20 United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own specific process and questions that they use to evaluate candidates. United Wholesale Mortgage is no different.

If you’re interviewing for a position at UWM, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the mortgage industry, your knowledge of the UWM product line, and your ability to work with clients.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common UWM interview questions, along with sample answers to help you stand out from the competition.

United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) Interview Process

The interview process at United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most candidates can expect to have an initial phone screening with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be asked to complete a skills test or take part in a group activity. Overall, the interview process is generally professional and efficient, and feedback from candidates has been mostly positive.

1. What do you know about UWM?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its values. Before you go into the interview, make sure you read through the job description and familiarize yourself with what UWM looks for in their employees.

Example: “I know that UWM has been around since 1999 and has grown to be one of the largest wholesale mortgage lenders in the nation. I also know that they are committed to providing excellent customer service and have an open-door policy where all employees can voice their opinions on how to improve the company.”

2. How would you handle a loan file with missing documentation?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to handle challenging situations. Use examples from previous experience where you were able to overcome missing documentation and still close a loan file successfully.

Example: “In my last position, I had a client who was unable to provide all of their financial information for underwriting. The client assured me that they would be able to provide the remaining documents within two weeks. However, after three months, the client still hadn’t provided any additional documentation.

I contacted the client again and explained that if they didn’t provide the remaining documents by the end of the week, we would have to cancel the loan. Fortunately, the client finally provided the remaining documents before the deadline.”

3. Explain the difference between conventional and government loans.

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the mortgage industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide examples of each type of loan and how they differ from one another.

Example: “Conventional loans are those that are issued by banks or other financial institutions. These loans typically have lower interest rates than government loans because they’re backed by the federal government. Government loans are also known as FHA loans. They’re issued by the Federal Housing Administration and have low down payments and monthly payments. The main difference between these two types of loans is who backs them.”

4. What is your experience in underwriting specifically?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the mortgage industry and how you can apply it to this role. When answering, be sure to highlight any experience you have with underwriting loans for clients.

Example: “I’ve been an underwriter for five years now, so I’m very familiar with the process. In my previous position, I was responsible for reviewing loan applications and determining whether or not they were eligible for funding. This included checking credit scores, income levels and other factors that are important in approving a client’s loan.”

5. Provide an example of when you’ve used discretion or creativity to overcome challenges in the workplace.

This question is an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you used your creativity or judgment to overcome challenges in the workplace.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with finding new ways to increase sales for our company’s mortgage products. After conducting research on how we could improve our marketing efforts, I decided that we should focus on targeting customers who were already interested in refinancing their mortgages. This strategy helped us reach more potential clients while also increasing revenue.”

6. Tell me about a time that you had to work on multiple projects at once, how did you prioritize them?

This question is a great way to show your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you organized the projects and what steps you took to ensure that you were able to complete them all on time.

Example: “In my previous position as an underwriter, I was responsible for reviewing loan applications while also working with clients to answer any questions they had about their loans. This required me to work on multiple projects at once, but I found that by prioritizing each task based on urgency, I could get everything done in a timely manner.”

7. Why are you interested in working as a mortgage underwriter?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the mortgage industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific experience you’ve had in the past that made you want to work as a mortgage underwriter.

Example: “I’m interested in working as a mortgage underwriter because I love helping people achieve their dreams of homeownership. In my previous role, I worked with clients who were first-time homebuyers and helped them understand how mortgages work. It was so rewarding to see these clients become homeowners after going through the process.”

8. Do you have any experience in customer service?

UWM is a mortgage lender, but they also offer customer service to their clients. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience in customer service and how it relates to the job. Use your answer to explain any previous experience with customer service and what skills you used while working in that role.

Example: “I worked as a receptionist at my local bank for two years before I started school. My primary responsibility was answering phones and helping customers with questions about their accounts. I learned how to communicate clearly with people of all ages and backgrounds. I also developed strong problem-solving skills because many customers had unique situations or questions. These skills helped me learn more about the banking industry.”

9. What are some key considerations for someone applying for a mortgage?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the mortgage process and how you can help clients through it. When answering this question, make sure to include some key information that someone applying for a mortgage would need to know.

Example: “When applying for a mortgage, there are several things to consider. First, you should understand what type of loan you’re looking for. There are many different types of loans available, including fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, reverse mortgages and more. You should also determine how much money you’ll need to borrow and whether or not you have any other debts that may affect your ability to get a mortgage.”

10. Are you comfortable using Microsoft Excel?

This question is a great way to determine how comfortable you are with using specific software. If the company uses Microsoft Excel, it’s important that you can use it well and understand its functions. When answering this question, make sure you mention which version of Excel you’re familiar with and what you’ve used it for in the past.

