Tell me about a time you did not do a task correctly because you were not trained properly.

"In a previous position, I was thrown into a role where the person who held it last had quit with no notice. The company needed to scramble to find an appropriate person to fill the position. There was quite a learning curve, and I did several things wrong to start. I asked supervisors and co-workers questions, but in many cases, they didn't even know the proper way to handle a given task, as it was not part of what they did daily. With a lot of support and understanding from my team, I was able to work out everything I didn't know pretty quickly! By the time I left, I was able to train my replacement."

The interviewer wants an answer that does not place blame. Explain the situation without playing the "blame game."

Focus on what you did wrong. Suggest that perhaps the person in the previous position was not trained themselves, or they quit without notice before you took the job.

Never say that "well, so and so goofed up and didn't tell me any better." Keep it positive!

Tell me about a time when you missed some important details in a report. What happened?

"At my previous company, I was relatively new and not as familiar at XX report as I should have been. I missed including the XX in the report, and my supervisor pointed it out to me. I was grateful to him for pointing out my mistake and made sure I would know better in the future!"

The interviewer wants to know that you can acknowledge mistakes and/or faults without placing blame somewhere else. Everyone makes mistakes, and they want to know you understand that it happens occasionally. If you don't have an example from a report specifically, that's ok. Instead, give an example of a different mistake.

Focus on a small mistake, and spin it in a positive direction.

Avoid saying you completely botched a report that cost the company $12M. Keep it positive!

"I don't have a specific example about detailed reports, but at my previous company, I didn't realize I was supposed to reconcile travel reports. My supervisor came to me and asked why it was not being done. All I could do was apologize and say that I didn't realize. He was understanding and even offered me additional training so I could do it properly in the future."

You have been asked to set up a meeting. Quickly go over the steps you take to make this meeting happen.

"I would first ask how many attendees, who they want to invite, the duration of the meeting, if they need lunch or snacks ordered, and if they need me to provide materials such as an agenda, slide deck, or other. I would then determine an appropriate conference room for the meeting and send out invitations via the electronic system the company uses. I would order any additional food/drink and gather the materials the meeting host requested."

The interviewer wants to know what steps you would take to set up a meeting. They don't need a blow-by-blow of the software you would use or the details of the food you would order.

If you've set up meetings before, great! You're ahead of the game. If you haven't, that's ok. Focus on what you would do to make sure the meeting goes smoothly. This could include communicating with and asking questions of the meeting host about who should be invited, how many attendees, if there is a particular conference room they prefer, the duration of the meeting, if they need an agenda drawn up, or if they need a lunch or snacks.

Avoid appearing inexperienced. Even if you've never set up a meeting in your life, you can build on the examples given here.

Would you be available to work extra hours if needed?

"Sure. I do have other commitments outside of work, as we all do, but with a few hours' notice, I can arrange to stay late, come in early, or work on a weekend if necessary."

Your interviewer is looking for flexibility. They do not expect you to work 20 hours of overtime every week, but they want to know if you are willing to pitch in and help in a crunch.

Focus on your willingness to be available for extra hours in certain circumstances. You're not offering up your whole life, so imagine a scenario that involves a one-time project where the deadline was unexpectedly moved up with no notice to the company. The supervisor asks if you could stay an hour late (or come in an hour early) three days this week to ensure the project can be completed.

Avoid making excuses. Let the interviewer know that if specific occasions arise once a year where you are asked to stay late, arrangements could be made. Again, they're not asking you to work a million extra hours, just maybe once in a while during a particularly stressful time.

What is your ideal company to work for?

"When I saw your position opening, I was immediately excited. Currently, I work for a large global organization, and I feel I get lost. I feel I would be much more comfortable and valued in an organization such as yours, which is smaller. I would have more of a chance to build relationships with co-workers and clients."

The interviewer wants to know that their company is your ideal company. But more than that, they want to know that their company culture suits you.

You should have some idea of the structure of this company. For example, if this company is a Mom and Pop small insurance agency that has been in business for 20 years, a startup, or a global organization, it is best to mention that in your answer.

