The Top 20 Express Scripts Interview Questions To Prepare For

Getting hired at a leading healthcare company like Express Scripts is an exciting opportunity With operations across continents and billions in annual revenue, Express Scripts is a major player in the pharmacy benefit management space

However landing a job here also means going through a rigorous interview process. Express Scripts interviews are designed to thoroughly assess your skills, experience and problem-solving abilities for the role.

In this comprehensive guide I’ll share the most common Express Scripts interview questions asked across various roles. I’ve also included tips and sample answers to help you prepare effectively for the big day!

Why Do You Want To Work For Express Scripts?

This introductory question aims to understand your motivations for joining the company. The interviewer wants to gauge your genuine interest in Express Scripts and the alignment between your goals and the company’s vision.

Tips:

• Research Express Scripts’ mission and values. Align your answer with these.
• Show your passion for the healthcare space and how you can contribute.
• Discuss any projects or initiatives at Express Scripts that excite you.

Sample Answer: Express Scripts’ patient-centered approach to managing pharmacy benefits deeply resonates with my personalvalues. Having managed over 80 million prescriptions last year, Express Scripts has an unparalleled reach in making medication affordable and accessible. I’m excited by the opportunity to be part of this mission-driven team and leverage my healthcare experience to drive greater health equity through your innovative solutions. Express Scripts’ culture of innovation is also a big motivator for me – I’m eager to collaborate with some of the best minds in the industry and be a part of building the next generation of pharmacy benefit solutions.

Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?

This question aims to uncover any potential red flags about your previous job or work style. The interviewer wants to hear an authentic reason instead of generic answers.

Tips:

• Avoid badmouthing your current/past employer. Focus on positive reasons.
• Discuss wanting new challenges, growth opportunities or a role better suited to your skills.
• If relevant, mention positives about your current job but highlight why Express Scripts is a better fit.

Sample Answer: I’ve learned a lot in my current role at XYZ Company but feel I’m now ready for more responsibility and complex challenges. Having honed my analytical skills and pharmacy benefit management expertise, I believe I can add more value in a senior position. Express Scripts offers an opportunity to manage pharmacy benefits for millions of Americans, which is very appealing to me at this stage of my career in terms of scope and impact. While I appreciate my experience at XYZ, I’m excited by the opportunity to bring my skills to a new context and continue growing as a professional.

How Do You Handle A Difficult Customer?

This question tests your interpersonal skills and professionalism when dealing with challenging situations. The interviewer wants to know how you can de-escalate tensions while maintaining service quality.

Tips:

• Show empathy and active listening when dealing with an upset customer.
• Provide a specific example of resolving a difficult situation successfully.
• Highlight communication, conflict resolution and stress management skills.

Sample Answer: When dealing with a difficult customer, I start by listening attentively to understand their concerns. I allow them to express their frustration, without interrupting. Then, I apologize for the inconvenience and assure them I will do my best to resolve the issue. If I need to involve other teams, I keep the customer updated regularly through the process.

For example, a customer was upset about a delayed prescription refill due to insurance issues. I empathized with their need for the medication and immediately contacted our claims department. I also expedited the prescription as an exception after verifying the details. Through clear communication and timely follow-ups, we resolved the issue to the customer’s satisfaction.

How Do You Stay Up-To-Date On Pharmacy Benefits Management Trends?

Here the interviewer wants to gauge your learning orientation and knowledge of current healthcare policies and best practices. They are looking for someone who can apply current expertise to their role.

Tips:

• Discuss continuing education efforts – courses, publications, events etc.
• Demonstrate a specific application of a recent trend/learning in your work.
• Highlight membership in industry bodies like PCMA, ISPOR etc.

Sample Answer: I make continuous learning a priority in order to stay updated on the latest PBM trends and best practices. I regularly read industry publications such as the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy and Benefits Magazine to learn about new developments. Recently, I completed a course on the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on drug pricing, which provided insights that I could immediately apply in my work on Medicare formularies.

