Top interview questions to expect

Top 7 Behavioral Interview Questions for Aetna:

1. Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge or obstacle.
2. Describe a situation where you had to work effectively as part of a team.
3. Give me an example of a time when you demonstrated your leadership skills.
4. Can you share an instance where you had to resolve a conflict with a colleague?
5. What are your thoughts on taking initiative and how do you incorporate this concept in the workplace?
6. Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a new situation or environment quickly.
7. Explain a time when you had to use critical thinking to solve a problem at work.

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. This framework helps you structure your answers to behavioral interview questions in a clear and concise way.

– Situation: Briefly describe the situation or context in which the event occurred.
– Task: Explain the specific task or challenge you were faced with.
– Action: Detail the actions you took to address the situation or complete the task.
– Result: Describe the positive outcome or result of your actions.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge or obstacle.

Example Answer:

“During my previous role at a healthcare clinic, we faced a shortage of medical supplies due to a sudden surge in patients. To address this challenge, I took the initiative to reach out to local suppliers and coordinated deliveries to ensure we had the necessary supplies to continue providing quality care to our patients. Through my proactive efforts, we were able to overcome the supply shortage and maintain uninterrupted patient care.”

Explanation:

This answer effectively utilizes the STAR framework:

– Situation: The interviewee sets the context by mentioning the shortage of medical supplies due to an increase in patients.
– Task: The task was to ensure the clinic had the necessary supplies to continue providing quality care.
– Action: The interviewee describes the specific actions taken, such as reaching out to suppliers and coordinating deliveries.
– Result: The positive outcome was that the clinic was able to overcome the supply shortage and maintain uninterrupted patient care.

2. Describe a situation where you had to work effectively as part of a team.

Example Answer:

“In my previous role, I worked on a cross-functional team to develop a new marketing campaign for our healthcare services. I actively participated in brainstorming sessions to generate creative ideas and collaborated with team members from different departments, including marketing, design, and finance, to bring the campaign to life. Through effective communication and teamwork, we successfully launched the campaign, resulting in a significant increase in brand awareness and patient inquiries.”

Explanation:

This answer demonstrates:

– Situation: The interviewee describes the cross-functional team and the goal of developing a new marketing campaign.
– Task: The task was to contribute to the development and implementation of the marketing campaign.
– Action: The interviewee explains the specific actions taken, such as participating in brainstorming sessions, collaborating with team members, and communicating effectively.
– Result: The positive outcome was the successful launch of the campaign, leading to increased brand awareness and patient inquiries.

3. Give me an example of a time when you demonstrated your leadership skills.

Example Answer:

“As a team lead in my previous role, I faced a situation where we had to complete a critical project under tight deadlines. To ensure the project’s success, I took the initiative to delegate tasks effectively, provided guidance and support to team members, and facilitated open communication to address challenges promptly. Through my leadership, the team was able to deliver the project on time and exceeded expectations, resulting in positive feedback from clients and stakeholders.”

Explanation:

This answer effectively demonstrates:

– Situation: The interviewee sets the context of being a team lead with a critical project to complete.
– Task: The task was to ensure the project’s success despite tight deadlines.
– Action: The interviewee describes the specific actions taken, such as delegating tasks, providing guidance, and facilitating communication.
– Result: The positive outcome was the successful completion of the project on time, exceeding expectations, and receiving positive feedback.

4. Can you share an instance where you had to resolve a conflict with a colleague?

Example Answer:

“In a previous role, I had a disagreement with a colleague regarding the best approach to a project. To resolve the conflict, I initiated a private conversation to understand their perspective and express my own. We were able to identify common ground and find a mutually acceptable solution. By focusing on the project’s goals and maintaining a professional and respectful attitude, we were able to resolve the conflict and continue working effectively together.”

Explanation:

This answer demonstrates:

– Situation: The interviewee describes a situation where a conflict arose with a colleague.
– Task: The task was to resolve the conflict and find a mutually acceptable solution.
– Action: The interviewee explains the specific actions taken, such as initiating a private conversation, understanding the other person’s perspective, and expressing their own.
– Result: The positive outcome was the successful resolution of the conflict and the ability to continue working effectively together.

5. What are your thoughts on taking initiative and how do you incorporate this concept in the workplace?

Example Answer:

“I believe taking initiative is crucial in the workplace. When I see opportunities for improvement or areas where I can contribute, I proactively take action. In my previous role, I noticed inefficiencies in our filing system, which led me to initiate a project to streamline and organize it. This resulted in improved productivity and enhanced teamwork within the department. Taking initiative demonstrates my commitment to continuous improvement and my ability to identify and address challenges.”

Explanation:

This answer effectively showcases:

– Situation: The interviewee sets the context by describing their belief in the importance of taking initiative.
– Task: The task was to explain how they incorporate this concept in the workplace.
– Action: The interviewee provides a specific example of how they identified an opportunity for improvement and took proactive steps to address it.
– Result: The positive outcome was the successful implementation of the filing system project, leading to improved productivity and enhanced teamwork.

6. Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a new situation or environment quickly.

Example Answer:

“When I transitioned to a new role within my previous company, I faced a steep learning curve as the industry and job duties were unfamiliar to me. To adapt quickly, I immersed myself in research and training, actively sought mentorship from experienced colleagues, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to gain insights and expertise. Within a short time, I was able to make significant contributions to the team and successfully navigate the new environment.”

Explanation:

This answer effectively demonstrates:

– Situation: The interviewee sets the context of transitioning to a new role with unfamiliar industry and job duties.
– Task: The task was to adapt to the new situation and environment quickly.
– Action: The interviewee describes the specific actions taken, such as conducting research, seeking mentorship, and collaborating with teams.
– Result: The positive outcome was the successful adaptation to the new role, making significant contributions, and navigating the new environment effectively.

7. Explain a time when you had to use critical thinking to solve a problem at work.

Example Answer:

“In my previous role, we encountered a decline in customer satisfaction ratings. To address this issue, I analyzed customer feedback, conducted market research, and engaged in brainstorming sessions with colleagues. Through critical thinking and collaboration, we identified key areas for improvement and implemented strategies to enhance customer experience. As a result, customer satisfaction ratings steadily increased, leading to positive feedback and increased sales.”

Explanation:

This answer effectively demonstrates:

– Situation: The interviewee describes a situation where customer satisfaction ratings declined.
– Task: The task was to identify the causes of the decline and implement strategies to improve customer experience.
– Action: The interviewee explains the specific actions taken, such as analyzing feedback, conducting research, and brainstorming with colleagues.
– Result: The positive outcome was the successful identification of key areas for improvement, implementation of effective strategies, and increased customer satisfaction ratings.