Avoid not knowing the company's structure. If they are a global organization, you shouldn't say that your ideal company is a small, independently owned agency. Stay focused on their structure.

"When I saw your position opening, I was immediately excited. Currently, I work for a very small agency. I love the work, but I feel I would be much more comfortable and valued in an organization such as yours, which is much larger, and I would potentially have more of an opportunity to grow."

Why do you want to enter the insurance field?

"In my previous role as a receptionist for XX insurance company, I gained a real interest in the industry. I would like to continue my career progression so that I may have the opportunity to learn more."

The interviewer wants to know that this is not just a random job for you. They want to know you have a real interest in the insurance field.

Draw upon your experience, professionally or personally, to demonstrate that you have a genuine interest in the industry. This could include experience in the insurance industry or personal, positive experience with insurance.

Avoid appearing as if this is just a job for you. Confirm that you have an interest in the industry/company.

"Recently, I had an experience, during which I had to rely heavily on my insurance company. Throughout that process, I recognized the value it had and decided I would like to pursue a career helping others."

Tell me about your goals.

"I see myself excelling in the insurance industry. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn as much as I can as an Insurance Assistant so that I can continue my career in insurance for the foreseeable future."

The interviewer wants to know why you are there and what you see happening in your future. They want to know that you have a commitment to this role specifically and the industry in general.

Focus on letting the interviewer know that you see yourself within the insurance industry and specifically this position within their company for the foreseeable future. Demonstrate that you are dedicated and reliable and will be with the company for a while.

Avoid answering the question with anything that is NOT related to the insurance industry. Also, do not give the impression that you are just trying to get in the door by saying that your goal is to be "the boss."

What do you dislike most about working in this position/field?

"I don't like filing much, and in my previous role, I had a lot of it! I found myself approaching quitting time and feeling overwhelmed with a task that I put off until the last minute. I decided to reverse my thinking and dedicate the first few minutes of my day to resolving any unfiled documents or files from the previous day. I have found that if I tackle a monotonous or boring task in the morning and get it over with, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I also am much more effective and can do it much more quickly in the mornings."

Everyone dislikes something about one position or another. The interviewer wants to know what is your least favorite part of the role.

Stay positive and light. Even if you dislike filing, for example, be sure to let the interviewer know that you know it's an integral part of the role and describe some of the things you do to make it less monotonous.

Avoid saying you hate something without a suggestion as to how you get around it. The interviewer doesn't expect you to love every second of your job; they probably don't either. But if you just say you "hate filing" without following it up with something positive, your interviewer might suspect that you dislike your job.

How does this position fit into your career plans?

"My previous role was with a very small company without much room to learn and grow. I believe that this company will provide long-term career opportunities once I have proven myself in this role."

The interviewer wants to know you're going to stick around. They want to know you can be counted on for the foreseeable future.

Be sure to do some research on the company and how this position will give you the knowledge to learn and grow within it.

Avoid talking too much about what you want to do next. The interviewer wants to hear that you're dedicated to this role for now and hope to be with the company for a long time.

"I have not had a great deal of professional insurance experience, but my personal experiences with insurance have helped me tremendously. I wish to make insurance a long-term career. I want to have this opportunity to learn all I can in this role, including continuing education, so that I may be successful at XX company in the future."

What was your main weakness at your last job that you would like to improve upon at this one?

"I would sometimes get overwhelmed when I had too many tasks and struggled to prioritize them. When this happened, I talked to the people who assigned me the tasks so I could understand what was a priority and what could wait. I tend to try to do everything at once and have learned that taking it one step at a time alleviates my anxiety. I believe I have become a much better communicator in these situations, but there is always room for improvement, and I welcome any advice or suggestions!"

The interviewer wants to know that you know you're not perfect; nobody is! Everyone has flaws, and the interviewer wants to know what yours are.

Focus on minor flaws. Maybe you overthink things sometimes or get overwhelmed with too many tasks. Whatever it may be, your focus should be on what you are doing to improve it. The key is knowing that you have flaws, recognizing them, and having an action plan to address them.

