35 UnitedHealth Group Interview Questions & Answers
Behavioral
1. At UnitedHealth Group, we seek to hire individuals who embrace integrity, which is one of our company's values. When have you shown great integrity on the job?
How to Answer
Integrity is critical in all of the work that UnitedHealth Group performs, particularly as it pertains to patient privacy and confidentiality. You will likely be asked a question regarding your integrity or ethical behavior, and it might be framed as situation-based. In this case, the interviewer wants to know that you truly believe in and operate by this value, so be sure to prepare a response that frames your sincerity. If you are providing a specific example from a previous position, then be sure to not share any identifying information or paint a former employer in a negative light.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"In college, a new professor sent us PowerPoint presentations containing study guides. At the end of every presentation, I noticed a hidden slide with upcoming quiz answers. I realized that the professor wasn't aware that hiding the slide still gave access to those he sent it to if they clicked on it in the sidebar. I spoke with him after class one day to make him aware of the situation so that he could correct it. Though it would have benefited many students and myself to have that information, it certainly was not the ethical thing to do to cheat or keep quiet about it. The professor thanked me and removed the answer slides going forward."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"One day, my colleague faxed patient information to a doctor's office, but the confirmation never came back. She then noticed she had faxed it to the wrong location. Of course, this is something that needs to be reported. After telling me about her error, she told me that she wasn't going to report it. I talked through the initial fear of admitting the mistake to our supervisor and reminded her that ultimately this was against HIPAA guidelines. She finally agreed to tell our supervisor, the incident was reported to the patient, and protocols were followed. It was a simple mistake, but the consequences required us to do the right thing."
Written by Michelle Krebs
2nd Answer Example
"During one of our breaks, I had a co-worker who posted specific information about a patient's medical situation on social media and how she helped him. This is against company policy, but also could be a HIPAA breach. I notified my manager right away. My colleague wasn't happy with me, but I had to take action and do the right thing in this situation because our organization's reputation was on the line. The post was immediately deleted by the employee."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"I had to terminate a long-term employee for a theft issue I had discovered. Through the many years of service this individual gave the company, it was difficult to do this as I thought of him as a friend."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This situation would be a challenge, indeed. Try also addressing more detail on the approach you took to get through this termination.
Behavioral
2. When have you stretched yourself in your current role and done more than what was expected of you?
How to Answer
Going above and beyond and exceeding the expectations of others is vital to success at UnitedHealth Group to be innovative and to satisfy its members. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to know that you have the drive to be scalable within the organization and can grow to a higher-level role in the future. Discuss a time when you solved a problem before your manager knew it existed or when you anticipated a need within the business. Make sure your interviewer walks away knowing that you are willing and ready to go above and beyond the call of duty in this role at UnitedHealth Group.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"My first job out of school was in fast food. I was hired to work the front register, but we were often short-staffed, so I would have to learn another station quickly and sometimes cover multiple stations throughout a shift. I always felt it was important to be a team player and be flexible and willing to do what was needed to serve the customers. In my last performance review, I earned an exceeds expectations rating because of this."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"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 now asked me to train the whole team on how to use it."
Written by Michelle Krebs
2nd Answer Example
"I'm really excited for this opportunity to learn and grow at UnitedHealth Group. In my current position, I noticed that our team was tracking customer conversations slightly differently and this was making reporting very difficult. I developed a key so that everybody knew exactly how to code and created consistency amongst the team. The data in the reports were much better and more accurate after that."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"My company has moved over to a new system and we all still have questions. I asked my manager if we can get a board to hang up and whatever new questions someone has answered already or found an easier way to research something we can write it on a piece of paper and place it on the board. My manager thought it was a great idea. This will save time and it will help us in the case we forget."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a great example of taking initiative! You had a good idea, and you shared it with others so it could benefit everyone. Nice job! You might, however, want to see if you can think of another example that shows you going above and beyond more so than just sharing a smart idea. Have you ever worked extra hours to meet a tight deadline? Have you ever done something outside of the ordinary to exceed a customer's expectations? Your example is a good one and you can definitely include it here, but if you are able to supplement with another example like mentioned it will really strengthen your answer.
Behavioral
3. Working at UnitedHealth Group, there are many emotions that staff can experience in a day. Have your emotions ever been in the way of your productivity on the job?
How to Answer
No matter if the job you are interviewing for at UnitedHealth Group puts you in direct member contact or not, the health insurance industry can be very emotional at times for any staff member. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to know if you consider yourself to be an emotionally driven person. Talk to the interviewer about your emotions and if they have ever affected your productivity at work. If possible, try to point out your ability to stay calm in an emotional situation on the job by pointing out a time that you had to in the past with great results.
Keep in mind - almost everyone is an emotional creature to some degree, but there are other ways that you can describe yourself that have a more positive connotation. If you are passionate, you could choose to refer to yourself as expressive, communicative, open, and unreserved.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
Entry Level Example
"Last summer, I worked as a server during the evenings and on weekends at a busy bar and restaurant, so naturally, there was a lot of interaction with the public. Because of the shifts I worked, customers would often be intoxicated. I've had many customers become rude, angry, and sometimes outright offensive, but I never took it personally and kept my demeanor calm and professional. I never let their behavior dictate my response, and I never let it overwhelm or upset me to the point that I couldn't complete my job. I know in healthcare, you may have similar experiences with patients or caregivers who are angry or upset or who have maybe just had someone they love pass away. I would treat each situation with professionalism, care, and compassion and would not let emotions get in the way of me doing my job at UnitedHealth Group either."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"Everyone is emotional to a certain degree, and I would consider myself kind-hearted and open. I fully understand that a career working with health insurance can be emotional at times. If hired at UnitedHealth Group, I would be an employee that would focus on the positives. If I were working with a member that had services denied, I would keep a positive attitude while explaining their policy. This mindset has consistently allowed me to continue with a productive shift no matter the emotions that come my way and I would be able to bring this same level-headedness to work at UnitedHealth Group."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
User-Submitted Answer
"Emotions are a part of everyone's life. At times when my emotions have run high, I have learned that sometimes you need to take 5, just as you would with a challenging child. That prevents emotions from getting in the way of productivity."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Good idea! Can you talk about a time when your emotions were running high and you took five minutes to cool down? Were you able to regain composure? It's great that you've developed this method to control your emotions while on the job.
Behavioral
4. What would you say is your greatest weakness that you would bring to the UnitedHealth Group team?
How to Answer
In looking to hire you as part of the UnitedHealth Group team, your interviewer knows that any candidate they hire will come with a weakness or two on their first day. If possible, pick a weakness that is not a core skill for this position. You can be candid in your answer, recognizing that you aren't great at something and acknowledging your need to improve. Be sure to have an action plan in place for improving on this weakness. Perhaps you are watching TED talks to gain skills in a particular area, reading the latest-and-greatest book on the subject, or maybe you are taking a seminar at a nearby community center. We are all human with our weaknesses, so don't be afraid to share yours!
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"As a candidate just entering the workforce in this industry, my biggest weakness will naturally be the learning curve I have to overcome. I have many transferrable skills from the customer service industry; however, I know I will have much to learn about healthcare and specific company systems, software, and platforms. I love to learn, and I enjoy learning directly from others, watching training videos, researching, and attending live sessions, so whatever training methods UnitedHealth Group uses, I know I'll be able to adapt. I love to collaborate with others, and I'm a quick learner, so I have no doubt if given the chance, I will be able to catch on quickly and start adding value to the team."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I believe I could improve on some technical skills including Excel and Word. Currently, I am at a beginner to intermediate level. However, I would be more comfortable at an advanced level in this role at UnitedHealth Group. I have enrolled myself in an evening/weekend workshop for the next six weeks. We will see how stellar my skills are after that course!"
