20 Milliman Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing with a specific company, it’s important to do your research and be prepared to answer questions about the company itself.

If you’re interviewing with Milliman, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a list of some common Milliman interview questions, along with sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

So whether you’re interviewing for a position in actuarial science, consulting, employee benefits, or another practice area, you’ll be ready to answer questions about Milliman.

Milliman Interview Process

The interview process at Milliman can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. The in-person interview may be a panel interview, where you will meet with multiple people from the company. Overall, the interview process is relatively straightforward and should not take more than a few weeks.

1. What is your experience with programming languages such as C#, Python and SQL?

This question is a great way to gauge your knowledge of programming languages and how you apply them in the workplace. If you have experience with these languages, explain what you’ve done with them and if you don’t, let the interviewer know that you’re willing to learn.

Example: “I have some experience with C# and Python but I’m not fluent in either. However, I am eager to learn more about coding languages and would be happy to take any training courses necessary to improve my skills.”

2. How do you make sure that your code is error-free before submitting it to the client?

This question is your chance to show the interviewer that you have a process in place for ensuring quality work. You can answer this question by describing how you check your code and submit it for review.

Example: “I always make sure my code is error-free before submitting it to the client. I start by checking all of my syntax, making sure there are no typos or missing semicolons. Then, I run unit tests on my code to ensure that everything works as expected. Finally, I submit my code to my team lead for review.”

3. Describe a time when you had to work on multiple projects at once. How did you prioritize them?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and attention to detail. Use examples from previous work experience or school projects that highlight your ability to multitask, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last position as an actuary at Milliman, I was responsible for analyzing data on employee benefits while also working on a project with another team member to create new models for calculating healthcare costs. While these two projects were different in their own ways, they both required me to use similar skills like analyzing data and creating formulas. I used my organizational skills to keep track of which task needed to be completed first and when each one should be turned in.”

4. Can you explain how you would go about testing your code?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. As an independent contractor, you will be responsible for testing your code before submitting it to clients.

Example: “I would first write the code in a text editor and then compile it into bytecode. I would then run the bytecode through a compiler that checks for syntax errors. If there are no syntax errors, I would then run the bytecode through a JVM (Java Virtual Machine) to check for runtime errors. If there are no runtime errors, I would submit my code to the client.”

5. Tell me about a time where a project didn’t meet expectations.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and learn from them. Use your answer to highlight a time when you overcame a challenge or faced a setback, learned from it and applied what you learned to future projects.

Example: “In my last role as an actuary, I was tasked with creating a new healthcare plan for a large company. The plan needed to be affordable for employees while also providing quality care. After months of research and development, we presented the plan to the board of directors. Unfortunately, they rejected our proposal because it wasn’t cost-effective enough. We went back to the drawing board and created a new plan that met all of their requirements. They approved it, and the plan is still in place today.”

6. Do you have any experience working in insurance companies?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience in the insurance industry and can apply your skills to Milliman. If you don’t have any experience, consider discussing how you would adapt to this type of work environment.

Example: “I’ve worked for an independent insurance agency for five years now, where I help clients find affordable coverage plans. In my role as a customer service representative, I am responsible for helping customers understand their policies and answering questions about their coverage. This has helped me develop strong communication skills and learn more about the insurance industry.”

7. What are some of the challenges faced by actuaries today?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a professional and how you approach challenges. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to collaborate with others and adaptability in different situations.

Example: “One of the biggest challenges I see for actuaries today is that there are many misconceptions about our profession. For example, some people think we only work on insurance claims or that we’re all math geniuses. In reality, actuaries have a wide range of responsibilities and roles within their organizations. Another challenge is finding qualified candidates who have the right skill set for the job.”

8. We want our analysts to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for this type of environment?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a self-starter and can work independently. You should highlight your ability to research, analyze data and make decisions on your own.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently. I have been doing so for most of my career as an actuary. In fact, I prefer it because I get more time to think through problems and come up with solutions without interruption. However, I also enjoy collaborating with others when I need help or want to bounce ideas off someone else.”

9. What do you consider to be the most important skill for an actuary?

This question can help the interviewer get to know your thoughts on what skills are most important for an actuary. Use this opportunity to share a skill that you feel is essential and explain why it’s so important.

Example: “I believe the most important skill for an actuary is communication. Actuaries work with many different people, including clients, other actuaries and financial analysts. I’ve found that being able to communicate effectively is key to helping others understand complex information and making sure everyone stays on track.”