Stay away from a weakness that would be detrimental in this position. For example, saying, "I'm always late for work" or "I'm told I am not good with people" would not be advantageous!

Why do you want to work for our company?

"I originally heard of this company through a friend. They told me they loved their job here because of your significant contributions to XX charity and your commitment to work/life balance for your employees. I then researched your website and Glassdoor and found that there are many other things that would make me a good fit (name them). I was so pleased to see that you had a position available that fits my skill set."

The interviewer wants to know that you have researched the company and feel you would be a good fit. They want to know you're not just looking for a paycheck.

Have some information on the company that you can reference. Maybe they have a reputation for donating resources to an animal shelter. Maybe the company has rave reviews from current and former employees on Glassdoor for their commitment to work/life balance. Find something that the company believes in and leverage it.

Stay away from discussing salary. Focus on the specific reasons you fit within the company mission and vision.

Tell me about your education.

"While studying for my undergraduate degree in XX field (or certification in XX), I particularly enjoyed the marketing and sales portion. I believe that background will lend itself well to an Insurance Assistant role."

Theoretically, the interviewer will have this information on paper from your resume, and you would not be there if you did not meet their minimum educational requirements. They want to get to know you. It doesn't even have to be insurance-specific. They want to know what you like and why you liked it.

Focus on describing your positive educational experiences, whether it be in a degree program or other means. For example, you could mention that you took a course offered by your company, enjoyed a particular aspect of your degree program (marketing, for example), or are focused on continuous improvement. "Education" does not need to mean a formal degree, so if you don't have one, don't worry if the position does not require it!

Avoid not having a concrete, positive, educational experience. It could be a course you took that made you feel empowered or a formal degree. But having nothing to talk about would be detrimental!

"In my previous role, I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to sign up for several company-sponsored seminars. I gained a great deal of knowledge and interest in those most geared toward marketing. I feel that experience will lend itself well to an Insurance Assistant role."

Can you tell me about your work experience as an Insurance Assistant?

"When I was with XX company, I supported several Insurance Agents by answering and transferring telephone calls, taking messages, sorting and delivering mail, scheduling appointments, and receiving customers and visitors."

The interviewer wants to know how experienced you are and if you can handle the requirements of the position. If you don't have experience, don't worry! This is an entry-level position. If you have some office experience as a receptionist or administrative assistant, talk about that.

Focus on anything you have done in the past, paid or unpaid, that lends itself to the requirements of the position. Even if your title was not "Insurance Assistant" specifically, you can draw on your previous experience.

Don't tell the interviewer, "I don't have any." The interviewer has your resume, and if you don't have direct experience, they already know that. You're there, so the interviewer has seen something that they like about you.

"Although I do not have direct Insurance Assistant experience, I worked as a front office receptionist where I provided general information to staff, clients, or visitors, created documents in MS Office Suite, and filed paper and electronic documents."

What office experience do you have?

"Over my career, I have consistently worked in an office environment. I am very comfortable conducting myself in a professional manner with co-workers and supervisors."

The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable in an office environment. More specifically, they want to know if you are comfortable working as part of a team.

Focus on your past office experience, if you have it. If you do not, that's also ok. Describe working as a volunteer for a community organization such as a church or school.

Avoid appearing as if you are not comfortable working as a team. The interviewer wants to know that you are a team player and can work alongside others with ease.

"I have been a volunteer for my local (organization) for several years. In this role, I have been responsible for answering phones, taking donations, managing calendars, and similar office tasks."

How important is organization to you?

"I believe organization is very important, so I try to know where important documents and other items are at all times. I also understand that sometimes things can get crazy when we are rushing to meet a deadline. If I get disorganized, I take a few minutes to organize my files and my thoughts. I feel that if I take just those few minutes to do that, I will save time later."

The interviewer wants to know you can handle the workload. Be careful, though. You don't know how unimportant/important organization is to the interviewer, so you should give a balanced answer.

Focus on the fact that organization is important and that you try to be as organized as possible. However, you should acknowledge that situations arise when organization goes out the window to rush to meet a deadline. Let them know that you are generally organized but can be flexible if needed.

