20 Highmark Interview Questions and Answers

Highmark is always looking for talented, driven individuals to join our team. If you’re interested in a career with us, you can expect to be asked some specific questions about your qualifications and experience.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Highmark interview questions. With these questions and answers in hand, you’ll be one step closer to acing your interview and getting the job you want.

Highmark Interview Process

The interview process at Highmark can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, you may only have one phone interview, while for others you may have multiple rounds of interviews, both phone and in-person. The length of the process also varies, but it generally takes a few weeks to complete.

Some applicants report that the interview questions can be difficult, especially for positions that require technical skills. However, overall most applicants report having a positive experience with the interview process.

1. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake and how you handled it.

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on a time when you learned from your mistake and improved as a result.

Example: “When I first started working in healthcare, I was so focused on getting everything right that I would sometimes forget to ask patients if they had questions or concerns. One day, I met with a patient who told me she felt like I wasn’t listening to her. After speaking with her for a few minutes, I realized that I hadn’t asked her what symptoms she was experiencing. From then on, I made sure to always listen carefully to my patients and ask them open-ended questions.”

2. What do you know about Highmark?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its history. It also allows you to show that you have done some research on the organization before coming in for an interview.

Example: “I know Highmark has been around since 1966, when it was founded as Allegheny General Hospital. I also know that it’s one of the largest healthcare providers in Pennsylvania, with over 20 hospitals and hundreds of outpatient facilities. In 2013, Highmark merged with West Virginia-based Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield, which added more than 1 million members to its network.”

3. How would you describe your leadership style?

Highmark is a large organization with many departments and employees. As a leader, you need to be able to motivate your team members and help them achieve their goals. Your answer should show that you are confident in your leadership abilities and can inspire others to do their best work.

Example: “I believe my leadership style is collaborative. I like to involve everyone on the team when making decisions or setting goals. This helps me understand what motivates each person and how they can contribute to the success of the company. Collaboration also allows me to learn from other people’s ideas and experiences. I find this knowledge helps me make better decisions as a leader.”

4. Are you comfortable working with clients on confidential matters?

Highmark Health is a network of healthcare providers that includes hospitals, medical centers and other facilities. As such, you may be asked to work with clients on confidential matters. It’s important for the company to ensure that their employees are trustworthy and can keep information private. In your answer, show that you understand the importance of confidentiality and will uphold it in your role as an employee.

Example: “I am very aware of the importance of maintaining client privacy. I have worked in healthcare before, so I know how much trust patients put into us when they share personal details about themselves. I would never violate that trust or break any HIPAA laws. I also understand that if there was ever a situation where I needed to report something to management, I would do so immediately.”

5. Would you be able to work in an environment that is fast-paced and changing frequently?

Highmark is a company that’s constantly changing and evolving. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re adaptable and flexible in your approach to work. Use examples from previous experiences where you’ve had to adjust quickly to new situations or challenges.

Example: “I have worked for several companies that were growing rapidly, so I’m used to adapting to change. In my last position, we hired many new employees at once, which required us to create new processes and procedures on the fly. We also had to train our new hires very quickly, but we managed to do it successfully by working together as a team.”

6. Do you have any experience with resolving customer complaints or questions?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience working with customers. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your customer service skills, communication abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last position as a medical assistant, I often helped patients who had questions about their treatment plans or billing information. I always made sure to listen carefully to what they were saying so that I could understand any concerns they had. Then, I would explain our policies clearly and offer solutions for any issues they might be having.”

7. Do you think you can effectively handle difficult situations at work? If so, give an example of a time where you did this well.

Highmark is a large company that has many employees, so it’s likely you’ll encounter some difficult situations at work. The interviewer wants to know if you have the skills and experience to handle these situations well.

Example: “I think I can handle difficult situations because of my previous experience as an HR manager. In this role, I had to resolve conflicts between employees on a regular basis. I always tried to be empathetic when resolving conflict, but also firm in my decision making. This helped me resolve issues quickly and efficiently.”

8. Have you ever worked for a large organization? How did you like it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your experience working in a large organization. Highmark is one of the largest health care providers in Pennsylvania, so it’s likely that you’ll be working with many other employees if you’re hired. This question helps the interviewer determine whether you have any concerns about working for such a large company and how you might fit into their team.

Example: “I’ve worked for several large organizations throughout my career, including my current role as an IT specialist at a hospital. I enjoy working for larger companies because they offer more opportunities to learn new skills and advance my career. In my previous position, I was able to take on more responsibility and become a lead technician after only two years.”

9. How would you deal with a coworker who was always complaining about the job?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team. Your answer should show that you are willing to support your coworkers, even if they’re having a bad day.

Example: “I would first try to understand why my coworker is complaining so much. If it’s because of something I could change, I would do what I could to make their job easier. For example, if they were always late for meetings, I would offer to drive them to work or give them a ride home after work. If there isn’t anything I can do about the situation, I would encourage them to talk to our manager.”

10. Describe a situation where you had to meet many deadlines in one day.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experiences to describe how you managed multiple projects or assignments at once.

