20 Swiss Re Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing for a job at Swiss Re, you’ll want to be prepared to answer questions about the company, its history, and its products and services.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of sample Swiss Re interview questions and answers. These questions will focus on your knowledge of the company, its products and services, and your ability to think critically about risk. So study up, and you’ll be ready to impress in your interview.

Swiss Re Interview Process

The interview process at Swiss Re is lengthy, and can take up to two months. It consists of four rounds of interviews, including a practical test, and is very difficult. The company uses a video interviewing platform called HireVue, which can be alienating and dehumanizing.

1. Tell me about a time that you had to make an important business decision.

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of your decision-making skills and how you approach problem solving. Use this opportunity to highlight your critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Example: “When I was working as the chief financial officer for my previous employer, we were looking at ways to increase our revenue while also reducing costs. We had already implemented several cost-cutting measures, but we still needed more money coming in. After some research, I found that we could increase our revenue by offering additional services to our clients. This would allow us to offer more value to our customers without increasing our expenses.”

2. What do you know about Swiss Re?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its history. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’ve done some research on Swiss Re before applying for the job.

Example: “I know that Swiss Re was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1863 by Theodor Rosebury as Schweizerische Ruckversicherungsgesellschaft. In 1967, it became known as Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd. After merging with Winterthur Group in 1999, it changed its name to Swiss Re AG. Today, it has over $100 billion in assets under management.”

3. What are your short term & long term career goals?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have goals and are motivated to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include specific details about what you hope to accomplish in the next year or two as well as what you would like to do with your career in five years.

Example: “My short term goal is to become an underwriter at Swiss Re Group. I am currently studying for my certification exam and plan to take it by the end of the year. My long-term goal is to work my way up through the ranks until I reach a management position.”

4. How would you handle being assigned to work on a project with someone who is difficult to work with?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. Use examples from past experiences where you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with, but still managed to complete the project successfully.

Example: “In my last position as a risk analyst for an insurance company, I worked with a team of three other analysts. One of our clients was very demanding and would often call us at all hours of the day or night to ask questions about their policy. This made it challenging to meet deadlines because we were constantly answering client calls and emails. However, we learned how to communicate effectively with each other so that everyone could focus on their tasks without distraction.”

5. Describe how reinsurance works in the insurance industry.

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the industry and how it works. Use your answer to highlight your understanding of Swiss Re’s role in the insurance market, as well as your ability to apply critical thinking skills to solve problems.

Example: “Reinsurance is a form of risk transfer that occurs when an insurer purchases coverage from another company. This allows them to spread their risk across multiple companies, which helps reduce costs for consumers. In my last position, I worked with several different reinsurers to find the best rates for our clients.”

6. Give me an example of a time when you had a conflict and what did you do to resolve it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had a conflict at work or in school and how you resolved it.

Example: “In my last job as an underwriter, I was working on a project that required me to collaborate with several other employees. One day, one of the employees I worked with sent me an email asking for help with their assignment. I responded by telling them that I would be happy to help once I finished my current task. They then replied saying they needed help right away. I told them I would get back to them after I completed my task. Afterward, they apologized for being so demanding.”

7. How well do you think you’ll fit into our company culture?

Swiss Re is a company that values its employees and their well-being. They want to make sure you’re going to be happy working for them, so they ask this question to see if you understand what the company culture is like. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’ve done your research on Swiss Re and can explain why you think you’ll fit in with their team.

Example: “I did some research into Swiss Re before I applied for this position, and I was really impressed by the company culture. It seems like there are many opportunities for growth within the organization, which is something I’m always looking for when applying for jobs. I also noticed that the company has an excellent benefits package, including paid vacation time and healthcare coverage.”

8. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

This question is a great way to show your interest in continuing education and development. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any certifications you have earned or courses you’ve taken that helped you develop new skills or learn more about the industry.

Example: “I recently completed an online course on risk management through my local community college. This class was very informative and gave me some valuable insight into how I could apply what I learned to my work at Swiss Re. It also helped me understand the importance of risk management within the insurance industry.”

9. Do you consider yourself to be innovative and open to change?

Swiss Re is a company that values innovation and change. They want to know if you are willing to adapt to new ideas, processes or technologies. This question helps them determine whether you have the ability to be innovative in your work.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my performance at work. I think it’s important to keep an open mind when trying out new things. If something doesn’t work, I’m not afraid to try something else. I believe that being able to adapt to change is one of the most important skills a professional can have.”

10. What motivates you as a professional?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and how you plan to contribute to Swiss Re. Your answer should include a few examples of what motivates you as well as how it impacts your work ethic.

