high degree of emotion on the phone without getting rattled while helping the customer and trying to get them what they need.

"I had a caller who didn't know what his statement meant- he said all of the medical terminologies didn't make sense to him. I wrote down his questions, pulled up his statement, and walked him through each part so he understood the statement. He didn't have any payments he would be responsible for, so he was very happy. He didn't know this until I took the time to walk him through the statement. He thanked me at the end of the call."

At Centene Corporation, we want a world class call center where each team member is empowered to give feedback to others. Tell me about a time you gave feedback to a colleague.

"I heard my colleague on the phone, and she was struggling from the very beginning. I could hear the agitation in her voice 30 seconds into this call. I couldn't hear what the caller said, but I could hear her frustration. After the call ended, I asked my colleague what happened. She said the caller was rude and very upset, and she felt hurt about what he said. I talked with her about some ways to handle upset customers and about listening and staying calm. She said she knew that, but I told her that frustration was very apparent. She seemed a little off-put for a few days, but later in the week, she thanked me for being honest with her."

The success of Centene Corporation over the years has come from communication and process improvement. They encourage a team atmosphere, and your interviewer wants to ensure you are comfortable giving feedback to others, even if you aren't in a supervisor or manager role.

Demonstrate that you are confident in delivering a feedback message to others by talking about a time you provided direct feedback to a colleague. Highlight how you noticed the need for feedback and then proceeded to give it respectfully and courteously.

"On my current team, we have team training where we listen to some recorded calls as a group so we could learn from each other. I noticed that some of my colleagues were having a hard time speaking up in these situations, but I always tried to find one positive and negative thing to say about each call and the way the representative handled it. I'm not afraid to voice my opinion, and I know it will help not only the rep who dealt with that caller but the whole team."

The work at Centene Corporation requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure that your work is properly organized and highly accurate?

"I am a highly detailed person, and I thrive on having a high level of organization in my day. This organization includes my scheduling, paperwork, and more. If I am offered a position with Centene Corporation, you will never find me to be disorganized! I utilize my Outlook calendar and set alerts for deadlines and important activities. My documentation is strong as well."

At Centene Corporation, the work you will be doing will manage many people's healthcare and well-being. One overlooked detail or mistake could be disastrous to a customer, so your interviewer needs to be assured that you are a highly organized and detailed individual.

Talk to the interviewer about the ways you ensure accuracy and organization in your day-to-day activities. Perhaps you use a particular app or software. Maybe you are a pen and paper person. Whatever your method, emphasize your success in organizing your day.

"I'm a bit of a nerd. I carry around a notebook and write down important facts if I think there is a chance I will forget them. However, I put time and attention into using the latest technology that others on my team are leveraging so we can be more efficient. Sharing information with each other will help everybody in the end!"

"I tend to wear many hats because I have proven to the employers of my work ethic. I take pride in my attention to detail and organizational skills. I use outlook, create folders with labels to quickly identify my daily work or projects, and create to do lists for my workload of the day."

What is your process of explaining technical information to people who aren't technical?

"In the past, I've always tried to ascertain their level so I can speak to it. I give lots of examples of the technology and many visuals to explain what it does. I also walk through the data visually so they can see the impact of the numbers."

Centene Corporation works with providers who have patients who utilize their insurance. However, while physicians and other medical staff are smart, many are unfamiliar with the platform and don't know about new technologies. Assure your interviewer that you can provide technical education.

As you answer, explain how you have been effective in communicating technical info on the job in the past so whoever you were working with could understand it. Even if you don't have experience providing education in the technical realm, displaying your ability to explain processes or ideas to others will be important. Your interviewer will expect you to be able to provide details in an easy-to-learn manner.

"To provide education to others, I always speak in the simplest terms possible. If I get more technical questions from the person or group, I will up my game a bit and speak more technically, but then rephrase for those folks who aren't at that level."

"When explaining or training internal and external stakeholders on technical information or applications, I like to use the following methods: storytelling method, layman terminology, and visual aids to support the various learning methods and technical proficiency levels of the audience."

What inspired you to apply for this position at Centene Corporation?

"I applied for this position at Centene Corporation because I want to make a difference in people's lives by helping them navigate their health insurance needs. I know from experience that this is something that the elderly population and people with developmental disabilities struggle with. I'm passionate about your mission to serve others and help better the health of the communities you serve and can't wait to be a part of it."

