20 Centene Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions. But if you’re interviewing for a position at Centene, you may be wondering what specific questions you can expect.

Centene is a healthcare company that provides solutions to families and individuals. The company is focused on helping people get well, stay well, and be well.

In an interview, a Centene representative may ask you questions about your experience in the healthcare industry, your knowledge of Centene’s products and services, and your ability to provide excellent customer service.

Preparing for your interview by knowing the types of questions that may be asked can help you feel more confident and give you a better chance of impressing the interviewer and getting the job.

Read on to learn about some of the most common questions you may be asked in a Centene interview.

Centene Interview Process

The interview process at Centene can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone or video interview. For some positions, you may be asked to do a panel interview. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is typically around 2-3 weeks. Overall, the interview experience is generally positive, with interviewers asking thoughtful questions.

1. Why do you want to work for Centene?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working for Centene. It’s important to show that you have done some research on the company and understand what they do. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I want to work for Centene because I am passionate about helping others, especially those who are underserved. Centene has an excellent reputation for providing quality healthcare services at affordable prices. I believe my customer service experience will be beneficial as I help customers navigate their health insurance plans.”

2. Do you have experience working in healthcare administration?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to their company. If you have previous experience, be sure to highlight what skills you gained from that position that will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as an administrative assistant at my local hospital for five years before moving here. During that time, I learned valuable skills like organization, communication and problem-solving. These skills are essential to success in any healthcare administration position.”

3. What are your goals as a customer service representative?

This question can help the interviewer understand your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific goals that relate to the job description or company values.

Example: “My goal as a customer service representative is to provide excellent customer service to every person I speak with on the phone. In my last role, I helped customers resolve their issues over the phone by listening carefully to what they were saying and asking questions when needed. This allowed me to find solutions for each individual caller.”

4. How would you rate your computer skills, on a scale of 1-10?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your computer skills and how you would use them in this role. If you have experience using specific software, mention it here.

Example: “I’d rate my computer skills at about a seven out of ten. I am comfortable with most programs that are used in healthcare, but I do not have extensive knowledge of coding or other advanced applications. However, I am eager to learn new things and will be open to training if needed.”

5. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult client.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you handle conflict and whether or not you have the ability to diffuse it. In your answer, try to focus on a specific example of how you handled the situation well.

Example: “In my last position as an insurance agent, I had a client who was very upset with our company’s services. She called me multiple times in one day, leaving messages that were quite rude. I returned her call immediately and listened to what she had to say. After hearing her concerns, I apologized for any inconvenience we caused her and explained how we could help her better. She ended up canceling her policy with us but signed back up after I helped her find another provider.”

6. Are you comfortable working independently and unsupervised?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work independently and unsupervised. Employers ask this question because they want to know that you can complete tasks without constant supervision. When answering, it’s important to show that you are a self-starter who can get things done on your own.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable working independently and unsupervised. In my last role as a customer service representative, I was responsible for handling all incoming calls from customers. This required me to handle many different situations on my own with no supervisor present. I learned how to prioritize my time and delegate tasks so that I could meet the needs of our customers.”

7. Tell us about your previous job performance reviews.

When answering this question, it can be beneficial to include specific examples of how you’ve improved your performance over time. This can show the interviewer that you’re dedicated to improving yourself and your skills.

Example: “In my last review, I received a 4.0 out of 5. My manager told me that I needed to improve on my communication with patients and staff members. Since then, I have been working on being more empathetic when speaking with patients and coworkers. I also started using active listening techniques during conversations to make sure I’m fully understanding what others are saying.”

8. What is the most important thing that you learned from your last position?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are always learning and growing as an employee. It also shows them that you have the ability to take what you learn from one position and apply it to another. When answering this question, think about what skills or knowledge you gained in your last job that you can use in this one.

Example: “The most important thing I learned from my last position was how to work with a team of people who all had different ideas on how to get things done. At my previous company, we were often working on projects together where we needed to collaborate and communicate effectively. This helped me develop my communication skills and learn how to be more empathetic when working with others.”

9. Describe your management style.

This question is an opportunity to show your potential employer how you would fit into their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you used your management style and the results of that decision.

Example: “I believe in being approachable and available for my team members. I think it’s important to make sure everyone feels comfortable coming to me with questions or concerns. In my last position, one of my employees came to me because they were having trouble balancing work and family life. We talked about some strategies they could use to help balance their responsibilities. They ended up taking a few days off to spend time with their family, which helped them feel more refreshed when they returned to work.”