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"Feeling the pain of others."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
So you're empathetic? This is a great weakness to cite because it can also be viewed as a positive. Make sure to give the interviewer some more details here, however. Talk about how this personality trait can be a weakness (as well as a strength in the right instances) but also mention how you're working to overcome it.
Behavioral
5. At UnitedHealth Group, we believe in continuous feedback from our member, customers and network of providers. Tell me about a time you received constructive feedback on the job. What did you do after hearing this?
How to Answer
By asking this question, your interviewer ideally wants to hear that you can take criticism without getting your feelings hurt and turn that criticism into a positive one. In today's workplace, you can't be afraid to give or receive criticism. It is ok to be candid, but show your interviewer at UnitedHealth Group that you heard the feedback and did something about it. In the end, UnitedHealth Group strives to continuously improve its services by delivering excellence and being innovative. Your ability to learn and grow is essential to success in this role.
Written by Michelle Krebs
Entry Level Example
"During one of my first presentations, I received feedback that I used a lot of filler words and spoke too quickly. At first, I was embarrassed, but I took a step back, thanked that person for bringing that to me and considered what I was going to do with this feedback. I created my next presentation, then asked to run through it with a friend for their feedback and critique. This was very helpful. I also found that Microsoft has a feature that allows you to practice your presentation live and the system provides real time feedback about your tone, pitch, speed, word choice, use of filler words, how often you're just reading from a slide and even body language. I found this to be incredibly helpful and I took all of the recommendations into consideration and implemented them immediately. Some of my shortcomings were due to nerves, but with practice I improved. During my final presentation, I received feedback of how well I did, so it was rewarding to know I'd be successful from all my practicing and preparation."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"I received feedback from my manager last year that I was pushing for too many new ideas among our team and she received feedback that it seemed like I knew more than everybody else on my team. Given that some of the staff had been a part of the team for many years, my pushback wasn't received well and they approached our manager. 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 really helped to get their buy-in."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"A new staff member who I was training at the time had some issues understanding why and how we did certain things. I sat down with her, discussed her questions and suggestions, and implemented a couple of her ideas into our staff training. It did help improve things, and she is still with the company today."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice start! It's a bit of a vague overview, so if time allows, I recommend practicing this question using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), which helps candidates learn to give more of the tangible details and outcomes that interviewers are really seeking in behavioral-based interview questions.
Behavioral
6. If hired at UnitedHealth Group, how can we keep you motivated and engaged, even on the days when you feel your work goes unnoticed?
How to Answer
When working behind the scenes for members at UnitedHealth Group, it can sometimes feel like your work will go unnoticed by those that matter. In asking this question, your interviewer would like to know how they could continue to motivate you, even on the hardest of days. This question really is a great opportunity for your interviewer to get to know you and your work style a bit better, so be open and honest about how you like to be recognized and motivated on the job. If you are motivated by verbal recognition, be sure to let your interviewer know that. As well, let them know if the success of your team is a primary motivator for you on the job.
Written by Michelle Krebs
Entry Level Example
"I am best motivated through words of praise and encouragement, but I'm also motivated by competition and contests! In my current position, we have a customer satisfaction leaderboard, and I do like that concept because it creates a healthy bit of personal competition for me as well and really pushes me to always give customers my very best."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"I am an easily motivated individual, and it does not take much to keep me engaged. I am fully aware that healthcare-related positions can seem thankless. Honestly, the best thanks that I can get is a pat on the back now and then. The majority of my motivation comes from simply helping people and I would find that providing great service to the UnitedHealth Group members would be very gratifying."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"I am well aware that healthcare can seem like a thankless job; however, I am highly motivated when it comes to helping people. Verbal recognition also goes a long way in letting people know they are doing a good job."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Ok, good start. Now explain what specifically about your positions have kept you motivated? Is it the problem-solving aspect of working in a complex system? Is it helping customers who may be in crisis?
Behavioral
7. How would you be able to handle the day-to-day stresses that come with working at UnitedHealth Group?
How to Answer
With the wide array of services and the large number of members that they serve, stress can often be a regular part of the day-to-day work experience at UnitedHealth Group. In posting this question during your time with them, your interviewer wants to hear that you will come armed with tactics for handling the stresses the come with the job that you are interviewing for. As you answer, talk about the processes and tricks that you use to ensure that your work doesn't leave you feeling burned out and stressed. If you have an example of a time you worked in a high-stress environment, don't hesitate to talk about that experience.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"My current job is fast-paced, and it's not uncommon to have multiple projects with conflicting priority levels. Typically, I plan my week out and create time blocks to ensure I have time to do certain tasks without interruption. As soon as I feel overwhelmed or fall behind, I meet with my manager to communicate my concerns. We discuss the current projects, and I get their feedback on priority and see if other team members can support some of the work. I would follow the same approach with your organization as well."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"Over the past four years of my career coming out of college, I've really received a crash course in how to handle a high-paced and high-stress work environment. For me personally, handling high-pressure work comes down to my ability to stay organized and focused on one task at a time. I utilize my calendar and a task list to keep me on track with deadlines and important meetings. If things become too overwhelming in my work, I stay in communication with my colleagues and my manager. I'm also a firm believer in taking time to walk away from my desk, grab a drink of water and take a short walk to clear my head. I find I can be much more productive in doing so."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"The part that brings me the most stress is when a team member creates tension. If there is an issue with something, I would rather get it out in the open, discuss it, and move on. Some people let it fester and just cannot move on, while other people thrive on conflict or tension in the workplace. Life is too short for this sort of behavior."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
You're very right that life is too short for that kind of behavior! It sounds like there may be some underlying issues in your current work situation. Are you able to take this question and turn it into a more positive approach? For instance, what are you doing to change this type of mindset?
Behavioral
8. How would you describe the personality that you would bring to the UnitedHealth Group team?
How to Answer
The first thing you need to understand when asked this question is that personality and character are two very different things. With this question, your interviewer is ideally looking for more information on the characteristics and traits you would bring to work as part of the larger team at UnitedHealth Group, not your integrity. Your example could include buzzwords such as introverted, energetic, and confident. Prior to your interview, as you research UnitedHealth Group and the role you are interviewed for, you will see that a few of the organization's core values can really shine through in their workers' personalities. If possible, try to touch on how your personality is conducive to building relationships, delivering excellence, and being innovative.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I'm very easygoing and get along well with almost everyone I come in contact with. I'm outgoing and have no problem striking up a conversation with a stranger. I thrive in a fast-paced and challenging environment and often find myself drawn to complex problems and process improvement projects in the workplace. I'm able to work well independently or as part of a team, and I love collaborating with others to meet the goals necessary to be successful."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I would describe my personality as approachable, light-hearted, and positive. I believe that, if asked, my colleagues and supervisor would say the same about me. These personality traits have helped me build very strong relationships throughout my career, with both customers and my colleagues. If hired at UnitedHealth Group, your team will quickly welcome my personality type and help me hit the ground running."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I am very easy going, somewhat low key, but extremely professional. I am very approachable and try to be positive all the time."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice descriptors! If you can, try also tying in how these impressive personality traits will fit in well with the culture and goals of UnitedHealth Group.
Direct
9. In order to work for UnitedHealth Group, you must be able to pass a full criminal background check. Do you consent to a full background check?
