20 Mercer Interview Questions and Answers

Mercer is a global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement, and investments. They help clients around the world advance the health, wealth, and careers of their most vital asset – their people.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Mercer, you can expect to be asked some company specific interview questions. Here are a few sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

1. Tell me what you know about Mercer.

I know that Mercer is a global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement, and investments. They help their clients around the world advance the health, wealth, and careers of their most vital asset – their people.

2. Why are you interested in working for Mercer?

I’m interested in working for Mercer because I want to help make a difference in the lives of people around the world. I believe that Mercer has the expertise and resources to make a real impact on the lives of their clients.

3. What do you think are the most important qualities for success in a consulting role?

I believe that the most important qualities for success in a consulting role are excellent communication skills, the ability to think strategically, and the ability to build relationships.

Mercer Interview Process

The interview process at Mercer is generally positive, with most reviewers finding it to be smooth and efficient. The length of the process varies depending on the role applied for, but typically lasts around three weeks. Reviewers also note that the difficulty level of the interviews varies depending on the position, but overall they found them to be manageable.

1. Tell me about yourself.

This question is a common one in interviews. It gives you the opportunity to share your background and experiences with the interviewer. When answering this question, it’s important to be concise and highlight relevant information about yourself that relates to the position.

Example: “I grew up in Seattle, Washington where I attended the University of Washington for my undergraduate degree. After graduating, I moved to New York City where I worked as an analyst at a financial firm. While there, I learned more about the investment industry and decided to pursue a career in finance. Now, I’m looking for a new challenge and am excited to learn more about Mercer.”

2. Why are you interested in working at Mercer?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your motivations and goals. It’s important to show that you’re passionate about working at Mercer, but it can also be helpful to mention why you want to work in the healthcare industry as a whole.

Example: “I’m interested in working at Mercer because I’ve always been fascinated by how medicine works. When I was younger, my parents took me to the hospital when I had an accident, and I remember being so impressed with all of the doctors and nurses who were helping me. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. Working here would allow me to help others while using my skills and knowledge.”

3. How would you contribute to our team and company?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your skills and abilities that will help you succeed at Mercer. You should also mention any personal traits or values that align with Mercer’s mission statement.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others achieve their goals. I would love to work for a company like Mercer because of its dedication to providing quality healthcare services. I believe my communication skills and ability to empathize with patients would be beneficial to Mercer’s team. I also have experience working as part of a team, which makes me an excellent candidate for this position.”

4. What do you think is the most important part of a successful consulting project?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the consulting industry and how you can contribute to a company’s success. Your answer should include examples from your experience that highlight your skills, such as communication, problem-solving or teamwork.

Example: “I think the most important part of a successful project is having a clear understanding of what the client wants. I once worked with a client who was unsure about their goals for the project. This made it difficult to create a plan of action and ultimately led to wasted time and money. In my role at XYZ Consulting, I would make sure clients are aware of our services and have all the information they need before we begin working on a project.”

5. What skills do you have that will help you be successful as a consultant?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. Use your answer to highlight a few of your strongest skills, such as communication, problem-solving or leadership.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work. I also enjoy collaborating with others and helping them develop their ideas into actionable plans. These skills are what helped me earn my degree in business administration and make it through my internship at Mercer.”

6. Do you consider yourself more analytical or creative?

This question is designed to determine how you approach your work and the type of role you would be best suited for. The interviewer wants to know if you are more comfortable with numbers or words, as these two skillsets can help them decide which position you should apply for.

Example: “I consider myself a bit of both. I enjoy working on projects that require me to use my creativity, but I also love analyzing data and finding patterns in it. In fact, I think this balance makes me a better employee because I am able to look at things from multiple perspectives.”

7. Describe how you would approach a client with whom you disagreed on an issue?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It also helps them determine whether your approach to handling conflicts is similar to Mercer’s values. In your answer, try to show that you value collaboration and open communication.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood why they had a different opinion than me. Then, I would explain my reasoning for disagreeing with them. If possible, I would offer to find more information or resources to support their position. This shows respect for their opinions while still maintaining my own.”

8. What are your short-term goals? Long-term?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also helps employers see if you have realistic expectations for your future with their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include details of what steps you will take to reach these goals.

Example: “My short-term goal is to become an expert in all aspects of my job. I want to know everything there is to know about Mercer’s policies and procedures. In the long term, I hope to advance into a management position within five years.”

9. Describe a situation where you worked within constraints to get something done.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and use your problem-solving skills to complete tasks. Use examples from previous roles that highlight your ability to work within constraints, such as time or budget limitations, and still achieve positive results.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s website. The client wanted to see more sales leads generated by the site, but we had limited resources in terms of both time and money. We decided to focus on one aspect of the website that would have the biggest impact on generating sales leads. After conducting research, we found that improving the search engine optimization would be the best way to increase sales leads. By focusing on this one area, we were able to generate an additional 10% in sales leads.”

