20 Premera Blue Cross Interview Questions and Answers

Premera Blue Cross is a leading health plan in the Pacific Northwest, providing comprehensive health benefits and tailored services. They are known for their excellent customer service and their dedication to their members.

When interviewing with Premera Blue Cross, be prepared to answer questions about your customer service skills, your knowledge of the health care industry, and your ability to work with members to help them find the right health care coverage for their needs.

In this article, we will provide you with some sample questions that you may be asked in a Premera Blue Cross interview. By preparing for these questions, you will be able to put your best foot forward and increase your chances of being hired by this excellent company.

Premera Blue Cross Interview Process

The interview process at Premera Blue Cross can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For customer service positions, the process is typically two rounds of interviews, with the first being a phone screen and the second being an in-person interview. For management positions, the process may be more extensive, with multiple rounds of interviews including both phone and in-person meetings. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with interviewers being interested and professional.

1. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

Premera Blue Cross is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with that. This question also helps them determine if your personality fits in well with their team.

Example: “I thrive in fast-paced environments because I’m used to working under pressure. In my last job, I was often tasked with completing multiple projects at once, which helped me develop my time management skills. I can prioritize tasks effectively and meet deadlines consistently.”

2. Premera Blue Cross is dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction, tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know that you are willing to go the extra mile for their customers and how you can benefit Premera Blue Cross.

Example: “When I worked at a local coffee shop, one of my regular customers came in with his two-year-old son who was sick. The father asked if he could get a discount on his order because he didn’t have any change. I told him it would be no problem and gave him a free drink as well. He was so grateful and even left me a nice tip.”

3. Describe your experience with customer service within the insurance industry.

Customer service is an important part of working in the insurance industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with customer service and how it relates to their company. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to help customers if they had any issues or concerns.

Example: “I’ve worked as a customer service representative for five years now. I started out answering phones and helping people find information about our plans online. Now, I am more experienced at handling calls from customers who need assistance. If I were hired by Premera Blue Cross, I would use my previous experiences to help other employees learn how to handle calls and provide excellent customer service.”

4. What would you do if you received an irate call from a customer?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a challenging situation and if you have the ability to diffuse it. In your answer, demonstrate that you can remain calm under pressure and use your problem-solving skills to find solutions for customers.

Example: “I would first apologize to them for any inconvenience they experienced. Then I would try to understand what their issue is and offer to help resolve it. If they are still upset, I would try to calm them down by listening to them and empathizing with their concerns. Finally, I would do everything in my power to solve the problem.”

5. Tell us why you want to work at Premera.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and how you view the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of Premera that appeal to you.

Example: “I want to work at Premera because I am passionate about helping others live healthy lives. In my last job as a nurse, I saw firsthand how important it is to have access to quality healthcare. I would love to continue working in a position where I can help people lead healthier lifestyles.”

6. How well do you handle conflict?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills. They want to know that you can resolve conflict in a professional manner and maintain positive relationships with coworkers. When answering, try to focus on how you use problem-solving techniques to find solutions to disagreements.

Example: “I am very good at resolving conflicts because I always look for the best solution rather than focusing on who is right or wrong. In my last job, there was an issue between two employees who were both trying to do their jobs but kept getting into arguments. I talked to them separately and learned what each person wanted from the other. We came up with a plan where they could work together without arguing.”

7. Do you have any management experience?

Premera Blue Cross is looking for candidates with management experience. If you have managed a team of employees or led a department, highlight your leadership skills and how they helped you succeed in your previous role.

Example: “I’ve been working as an insurance agent for the past five years. During that time, I’ve learned how to manage my time effectively while also managing client expectations. I am comfortable communicating with clients over the phone and in person, which has helped me build strong relationships with my customers.”

8. Describe how you handled a project that wasn’t going well or was failing.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and setbacks. They want to know that you can take responsibility for your actions, learn from mistakes and apply what you’ve learned to future projects.

Example: “In my last role as a project manager, I was overseeing the development of an online application process for new patients. We had already spent several months developing the platform when we realized it wasn’t going to be able to handle the volume of traffic we expected. Rather than trying to fix the existing system, we decided to start over with a different software provider. This change delayed the launch by another six months, but ultimately saved us time and money in the long run.”

9. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a few strengths that relate to the job description and one weakness that you’re working on improving.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work. I also have excellent communication skills, so I’m good at explaining complex ideas to others. My biggest weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too much work. To combat this, I make sure to set aside time each day for focused work and breaks.”

10. Why should we hire you over someone else?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the position. Use these examples to show the employer why you are the best choice for the job.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great fit for this role. I have experience working in a fast-paced environment where I had to manage multiple projects at once. My attention to detail helped me find errors before they became major problems. I also understand the importance of customer service and communication. As a team member, I would always be willing to help my coworkers with any questions or concerns.”