How to Answer
In a lot of roles with UnitedHealth Group, you will be in direct contact with the personal health information of members and may have access to a lot of their personal information. Add to that the fact that you may be working with vulnerable people, children, and their confidential information. Because of this, you will likely be subjected to a series of criminal background checks and a drug screening process if hired at UnitedHealth Group. Your interviewer wants to hear that you are ready and willing to comply with all aspects of their background check process. If you do have any sort of a criminal record, it is highly suggested that you disclose that information now. If not, a future offer to you could be rescinded following something coming up on your background check.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I read that requirement in the job description and have no problem consenting."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I have a clean criminal record and am happy to comply with any background check you require of me if hired at UnitedHealth Group."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I have a clean criminal background and will absolutely comply with any background check requirement."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Very good. Short and to the point.
Direct
10. What do you know about UnitedHealth Group and what have you learned so far in this interview?
How to Answer
UnitedHealth Group is a health and well-being company that offers two distinct businesses under their umbrella. First, UnitedHealthcare offers a full range of health insurance benefits. The second is Optum, which offers care aided by technology, data, and empowers people and providers with the guidance and tools they need to achieve optimum health. Being a company of more than 340,000 employees, the role that you are interviewing for likely works in one small corner of UnitedHealth Group's much larger business. In asking this question, your interviewer simply wants to know that you've done your homework on their organization. Prior to your interview, research UnitedHealth Group as much as you can so that you can speak knowledgeably and passionately about joining them.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"From your introduction, it sounds like this is a very stable organization to work for with a lot of growth opportunities. In researching the company, I found that the five strategic growth priorities are health benefits, value-based comprehensive care delivery, health technology, health financial services, and pharmacy services. I was really impressed to reach that you have over 100 million customers!"
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"UnitedHealth Group is very well known in our community and I know several people who work here. I know that your company had soaring stock prices last year and has continued to grow over the last five years. This makes me even more excited about coming to work for a growing and thriving business."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"UnitedHealth Group's mission and values align with my own, and I absolutely enjoyed learning about its focus on empowering healthy behavior."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Ok, good start. Here, provide detail that comes from internet research about the company. The question is very open-ended, so it allows you to discuss anything you find out about the company. This will lead the interviewer to draw the conclusion that you researched. It implies that you are making a careful career decision.
Discovery
11. UnitedHealth Group supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance life and work?
How to Answer
In the fast-paced world that UnitedHealth Group operated in on a daily basis, it is essential for staff to keep a healthy work/life balance to prevent burnout. If asked a question like this during your interview, talk about how you can maintain that appropriate balance for yourself, while making sure the needs of the business are also prioritized. As you answer, you should certainly touch on your hobbies outside of work that helps you recharge yourself for work each day. As well, don't hesitate to talk about any on-the-job tools or tricks that you use to ensure that you don't burn out in your work.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I make a strong effort to keep a healthy balance by spending my free time away from my cell phone and having more face-to-face time with my friends and family. I indulge in the things that make me happy, like traveling and trying new restaurants during my time off. I can give even more energy at work by reenergizing in this way."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I find that with the right company and right job, it's pretty simple to balance life and work. When I enjoy what I do, it doesn't feel like a chore. I am always sure that when at home, my family gets my attention first. I take time on the weekends to do things for myself and ensure that I regenerate before the work week begins. I do understand, though, there are times where the need of the business might mean some evening or weekend work and I want to make sure the job is done right."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I do things that make me happy during my time off. By consistently re-energizing in this way, I am always fresh and excited to give my best at work."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Self-care and balance are critical, indeed! Try offering up some details on what you do to make yourself feel happy and re-energized. This answer could be used as an excellent conversational piece.
Discovery
12. What role would you be most comfortable taking on as part of this team at UnitedHealth Group?
How to Answer
At UnitedHealth Group, teamwork truly does make the dream work for the members that rely on the organization to provide world-class service and care. In asking this question, your interviewer truly wants to understand the role that you naturally take on when put into a team-based environment. If you tend to take the lead, you can let the interviewer know, but avoid sounding overbearing. If you usually like to generate new ideas and allow someone else to execute them, share your creative side while expressing that you prefer for others to take the lead. While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, be sure to speak with honesty and confidence in explaining how you interact as part of a larger team.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
Entry Level Example
"As a junior employee on the team, I would be comfortable in a support role that allows me to learn and grow while also helping my team be successful. I know that I have a lot to learn, so I would come with a positive attitude, an open mind, and be teachable and coachable as I onboard and get started. I worked in fast food as my first job, so I thrive in a fast-paced environment and have no doubt that while still learning, I can immediately add value with my customer service skills."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"In a team-based environment, I am most comfortable being the 'worker bee' that helps come up with great ideas. In my current position, I am not the most persuasive person on our team, but I am highly creative. This skill means that, in most projects, I am great at creating a plan of action but am most comfortable passing the final patient-facing tasks to our more extroverted personnel. Here at UnitedHealth Group, I would look forward to being the ideas person on your team and also expanding my confidence and skill set in taking the lead on some projects."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
User-Submitted Answer
"I enjoy engaging with the clients and I enjoy training and development so a position in account management or as a member of leadership would be my ideal position."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice! Do you enjoy building and nurturing client relationships? Do you like to sell products and offer solutions for customer pain points? What experience do you have in training and mentoring others, and what do you like about doing that? It's great that you have this preference; just make sure to back it up by explaining what you like about it and why you'd excel within a role like that. Good job!
Discovery
13. Why do you think you will be successful in this role with UnitedHealth Group?
How to Answer
Rather than just sharing how you have gone above and beyond expectations in the past, focus on how your qualities will help you to meet and exceed expectations with UnitedHealth Group. This is your chance to make your ultimate sales pitch to your interview, so be sure to take advantage of it by discussing the reasons why will you be great at this job. Talk about your qualifications and skills that will help you to do this job well. If you can, match your strengths to the requirements outlined in the job description.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I'm eager to enter the healthcare workforce and add value to a team and their patients or customers. While I don't have a formal education, I do meet the minimum requirement of a high school diploma, and I plan to enroll at my community college next fall to attend evening classes in healthcare administration. I think I will be successful in this role because I work well with others, I possess strong communication skills, I'm empathetic and compassionate toward others, and their situations and I'm eager to learn and get established within a stable organization that I can grow within."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I know I will be successful in this role at UnitedHealth Group because I have been working in this industry for five years with great training and mentorship. I have a solid understanding of providing excellent service to members and intimate knowledge of the health insurance industry. Also, I have all of my updated certifications as outlined in your job description. I am well-prepared for this next step in my career."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I believe I possess the necessary customer service skills to provide UHC customers with exceptional service. Although I am new to this industry, I have several different skills as well as being quite familiar with how the health insurance industry operates as I was one of the recommendation team at my last job as far as what insurance we should offer."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Smart approach! You are highlighting the fit while also addressing the skills you bring despite an industry change. A couple of recommendations - avoid potentially negative wording such as 'although I' and just jump into owning it! I have provided an example below.
"I am confident that I possess the customer service skills required to provide UnitedHealth customers with exceptional service. United Health has a significant focus on...(insert their core values and how you are a fit). I am familiar with health insurance options and offerings as I was on the recommendation team when we chose insurance at Company ABC... (Now, discuss how this knowledge will specifically help you in this role)"
Discovery
14. At United Health Group, we have many positions where employees work remotely for a majority of the time. This is one of those roles. How would you be successful in your home office if hired for this position?
