Auto-Owners Insurance, a Fortune 500 company, has been providing its customers with comprehensive insurance coverage since 1916. Auto-Owners Insurance is a well-known name in the insurance business because of its strong finances, great customer service, and large selection of insurance products. This article will go into detail about the specific interview questions that people who want to work for this prestigious company may be asked.
Interviewing for a job at Auto-Owners Insurance? With preparation and practice you can ace the interview process. In this comprehensive guide we’ll walk through what to expect during the Auto-Owners Insurance interview, common interview questions, and tips to stand out from other applicants.
Overview of Auto-Owners Insurance
Founded in 1916 Auto-Owners Insurance is a Fortune 500 company providing auto home, life and business insurance to customers in 26 states. With headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, Auto-Owners Insurance is led by CEO Jeffrey S. Tagsold. The company employs around 6,300 people and brought in $9.3 billion in revenue in 2020.
Auto-Owners has a strong reputation as an employer. People who work for or have worked for the company rate it 4 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor. Employees praise the excellent work-life balance, training programs and career advancement opportunities. The company culture emphasizes serving customers and giving back to local communities.
Auto-Owners Insurance Interview Process
The Auto-Owners Insurance interview process typically involves:
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Application: Submit an application through the company website or LinkedIn page. You’ll need to provide information on your education, skills and work history.
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Phone screening: If your application is chosen, you’ll talk to a recruiter on the phone for 30 minutes. You can add to your resume and find out more about the job here.
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In-person interview: For most positions, the next step is an in-person interview at one of Auto-Owners Insurance’s offices. This usually lasts 45-60 minutes as you meet with a hiring manager and/or other team members. Technical roles may include skills assessments.
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Final interview: Some applicants will be asked back for a second, final interview with senior/executive management. This gives both sides another chance to determine fit.
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Job offer: If you successfully complete the interviews, Auto-Owners Insurance will extend a formal job offer including details on compensation and benefits. This is usually within 1-2 weeks of the final interview.
Common Auto-Owners Insurance Interview Questions
We’ve gathered some of the most frequently asked interview questions at Auto-Owners Insurance based on insider feedback from current employees:
General Interview Questions
- Walk me through your resume and background.
- Why are you interested in this role and Auto-Owners Insurance?
- What do you know about our company and why do you want to work here?
- How would your skills, experience and work style fit with this position and our team?
- What are your greatest strengths that would make you a great fit for this role?
- What do you consider your biggest weakness or area for improvement?
- Where do you see your career in the next 3-5 years?
Behavioral Interview Questions
- Tell me about a time you provided excellent customer service. What was the situation and what did you do?
- Describe a challenging work situation or project. How did you handle it?
- Give an example of when you worked effectively as part of a team. What was your role and contribution?
- Have you ever made a mistake at work? What happened and how did you deal with it?
- When have you gone above and beyond your regular job duties to get something done?
Insurance Interview Questions
- What experience do you have with insurance, underwriting and claims?
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the insurance industry today?
- How would you educate a customer about the benefits of homeowners or auto insurance?
- How would you respond if a customer was upset about a denied claim?
- Describe your experience using insurance software, tools or other relevant technology.
Analytical Interview Questions
- How would you analyze data to assess insurance rates and premium pricing?
- What metrics would you track to measure success in this role?
- Describe a time you had to solve a complex problem. What was the situation and how did you approach it?
- What kinds of reports have you created in past roles? Walk me through your process.
Tips to Ace the Auto-Owners Insurance Interview
Research the Company Extensively
Take time to explore the Auto-Owners Insurance website, read up on company news and initiatives, and check out reviews on Glassdoor and LinkedIn. This shows you truly want to work for Auto-Owners specifically, not just any insurance company.
Practice Responding to Common Questions
Brainstorm stories and examples you can use to answer behavioral questions like “Tell me about a time you delivered great customer service.” Practicing out loud will help you deliver smooth, thoughtful responses.
Ask Insightful Questions
The interview goes both ways, so make sure you have smart questions ready to demonstrate your engagement. For example, ask about company culture, training programs, or challenges of the role the hiring manager is looking to fill.