Avoid saying you are either meticulously organized or not organized at all. The interviewer wants to know if you can stay organized while remaining flexible.

What have you done at your present/last company to increase revenues, reduce costs, or save time?

"In my previous role as office manager, I may not have been in a position to increase revenue company-wide, but I did suggest a program to contribute a quarter for a cup of coffee. We had great coffee, and it was expensive to provide to the whole office. I suggested that to mitigate complaints, we phrase it in such a way that if we couldn't make up the cost somehow, we would have to downgrade the coffee. Nobody complained at all; a quarter is a lot better than the three or more bucks they would spend at Starbucks next door! We ended up making about $53/week for fifty employees!"

This question may not be typical for an Insurance Assistant, but they want to know you have an answer ready. There is something you did in the past to address at least one of these scenarios.

Focus on one or two of the things listed in the question. You do not need to give detail on all three, especially if you do not have a great deal of experience.

Avoid looking like a deer in the headlights. This question can be a little scary, especially if you're thinking, "But all I did was answer the phone!" You've done something, so make sure you know what that is and don't freeze.

"At my last job, I recognized that we were using a lot of paper and printer ink. I realized that for drafts, most people were automatically printing "one-sided/color," just for those documents to be edited and thrown away. I suggested to my boss that we ask people to please be diligent, and if they were just going to print out a draft, to select double-sided and black and white settings. I cannot remember exactly the cost savings, but I know we ended up ordering about half our usual amount of paper and colored ink!"

"My company was using an archaic process of file sharing when I started working there. They used flash drives that they handed back and forth to each other to share information. Not only was it time-consuming because one person would have to go up two floors to hand a flash drive to someone else, but errors happened frequently. The company already had OneDrive and MS 365, but we weren't using them. I talked to my boss and suggested we start using the programs we already had. It was slow-going at first, but ultimately everyone got on board."

What type of documents, and in what formats, have you generated in the past?

"When I was with XX company, I formatted documents in MS Office Suite daily and utilized company insurance-specific software including (describe)."

The interviewer wants to know how technologically savvy you are. Typically, you can use the job description to know what they are looking for. If not, describe the systems you have utilized in the past.

Focus on what you know. For instance, if you have extensive experience in MS Office or have a certification in Excel, highlight that. Also, if you have Insurance specific experience, let them know what systems you used. Be sure to state that you are quick to learn any technology you are unfamiliar with and would welcome any training that could be offered on any programs you are not familiar with.

Avoid sounding as if you are not capable of mastering new technology. Flexibility is key, and that means you need to show that, even if you don't know something, you're willing to research to figure it out.

"Although I have not been in an insurance environment, in my position as a volunteer with the school board, I created flyers for events and utilized MS 360 to communicate with board members and other volunteers."

What type of reporting structure did you work within in previous jobs?

"In my last role, I reported to the Sales Manager. However, I often assisted other managers as needed and was clear on how to prioritize work."

The interviewer wants to know if you are comfortable reporting to more than one individual. The role of an Insurance Assistant will typically require handling multiple requests from multiple leaders. This is not always the case, but it would be a typical environment.

Focus on your flexibility. Even if your previous role was reporting to one individual, convey that are open to a matrixed environment where you receive requests from different team leaders and can prioritize accordingly.

Avoid emphasizing that you have only ever reported to one person at a time, even if that's true. This would show the interviewer that you may not be able to handle multiple requests.

"In my previous role, I reported within a matrix environment to the Sales Manager, Marketing Manager, and Advertising Manager, so I am very comfortable reporting to several leaders. I can also focus on one leader if the position requires it."

What type of duties did you handle in previous positions?

"When I worked as an administrative assistant at XX company, my duties varied. They included assisting management staff in preparing confidential documents, completing and updating records, and processing invoices through an electronic system. I also had to be very flexible and assist other staff in varied roles as needed."

The interviewer wants to know you have some experience that will lend to the position. Even if you don't have direct experience, draw on other things such as raising a family or volunteer work. Describe duties that you can relate to the job description of this position. If you have answered phones or filed, it's still experience.