Example: “I’m very comfortable using Microsoft Excel. I have been using Excel since my first job as an accounting intern at a local CPA firm. There, I was responsible for entering data into spreadsheets and creating reports based on the information I entered. I also used Excel when I worked as a financial analyst at UWM. I would create monthly reports based on the data we collected from our mortgage loans.”

11. Do you have any experience working in a fast-paced environment?

UWM is a fast-paced environment, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re comfortable working in that type of work culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about how you’ve handled similar situations in the past and what skills helped you succeed.

Example: “In my last position as a loan officer at First National Bank, I worked with many clients who were looking for mortgages on their homes. This required me to work quickly while also ensuring all paperwork was accurate. I have experience working under pressure and meeting deadlines, which has helped me become an effective communicator.”

12. In what ways can you see yourself contributing to our company?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and how you can help it grow. When answering this question, make sure to highlight any skills or experiences that will be beneficial to UWM.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people achieve their financial goals. I believe that my customer service skills and ability to build relationships with clients would allow me to provide excellent support for them as they work toward their mortgage goals. Additionally, I have extensive experience working with other departments to ensure that all of our customers’ needs are met.”

13. What software programs do you have experience with?

UWM uses a variety of software programs to complete daily tasks. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience with the same programs they use at UWM. Before your interview, research the company’s job description and look for specific skills or tools that employees need to have. If you have similar skills, highlight them in your answer.

Example: “I have extensive experience using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also have some experience with mortgage loan origination software like Fiserv and Lending Tree.”

14. Have you ever had to deal with angry customers before? Describe the situation and how you handled it.

This question is a great way to determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience working with customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you had to deal with an angry customer and the steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “In my previous position as a mortgage loan officer, I had a client who was very upset about the interest rate we were offering them on their home loan. They felt that they should receive a lower rate because of their excellent credit score. After listening to their concerns, I explained that our company’s policy was to offer the lowest rates possible for all of our clients. However, if they wanted to discuss other options, I would be happy to help them find another lender.”

15. What was one problem you faced while working on a project and how did you solve it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what the problem was and how you solved it.

Example: “When I worked at my previous company, we were tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for one of our clients. The client wanted us to create a campaign that would help them sell more homes than they had been selling. We came up with several ideas but weren’t sure which ones would work best. After discussing all of our options, we decided on a few different campaigns and tested them out. One of the campaigns ended up being very successful, and we used it as inspiration for other campaigns.”

16. What motivates you to get up and go to work every day?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the mortgage industry and UWM. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific experience that made you passionate about working in mortgages.

Example: “I get up every day because I love helping people achieve their dreams of homeownership. In my previous role as a loan officer, I worked with a client who was looking to buy her first home. She had been saving for years, but she didn’t have enough money for a down payment. I helped her secure a loan where she could make monthly payments on her house while also putting some money away for a down payment. When she closed on her new home, she told me how much she appreciated all of my help.”

17. How do you stay organized?

UWM is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you have an effective system for staying on top of your work. Provide examples of how you stay organized in your daily life and discuss any tools or apps that help you manage your time and tasks.

Example: “I use Google Calendar to keep track of my appointments and deadlines. I also use Trello to organize my projects into different lists so I can see what’s due when. This helps me prioritize my tasks and ensures I’m always working toward my goals.”

18. What frustrates you in a team setting?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that you have done in the past to resolve conflict or disagreement.

Example: “I find it frustrating when team members are not willing to share their ideas or opinions during meetings. I believe that everyone has valuable insight into projects, so I always encourage my teammates to speak up if they have an idea or want to offer feedback on a project.”

19. What qualities make a good leader?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight qualities that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “A good leader should be someone who is able to motivate others to work hard and achieve their goals. I believe leaders should also be empathetic and compassionate because they need to understand what their team members are going through. Finally, a good leader needs to be organized and detail-oriented so they can keep track of all the tasks at hand.”

20. What type of training have you had in the past?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your experience with the mortgage industry. If you have had training in a previous role, share what you learned and how it helped you succeed. If you haven’t had formal training, explain any self-study methods you used to gain knowledge of the mortgage industry.

Example: “In my last position as a loan officer at First National Bank, I took advantage of the company’s training program for new hires. The training gave me an overview of the mortgage process and taught me how to use the company’s software. After working there for six months, I enrolled in a continuing education course through the American Financial Association. This course provided valuable information on current regulations and trends in the mortgage industry.”