Example: “In my last position, I had a lot of deadlines in one day. One project was due by the end of the business day, while another needed to be completed before the next morning. I started working on the first assignment right away so that it could be submitted before the deadline. Then, I focused on the second task until it was complete. This helped me meet both deadlines without sacrificing quality.”

11. What would you say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, consider the job description and highlight skills that match what the employer is looking for.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I am always able to stay calm when things get hectic, which helps me think clearly and make quick decisions. My weakness would be that sometimes I can be too laid-back. While this has never been a problem at previous jobs, I know that Highmark Health values employees who are proactive and willing to take on more responsibilities.”

12. Describe a time you had to work with a team member you didn’t get along with. What happened and how did you resolve it?

Working with others is an important part of any job, and employers want to know that you can work well with others. This question helps them understand how you resolve conflict and learn from it.

Example: “I once worked with a team member who was very critical of my work. I tried to ignore the criticism at first, but eventually I realized that he had some valid points. I asked him if we could meet so I could ask questions about his feedback. He agreed, and we met for lunch one day. We talked about what I did well and where I needed improvement. After that meeting, he became more positive in his feedback.”

13. Can you tell me about a time where you were asked to complete a task that you didn’t fully understand, but were given little direction?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to ask for help. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you asked for help in a timely manner and how the situation was resolved.

Example: “When I first started working as an insurance agent, I had a client who wanted to know if they could get coverage for their dog’s allergy medication. While I knew there were some medications that covered allergies, I wasn’t sure of what kind of conditions dogs could have. So, I called my manager and explained the situation. She told me that she would look into it and call back when she found out more information.”

14. Give us some examples of times where you showed excellent organizational skills.

Highmark is looking for candidates who can manage their time well and stay organized. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to prioritize tasks and keep track of deadlines.

Example: “I have a lot of responsibilities at work, but I’m always able to stay on top of them because I use my calendar app to schedule all of my appointments and meetings. In the past, I’ve had multiple projects due within a short period of time, so I scheduled specific times each day to focus on each project. This helped me get everything done in a timely manner.”

15. Which areas of improvement do you see in Highmark’s current business strategy?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your critical thinking skills and ability to provide constructive feedback. Your answer should include an example of how you would improve Highmark’s current business strategy, as well as what steps you would take to implement that change.

Example: “I see areas where Highmark could improve its customer service and communication with patients. For instance, I recently had a billing issue that took several phone calls to resolve. If I were working at Highmark, I would implement a system that allows patients to submit questions online or through a mobile app so they can receive answers more quickly.”

16. What are some ways you could improve Highmark’s relationship with the community?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any ideas for improving the company’s reputation in the community. Highmark is a large healthcare provider, so it’s important that employees work hard to maintain positive relationships with patients and their families. In your answer, try to highlight some of your interpersonal skills and how they could help improve the company’s relationship with the community.

Example: “I think one way I could improve Highmark’s relationship with the community would be by hosting more events at our facilities. For example, I worked at a hospital where we hosted an event every month for children who were waiting for organ transplants. We had clowns, magicians and other performers come in to entertain the kids while their parents waited. It was a great opportunity for us to show the community what we’re all about.”

17. What does good customer service mean to you?

Highmark is a customer-focused organization, so interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service philosophy. In your answer, try to explain what you think good customer service looks like and how it can benefit the company’s customers.

Example: “I believe that good customer service means providing excellent care while also making sure patients feel welcome and comfortable. I always make an effort to greet patients with a smile and offer them assistance when they need it. For example, if someone needs help finding their way around our facility, I will do my best to assist them. I find that by offering these small gestures of kindness, we can create a better patient experience.”

18. What motivated you to apply for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in the role and company. Before you interview, make sure you read through the job description thoroughly. Review what skills they are looking for and how your experience matches those qualifications. When answering this question, try to relate your answer back to the job description.

Example: “I am applying for this position because I believe my background is a great match for Highmark’s needs. My previous work experience has prepared me for this role as I have gained valuable knowledge of working with patients and insurance companies. I also understand that customer service is an important part of this role, so I know I can provide excellent care to all customers.”

19. We pride ourselves in having excellent communication and teamwork among our employees. What are some ways you would contribute to these goals?

Highmark is looking for candidates who can contribute to their company culture. They want employees who are willing to work together and support one another in order to achieve the goals of the organization. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your communication skills and teamwork abilities.

Example: “I believe that effective communication is key to a successful team. I would make sure everyone on my team knows how they can reach me and vice versa. I also think it’s important to be open-minded when receiving feedback from others. I am always willing to listen to other people’s opinions and learn from them.”

20. What are some things you dislike about working as part of a team?

This question can help an interviewer understand your interpersonal skills and how you work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to overcome challenges working as part of a team.

Example: “I find that sometimes when I’m in the middle of a project, my teammates will ask me questions about what I’m doing or want to know more information about what I’ve already done. This can be frustrating because I like to focus on one task at a time, but I try to explain to them that multitasking is important for completing projects efficiently. In these situations, I try to give brief answers so I can get back to focusing on my current task.”