Centene Corporation's mission is to transform the health of the community, one person at a time. This mission requires passion and dedication from each individual on their team. With this question, your interviewer wants to hear that you have the drive and desire to help Centene Corporation live its mission.

Before your interview, and hopefully, even before applying, research the mission and values of Centene Corporation and the job description of the role you are interviewing for. Talk about the exciting elements of the job post and parts about the company that ultimately drove you to want to join this team. No matter how you answer, make sure to show enthusiasm and passion in your answer.

"I wasn't actively looking for a new job, but after a friend recommended that I check out Centene Corporation, I felt like I couldn't pass it up. It sounds like you are embarking on exciting adventures in new spaces, and I love building new programs and systems. I am confident that my experience in these spaces will be a perfect fit."

Walk me through your education and training. How do you feel they have prepared you for this role at Centene Corporation?

"I thought I wanted to be a nurse, but I don't like all the bodily fluids associated with it! I have strong attention to detail and am good with numbers and analysis, so I decided to pursue a Medical Coding degree. I had some great internships where I had to balance many responsibilities at one time, preparing me for a job at Centene Corporation."

As your interviewer weeded through many well-qualified applicants to consider for interview at Centene Corporation, they took a look at your formal education and how it applies to the role you are interviewing for. In posing this question, they want you to elaborate on your education and discuss any other on-the-job training you may have received that doesn't show on your resume.

Take a few minutes to walk the interviewer through your formal post-secondary education and any on-the-job training. Talk about your most positive take-aways from your post-secondary experience, and be sure to explain how that experience will help you succeed in this position.

"I decided to pursue a degree in Health Information Management after learning more about it at a college visit. I had no idea what it was, but I'm so happy I found it. The courses were so interesting, and there is much more to this career than people realize. I had to do a lot of multi-tasking with a full course load and an evening job to pay for college. This experience with time management and the specific HIM courses I took will prepare me well for this role at Centene Corporation."

"Working as a Case Manager for almost ten years, I decided to pursue more knowledge in this area. I did my research and found many specialties. I took the national exam for Care Management and obtained my Certification. This experience, along with other training courses from CMSA, prepares me better to fit in this role with Centene."

Have you received any formal customer service training throughout your career?

"Being an upcoming new graduate, I cannot say I have received any customer service-specific training. My retail and hospitality experience in high school and college taught me the basics of customer service, making me very well-rounded. I would be happy to take any training you recommend and would love to hear more about your specific training program."

If you are interviewing for a member-facing role with Centene Corporation, your interviewer may ask a question like this. While they know your experience from your resume, your interviewer would like to know about any formal training you have received in customer service, as it likely wouldn't be on your resume.

This training could include a robust onboarding plan, on-the-job training, courses taken, or even books you have read in your spare time. Show the interviewer that you are interested in improving your customer service delivery. If you have had direct training in customer service, talk about it in detail and what skills you learned that you can bring to Centene Corporation. If you have never had direct training, no need to worry. Just reiterate your experience as the best training possible.

If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any area of your career, which would you choose?

"If I could expand my expertise in any area, I would choose a role that had the most impact on patient lives. That is one of the reasons I applied here at Centene Corporation. I feel that your focus will be a great fit with my skills and long-term career goals."

At some point during your time with them, your interviewer would like to dig deeper into your areas of interest regarding your career. They also want to know that your passions align well with what Centene Corporation could offer you throughout the rest of your career.

Talk to the interviewer about the areas of your career you would like to focus on most, and then tie that information in with what the position at Centene Corporation would be offering you. Put some serious thought into your career ambitions before your interview, and then work to tie them to a fit with the organization that could last until your retirement.

"With my experience, I'd love to one day be involved in direct provider relations and contract negotiations. While I don't meet your requirement of seven to nine years experience in this arena right now, I would work hard to prove myself for a role here in the coming years."

Professional curiosity and an entrepreneurial mindset is highly encouraged at Centene Corporation. If you could start your own business, what would you do?

"I love teaching yoga and have dreamed of opening my own studio. I have a plan for achieving this, from the space element, to how many classes per week we would want, to how many workers I would need. I still need a bit more capital to get it off the ground, but I hope to have this side business one day. Yoga is amazing for health and wellness, and it has helped me greatly in my own life."