How to Answer
As you research and apply for a position with UnitedHealth Group, you would be well aware that the position you applied for was a telework position. If you happen to be interviewing for one of UnitedHealth Group's many remote jobs, your interviewer will surely ask you a question or two about your experience and ability to work remotely and stay motivated. With this question, your interviewer wants to see that you have a plan for how you will work from home successfully. Some people can't handle this lack of structure, so show that you would be able to be productive in this role. If you have experience working either remotely or without a watchful eye over your shoulder, talk openly about that experience that you bring to the table.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I have a designated workspace set up in my home for when I work remotely. As far as when I'm on my laptop, I designate time each week as "focus time," and during this time, I mark myself as do not disturb on Teams, and I exit my email. I notify my manager each week of these blocks of time, so he knows to text me if anything urgent arises while I'm in these periods of focus offline. I also typically keep my phone on silent and only check it during my designated breaks."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I was able to work from home a few days a week in my last role and I have developed a specific routine that I follow. Working in pajamas does NOT happen in my house and I take pride in dressing as if I were going to work. I already have a dedicated office space in my home that is free from outside distraction. I also 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."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I currently work remote three days a week for my current job. I have a quiet place to work."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a great start. A hiring manager would be pleased to know you are already working in a remote position, so the transition would not be as difficult as it would be for other candidates. You can use this opportunity to show more of your personality and strengths. See my suggestion below.
"I am currently working three days a week for my current employer, and this has been an excellent fit for me. My home office is readily used, and I believe my best work is provided in this capacity. I am highly reliable and excited to take on a new opportunity."
Discovery
15. If UnitedHealth Group hired you today, what would you want to accomplish first in your initial days on the job?
How to Answer
In proposing a question like this, your interviewer is ideally looking to hear that you understand the great impact of the role you are interviewing for on the UnitedHealth Group organization as a whole. Now is the time to talk about your 'value proposition'- what will you do for the company in a short period of time if hired for the job. If you want to make an impact with your answer, refer to the immediate needs of this position at UnitedHealth Group, such as increasing budgets or improving patient care. Your research into the job and UnitedHealth Group can really pay dividends for you in your answer to this question.
Written by Michelle Krebs
Entry Level Example
"As a newer employee, I want to complete as much training and onboarding as possible in my first few weeks. Being new to healthcare and obviously UnitedHealth Group, I know I would have much to learn about processes and procedures and general day-to-day information. I would work as many hours as possible to train properly, absorb information as quickly as possible, and start meeting and integrating with the team."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"When we were speaking earlier, you mentioned that you need the team to follow the same process and be consistent in the work that they do with the members of UnitedHealth Group. I would need time to learn more about the organization, but in short order, I can do an intake of all the different ways the team is doing things, summarize, and choose the best practices, while including the team. This could be a really quick win that would make a big impact."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"I would learn more about United Health Group and what I can do to provide the company with the best value for their trust in bringing me aboard."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Although you show good initiative, this answer may be too general for the interviewer. Think of some tangible and measurable ways that you can make a difference in the first 30, 60, 90 days of your onboarding.
Discovery
16. Tell me about yourself and the type of person we'd be hiring at UnitedHealth Group.
How to Answer
This is a pretty general question, but an often asked one because it gives you a quick chance to sell yourself to your interviewer without talking about the direct skills you would bring to the job. Take a few minutes to tell the interviewer a few things about yourself. You can begin with your education and work your way into your career history. Bring up anything that is interesting and highlights your ability to be a responsible, reliable, and bright individual. As well, don't hesitate to give one or two interesting facts about yourself that will help your interviewer find you more interesting and engaging.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I recently graduated from X college with X degree and am looking to join a prominent organization focused on transformation in healthcare. I have been interested in healthcare from a young age and volunteered at our local hospital for two years while I was in high school. I'm passionate about helping others and feel like this role is the perfect fit. Outside of work, I love to paint and take art classes when I have time."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"A bit about me - I love to travel, read, and conduct research. I am a recent grad from Columbia University and have spent the past 12 months traveling the world. It was the best experience that I could have given myself as I was able to learn so much from seeing how the rest of the world lives. I returned to the US just last month and had been actively looking for work the past couple of weeks. I am looking forward to getting into the routine of a career again here at UnitedHealth Group."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I love music, travel, and playing golf. In fact, these are some of the reasons that I have relocated to Phoenix. I have been relaxing and getting used to the Phoenix area and am now looking forward to a new work chapter in my life."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
You offer a nice, high-level overview. If time allows, I encourage you to research the Past/Present/Future approach when answering this question. That type of framework will help you to create a more robust answer and offer a fuller view to the interviewer with some career-related detail.
Discovery
17. UnitedHealth Group has a diverse workforce. Do you have experience working in a culturally diverse environment?
How to Answer
UnitedHealth Group owes a portion of its success to the diverse workforce that creates new and innovative solutions on a daily basis. As you research the organization prior to your interview, you'll see that they have won several distinguished awards for their efforts in diversity hiring. These include honors for being one of the best military-friendly employers, LGBTQ equality employer, and one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies. With this question, you want to assure your interviewer that you can thrive in a diverse work atmosphere by giving an example of a time you were able to embrace diversity in the workplace.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I have volunteered in many capacities over the years, and through that experience, I've gotten to work with a very diverse group of people. For example, I volunteered three evenings a week at a homeless shelter as a house supervisor, went on a six-week mission trip to Haiti, and did some weekend work with veterans at my local senior citizens center. Each of those experiences allowed me to work with people with different backgrounds, educations, ethnicities, ages, religions, and values. Through those experiences, I learned to respect all people and that when you work together at common goals, much can be achieved because of each unique experience and skill set that each person brings to the table."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I have worked with diverse groups of people most of my career, including in my current position. I am most comfortable, and happy, in this type of environment because it offers me unique learning opportunities. Our customer population is also very diverse, so it is important that my company reflects the customers we serve."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"It gives me immense pleasure to work with people from different geopolitical boundaries. In my most recent project in HIS, I worked with team members spread across three different countries. I got an opportunity to learn about different perspectives on problems and was also introduced to various traditions."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Terrific response! Your exposure to diverse groups sounds expansive, and the enthusiasm you portray is perfect. Well done.
Discovery
18. At UnitedHealth Group, we seek to hire individuals who have ambitions of growing their career. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
How to Answer
As an organization with over 340,000 employees in varying realms of the health insurance and healthcare technology spectrum, UnitedHealth Group prides itself on growing its workforce from within. Every hiring manager at the organization would like to know that their investment of time and training will pay off. First, you want to assure the interviewer that you see this position as a long-term fit with your skills and career goals. But, you don't want to sell yourself short, so be sure to find that balance of showing you have the ambition to grow yourself into a long-term career with UnitedHealth Group by talking about your realistic career goals.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I'm just entering the workforce, so right now, I'm focused on finding a stable organization to join that will allow me to learn and establish myself. I'd like to then expand on my skills and gain experience, and possibly seek out a mentor as I continue to add value to UnitedHealth Group and the team. In school and during my volunteer experience, I often found myself to be a natural coach and mentor for others, so down the road, I would like to explore leadership and management opportunities."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"In 3-5 years, I would like to see my career with UnitedHealth Group include a path towards a leadership role. I am very driven on paving a long-term career with UnitedHealth Group and can definitely see myself learning and growing into a manager-level position here."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I always believe in giving back to my community and organizations. I see myself in a senior position in the firm mentoring new hires in the early days of their career and educating them about best practices. I think it is very important to show new professionals the right direction early in the careers."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It's so nice that you want to focus your career on mentoring and directing others. Your answer shows great dedication to your industry and craft!
Discovery
19. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any part of your field, which would you choose?