10. Can you explain an instance where you were able to use logic to solve a problem?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to provide an example that shows your ability to think critically and solve problems.

Example: “When I was working as a receptionist at my previous job, we had a lot of patients who would call in with questions about their insurance coverage. One day, I received a call from a patient asking if they were covered for a specific procedure. I asked them several questions about their policy and what type of procedure they were inquiring about. After gathering all of the information, I was able to determine that they weren’t covered for the procedure but could be if they switched plans.”

11. Tell me how you handle stress and pressure.

Centene is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you can handle stress. When answering this question, be honest about your ability to manage stress and how you do it.

Example: “I am an organized person, so I find that keeping my work space clean and tidy helps me stay focused. Also, I have found that taking short breaks throughout the day help me recharge and refocus on my tasks. I also try to avoid multitasking as much as possible because I feel like I get more done when I focus on one task at a time.”

12. What was your most successful project at your previous employer?

This question can help the interviewer understand your skills and how you apply them to a work environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a project that was particularly challenging or one that helped you develop new skills.

Example: “At my previous employer, I worked on a team of five people who were tasked with creating an online portal for patients to access their medical records. This was a large project that took several months to complete, but we managed to create a system that allowed patients to view their medical history, request appointments and communicate with doctors. The project required us to learn new coding languages and integrate multiple systems into one platform.”

13. Have you ever been fired or asked to resign? If so, what happened?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your character and how you’ve grown from past experiences. When answering, be honest and explain what you learned from the experience.

Example: “I was fired once when I worked at a call center for an insurance company. At that time, I had been working long hours and wasn’t taking care of myself as well as I should have. My work performance suffered because of it, and my manager let me know that if I didn’t improve, they would need to let me go. I took some time off to get healthy again and returned to work with renewed energy and focus. I learned that sometimes we need to take a step back in order to move forward.”

14. Tell me about yourself.

This is a common question that interviewers ask to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality and skills match the job description. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about yourself while also highlighting your strengths.

Example: “I am an energetic person who loves helping others. I have been working in healthcare for five years now, and I’m excited to continue my career with Centene. My previous experience has taught me how to work well as part of a team and how to manage stress under pressure. I am passionate about providing excellent care to patients.”

15. How would you describe your current manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand your relationship with your current manager and how you would interact with them in a new environment. If you have never had a great experience with a manager, it’s okay to say so as long as you explain what you would do differently if you were in their position.

Example: “My current manager is very hands-off when it comes to day-to-day operations. She delegates tasks to her team members and lets us work independently. I think this is a good strategy because it allows employees to learn from each other and develop skills that they may not have been able to otherwise.”

16. How many hours per week can you commit to this job?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re willing to work the hours required for the position. Before your interview, read through the job description and look at the requirements. Make a note of how many hours per week the role requires and compare it to your availability. If there’s a difference, be honest about what you can do.

Example: “I understand that this role requires 40 hours per week. I am currently able to commit to working those hours. However, if my performance is good, I would like to request more hours in the future.”

17. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing our industry today?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the healthcare industry and how you can apply that knowledge to help Centene. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you think is the biggest challenge in the industry but also explain how you would overcome that challenge if hired by Centene.

Example: “The biggest challenge facing our industry today is finding qualified employees who are passionate about helping others. I believe that we need more people entering the healthcare field because they want to make a difference in someone else’s life. In my last position as an HR manager, I implemented several programs to attract new talent into the company. We saw a 20% increase in applications after implementing these programs.”

18. Which three words best describes you?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality and values align with their company’s culture. When answering this question, be honest about yourself and how you would fit into the role.

Example: “I am hardworking, empathetic and dedicated. I have always been someone who cares deeply about others and wants to help them in any way that I can. These three words describe me well because they are what drive me every day.”

19. What type of salary are you looking for?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your salary expectations. When answering this question, make sure you are clear about what type of compensation package you’re looking for.

Example: “I’m looking for a competitive salary with excellent benefits. I know that Centene offers some of the best healthcare solutions on the market, so I would love to work here if my salary requirements can be met.”

20. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also gives you an idea of what their long-term vision for themselves looks like. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about your own personal goals and how working at Centene could help you reach them.

Example: “I see myself in five years as a senior manager within Centene. I hope to have gained enough experience and knowledge to apply for that position by then. I would love to continue helping people get well, stay well and be well.”