Example: “I am motivated by the idea that I can make a difference in people’s lives through my work. In my previous position, I worked with clients who were struggling financially due to natural disasters. My team and I helped them get back on their feet so they could continue providing for themselves and their families. It was rewarding to know we made a positive impact.”

11. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, be sure to show that you are motivated by personal growth and development.

Example: “I hope to continue growing as an employee of Swiss Re. I am excited about the opportunity to work here, and I would like to use my skills to help the company succeed. In five years, I hope to have earned a promotion within the company and increased my skill set so that I can take on more challenging projects.”

12. Have you ever had to deal with conflicting priorities, if so, how did you manage them?

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you organized your day or week to ensure that all of your responsibilities were met on time.

Example: “In my previous role as an underwriter for a small insurance company, I had the responsibility of managing several different types of policies while also ensuring that our clients’ claims were processed in a timely manner. To manage these conflicting priorities, I would organize my workday into three-hour blocks where I would focus on one task at a time. This allowed me to give each task the attention it needed without feeling overwhelmed.”

13. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great opportunity to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight some of your most relevant skills or experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the role.

Example: “I am confident I would be an excellent fit for this role because of my extensive experience in working with large-scale projects. In my previous role as a project manager, I was responsible for overseeing multiple teams and ensuring all objectives were met on time. This skill set has helped me develop strong communication and leadership abilities that I believe will help me succeed in this role.”

14. If I were to ask your current manager for feedback on you, what would he or she say?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you value feedback and are willing to improve. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific things your manager has told you in the past about how you could improve or what they would like to see more of.

Example: “My current manager would say that I need to work on my time management skills. She says that sometimes I get so focused on one task that I forget to check in with her or other coworkers about deadlines. She also mentioned that I should try to take breaks throughout the day to help me stay energized.”

15. When was the last time you made a mistake at work and how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn from mistakes and grow as an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you learned from the mistake and what steps you took to ensure that you don’t make the same mistake again.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous company, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for one of our clients. I worked on the project for several weeks before presenting it to my team. After receiving feedback, I made some changes to the campaign and presented it to the client once more. Unfortunately, after they reviewed the second version of the campaign, they were still not satisfied.

I realized that I had overlooked something in the original presentation and went back to the client to apologize. They appreciated my honesty and we discussed their concerns. We then came up with a third version of the campaign together. The client was happy with the final product and even gave us additional business.”

16. How would you rate your communication skills?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to communicate with others, especially in the workplace. It’s important for employers to know that you can effectively convey information and ideas to coworkers and clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific instances where you’ve used strong communication skills to help solve problems or achieve goals.

Example: “I would rate my communication skills as highly effective. Throughout my career, I have had many opportunities to use my communication skills to explain complex concepts to colleagues and clients. This has helped me develop my ability to clearly articulate my thoughts and ideas. In fact, I find that being able to explain complicated topics in an easy-to-understand manner makes them easier to remember.”

17. What research have you done about our company?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and how much you know about its history, values and goals. Before your interview, make sure you read through Swiss Re’s website and any other information you can find online. You should also try to learn more about the specific department you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I’ve done quite a bit of research on Swiss Re Group and I’m very impressed with what you do as an organization. I learned that Swiss Re was founded in 1863 by Henry Dunant, who later went on to write ‘A Memory of Solferino,’ which inspired the creation of the Red Cross. Your company has grown significantly since then, but it still maintains many of the same core values.”

18. What makes you stand out from all the other people applying for this position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of what makes you unique and how your skills, experience and personality can benefit Swiss Re. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your strengths and show that you’re qualified for the position.

Example: “I have several years of experience in the insurance industry, which has given me valuable insight into the different types of risks companies face. I also have excellent communication skills, which allow me to work well with others and explain complex ideas in ways that are easy to understand. These skills make me a strong candidate for this role.”

19. Can you tell us why you want to work here?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’ve done some research on the company and are genuinely interested in working for them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Swiss Re Group’s mission or values.

Example: “I want to work here because I am passionate about helping people who have experienced natural disasters. In my last role as an insurance adjuster, I was able to help many families rebuild their homes after hurricanes and other natural disasters. It would be amazing to continue doing this kind of work with Swiss Re Group.”

20. Are you willing to work overtime hours?

Swiss Re is a global company that operates in multiple time zones. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you’re willing to work overtime hours when necessary. In your answer, be honest about whether or not you’re comfortable working overtime and the reasons why.

Example: “I’m happy to work overtime when needed, however I prefer to complete my work during regular business hours. I find that I am more productive and efficient when I have adequate rest and can focus on one task at a time. However, I understand that sometimes overtime is necessary for completing projects and meeting deadlines.”