How to Answer
In looking to bring you on as part of their team at UnitedHealth Group, your interviewer would like to dig deeper into your true areas of growth interest when it comes to your line of work. They also want to know that your passions and ambitions align well with what UnitedHealth Group is offering. Talk to the interviewer about the areas of your career that you would like to focus on and grow in the most, and then tie that information in with what the position you are interviewing for at UnitedHealth Group would be offering you.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"I've always been interested in the research and development side of healthcare. I've not had much exposure in this area, so I would love to find a mentor to shadow and gain some insight into this area of the business. I believe exploring this area, even from a high-level perspective, will help me become a more rounded healthcare professional."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"If I could expand my expertise in any area of my career path, I would choose a role that has the most positive impact on patient lives. This is one of the reasons I have applied to work with UnitedHealth Group. I feel that your focus will be a great fit with my long-term career goals."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"Well, there are two areas that need attention according to my research. First, tooth decay is the most common disease in the United States, which requires a daily and consistent care plan rather than an episodic care model. I would want to leverage my data and analytical capabilities to involve patients in their own treatment plans and help them visualize the change happening in their bodies."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Very good answer! I like how specific you are :) It seems that you have a great deal of direction. Also, your enthusiasm for the industry shines through very well.
Discovery
20. If hired at UnitedHealth Group, would you prefer to work in a team-based position or individually?
How to Answer
Upon first glance, this can seem like a very tough question to answer because you don't want to pigeonhole yourself into only preferring one atmosphere in the workplace. Ultimately, your interviewer wants to hear that you can join the UnitedHealth Group team as a great team player that also has the ability to work independently, with little supervision. While you show your ability to mix both types of environments, it is certainly okay to talk about which type of environment that you prefer. No matter how you answer, be honest with your interviewer without leaning negatively in either direction.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"My first job was for a call center, and that was a hybrid role. There were days I was working remotely and autonomously, and other days I was in the office with several coworkers and a lot of interactions and activity. I performed well in both settings and found both had pros and cons. If offered a role at UnitedHealth Group, I believe I would be successful in both a team-based setting or an individualized setting."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"Whether I am doing an independent project, or working in a team environment, I always give my best. I enjoy the camaraderie of working in a team, but I can be successful working autonomously as well. If I had to pick one, I would say that I definitely prefer a team-based environment because I love collaboration and the bonds formed through team-based work."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"A position that offers either or both. I am very comfortable working individually with minimal supervision as well as working closely with others or as part of a team."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
It's great that you're happy working either independently or within a team environment. This shows the interviewer that you are flexible. Consider talking more about the benefits you receive from each type of situation (e.g., within a team you learn from others; independently you are able to move at your own pace).
Discovery
21. What is your patient care philosophy?
How to Answer
No matter if the role you are interviewing for at UnitedHealth Group is a customer-facing role or not, the work you will be doing there will ultimately have a direct impact on the members that rely on UnitedHealth Group's services for their healthcare. Prior to your interview, as you research the mission, vision, and values of UnitedHealth Group, you'll quickly see that integrity, compassion, and relationship building are essential in all that they do to provide excellent care and service for their members. The better you understand their care philosophy, the better you will be able to integrate key elements of it into your response. If you do not have direct patient care experience, then consider how you might have transferable experience. If you have customer care experience to glean from, then use it! Overall, try to keep your answer concise, honest, and sincere.
Written by Michelle Krebs
Entry Level Example
"My patient care philosophy is to provide exceptional care to those I serve, putting patients first in all that I do. To me, this means their emotional and physical needs, wants, and goals and doing what is best for the patient above all else. I would strive to get to know each patient as an individual, respect their values, beliefs and preferences, build a relationship of trust, and promote their best interests. I would provide quality care by being proactive to their needs and responsive to their requests while also involving their caregivers or loved ones in their care plan. Ultimately, I would strive to treat each patient as though they were my mother, brother or best friend."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"Every day at work, I remind myself that everyone I come across has their own struggles. Every person we care for has a story. I make sure to take the time to get to know the members that I work with and make them feel seen as best as I can. I believe that everyone has the right to compassionate care and I do my best to ensure compassion for them in all that I do."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"I understand that if they are contacting me, they need my help. I will do everything within my power to solve or address their issues to the boundary of their policy. If I can not help, I may offer solutions (if allowed) as to where they may be able to get help."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
You show a caring side balanced with ensuring compliance with your employer/industry regulations as well.
Education
22. How has your education and training prepared you for this role at UnitedHealth Group?
How to Answer
Take a few minutes to walk the interviewer through your formal education and any relevant on-the-job training you have received throughout your career. If possible, talk about your most positive take-aways from your overall educational experience, and be sure to tie in how that experience has set you up for success in this role at UnitedHealth Group.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"The role that I applied for requires a high school diploma which I currently possess. I do not have post-secondary education at this time, but it's something I plan to pursue in the future. I have volunteered at my local Boys and Girls Club, and I've been a Scout Leader in the past, so that experience helped me gain communication, collaboration, interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills that will allow me to be successful in this role."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I have a nursing degree, as well as additional on-the-job training within clinical research and case management. I feel that my nursing education opened up many potential industry-related avenues for me. I graduated top of my class and completed a valuable internship with 'XYZ Health Services'. All of these experiences have helped prepare me for success in this role with UnitedHealth Group."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"My experience as a Member Services Representative gave me the passion and desire to work in the medical industry. I have continued in my position, having direct contact with patients in the role of Hospital Biller. That position drove my desire to continue my education and seek an Associate degree in Medical Assisting. I pursued a continuing education program in Medical Billing and Coding to expand my knowledge of the work that I was doing as a Hospital Biller."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Good, can you also explain what about being a Member Services Representative led you to pursue this career path?
Education
23. Shifting regulations make our industry ever-changing at UnitedHealth Group. How would you keep up to date with new laws, rules, or legislation that could impact our business?
How to Answer
At some point during your time together, your interviewer would like to know if you are motivated to read articles, journals, news, and other research to stay current in the ever-changing industry of health care. As well, your line of work may require very specific attention to changing regulations in the industry, so be sure to discuss any relevant training or education you regularly attend to ensure that you are up to date with all changing laws and regulations in your field. To really impress your interview, talk in detail about a recent discovery you made through your diligent efforts to stay up to speed in your field.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"Being new to healthcare, my plan would be to subscribe to several journals and news outlets so that I receive trending alerts in my area of business. I would also follow influencers and industry experts on LinkedIn so that their posts were top of my feed. If the company offered regular training, I would be sure to attend all of those and any regional seminars or CEU courses."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I always want to be the person who brings news that impacts our department to the table. I have Google alerts set up in a variety of topics so I can stay updated if any events might impact our work. As well, I am also a member of the AHIP and recently completed a course on fraud in Medicare through them."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I make it a point to follow blogs in my area of interest, and I am also part of various professional communities which helps me remain current on changes in trends and laws. I also discuss various matters concerning society, education, business with my friends and family which widens my knowledge base."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Good for you! It's apparent that you are highly active in your industry and remaining in-the-know on a range of important topics. You sound very diligent.
Operational
24. The health insurance industry is very complex. All of our positions at UnitedHealth Group require strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure that your work is properly organized and highly accurate?
How to Answer
No matter what position you are interviewing for at UnitedHealth Group, your interviewer needs to be assured that you will come to their team able to handle a multitude of tasks with ease. Talk to the interviewer about the ways that 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, be sure to highlight that you would be successful in organizing your day and anything that is thrown your way in this role with UnitedHealth Group. Don't hesitate to highlight any previous roles you've held where being organized on the job was essential for success.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"During my internship, I would often work on finance projects that required 100% accuracy. Before I started a project, I took lots of notes and asked questions when I needed clarity or guidance. When I start a project, I often do tasks that require a lot of attention to detail and focus early in the day when my mind is fresh and sharp and when my distractions are minimal. I create milestones to work through the project, and I frequently go back and check my work as I progress, giving it one final review before submitting."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"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 UnitedHealth Group, you will never find me to be disorganized! I utilize my Outlook calendar and set alerts for myself for deadlines and important activities. My documentation is strong as well."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"I would like to answer this with a personal example. Generally, students take three courses in a semester and feel that it's hectic. I took five in the first semester, worked as a student tech in the business school, and also led college club activities when I served as Vice President. All of this was possible because I was very organized and would accurately plan in advance. I used to make a list of tasks according to their priority before I went to bed. This would give me a plan for the next day. I would get many short breaks during the day which I would use to think about my classes or complete small tasks like applying for job opportunities or reading blogs."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Good! Answering a question with a story is often a very impactful way to portray your skills and characteristics. It sounds like you are very detailed, organized, and focused! At the end of your response, I recommend adding a qualifying statement that connects your actions as a student to how you will approach your workload at UnitedHealth Group. I have provided a starter for you below.