Additionally, I attend major conferences like the PCMA Annual Meeting to gain perspectives from thought leaders on the future of PBM and network with peers. As a member of ISPOR, I also benefit from their policy-focused educational resources. By making use of these opportunities, I ensure my expertise continues to align with the evolving pharmacy benefits landscape.

How Do You Handle A Conflict With A Colleague?

The interviewer is assessing your emotional intelligence and conflict management abilities with this question. They want to see that you can resolve interpersonal issues professionally while maintaining a collaborative environment.

Tips:

• Provide a real example of resolving a conflict productively.
• Focus on maintaining team cohesion and open communication.
• Share how you create win-win solutions.

Sample Answer: I believe approaching conflicts calmly and objectively leads to the most productive outcomes. For example, a teammate and I disagreed strongly on the methodology for an analytics project. Rather than let tensions rise, I suggested we discuss our perspectives openly during a 1:1 meeting. This allowed us to understand each other’s rationale better.

Ultimately, we compromised on a hybrid approach combining elements of both our methods. This collaborative conflict resolution not only delivered an optimal project outcome but also strengthened our working relationship. Going forward, I was also able to apply the constructive communication and problem-solving skills used in this situation to prevent and overcome conflicts with other colleagues.

How Do You Prioritize Tasks When Everything Is High Priority?

This behavioral question tests your time management and prioritization abilities in high-pressure situations with tight deadlines. The interviewer wants to know how you remain focused and productive under stress.

Tips:

• Share techniques you use for organization and time management.
• Discuss assessing urgency, importance and effort required to determine priority.
• Give an example of successfully prioritizing high stakes tasks.

Sample Answer: When juggling multiple high priority tasks, I use an approach of ranking each assignment based on criteria like urgency, business impact and resources required. This allows me to develop a priority matrix and schedule tasks accordingly.

For instance, when we were launching a new program, developing educational materials was urgent and critical for client engagement. So I worked on this first before shifting focus to lower priority backend system enhancements to optimize performance.

To stay organized, I use a planner to map out my week in advance. This helps me ensure that I’m working on the most pressing items based on priority while also making progress on other tasks as time permits. Proactive communication with stakeholders also allows me to set realistic timelines and deliver on all critical assignments smoothly.

How Do You Motivate Your Team?

This question reveals your leadership style and ability to inspire productivity and engagement in your team. The interviewer wants to know you can cultivate loyalty and excellence among your direct reports.

Tips:

• Discuss inclusive leadership approach focused on collaboration and empowerment.
• Share techniques like setting clear goals, leading by example, positive reinforcement etc.
• Provide a real example of using motivation to boost team performance.

Sample Answer: I motivate my team by first understanding what drives each individual and then setting meaningful goals that align with their strengths. For instance, when I noticed a team member was highly analytical, I involved them in a project requiring complex data evaluation which boosted their engagement significantly.

I also motivate through leading by example – whether it’s working hard to meet a deadline or volunteering for extra assignments, I aim to model the work ethic I expect from my team. Recognizing contributions publicly and providing development opportunities are also key motivators.

For example, my team recently delivered a highly successful open enrollment support program. To motivate them, I organized a lunch celebration where I highlighted each member’s hard work and how it led to the success. This genuine recognition motivated them to continue raising the bar.

How Do You Handle A Heavy Workload?

Employers commonly use this question to determine your stress management skills and ability to work effectively under pressure. The interviewer wants to see that you can manage high workloads calmly while maintaining focus and efficiency.

Tips:

• Share work prioritization and time management strategies.
• Discuss requesting support/delegation when truly overloaded.
• Provide an example of thriving under high workload without compromise on quality.

Sample Answer: I firmly believe in maintaining productivity and calm even when my workload is heavy. My first step is always to assess the urgency and importance levels of each task to optimize prioritization. For example, I will promptly handle an urgent client request ahead of backoffice