At Centene Corporation, you will have a lot of autonomy in your work and the ability to be creative in your work processes. Your interviewer wants a glimpse into your passion outside of work and your savvy as a small business owner working with your own budget.

Speak with passion as you openly discuss what your dream business would be to start on your own, and keep in mind that it is ok to be creative with this answer. It will give your interviewer some insight into your strengths and interests. You'll also want to highlight your work ethic and business acumen by talking about some of the fine details of how you would run the business.

"If I could start any business, I would want to do photography professionally. I love taking pictures and experimenting with lenses, angles, and technology. I have taken pictures for friends and family, and they seem happy with my work."

If Centene Corporation hired you today, what would you hope to accomplish first?

"It is important to understand the business inside and out, so I would want to meet with people in all the areas I would be working closely with in my first few weeks after being hired. Then, I would work with you on a 30, 60, and 90-day plan so we can review the most important elements to work on initially."

When you start a new position at Centene Corporation, it is essential to set a goal on how you will make a positive impact quickly after being hired. Tell the interviewer your impact goal should you be the successful candidate.

If you want to make an impact with your answer, refer to the company's immediate needs, such as creating efficiencies or updating technology. This will require you to research the organization and the role you are interviewing for. It is also acceptable to discuss a general goal like building a strong rapport with your team, as long as you can highlight why this would be vital to your initial success in the role.

What is your overall customer care philosophy that you would bring to the Centene Corporation team?

"Every day at work, I remind myself that everyone I come across has their struggles. Every person I care for has a story. I make sure to get to know my customers as best I can. Everyone has the right to be treated compassionately and be heard so their needs are met, and I know these are vital in the managed care business here at Centene Corporation."

In their commitment to providing the best care possible to their members and communities, Centene Corporation is always focused on the day-to-day care they bring to each member of their services. Your interviewer wants to hear your best pitch on your overall patient care philosophy and that you understand what is important in providing the best care to their members.

It's always a great idea to research the mission, values, and purpose of Centene Corporation and tie those to the care they provide. In your research, you'll find that common themes are a focus on the individual, integrity in all they do, and accountability. These can be great traits to talk about in your customer care philosophy that you will bring to this role.

"My customer care philosophy has always been through solid communication, respect and accountability. Your members deserve to be heard and communicated to clearly and concisely and to have that done with respect. You can feel confident knowing that I would bring these values to this role at Centene Corporation."

We have a steadfast commitment to our diversity, equity, and inclusion plan at Centene Corporation. What does our DE&I plan mean to you?

"Before applying at Centene Corporation, I read your diversity and inclusion statement online. I was impressed that your organization embraces the differences in people, their experiences, and how they view the world. This plan is important because you are incredibly dedicated to creating services that cater to everyone rather than a specific demographic. Your company embodies inclusion and has shown consistent progress in these D&I efforts compared to your competition."

Diverse ideas and experiences are engrained into the culture at Centene Corporation. To seriously consider you for their team and the organization, your interviewer needs to know that you understand Centene Corporation's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion and will always embrace diversity and inclusion as a part of their team.

Before attending your interview, take the time to research Centene Corporation's D&I plan. Their website is a great resource. Let your interviewer know you've done this homework and agree with the organization's approach. Then, talk about any work environments you have been a part of that were diverse and inclusive. You can ensure that your interviewer knows you're onboard with their values by talking about how you thrived when working among a diverse team of individuals.

Do you see yourself as a natural leader? When have you led a team?

"In my current position, I am the President of the Social Committee at our organization. I love that I have the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I lead by example, no matter my position. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentorship, assistance adjusting to their role, or a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in my leadership abilities and look forward to helping lead others on the job here at Centene Corporation."

Whether interviewing for a formal leadership role at Centene Corporation or not, the ability to step up and lead others in a virtual environment is crucial for the team you are interviewing with. Your interviewer will want to get a sense that you are a natural leader if they are to consider offering you their open position.

First, talk about your desire to be a leader on the teams you are a part of. Don't hesitate to talk about a time you stepped up and took the lead with being asked and the positive results. If you are getting stuck looking for an example of a time you led a team, you can also think about extracurricular activities outside work. As long as you display your ability to lead and motivate others, your interviewer will get the sense that you can be a natural leader on their team.