Avoid appearing as though you do not understand the job description or do not have any background experience. The interviewer saw something they liked on your resume, or you wouldn't have an interview. Focus on your knowledge of the position and your relevant background.

Focus on any direct experience you have related to an Insurance Assistant role. This could include typing, filing, routing telephone calls, or anything in your history that supports your knowledge of the role for which you are interviewing.

"For the past several years, I volunteered at the public library, which allowed me to work specific hours while raising my children. In this role, I helped keep the library running efficiently by carrying out clerical duties and was available to help visitors and students find the resources and materials they were looking for."

Tell me about the most difficult supervisor you have ever worked with and how you went about working with them.

"My former boss was a couple of generations older than I was, and he was adamant about keeping all office procedures as they had been for the past 30 years. This caused the whole team frustration, as we were trying to utilize antiquated equipment and processes to keep up in a high-tech world. At first, I made suggestions on how to automate processes, but he just wouldn't hear it. He was a very nice guy in general, and so I just figured I'd do it his way. He was the owner, after all! But we took about a year to do tasks that could have been done in five minutes!"

The interviewer wants to know you're not going to bad-mouth an old boss. That's something you never want to do.

Explain how you went about working with this difficult supervisor. Give a brief reason why the supervisor was difficult and explain how you worked it out.

Do not talk badly about an old boss. You can describe a person as "difficult" without saying "the guy was an idiot."

How do you handle interruptions, such as questions or comments from colleagues in your daily work?

"I feel that it is very productive to bounce ideas off of colleagues and vice versa. I welcome colleagues that seek my opinion, even if it interrupts a task I am working on. If I have time and am not on a deadline, I would happily put my current task aside to discuss their question or comment. If I do not have the time or need to finish something urgently, I would kindly ask them if we might schedule a time later in the day to discuss their question."

The interviewer wants to know that you can handle interruptions and return to the task at hand. They also want to know that you feel a sense of belonging within the company and are happy to help a colleague when needed.

Focus on being positive about interruptions. Acknowledge that you would occasionally need to interrupt colleagues, as well.

Avoid telling the interviewer that interruptions annoy you or that you have trouble refocusing.

How do you stay focused/motivated while working in an office setting?

"I find I am much more efficient and effective if I stand up and take a two-minute break when time allows, particularly if I am working on a detailed or monotonous project. This allows me to clear my head and refocus on the task at hand."

The interviewer wants to know how you prioritize your day. They are interested in hearing about what strategies you have in place to stay motivated and not distracted.

Focus on what you do daily to keep your focus and motivation level. This could include taking a two-minute walk, standing up and stretching, or switching to a different task for a while to break up the monotony. The interviewer wants to know that you have some kind of coping mechanism and don't just plow through work without taking a brief moment to regroup.

Avoid implying that you don't need a minute or two occasionally. We all do. If you say, "I stay hyper-focused until I drop," they won't be impressed. You don't want to say you take a 20-minute break every hour, but you should show that you can step away for a moment to collect your thoughts.

"I am often tasked with multiple priorities with similar deadlines. If I begin to lose focus, I may put down the task at hand and switch to another one for a while, assuming the first task is not a MUCH higher priority."

Customers can have a nasty attitude for no reason. What techniques do you employ to calm customers down when they are irritated?

"I would tell them that I was so sorry to hear that they were experiencing difficulty. I would ask them to please let me look up their account so that I could figure out a solution and proceed accordingly. If I could not help, I would assure the customer that I would find the answer for them or find the appropriate person as quickly as I could. If in-person, I would offer them a place to sit and a bottle of water or coffee while I went to find their Agent."

The interviewer wants to know that you can remain calm with irritated or annoyed customers. An Insurance Assistant is predominately a customer service role, and the nature of the business means you will be handling customers who may be in a bad situation and already upset.

Focus on your professionalism and kindness. The interviewer wants to know you can avoid making the customer more upset and calm them enough to get help. This could mean assuring the customer that you understand their concerns and acknowledging you will do everything you can to help them find a solution to their problem.