"I take pride in my level of focus and organization. For instance, in my first semester of college, I took 5 courses. Generally, students take 3 courses to keep their workload manageable. In addition to these 5 courses, I worked as a student tech in the business school and led various activities as the vice president of our college club. I could juggle all of these expectations because I was very organized and would plan tasks accurately and ahead of time. The night before, I would make a list of the upcoming days' tasks and rank them according to priority. This way, I would have an organized plan for the day. I would take short breaks during the day which I would use to recollect class teachings or complete small tasks like applying for job opportunities or reading blogs. If I were to join UnitedHealth Group, I plan to apply this same strategy to keep my tasks organized. This approach will ensure that I exceed expectations and meet my deadlines."
Operational
25. How would you rate the communication skills you would bring to the UnitedHealth Group team?
How to Answer
UnitedHealth Group owes a large part of its success to the fact that they build and grow successful relationships with their members. One of the key foundations of building strong relationships is communication and your interviewer would like to know how you rate your communication skills. First, on a scale of 1-10, discuss how skilled are you in communication. Try to avoid giving yourself a 10, and nobody is perfect, and you do not want to come across as overly confident or someone who has no room for feedback and improvement. Alternately, avoid giving yourself too little credit. You do not want to paint the picture that you are a communication dud! Try to remain in the 7.5-9.5 range while staying honest and accurate. Use an example of your excellent communication to back your answer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
Entry Level Example
"I would rate my skills an 8/10, with the belief that there is always room for improvement. During college, I was a project leader on many assignments, and through this experience, I was able to sharpen my communication skills. I'm direct in my communication style and typically try to communicate important information face to face first, then follow up with an email recapping the conversation and highlights. I always maintain a professional and positive tone and never raise my voice or curse when working in groups. I'm bilingual, so I'm able to communicate with a diverse group of people as well."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"I rate my communication skills as a 9/10. My supervisor and co-workers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills with both my team and our customers. I am a firm believer that open and timely communications are necessary for our work and I can imagine this is true at UnitedHealth Group as well. If I were to be hired on your team, you can be confident in my communication skills with all people that I would be working closely with."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
User-Submitted Answer
"I have excellent communication skills. I try to give much thought to my words whether it be verbally or through email to ensure there is nothing lost in translation."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Consider rating your communication skills on a scale of 1-10 and giving the interviewer a specific rating. You might also want to break down your communication skills into writing, verbal, non-verbal, and listening, so you can give a few different ratings and highlight your strengths. Great job!
Operational
26. Why do you think going above and beyond in our work at UnitedHealth Group is important?
How to Answer
Delivering excellent service and honoring commitments to members and external customers is what drives UnitedHealth Group to succeed on a daily basis. In asking this question, your interviewer ideally wants to hear that you know why taking the extra steps to deliver excellence is important to their success. No matter how you answer this question, it is important for you to display that you are willing and ready to do more than the bare minimum in this role at UnitedHealth Group. If possible, try to use an example or two from your past work experience where you went above and beyond the call of duty to provide a great outcome.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
Entry Level Example
"Going above and beyond for patients, customers, your colleagues, and your manager is important! Doing more than is expected demonstrates that you care and that you're committed to the betterment of the team and customer experience. Each person has a certain expectation of things you will do for them in your role, so when you are proactive and anticipate their needs or jump in to lend a hand on a project, it really shows them that you value them and helps build and foster a trusting relationship."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"I often go above and beyond expectations. Most recently, I agreed to cover for a co-worker who was on short-term medical leave. I worked 10 hour days for two weeks so that our work did not suffer any setbacks. Here at UnitedHealth Group, providing excellent service by any means necessary is what has helped your business thrive for many years and I would look forward to bringing this same service excellence if hired here."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
User-Submitted Answer
"Going above and beyond is important because it shows the client that you care about them. If every employee at UHG were to go above and beyond clients would never want to leave."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
True! Why is it so important that the clients know you care about them? Can you tell the interviewer about a time when you went above and beyond for a client and how you felt afterward when they were happy? Keeping their customers satisfied is most likely a top priority for the company so be sure to emphasize that this is a primary professional goal for you too.
Operational
27. Talk about a time where you took an existing process and used your own creativity to make it better. What did you learn in this situation that you can bring to the UnitedHealth Group team?
How to Answer
UnitedHealth Group believes in being innovative in all that they do to learn from experiences and create a new and effective process for their work. They also hold innovation as one of their top core values. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to take an existing process and develop it creatively by talking about a time you did exactly this on the job. Make sure that your example clearly outlines how you identified a problem, thought carefully through solutions, and then the work you did to implement a new process.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
Entry Level Example
"I volunteered for a small, local organization while I was in school. I noticed that the onboarding of new volunteers was very disorganized and chaotic. Once I got settled into my role there, I volunteered to create a streamlined onboarding process for new volunteers. It included an orientation schedule and agenda with different leaders covering certain topics. I also printed all of the paperwork and made packets so that everything was in one place. I did a survey of the new volunteers, and all rated the onboarding and orientation process as excellent!"
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"Last month, my supervisor asked me to take our existing new staff training program and improve it. He trusted my years of experience and expertise to help make the changes as effective as possible. My goal was to make the system more engaging for recruits that join our organization because we were experiencing a high amount of quick turnover with new hires. Once we implemented my ideas, we increased our new trainee retention rate by 16%. I was quite proud of what my creativity could do in that situation!"
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
User-Submitted Answer
"In my last role, our team did customer tracking on an excel spreadsheet. Each week I would have to email the team to ask for updates and each team member would make their updates and email me with the spreadsheet attached, I would then open each email and compile all of the updates into the spreadsheet which was time-consuming and not efficient. I created a shared spreadsheet and created a team on Teams where the document lived and team members could make updates as the days progressed. I created a much more efficient process."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent! This is a very strong answer because you provided a specific example with lots of details that truly shows how you improved a process. Wonderful response!
Operational
28. When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?
How to Answer
Being flexible and able to handle change is a skill that all departments at UnitedHealth Group desire to see because it will be an essential skill in any job with the organization. Discuss with the interviewer your ability to approach a problem using new methods. If possible, try to give a recent example and make sure to spend more time highlighting the resolution rather than the problem. No matter how you answer this question, make sure your interviewer walks away knowing that they'd be hiring an agile and flexible employee if they offer you the position.