10. How does this position fit into your career path?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a plan for your career and how this position fits into it. Your answer should include information about what you hope to gain from this job, as well as any goals you hope to achieve while working there.

Example: “I am excited to apply for this position because I see it as a step toward my ultimate goal of becoming a manager. My experience in customer service has taught me a lot about how to work with people, which I think will help me be successful in this role. I also feel like my previous sales experience would make me a good fit for this position.”

11. Have you had to deal with competing priorities before?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage competing deadlines. Use examples from previous roles to show that you are capable of handling multiple projects at once, while still meeting deadlines and achieving goals.

Example: “In my last role as a marketing manager, I had to balance several different campaigns with varying timelines. One campaign was for a new product launch, which required me to create content, develop social media strategies and plan out advertising. Another campaign was an annual event that needed to be planned months in advance. I learned to organize my time so I could complete all tasks on both campaigns without sacrificing quality.”

12. How do you handle it when someone disagrees with you, but you know you’re right?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to compromise. Your answer should show that you are open-minded, but also confident in your own opinions.

Example: “I try to listen carefully to what others have to say before I respond. If they make a good point, I’ll consider it when formulating my response. However, if I know I’m right, I will stand by my opinion. In this case, I would explain why I believe what I do and ask for their thoughts on the matter.”

13. How do you keep up with new trends in your field?

Employers ask this question to see if you are a self-motivated learner. They want to know that you can keep up with the latest developments in your field and apply them to your work. In your answer, explain how you stay current on trends and what resources you use. If you have any certifications or training, mention those as well.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my skills and knowledge of the industry. I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs about HR and employee development. I also take online courses through an accredited university. Last year, I completed a course on diversity training and certification program. This helped me develop new strategies for creating inclusive workplaces.”

14. Would you consider working internationally in the future? Why or why not?

This question is a great way to determine if you are open to working in other countries. Employers ask this question because they want to know that you would be willing to work abroad and how you feel about it. When answering, make sure to explain why you would or wouldn’t consider working internationally.

Example: “I have always wanted to travel the world, so I would definitely consider working internationally in the future. However, I am not quite ready for that yet. I think I need to gain more experience before moving overseas. I do plan on applying for positions with companies that offer international opportunities in the future though.”

15. Talk about a time when you were able to effectively communicate with people from different backgrounds.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Your answer should include a specific example of when you worked with someone who had a different background than you, and it should also highlight your communication skills.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project that required me to communicate with many different departments within our company. One day, I noticed one of the employees in another department wasn’t at work. I called her up and asked if she was okay. She told me she was sick, but she would be back at work the next day. After talking to her, I realized she spoke very little English. So, I found an interpreter for her so we could continue communicating.”

16. Give us an example of a time when you took initiative.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can take charge of a situation. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the positive outcome of your actions.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant for a small business, my boss asked me to organize a meeting with our clients. At first, I thought he would handle the task himself, but after a few days passed, I realized that he wasn’t going to do it. So, I took initiative and organized the meeting myself. The meeting went well, and my boss thanked me for taking care of it.”

17. What kinds of experiences have prepared you for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the job you’re applying for. They want to know what experiences have helped you develop skills that are relevant to the position. When answering this question, think of a few things that relate to Mercer’s mission or values.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about helping others, so I decided to pursue a career in healthcare. In my last role as a nurse, I worked with patients who were going through difficult times. It was rewarding to see them overcome their illnesses and get better. This experience has prepared me for this job because I understand the importance of providing quality care to people who need it.”

18. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a plan for your career. They want to know that you are motivated and ambitious, but also realistic about how long it takes to advance in the workplace. Your answer should show that you have goals and ambitions, but also that you understand the realities of working in an organization like Mercer.

Example: “I hope to be at a senior level position within Mercer by 10 years. I would love to be able to help others achieve their own career goals as well. In five years, I’d like to be at a mid-level position where I can start making a difference in my department.”

19. Describe a difficult work situation which required perseverance to complete.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work through challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight how you used critical thinking skills to overcome the challenge and complete the task successfully.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I was tasked with creating financial reports on a weekly basis. However, after several weeks of submitting these reports, I noticed that some numbers were missing from the report. After double-checking all of my calculations, I realized that there was a mistake in the software program I was using. Rather than simply resubmitting the same report again, I contacted my supervisor about the issue. Together, we decided to wait until the next quarter’s report to correct the error.”

20. Walk me through your resume.

This question is a great way to see how well you can organize information and highlight your skills. When answering this question, it’s important to be concise and make sure the interviewer understands why you’re qualified for the position.

Example: “I have seven years of experience in human resources management. I started my career as an HR manager at a small company where I was responsible for hiring new employees and training existing ones. After two years, I moved up to a larger organization where I managed all aspects of employee relations, including onboarding, performance reviews and terminations. In both positions, I’ve been able to develop strong interpersonal skills that allow me to work with people from all backgrounds.”