Avoid being flustered by this question! Have a calm and rational explanation of how you would handle the situation.

How do you handle situations where workflow is slow?

"I like to keep busy, so if the workflow is slow, I would ask my supervisor if they needed anything. If they did not or were not in the office, I would ask other team members or leaders if I could help with something."

The interviewer wants to know that you are proactive. When work is slow, they want to know you're still earning your paycheck.

Be positive! Let the interviewer know that you are active in helping other team members or leaders if needed and that if your workflow is slow, you are willing and able to pitch in wherever needed.

Avoid giving the impression that you would just sit there. You want to sound eager and interested in helping others.

"I would take that time to make sure all files are organized properly, help out the office manager by checking the supply room to ensure it is stocked, check the kitchen for outdated items, and ask others if I could help them with anything."

How do you handle confidential information?

"Confidentiality is very important to me. I would never share information unless asked to by a supervisor. If I am unsure if a co-worker should see a document I felt should be kept confidential, I would clear it with a supervisor first before sharing the information."

The interviewer wants to know you are professional and can keep confidential information private. This is important within the insurance industry. They want to know you won't be sharing information with co-workers or others when it is not appropriate.

Express a desire to keep information to yourself. Describe how important confidentiality is and explain that you would never offer information to anyone without clearing it with the supervisor first.

Avoid appearing as if confidential information doesn't matter to you. Employers want to know you are diligent and that information shared with you stays with you. Assure the interviewer that you are trustworthy and can be responsible for sensitive information.

How would you respond to questions regarding company policies?

"Yes, the company policy to uphold safety and security is very important. You can find detailed information here (provide website)."

The interviewer wants to know if you would just hand out information or check to see if it is appropriate to do so. In some cases, simple policies can be offered, but more complex questions would require some research.

Let the interviewer know you would research company policies and learn what to share/not to share with other co-workers, visitors, or family/friends.

Avoid appearing as if you do not know or do not care about company policies or how they are distributed. Make sure the interviewer knows that you will learn the policies and where to direct others to find them.

"I am unsure exactly how that policy is stated. Let me research it and get back to you by (give time frame)."

Tell me about a complex project you were tasked with completing under a deadline.

"When I worked at XX company, the team was tasked with completing a multi-faceted marketing plan. The deadline was moved up, and we all had to focus on that one project for several days to meet the goal. I was asked to work directly with the Director of Marketing to ensure all of their goals were completed by listening carefully and prioritizing tasks accordingly. Other team members were assigned to other pieces of the project in conjunction with my work. The project was completed ahead of the deadline without anyone having to work past typical business hours, and the client was very pleased with our work!"

The interviewer wants to know how you approach organizing work to meet deadlines. They want to know that you can remain calm and ask for help if needed.

Describe a successful project with a deadline in detail. Explain the project and discuss what you did to assist leadership in meeting the goal.

Avoid speaking as if you did the whole project alone. An Insurance Assistant will typically assist in larger projects as part of a team, and you do not want to appear as if you are going to "take over" something you shouldn't. Also, do not say you "worked overtime." The interviewer doesn't want to hear that you were unable to complete the task during work hours unless specifically stated.

Describe a bad customer experience you have had in the past and how you handled it.

"When I was front office receptionist, an angry customer barged through the front door, and I was in their line of fire. At that time, I was not privy to much confidential information, and she was ready to walk into the office and find her Account Representative. I remained calm and professional and asked her to please take a breath and let me help. She allowed me to do this, and I figured out who her Account Representative was. I asked her to please have a seat and let me get her a coffee or a bottle of water while I located the individual. She complied, and I tracked down her Account Representative. Luckily, he was in his office and came to the front to get her. It was a bit scary because she was VERY angry at first, but I was able to calm her enough to avoid a major issue."

The interviewer wants to know you can think quickly to address or resolve a problem. They want to hear about how you noticed the problem, addressed it, and researched its resolution.