Written by Michelle Krebs
Entry Level Example
"I've always been a natural leader in group projects, whether at school or in my volunteer group. In my last semester, the professor assigned each group a project leader, and it was not me. At first, I was frustrated by how the new project leader communicated and delegated the assignments, but I decided to trust the process, knowing that my way was not the only way or even the best way. I learned that it's important to be able to follow someone else, even if you may not entirely agree with their approach or direction, because you can still learn from them. In this instance, I learned that they had the ability to motivate other project members that I was not normally able to motivate, so learning those techniques and watching their coaching style helped improve my own skillset."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"When the office that I work in now came under new management last year, many new methods and policies came into place. I was able to act as a change agent to help others on the team adapt to the changes. In taking a lead by example type role, I was able to help sway my colleagues that were on the fence or negative about the changes and I always try to keep this type of positive attitude in the face of change. This attitude also helped me take on the new challenges and methods head-on."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"I am always open to new ideas. During the financial crisis a few years back, we were faced with trying to hold our room rates while providing a great value in a market that saw a sharp rate decline. My team and I created some value-added packages that included dinner, wine, and several other extras for an extremely reasonable price and showed them great savings. In the first year, we sold approximately 400 of the newly created packages and created approximately $15,000 in additional revenue."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
You are creative and proactive, which are skills that any interviewer will appreciate seeing. The detail you provide is excellent.
Situational
29. Have you ever had a time where you disagreed with the direction from your manager? What did you do and what was the outcome?
How to Answer
To get a feel for how you will interact with the leadership team at UnitedHealth Group, your interviewer wants to understand how diplomatic you can be when you might disagree with a superior in the workplace. Disagreements can happen, and sometimes they serve as a catalyst for change and innovation. Of course, you want to use this opportunity to demonstrate that you can offer helpful alternative suggestions while still remaining professional.
Written by Michelle Krebs
Entry Level Example
"Though I don't have any formal work experience, I did have a similar situation in school. I didn't always agree with the structure of my professor's lesson assignment due dates. For example, we were required to submit a post by Thursday and respond to two other students' posts by Saturday. It was difficult for me to have my assignments based on another student because students often submitted initial posts late, causing me to have to readjust my schedule, and I didn't have the ability to work ahead. I provided the feedback in a course survey, but ultimately, I respected the professor's decision and encouraged my classmates to post their assignments on time."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"In a previous position, my manager held a team meeting and told us that we would be taking on a new, large project to do in tandem with our current workload. The idea of the project sounded great, but our team was already strapped for time and wouldn't be able to fulfill each of our duties. I withheld my concerns initially and asked some clarifying questions about the timeline and overall scope of the project. After our meeting, I connected with my manager individually to share some concerns over being able to maintain a strong output and positive results, so I asked if there were any tasks that might be less pressing that could be temporarily paused. She thanked me for bringing my concerns to her and also for taking the time to find solutions instead of having a strong initial reaction at the meeting. In the end, we were able to pull together as a team and successfully complete the project without stretching ourselves too thin."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"A retail space became available in the shopping mall, connected to the hotel that my boss also owned. He was just about to enter into a lease with a tenant for this space for approximately $1,000 a month when I approached him and insisted on a new direction and use. I suggested we relocate our current housekeeping office to this space and the fitness center and take the space that housekeeping and the fitness center and turn it into 2 additional hotel suites. He agreed with my plan, and this idea has been producing approximately $120,000 a year in revenue ever since."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Wow - it seems you are incredibly creative and highly invested in the success of your employer. Fantastic example!
Situational
30. Tell me about a time you dealt with an unhappy customer, client or patient. How did you handle the situation and what was the outcome?
How to Answer
Health insurance and other healthcare products can be layered, complex, and difficult for many people to fully grasp. Because of this, it is not uncommon to encounter unhappy clients when working for UnitedHealth Group. This question provides an opportunity to demonstrate your people skills pertaining to customer service, problem solving, and empathy while working with potentially high degrees of emotion. If you don't have a lot of prior experience in situations like this, then think of a time that you received excellent customer service with an issue you've had and talk about what you learned that you can bring to work at UnitedHealth Group.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"As a candidate just entering the workforce, I don't have experience in this area, but I will share my approach in this situation. I understand that working in healthcare and within an organization as large as UnitedHealth Group, I will interact with several customers or patients daily. I would first stop what I was doing and give them my full attention. I would actively listen and remain professional, positive, and empathetic. In this situation, it's important to try and understand their perspective of the situation. I would apologize for the issue or frustration and assure them I would assist and see that it was resolved. I would try and self-help with resources available to me, and if it were something that I could not address, I would escalate it to my supervisor immediately."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I had a caller about a month ago who was crying because her insurance didn't cover a procedure that she had a month prior. She was very upset and stated that she couldn't afford to pay this bill. I let her talk without interrupting her and listened. I repeated back to her what the issue was to make sure I understood her correctly. I took her information down and looked up her account to see what her insurance covered. I discovered that our insurance did cover 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."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"We had a guest upset as he did not like the room he had reserved. I sat down with him in our lobby, listened to his concerns, and personally showed him a couple of other available room options. He accepted one of the rooms offered and was very pleased with his stay."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It's terrific that you jumped on a solution so quickly! If you have received training on customer service or creative customer solutions, this question would be a good time to mention this training.
Situational
31. Think about a difficult boss or colleague you've had during your career. What made them difficult to work with and how did you successfully interact with this person?
How to Answer
Relationships are the key to success for UnitedHealth Group. Whether the role that you are interviewing for puts you face to face with members/potential customers or is solely an internal-facing role, your ability to work with difficult personalities will be essential when working with UnitedHealth Group. Show the interviewer that you work well with most personalities, even though you recognize there are some folks out there who are quite difficult to please. Prior to your interview, think about that one person at work who has been hard to please for you. Perhaps there is someone at work who tries to intimidate others. Talk to the interviewer about what made this person challenging and what their relationship was with you. Avoid speaking poorly of anyone and be sure to end your response on a positive note by talking about how you successfully navigated the situation.
Written by Michelle Krebs
Entry Level Example
"I worked with an employee in the past that I struggled with during team projects and meetings. At first, I felt they were lazy because they never took the initiative and never spoke up on calls. I attended a course on personalities in the workplace and realized maybe they are just introverted and not always comfortable speaking up. I began inviting them to have virtual coffee chats biweekly and just spent time getting to know them. Through these calls, I realized they were very introverted and not lazy at all. They had really great ideas to share and were able to make suggestions on ways we could improve processes that I had never even thought of. They just needed encouragement and reassurance, and even though I was not in a leadership role, I felt like, as a coworker, I could still provide this support. I feel like it's easy to misunderstand others and label them as I did in this case, as lazy when it's really just a matter of getting to know someone and how to motivate and encourage them to collaborate with you."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"In my current position, I did have a coworker who didn't pull their weight. This unmotivated coworker created more work for the rest of the team by being slow and unresponsive. Our team started to complete most of the tasks when it came to group projects. It didn't take much time before our department head noticed this particular individual was slacking. I feel like, in most instances, the underachievers will weed themselves out over time, and it's rarely worth making a fuss over. As far as interaction went with this colleague, I was very positive and cordial to them and frequently asked if I could be of assistance in their work. But in the end, my hints were never taken by the person."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"He was always busy doing other things and really never had time for me. I was his manager, and he expected me to operate the business for him. Thus, I learned to communicate with him through the assistant things he wanted to be kept in the loop on. This reduced a lot of stress and solved most of the issues."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
You have a good start here. When answering behavioral-based questions like this one, try approaching using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result). The STAR method will help you to create a full story/example, ensuring that you provide all the necessary detail for an answer with impact.
Situational
32. Have you ever made a critical mistake while on the job? How did you handle the situation?
How to Answer
At UnitedHealth Group, integrity is one of the organization's core values and they believe in honoring their commitments and being ethical in all that they do. While we are all human and make mistakes, the key to this question for your interviewer is how you handle the aftermath of a mistake to make things right. Your interviewer will be looking for you to own up to your mistake and do what it takes to correct it. Use a specific example and describe how you handled the situation and any lessons that you learned moving forward to prevent it from happening again. In the end, you want to ensure your interviewer that you would join the team at UnitedHealth Group with the utmost integrity and accountability in your work.
