This is often the first question asked in the screening interview. It’s used as an ice breaker to get the conversation started. It seems like such a simple question, but your answer, if not perceived as thoughtful and organized, can make the difference between advancing to the next stage or getting the dreaded “no” email from the company HR.

Your best response is to acknowledge the question and then ask, “where would you like me to start?”  This allows the employer to tell you what aspects of your background they want you to address. The interviewer doesn’t need a long-winded rundown of your personal and family history. What they really want to know is how you have progressed in your professional career. They use this question to see how you organize your thoughts and express yourself.

Remember, you are hired because you either make money, save money, or make things go more smoothly.  Make sure your answer outlines your accomplishments, not just your job history. Think about the things that you did that made you a game changer in the company or helped you stand out from your peers.

Here’s an example for a candidate applying for an agency Account Manager role:

“I started working in retail in high school and I realized I really liked customer service, but I didn’t like the weekend hours.  My friend’s mom worked at a small insurance agency, and they hired me as their receptionist. They helped me get my insurance license, and I passed on my first try.  I love to learn, so I started reading insurance industry publications and volunteering to help my manager with processing work on our larger accounts in addition to my reception job duties.  Within a short time, I was promoted into an Assistant Account Manager role on our large accounts team.”  I’ve worked in this role for two years and was just awarded my CISR. I’m excited about your Account Manager role and feel like I am ready to take on the challenge of managing my own book”.

Your answer to this question shouldn’t be more than 2 minutes long. It should be concise, show logical career progression, and most importantly, lets the hiring manager know that their job fits with your insurance career goals and aspirations.

Are you stuck in your current insurance role without opportunities for advancement? Contact me and let’s talk about new career opportunities.