If hired at Centene Corporation, how would you encourage ideas and creativity from your colleagues?

"If I am fortunate enough to join Centene Corporation, you will quickly discover that I am the ultimate team player. I pride myself on my ability to draw out the best in others, which often leads to innovation through teamwork. My approach is to get to know the strengths and weaknesses of my team and plan together accordingly. I also never hesitate to call someone out for a job well done or a great new idea. Over the past two years in the virtual environment, encouragement and acknowledgment through email or messaging have been a huge part of keeping my team motivated."

Centene Corporation has been recognized with numerous awards surrounding its innovative approaches to health equity and unique services. As part of the team you are interviewing for, encouragement and inspiration are great skills to possess, and your interviewer would like to know how you encourage others to think creatively.

Talk to the interviewer about your ability to encourage creative ideas in your team members. To answer this question, use an example of a time you did just. This can include getting to know your colleagues and their strengths, using encouraging words, and publicly praising your colleagues.

Transparency with our members and other clients is vital at Centene Corporation. Tell me about your leadership style in regards to transparency.

"I try to be a vulnerable leader at work. Openly discussing mistakes and errors teaches the team that it is ok to fail, but hopefully, we fail fast and then move on to solutions that work. In my experience, transparency leads to innovation."

At Centene Corporation, there is no room for compromise regarding ethics and integrity. Because of this, transparency in every decision is vital, and your interviewer needs to know that you would have the ability to lead while being transparent.

An ideal answer to this question will highlight a role in your past where honesty, integrity, and transparency were important. You should explain why full transparency with customers or clients was important and how you approached difficult conversations transparently.

"Your members at Centene Corporation deserve transparency in all decisions and communications so that they are fully aware of the reasons behind your decisions. I plan to bring full transparency to this role if hired. It all comes down to respect and honesty, and I always try to put myself in the shoes of the person I'm communicating with. A few months ago, I worked with a customer we could not find a solution for. While it would have been easy to beat around the bush and try to push another service that wouldn't have worked in the end, I didn't do that and was very honest that we couldn't help them. They were very appreciative of my honest response."

How do you handle stress on the job when deadlines get tight or you have an overwhelming workload?

"I handle stress very well on the job, and when you call my references, they will attest to this fact. When I am under pressure on the job, I focus on the task at hand and make sure not to get distracted. Staying on a deadline is very helpful, and I will delegate when necessary to alleviate some stress. Handling stress often comes down to communication and staying organized, two of my strengths."

In the managed care industry at Centene Corporation, the work can get stressful from time to time. Whether that's during open enrollment time each year or when claims are heavier, your interviewer needs to know that you can appropriately handle the stress related to this job healthily and productively.

Discuss how you thrive, even during the most stressful times. Keep your answer brief and provide an example of a time you took a stressful time or situation on the job head-on with successful results. Tell the interviewer that you remain focused on your work and deadlines no matter how stressful things get in a manner that is healthy for yourself.

If offered this role at Centene Corporation, how will you earn the trust of your new coworkers upon hire?

"Your members at Centene Corporation deserve the best in care from your entire team, and I know that every team member is vital in making the best service possible. If I join your team, I will build trust with my new team by being a very open communicator, asking great questions, making my word my bond, and being courteous. I feel very fortunate that my parents instilled a respectful nature in me from a young age, and I believe that trust is built on respect."

At Centene Corporation, teamwork and employee engagement drive the customer-focused work that happens every day. Your interviewer knows that the relationships you build will ultimately lead to your success or failure on their team. With this question, they want to hear how you will build trust and win your new co-workers over from your first day on the job.

Talk to the interviewer about how you plan to earn the trust of your new colleagues should you be offered the position at Centene Corporation. There are many ways to build trusting working relationships that you can discuss in your answer, but be sure to stress why having cohesive working relationships among a team is vital to the success of Centene Corporation.

At Centene Corporation, we need to keep a pulse on many health insurance competitors. In your current role, how do you stay up to date with competitors?