11. Give an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision on the spot.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you had to make a decision that was not only important but also challenging. This can show the interviewer that you are capable of making decisions and solving problems on your own without needing help from others.

Example: “When I worked as a nurse at a hospital, there were times when my patients would need immediate care or attention. In these situations, I would have to assess their condition and decide what course of action to take. For instance, one time I had a patient who came in with chest pains. After examining them, I determined they needed to go into surgery immediately. I informed the patient of my diagnosis and recommended surgery as the best course of treatment.”

12. What would you say are your greatest achievements?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and what you’ve accomplished in the past. When answering, it can be helpful to choose a few of your most impressive accomplishments that relate to the position.

Example: “In my last role as an enrollment specialist, I helped increase our company’s client base by 20% within six months. This was largely due to my efforts in creating new marketing campaigns and implementing strategies for reaching out to potential customers. In addition, I also increased customer satisfaction with our services by 10%, which led to us winning several awards.”

13. Tell us about a time where you made a mistake and what you did to rectify it.

Employers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. When answering, be honest about the mistake you made and explain what steps you took to fix it or make up for it.

Example: “When I first started working as a medical assistant at my current job, I accidentally gave a patient the wrong medication. Luckily, they were able to return it before taking any of it. After that happened, I immediately apologized to the patient and explained what had happened. They appreciated my honesty and understanding, and we worked together to find an alternative treatment plan.”

14. Do you consider yourself a good communicator? Can you give an example of a time when your communication skills helped improve a situation?

The interviewer will want to know that you can effectively communicate with your patients and colleagues. Use examples from previous experiences where you used your communication skills to help resolve a problem or improve a situation.

Example: “I consider myself an excellent communicator, and I have been told by my coworkers that they appreciate how easy it is to talk to me about any concerns. In my last position as a nurse, I had a patient who was experiencing some pain in their leg. They were worried that something might be seriously wrong, but after talking with them for a few minutes, I realized that the pain was due to muscle soreness. By explaining what was happening, we were able to put their mind at ease.”

15. Do you have experience managing teams and projects?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with a team and how well you manage projects. Use examples from your previous work to highlight your leadership skills, communication abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last position as an account manager for a marketing agency, I was responsible for managing several teams of designers, copywriters and social media specialists. This helped me develop my project management and leadership skills because I had to communicate effectively with all members of the team and ensure that everyone understood their roles in the project. I also had to make sure that each member of the team met their deadlines.”

16. What is your experience working with IT systems?

The healthcare industry is increasingly adopting technology to improve patient care and streamline operations. Answering this question shows the interviewer that you have experience working with IT systems, which can be important for your success in this role.

Example: “In my previous position as a medical records technician, I worked closely with our hospital’s IT department to ensure all of our electronic medical records were accurate and up-to-date. This was especially important when patients needed to see specialists or had emergency procedures performed. I also regularly used an EMR system to enter data into patient files.”

17. Why are you looking to leave your current position?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re not looking for a new job just because your current one isn’t paying well. They want to know that you’re motivated and driven, so they can be confident that you’ll work hard for them. When answering this question, try to focus on the positives of your current position while explaining why you’re ready for a change.

Example: “I’m leaving my current position because I’ve learned everything I can from it. I feel like I have developed into an excellent nurse, but I am ready to take on more responsibility. I would love to use my skills to help others in a different way.”

18. Have you ever worked remotely before? If so, how did you manage your workload?

Premera Blue Cross is a company that values work-life balance. They want to ensure you can manage your workload and responsibilities while working remotely. When answering this question, it’s important to show how you will be able to stay productive and meet deadlines when working from home or another remote location.

Example: “I have worked remotely in the past, but I prefer to work in an office setting. However, if I were to work for Premera Blue Cross, I would make sure to set up my workspace at home so I could still feel like I was part of the team. I would also use technology to help me stay connected with my coworkers and communicate effectively.”

19. What would be your approach to motivating employees who aren’t meeting their goals?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would motivate your team to achieve goals and objectives. Use examples from previous experience or discuss a strategy that you could use in this situation.

Example: “I believe that it’s important to have regular one-on-one meetings with my employees to learn more about their personal lives, challenges they’re facing at work and what motivates them. I also like to give praise when it’s due, so I make sure to recognize employees who are doing an excellent job. In addition, I find that setting clear expectations for each employee is helpful because it allows me to hold everyone accountable for their actions.”

20. What tools do you use to stay organized?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your organizational skills and how you keep track of important information. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few specific tools or apps that you use regularly.

Example: “I have several different methods for staying organized. I use my calendar app on my phone to schedule appointments and set reminders so I don’t forget anything. I also use an online task manager to create lists of tasks and projects that I need to complete each day. This helps me stay focused on the most important things throughout the workday.”