10. Why do you want to work at Milliman?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. Use your answer to highlight any specific aspects of Milliman that interest you, such as its mission statement or values.

Example: “I want to work at Milliman because I am passionate about helping people through my career. In my last role, I helped clients find affordable healthcare plans, which was rewarding because I knew I was making an impact on someone’s life. I would love to continue doing this type of work in my next position.”

11. Our clients look for innovative solutions to their problems. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to innovate in the workplace?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you can apply them to the workplace.

Example: “In my experience, innovation in the workplace starts with a good understanding of what’s already working well. I think it’s important to take time to understand the current processes and systems that are in place before trying to innovate new ones. This way, we can make sure our solutions are actually solving problems rather than creating more.”

12. Give us an example of a time you disagreed with your manager and how you handled it.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and your ability to communicate effectively. Use examples from previous work experiences where you disagreed with a manager or supervisor, but also show how you were able to resolve the disagreement in a positive way.

Example: “In my last position as an actuarial analyst for a large insurance company, I disagreed with my manager on how we should calculate certain benefits for our clients. Instead of speaking up right away, I waited until after my manager had left for the day and then researched more information about the topic. When he returned the next morning, I presented him with all of the new information I found and explained why I thought it was important to change the calculation method.”

13. Would you describe yourself as detail oriented?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can follow instructions and complete tasks. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are willing to take the time to do things right.

Example: “I would definitely say I’m detail oriented. In my previous role as an actuary, I was responsible for calculating premiums based on specific criteria. If I made a mistake in my calculations, it could have resulted in inaccurate premium rates or even higher costs for clients. To ensure accuracy, I double-checked all of my work before submitting it.”

14. What are some of the ways you can think of to reduce errors when performing calculations?

This question can help the interviewer understand your attention to detail and how you approach a task. Use examples from past experience or describe what you would do if faced with this situation in the future.

Example: “I always make sure I have all of the necessary information before starting any calculations. This helps me avoid making mistakes when entering data into my computer program, which is especially important when working on projects that require accuracy. Another way I reduce errors is by double-checking my work after completing each step.”

15. Have you ever worked with data visualization software?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience with the software that Milliman uses. If you don’t, it’s okay to say so and explain what other types of data analysis you’ve done in the past.

Example: “I haven’t worked specifically with any data visualization software before, but I am familiar with Excel and how to use its functions for data analysis. I also know how to use Google Sheets for basic data analysis.”

16. What kind of salary are you looking for?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your expectations. If you’re not sure what the salary range for this position is, do some research before the interview so that you can give an answer that reflects your qualifications and experience.

Example: “I’m looking for a salary of $50,000 per year. I have five years of experience as an actuary, and my education prepared me for this role. My previous employer paid me $45,000 per year, but I feel like I’ve gained enough experience to warrant a raise.”

17. Tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from previous experiences to highlight your teamwork abilities, communication skills and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last role as an actuarial analyst, I was working on a project with two other analysts. We were all tasked with creating a new healthcare plan for our company that would be more cost-effective than our current one. The three of us had different ideas about what we thought would be best for the company, but we worked together to find a solution that met everyone’s needs.”

18. In what areas do you feel that you need more training or knowledge?

This question is a great way to show your willingness to learn and grow as an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific skills or knowledge that you would like to develop in order to better perform your job duties.

Example: “I feel that I need more training on how to use the Milliman software program. While I have experience using other programs, I am not familiar with this one. I would love to take some time to learn about it so that I can become proficient at using it.”

19. What do you know about the role of an analyst and why you’re interested in it?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research on their company and are genuinely interested in working for them. When answering this question, make sure to highlight what attracted you to Milliman as an employer and how your skills match up with the job description.

Example: “I know that analysts at Milliman work closely with clients to understand their needs and develop solutions based on those needs. I’m very excited about this opportunity because I feel like my analytical skills and problem-solving abilities would be a great fit for this role.”

20. How would you test a database system against user requirements?

This question is a way to test your technical skills and knowledge of the industry. Use examples from past experience or explain how you would go about testing a database system against user requirements.

Example: “I have worked with several database systems in my career, including Oracle, SQL Server and MySQL. I’ve also worked on projects that required me to test the database system against user requirements. In one instance, I was working on a project for an insurance company where we had to test the database system against user requirements. We did this by creating a list of all the requirements needed to complete the project and then tested each requirement against the database system.”