"I set up Google alerts for all the major competitors in my current role so I can follow them. I read in an obscure business journal that one of our competitors having financial trouble, so I reached out to several of their clients the next day. They were nervous and uncertain about the future of their current provider, so they were much more willing to have conversations with me about our product. I'm still in the middle of the contract process, but it looks promising so far."

In every industry, competition drives innovation and creates better products and services for the end customer. This is very true for the health insurance and managed care industries. Keeping a pulse on the competition is crucial at Centene Corporation, and your interviewer wants to hear that you will always have an open ear on what the competition is doing if you work for them.

First, you'll want to discuss ways you stay current on the competitors in your current job and industry. Then, highlight why it is important to do so. This way, your interviewer will know you understand the importance of keeping tabs on your competitors in your work.

"I have relationships with all of the sales team members at our major competitors. I find it easier to have friends versus enemies because I know what is happening at their companies before it hits the news. Often, because I've built a solid relationship with that sales team, they give me leads that could be a good fit for our business and don't fit their product offerings. I try to help them when it makes sense."

Our work at Centene Corporation is strongly influenced by changing legislation. How do you stay current with new rules and regulations that impact your work?

"I subscribe to several blogs on this topic and read the news. I try to take 15-30 minutes a day during lunch to read. If anything I hear would cause a major process change, I think about whether or not I can handle it for my team or if it needs to be taken to my leader."

Working with programs like Medicare and Medicaid, the staff at Centene Corporation needs to be adaptive to legislative changes at the state and federal levels. While your previous work may not have involved these particular programs, your interviewer still wants to make sure you are aware of ways to stay up to date on changes that will impact your work in this role with Centene Corporation.

If you know how to stay up-to-date on changing regulations in the managed care arena, that is great! Talk about the resources that are available and assure your interviewer that you stay on top of the game in this realm. If you don't have direct experience in the regulatory side of the business, that is okay. Make sure you do some research ahead of the interview on how changes will impact your work and come to your interview prepared to discuss ways you would research new regulations. Don't hesitate to ask questions of your interviewer.

"Four years ago, I joined an association that sends out updates any time there is a changing regulation that could impact our work. In my current role, we share information and brainstorm new ideas to comply with changing regulations."

This role would involve sales to new partners who want to offer their employees our health insurance. How do you ensure meaningful conversations with prospective clients?

"I would first research their company financials and employee demographics to understand how our insurance products could be the best benefit to them. Then, I ask around to see who the decision-maker is so I get in front of the right person. When I call, I present a data set that makes it hard to refuse a meeting with me!"

If the role you are interviewing for at Centene Corporation is in sales or business development, you will be working with many different subsets of potential clients. With this question, your interviewer is looking to see how you will add value through the sales process to prospective clients.

In the health insurance and managed care industries, the days of calling around and fishing for information are gone. Sales reps can find most of what they need online, and they need to be prepared so that the door doesn't slam in their face. This question is an opportunity for you to describe your sales process and how you close with your customers.

"In my current position, I utilize all the Salesforce tools to keep notes about all my prospective clients. I remember things about them that seem small but give me an edge. I do much more listening than talking to understand the pain points, and then put solutions together that specifically address their needs, not what I think they need."

For many of our positions here at Centene Corporation, employees work remotely a majority of the time. How would you set yourself up for success at your home office?

"I work from home a few days a week in my current role. I have a specific routine I follow. Working in pajamas does NOT happen in my house. I dress as if I was going to work, go to a specific office space in my home, and take regular breaks as I would in the office. I utilize Skype and chat features to keep in touch with colleagues so it doesn't feel isolating."

In the world of managed healthcare, many organizations like Centene Corporation have cut the overhead cost of having a majority of staff in a building together. Throughout this process, they've realized that their workforce can be much more productive. If the role you are interviewing for at Centene Corporation is a telework job, your interviewer wants to see that you have a plan to work from home successfully.

Your interviewer is aware that some people can't handle this lack of structure, so show that you can be productive in a home office environment. If you have experience working in a remote telework setting, talk about that experience and how you manage your home office and your day. If you don't have direct experience yet, that is alright. You'll need to prove to your interviewer that you've put thought into this and know how to be successful if hired.