Focus on your problem-solving skills. You want to appear confident in addressing problematic situations like angry customers, the copier breaking down, or the fire alarm going off. Be prepared to share an example of how you noticed, addressed, and resolved an issue, no matter how minor it may sound. The interviewer does not need to hear that you saved the world; they just want to know you can process issues and find a way to address them.

Don't tell the interviewer that you've never encountered a problem before. We all have. Even if the only example you can think of seems like a little thing to you, focus on your problem-solving process.

How would you approach your supervisor if you are in need of sick/leave time?

"If I am sick, I will let you know as soon as I realize I won't be able to come in. If appropriate, I would call or text you the night before my shift. If I woke up sick, I would let you know immediately. I understand that emergencies happen, and I am more than willing to cover for a sick co-worker if they had an emergency."

Everyone needs leave time occasionally. The interviewer wants to know that you would handle it professionally and not leave them hanging without any notice.

Remain positive and let the interviewer know you would try your best to give advance notice. That is not always possible, but you want to convey that you would let them know as soon as possible if you need sick or leave time.

Avoid seeming indifferent to others' time. If you need to be out of the office, someone else will need to cover your duties, so be sure you are clear that you understand that.

"Before I plan a vacation/leave time, I would speak with you about when would be an appropriate time to do so and ensure someone would be available to cover my shift."

"I did want to talk with you about that. I have a pre-planned/paid-for vacation from X date to X date two months from now. Would that be a problem?"

How do you handle/distribute work as part of a team if you are not in a supervisory role?

"If I am tasked with a project that is too much for me to handle, I would first ask my supervisor if they might help me by assigning some pieces of the project to others. If that is not possible, I would talk with my team members and ask them for help."

The interviewer wants to know you are a team player. They want to know you are comfortable asking for help and that you can accomplish tasks working with other individuals on the team in various roles, including those similar to yours (for instance, working with part-time staff, office assistants, interns, volunteers, as well as leadership).

Explain to the interviewer that you are happy being part of a team and would ask for help if you needed it. Assure them that you are also happy to help your peers if they needed assistance.

Avoid coming off as a dictator. If you were a supervisor in a previous role, this is especially important. Do not say, "I have been a supervisor, so I have no problem delegating tasks." That is not part of an Insurance Assistant role and would make it seem as if you are "used to being the boss."

How proficient are you with technology?

"I am extremely proficient in all of the software described in the job description. I utilized XX insurance software to (describe what you used it for), MS Office for just about everything, and Python/SAP/Other Specific Software for (describe what you used it for)."

This is where your technical skills shine! The interviewer wants to know how tech-savvy you are. You can look to the job description to see what they are looking for, and it should be easy to determine the most important skills. If you do not have one of those particular skills, do not worry! Employers do not necessarily expect all of these skills, though it is helpful. They are more interested in your willingness and ability to learn what you don't know.

Focus on what you know best! Emphasize whichever you are BEST at and give examples of other types of software you have utilized and explain what you used them for. If you have insurance-specific technology experience, that's a plus! Mention that you are a quick study and would welcome the opportunity to get up to speed on any programs you are not familiar with.

Avoid leading with a negative, such as, "I am terrible in XX program but..." The interviewer wants to hear positive and knowledgeable information. It's ok to say you are "less experienced" with something, but make emphasize your strengths first. Explain you are willing and able to learn any technology you are unfamiliar with.

"I am extremely proficient in MS Office and have utilized all of its functions to (describe some things you used it for like spreadsheeting, creating Word documents and PowerPoints, etc.). I have limited experience in XX, but I have had some training and am very interested in learning more about its functions."

Have you prepared invoices in the past?

"In my position at XX company, I handled invoicing regularly for (describe). I am very comfortable with the process."

If the interviewer asks this question, the position will likely require you to prepare invoices and it should be stated in the job description. If it is not, and it catches you off guard, that's ok! Even if you do not have a lot of experience in invoicing, there must be a time in your previous history when you assisted with invoicing or reviewed it.

Focus on any invoicing experience you have. An invoice, simply put, is a bill or tab issued by a seller to a buyer, relating to a sale transaction and indicating the products, quantities, and agreed-upon prices for products or services the seller had provided the buyer. Explain your experiences with this function, even if it is for personal use, such as home repairs.

