Top interview questions to expect

Top 7 Behavioral Interview Questions for UNUM Group:

1. Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge.
2. Describe a situation where you had to work with someone who had a different work style than you.
3. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to take initiative and lead a project?
4. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake and how you handled it.
5. Describe a situation where you had to work under pressure and how you managed it.
6. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to be creative and come up with a new solution?
7. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a commonly used method for answering behavioral interview questions. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. When answering a behavioral interview question, use the STAR framework to tell a story about a specific situation where you faced a challenge. Describe the task that you needed to accomplish, the actions that you took, and the results that you achieved.

Sample answers to above interview questions

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

Example Answer:

Situation: I was working on a project with a tight deadline, and one of my team members quit suddenly.

Task: I needed to find a replacement team member quickly and ensure that the project was completed on time.

Action: I reached out to my network and found a qualified candidate who was available to start immediately. I also worked with the rest of the team to adjust the project plan and ensure that we were all on track.

Result: The project was completed on time and within budget, and the client was very satisfied with the results.

This answer is strong because it uses the STAR framework to tell a clear and concise story about a time when the candidate overcame a challenge. The candidate describes the situation, task, action, and result in detail, and they provide evidence to support their claims.

2. Describe a situation where you had to work with someone who had a different work style than you:

Example Answer:

Situation: I was working on a project with a team member who had a very different work style than me. They were very detail-oriented and liked to plan everything out in advance, while I was more of a big-picture thinker and preferred to be more flexible.

Task: We needed to work together to complete the project successfully.

Action: I made an effort to understand my team member’s work style and preferences. I also tried to be more flexible and accommodating in my own approach. We also had regular check-ins to ensure that we were on the same page.

Result: We were able to work together effectively and successfully complete the project.

This answer is strong because it shows the candidate’s ability to adapt to different work styles and to work effectively with others. The candidate describes the situation, task, action, and result in detail, and they provide evidence to support their claims.

3. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to take initiative and lead a project?

Example Answer:

Situation: I was working on a project that was struggling to meet its deadlines. The project manager was not very effective, and the team was starting to lose motivation.

Task: I needed to take initiative and lead the project to ensure that it was completed on time and within budget.

Action: I stepped up and took on a more active role in leading the project. I met with the team regularly to discuss progress and identify any challenges. I also worked with the project manager to develop a new project plan that was more realistic and achievable.

Result: The project was completed on time and within budget, and the team was very grateful for my leadership.

This answer is strong because it shows the candidate’s ability to take initiative and lead a project to success. The candidate describes the situation, task, action, and result in detail, and they provide evidence to support their claims.

4. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake and how you handled it:

Example Answer:

Situation: I made a mistake on a project that resulted in the loss of a client.

Task: I needed to apologize to the client and take steps to rectify the mistake.

Action: I immediately apologized to the client and explained what happened. I also worked with my team to develop a plan to fix the mistake and ensure that it did not happen again.

Result: The client was understanding and appreciated my willingness to take responsibility for my mistake. We were able to resolve the issue and maintain our relationship with the client.

This answer is strong because it shows the candidate’s ability to take responsibility for their mistakes and to learn from them. The candidate describes the situation, task, action, and result in detail, and they provide evidence to support their claims.

5. Describe a situation where you had to work under pressure and how you managed it:

Example Answer:

Situation: I was working on a project that had a very tight deadline. I also had a lot of other projects on my plate at the time.

Task: I needed to manage my time and resources effectively to ensure that I could complete all of my projects on time.

Action: I broke down my projects into smaller tasks and set priorities. I also worked late and on weekends to make sure that I could meet all of my deadlines.

Result: I was able to complete all of my projects on time and to a high standard.

This answer is strong because it shows the candidate’s ability to work under pressure and to manage their time and resources effectively. The candidate describes the situation, task, action, and result in detail, and they provide evidence to support their claims.

6. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to be creative and come up with a new solution?

Example Answer:

Situation: I was working on a project that had a very challenging problem. The traditional methods for solving the problem were not working.

Task: I needed to come up with a new and creative solution to the problem.

Action: I brainstormed with my team and came up with a number of different ideas. We then tested these ideas and selected the one that was the most promising.

Result: The new solution worked and we were able to complete the project successfully.

This answer is strong because it shows the candidate’s ability to think creatively and to come up with new solutions to problems. The candidate describes the situation, task, action, and result in detail, and they provide evidence to support their claims.

7. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision:

Example Answer:

Situation: I was faced with a difficult decision that had the potential to impact my career.

Task: I needed to weigh the pros and cons of each option and make a decision that was in my best interests.

Action: I gathered all of the relevant information and spoke to people who could provide me with advice. I also took some time to reflect on my values and priorities.

Result: I made a decision that I was comfortable with and that I believe was the best decision for me.

This answer is strong because it shows the candidate’s ability to make difficult decisions and to weigh the pros and cons of different options. The candidate describes the situation, task, action, and result in detail, and they provide evidence to support their claims.