"I enjoy the flexibility that working from home offers. Last year, when I was in school, I had several online courses. I made sure I was in a quiet place, free of noise and distraction, so I could fully focus on the material. I also took advantage of all the online communities so my classmates were accessible. I met with people face-to-face when I had the chance, and we built a relationship. I would use these tools if I am fortunate enough to be hired at Centene Corporation."

"I do have a space at home where it is set up as an office. Working in the manufacturing industry, plants tend to shut down for a week to repair, clean, or upgrade the machinery. During these times, I have to work from home and keep up with my work schedule."

How will you connect with our members at Centene Corporation when you work with them virtually?

"Even if we are having a virtual conversation, I will still try to be as personable as possible. I can typically see what area of the country the customer is in and ask them about the weather or a sporting event in their town while resolving their question. My drop-off rate in my current role is pretty low, so I think this approach has worked well."

At Centene Corporation, many roles involve customer service with people on a phone call, chat, or via email. The interviewer wants to know if you can effectively resolve their questions while building a relationship in a format that is not face-to-face.

If possible, discuss any prior work environments where you provided customer service in a virtual environment, whether that was over the phone or email. If you don't have direct experience, that is ok. Either way, you'll want to highlight your ability to provide clear and thorough communication. Also, highlight how you build a connection and ensure that all questions are answered.

Centene Corporation Interview Questions

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1. To work at Centene Corporation, you have to be passionate about compliance and accuracy in your work. Tell me why this is important to you.
2. At Centene Corporation, we believe in continuous feedback from our providers and members to help us become better. Tell me about a time you received constructive feedback. What did you do after hearing this?
3. At Centene Corporation, innovation is important to us. Give an example of an innovative idea you've had recently.
4. We want to hire people who can grow from within here at Centene Corporation. When have you stretched yourself in your current role and done more than what was expected of you?
5. Centene Corporation seeks to hire those with strong problem solving skills. When did you successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?
6. Our goal is to hire ambitious people. Tell me about a time you went the extra mile, even when it may not have been required or asked of you.
7. Many of our jobs at Centene Corporation require us to do projects when there is down time. Can you give an example of a project you led start to finish?
8. This role requires patient collection, so you might have to have difficult conversations. Tell me about a difficult conversation you've had with a patient or customer.
9. At Centene Corporation, we have large patient data sets to analyze. Tell me about a large data set you had to analyze and how you added value through your analysis.
10. At Centene Corporation, sometimes we have to make difficult decisions about whether or not a medical service is covered. In the past, how have you put aside your personal feelings for the good of the business?
11. At Centene Corporation, we do a lot of community education to help the people in our local communities understand their health insurance. Tell me about any community outreach you have done in the past.
12. Centene Corporation invests in the latest technology to create efficient work flows. Tell me how you've gone about learning new technology in the past.
13. At Centene Corporation, we deal with confidential patient data. Tell me about a time you followed HIPAA regulations even when it wasn't easy or convenient to do so.
14. You may work with patients and customers who are confused or upset about their medical insurance. Tell me about a time you had to teach and train an upset customer. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome?
15. At Centene Corporation, we want a world class call center where each team member is empowered to give feedback to others. Tell me about a time you gave feedback to a colleague.
16. The work at Centene Corporation requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure that your work is properly organized and highly accurate?
17. What is your process of explaining technical information to people who aren't technical?
18. What inspired you to apply for this position at Centene Corporation?
19. Walk me through your education and training. How do you feel they have prepared you for this role at Centene Corporation?
20. Have you received any formal customer service training throughout your career?
21. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any area of your career, which would you choose?
22. Professional curiosity and an entrepreneurial mindset is highly encouraged at Centene Corporation. If you could start your own business, what would you do?
23. If Centene Corporation hired you today, what would you hope to accomplish first?
24. What is your overall customer care philosophy that you would bring to the Centene Corporation team?
25. We have a steadfast commitment to our diversity, equity, and inclusion plan at Centene Corporation. What does our DE&I plan mean to you?
26. Do you see yourself as a natural leader? When have you led a team?
27. If hired at Centene Corporation, how would you encourage ideas and creativity from your colleagues?
28. Transparency with our members and other clients is vital at Centene Corporation. Tell me about your leadership style in regards to transparency.
29. How do you handle stress on the job when deadlines get tight or you have an overwhelming workload?
30. If offered this role at Centene Corporation, how will you earn the trust of your new coworkers upon hire?
31. At Centene Corporation, we need to keep a pulse on many health insurance competitors. In your current role, how do you stay up to date with competitors?
32. Our work at Centene Corporation is strongly influenced by changing legislation. How do you stay current with new rules and regulations that impact your work?
33. This role would involve sales to new partners who want to offer their employees our health insurance. How do you ensure meaningful conversations with prospective clients?
34. For many of our positions here at Centene Corporation, employees work remotely a majority of the time. How would you set yourself up for success at your home office?
35. How will you connect with our members at Centene Corporation when you work with them virtually?