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
Entry Level Example
"My mentor had once sent me an email with instructions on a project, and though there were areas I felt uncertain of the directions, I didn't want to bother my mentor, and I was in a hurry to complete my work before my vacation. I assumed I knew what my mentor was asking, completed the project, and turned it in. I had grossly misunderstood the directions, and the day before my vacation, I had to redo the entire thing. I realized that I made a mistake by assuming when I had questions, and I should have taken the time upfront to be sure I understood the expectations before starting the project. In an effort to save time, I took a shortcut that ended up costing me more time, ironically. That lesson has stuck with me, and I know it's better to ask questions and seek to understand than make a mistake and have to do the work over again."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"Early in my career, I was working a night shift with minimal staffing in our call center. In the early morning hours, I was talking with a customer that was having a major issue and calls kept coming in. While we had others on break and the standard protocol was to put a customer on hold and speak with other customers to put them on hold, I made the decision to not put the current customer on hold and a few callers dropped off the line. Knowing that this was a mistake right away, I approached my teammates following my call to let them know that I had let other callers drop off the line and I took full accountability for my actions. To remedy the situation as fast as possible, I suggested that I look through our caller ID system and contact the callers back. It truly was the best solution. Following that day, I learned the importance of following standard protocols, even if it means making a difficult decision at the time."
Written by Ryan Brunner on December 1st, 2021
User-Submitted Answer
"I wouldn't say that I have made a critical mistake on the job but I have made mistakes and have learned that it is best to own up to the mistake rather than waiting for someone to figure it out."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
It's definitely important to own up to your mistakes. Can you talk about a specific instance when you made a mistake on the job and how you handled it? Did you tell a client something incorrect on the phone and have to call them back later after you realized your error? Did you apologize and make amends in a way that left them satisfied? Give details so your answer is meaningful to the interviewer. Good job!
Situational
33. UnitedHealth Group seeks to hire those with strong problem-solving skills. When were you able to successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?
How to Answer
Problem-solving and dispute resolution are critical skills to possess in any job with UnitedHealth Group. Prior to your interview, it is important to know that the organization's core values include innovation and performance through excellence. Display to the interviewer that you are capable of problem-solving within the workplace by talking about a time when you were creative, proactive, and displayed the leadership qualities required to resolve a workplace issue. If you can, try to display why this effort was essential in providing excellent service to impress your interviewer.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"Since this would be my first job, I'd like to give you an example from my college experience. I was really struggling in an accounting class, which was a problem that I needed to solve quickly. I identified areas where I was not understanding concepts and went online to see what tutoring resources there were out there. I found several helpful Youtube videos and channels to which I subscribed, and I found a website that gave you several practice tests, then walked you through each answer step-by-step. I was able to improve my grade, but I was still not at the level I needed to be, so I decided to meet with my professor. I told him about my areas of opportunity and the work I had put in to improve my grade. I then asked if there was a recommendation for a student tutor or other resources available on campus to help me, which he was more than happy to help connect me with. If I have a problem, I try to self-help with the resources available, but I'm also not afraid to ask for help when needed. I will bring this same approach to the team if hired by UnitedHealth Group."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"In my most current job, 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, my employees were rewarded for coming to work 10 minutes early. Also, for every month with zero sick days, a bonus was added. In the end, we awarded those with perfect attendance a $600 bonus. The bonus' cost us less money, in the end 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."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"A lot of my previous job was solving problems. In one instance, we had a guest unhappy with the room they selected in an on-line booking. Shortly after checking in, they immediately took to social media with negative feedback. I knew who this guest was and contacted them, and by getting them a different room, they were pleased with their stay with us and removed the negative feedback and replaced it with positive feedback on our establishment."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This example highlights the quick thinking on your part! You show signs of being proactive and customer-focused. Well done!
Situational
34. At UnitedHealth Group, we strive to delight our customers. Give an example of a time when you brought joy to a customer in a previous role.
How to Answer
One of UnitedHealth Group's core values is compassion and your interviewer will be looking to hear that you can bring joy to the customers at UnitedHealth group through the compassion that you share with others. In asking this question, they want to make sure that you will go above and beyond what is the standard service to truly please those that they insure. Prior to your interview, think of a time during your career where you brought true joy to a customer or client in a previous role and explain the steps you took to go the extra mile for them. As well, remember to talk about why it was important to do so.
Written by Michelle Krebs
1st Entry Level Example
"When I was a server, a gentleman left behind his wallet. I notified my manager immediately as it was full of cash and all of his credit cards, so I knew he would be very upset once he realized it was lost. There was no phone number in his wallet, but I did find his driver's license and was able to look him up on Facebook and send him a message letting him know it would be with the bar manager when he returned. He was extremely appreciative that I took the extra step to get in touch with him, so I was able to bring him joy in that situation!"
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I was working with a member whose husband just passed away and she had questions about his insurance policy as she still had bills to take care of from his final days. I told her that I was so sorry for her loss and I asked if she could share something about her husband. By having her talk a bit about her husband, it helped put her mind in a good place and I then gave her all the information she needed. She thanked me very graciously and hung up. I also took the time to send a hand-written note in the mail expressing my sympathy for her."
Written by Michelle Krebs
Upgrade to Unlock ALL Answer Examples
1 additional answer has been hidden
User-Submitted Answer
"One of our guests wanted to propose to his girlfriend, so when they were out of their suite, we set up a private dining table with roses and chocolate-dipped strawberries and a chilled bottle of champagne. Also, we had it worked out with the guest that he had pre-order dinner through room service to be at the room at a specific time. All the planning was carried out perfectly, and his girlfriend said yes to the marriage proposal."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This is such a great story! It must have been fun to be involved in this as well. A great example of catering to your customers' unique needs.
Teamwork
35. At UnitedHealth Group, we take pride in our great relationships with clients, vendors, coworkers, and patients. What are strategies you use to develop great relationships with the people you work with?
How to Answer
Building solid relationships is one of the core values that UnitedHealth Group lives and breathes on a daily basis and your interviewer wants to hear that you would prioritize building solid and trusting relationships with all that you would be working with in this position. Assure the interviewer that you would treat everyone at UnitedHealth Group with great respect and a positive attitude. Discuss the ways that you would build strong and healthy relationships on the job if you were fortunate enough to be hired for this role.
Written by Michelle Krebs
Entry Level Example
"Working with the public can be challenging at times, but I possess strong communication skills, empathy, compassion for others, and patience, which allow me to succeed in my role. When a patient is angry or frustrated, I try to remember not to take it personally; that helps me react without involving my emotions. Seeking to understand the root cause of their frustration and being genuine in my interest in assisting them often makes a difference in their attitude and approach. I'm a good listener, and sometimes, that is all a person needs. I'm always focused on the patient experience and go out of my way to have a positive attitude and approach situations with an open mind and patience. I can effectively communicate, whether by email, on the phone, or in person. I communicate messages clearly and answer questions professionally and calmly."
Written by Jaymie Payne on March 16th, 2023
Answer Example
"I have often been complimented on my relationship-building skills. I like to get to know people and ask them questions about themselves. Most people love to talk about themselves, and I find it's a great and simple way to start building rapport with others. I consider myself to be a strong relationship builder and take pride in my people skills. Rest assured, I would be a great ambassador of positive relationships for UnitedHealth Group."
Written by Michelle Krebs
User-Submitted Answer
"People just love to talk about themselves. I believe I am a people-person and a great listener. I would be genuinely interested in knowing more about the team and let them talk about their interests and achievements. I would make right eye contact, treat them respectfully and talk to them with a smile. Also, I would make use of humor and share experiences to foster a strong relationship."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you understand what makes people 'tick!' These should certainly be effective approaches for developing meaningful relationships.