Avoid saying you have no experience. You probably do, even if you haven't created thousands of invoices previously. Focus on what you DO know, even if it is simplistic.

"I have not had much professional invoicing experience, but I understand that it is a document that is issued by a seller to a buyer detailing terms. I recently sold my home and worked with several contractors to make minor repairs. I had to keep meticulous track of invoicing for a potential buyer."

Insurance Assistant Interview Questions

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1. Tell me about a time you did not do a task correctly because you were not trained properly.
2. Tell me about a time when you missed some important details in a report. What happened?
3. You have been asked to set up a meeting. Quickly go over the steps you take to make this meeting happen.
4. Would you be available to work extra hours if needed?
5. What is your ideal company to work for?
6. Why do you want to enter the insurance field?
7. Tell me about your goals.
8. What do you dislike most about working in this position/field?
9. How does this position fit into your career plans?
10. What was your main weakness at your last job that you would like to improve upon at this one?
11. Why do you want to work for our company?
12. Tell me about your education.
13. Can you tell me about your work experience as an Insurance Assistant?
14. What office experience do you have?
15. How important is organization to you?
16. What have you done at your present/last company to increase revenues, reduce costs, or save time?
17. What type of documents, and in what formats, have you generated in the past?
18. What type of reporting structure did you work within in previous jobs?
19. What type of duties did you handle in previous positions?
20. Tell me about the most difficult supervisor you have ever worked with and how you went about working with them.
21. How do you handle interruptions, such as questions or comments from colleagues in your daily work?
22. How do you stay focused/motivated while working in an office setting?
23. Customers can have a nasty attitude for no reason. What techniques do you employ to calm customers down when they are irritated?
24. How do you handle situations where workflow is slow?
25. How do you handle confidential information?
26. How would you respond to questions regarding company policies?
27. Tell me about a complex project you were tasked with completing under a deadline.
28. Describe a bad customer experience you have had in the past and how you handled it.
29. How would you approach your supervisor if you are in need of sick/leave time?
30. How do you handle/distribute work as part of a team if you are not in a supervisory role?
31. How proficient are you with technology?
32. Have you prepared invoices in the past?

Insurance Assistant Interview Questions

1. Tell me about a time you did not do a task correctly because you were not trained properly.

2. Tell me about a time when you missed some important details in a report. What happened?

3. You have been asked to set up a meeting. Quickly go over the steps you take to make this meeting happen.

4. Would you be available to work extra hours if needed?

5. What is your ideal company to work for?

6. Why do you want to enter the insurance field?

7. Tell me about your goals.

8. What do you dislike most about working in this position/field?

9. How does this position fit into your career plans?

10. What was your main weakness at your last job that you would like to improve upon at this one?

11. Why do you want to work for our company?

12. Tell me about your education.

13. Can you tell me about your work experience as an Insurance Assistant?

14. What office experience do you have?

15. How important is organization to you?

16. What have you done at your present/last company to increase revenues, reduce costs, or save time?

17. What type of documents, and in what formats, have you generated in the past?

18. What type of reporting structure did you work within in previous jobs?

19. What type of duties did you handle in previous positions?

20. Tell me about the most difficult supervisor you have ever worked with and how you went about working with them.

21. How do you handle interruptions, such as questions or comments from colleagues in your daily work?

22. How do you stay focused/motivated while working in an office setting?

23. Customers can have a nasty attitude for no reason. What techniques do you employ to calm customers down when they are irritated?

24. How do you handle situations where workflow is slow?

25. How do you handle confidential information?

26. How would you respond to questions regarding company policies?

27. Tell me about a complex project you were tasked with completing under a deadline.

28. Describe a bad customer experience you have had in the past and how you handled it.

29. How would you approach your supervisor if you are in need of sick/leave time?

30. How do you handle/distribute work as part of a team if you are not in a supervisory role?

31. How proficient are you with technology?

32. Have you prepared invoices in the past?