Centene Corporation Interview Questions

1. To work at Centene Corporation, you have to be passionate about compliance and accuracy in your work. Tell me why this is important to you.

2. At Centene Corporation, we believe in continuous feedback from our providers and members to help us become better. Tell me about a time you received constructive feedback. What did you do after hearing this?

3. At Centene Corporation, innovation is important to us. Give an example of an innovative idea you've had recently.

4. We want to hire people who can grow from within here at Centene Corporation. When have you stretched yourself in your current role and done more than what was expected of you?

5. Centene Corporation seeks to hire those with strong problem solving skills. When did you successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?

6. Our goal is to hire ambitious people. Tell me about a time you went the extra mile, even when it may not have been required or asked of you.

7. Many of our jobs at Centene Corporation require us to do projects when there is down time. Can you give an example of a project you led start to finish?

8. This role requires patient collection, so you might have to have difficult conversations. Tell me about a difficult conversation you've had with a patient or customer.

9. At Centene Corporation, we have large patient data sets to analyze. Tell me about a large data set you had to analyze and how you added value through your analysis.

10. At Centene Corporation, sometimes we have to make difficult decisions about whether or not a medical service is covered. In the past, how have you put aside your personal feelings for the good of the business?

11. At Centene Corporation, we do a lot of community education to help the people in our local communities understand their health insurance. Tell me about any community outreach you have done in the past.

12. Centene Corporation invests in the latest technology to create efficient work flows. Tell me how you've gone about learning new technology in the past.

13. At Centene Corporation, we deal with confidential patient data. Tell me about a time you followed HIPAA regulations even when it wasn't easy or convenient to do so.

14. You may work with patients and customers who are confused or upset about their medical insurance. Tell me about a time you had to teach and train an upset customer. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome?

15. At Centene Corporation, we want a world class call center where each team member is empowered to give feedback to others. Tell me about a time you gave feedback to a colleague.

16. The work at Centene Corporation requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure that your work is properly organized and highly accurate?

17. What is your process of explaining technical information to people who aren't technical?

18. What inspired you to apply for this position at Centene Corporation?

19. Walk me through your education and training. How do you feel they have prepared you for this role at Centene Corporation?

20. Have you received any formal customer service training throughout your career?

21. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any area of your career, which would you choose?

22. Professional curiosity and an entrepreneurial mindset is highly encouraged at Centene Corporation. If you could start your own business, what would you do?

23. If Centene Corporation hired you today, what would you hope to accomplish first?

24. What is your overall customer care philosophy that you would bring to the Centene Corporation team?

25. We have a steadfast commitment to our diversity, equity, and inclusion plan at Centene Corporation. What does our DE&I plan mean to you?

26. Do you see yourself as a natural leader? When have you led a team?

27. If hired at Centene Corporation, how would you encourage ideas and creativity from your colleagues?

28. Transparency with our members and other clients is vital at Centene Corporation. Tell me about your leadership style in regards to transparency.

29. How do you handle stress on the job when deadlines get tight or you have an overwhelming workload?

30. If offered this role at Centene Corporation, how will you earn the trust of your new coworkers upon hire?

31. At Centene Corporation, we need to keep a pulse on many health insurance competitors. In your current role, how do you stay up to date with competitors?

32. Our work at Centene Corporation is strongly influenced by changing legislation. How do you stay current with new rules and regulations that impact your work?

33. This role would involve sales to new partners who want to offer their employees our health insurance. How do you ensure meaningful conversations with prospective clients?

34. For many of our positions here at Centene Corporation, employees work remotely a majority of the time. How would you set yourself up for success at your home office?

35. How will you connect with our members at Centene Corporation when you work with them virtually?