Showcase Your Insurance or Analytical Acumen
Even if you’re new to insurance, highlight transferable skills from past financial services, data analysis, customer service or sales roles. Draw connections between your experience and the position where possible.
Let Your Personality Shine Through
While you want to remain professional, showing authentic enthusiasm, humor and passion goes a long way. The interviewer wants to get a sense of who you are beyond just skills and qualifications.
Send Thank You Notes
After the interview, follow up with a thank you email reiterating your interest in the role. This simple gesture can leave a lasting impression.
How to Prepare for the Auto-Owners Insurance Assessment Tests
Many of the job openings at Auto-Owners Insurance require passing one or more assessment tests relevant to the role. Here are some tips on how to prepare:
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Review sample tests online – Many websites provide practice tests and sample questions so you can get familiar with the format and content.
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Practice basic skills – Brush up on skills like math, reading comprehension, data analysis and reasoning. These abilities are assessed for both office and claims positions.
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Study technical concepts – For underwriter and claims adjustor roles, review insurance terminology, regulations, pricing models, investigating protocols and tools used on the job.
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Get plenty of rest – being well-rested, hydrated and nourished helps you stay focused and at your mental best during a long assessment.
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Read directions carefully – On test day, avoid careless mistakes by thoroughly reading and understanding all instructions before you start.
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Manage your time – Time management is often part of the evaluation, so move through the test efficiently while avoiding rushing through questions.
With practice and preparation, you can perform your best on the Auto-Owners Insurance assessment tests. Reach out to the recruiter if you have any questions on the format, content or accommodations needed.
What to Wear for Your Interview
Since most Auto-Owners Insurance interviews are in-person, it’s important to make a great first impression attire-wise. Here are some recommendations on what to wear:
For Men:
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Suit: A two-piece navy, black or grey suit is ideal. Make sure it is well-tailored and pressed.
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Dress shirt: Opt for a long sleeved, solid colored dress shirt in white or light blue.
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Tie: Choose a professional tie in a solid, subtle patterned color that coordinates with your suit.
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Shoes: Wear clean, polished dress shoes that match your suit. Avoid casual shoes or sandals.
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Belt: Select a dress belt in black or brown leather to match your shoes.
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Accessories: Minimal jewelry and no flashy accessories. Leave the backpack or messenger bag at home.
For Women:
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Suit: A tailored blazer and pencil skirt is appropriate. Solid colors like navy, black or grey work well.
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Blouse: A pressed dress blouse that complements your suit color is ideal. Silky fabrics look professional.
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Shoes: Closed toe heels in a neutral color look most polished. Avoid party styles.
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Accessories: Bring a professional handbag or portfolio. Minimal jewelry. No loud prints or distracting embellishments.
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Makeup and hair: Apply tasteful, natural looking makeup. Keep hair neat and out of your face.
The best approach is classic and conservative business attire in line with the company’s traditional culture. Show you respect the opportunity by looking sharp and pulled together.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
To close out the interview, prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions to demonstrate your curiosity and engagement. Here are some options:
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What are the day-to-day responsibilities and projects of this role?
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How would you describe the working culture and team dynamics here?
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What training programs does Auto-Owners Insurance offer early career hires?
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What are you hoping the new hire will accomplish in the first 6 months to a year?
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Where could you see this department or company going in the next few years?
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What performance metrics, goals or benchmarks does success look like for this position?
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What opportunities are there for professional development
Auto-Owners Insurance Hiring Process
Auto-Owners Insurance’s hiring process usually starts with a phone interview or screening with an HR representative. This is followed by interviews with managers and directors, either in person or online. There may be more than one round of these interviews, with some focusing on technical skills and others on cultural fit and soft skills. The process may also include a panel interview with multiple interviewers from different departments. The interview process is said to be straightforward, professional, and conversational, with a focus on getting to know the candidate as a person and seeing how their past work can help them in the role. However, some candidates have reported long interview durations and delays in communication from the company.
