As an undergraduate student and college graduate, students tackle the, sometimes lengthy but critical, job hunt process. Getting your career going and trying to get a low interest rate on your student loans, which needs proof of work, go hand in hand. By looking at job interview questions, we’ll talk about how you can start your career to reach long-term goals like getting a low interest rate on your student loans.
During an interview, asking questions is oftentimes just as important as answering them. Here are some questions that anyone looking for job, including recent grads, should consider asking during an interview.
Interviewing at Navient can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience As one of the largest student loan servicers in the country, Navient offers competitive pay, good benefits, and opportunities for career advancement. However, the interview process aims to select only the strongest candidates who demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and traits to succeed at the company.
Going in fully prepared can help you present yourself in the best light and land the job. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover what to expect during the Navient interview, frequently asked questions, and tips to help you prepare.
Overview of the Navient Interview Process
The Navient interview process typically involves two or three rounds
Phone Screening Interview – The initial phone screen with a recruiter or hiring manager lasts 30-45 minutes. Questions focus on your resume, qualifications, and interest in the role and company.
In-Person Interview – Candidates who pass the phone screen are invited on-site where they meet with 2-3 interviewers. This round goes deeper into your experience, technical skills, and cultural fit. Expect to be there 2-4 hours.
Panel Interview – For senior positions, there may be a third round panel interview with higher-level managers. This assesses executive presentation and critical thinking skills.
Throughout the process, Navient looks for key traits like strong communication abilities, customer service skills, sales drive, and a collaborative team-oriented work ethic. Advanced technical roles require demonstrating hard skills and knowledge as well.
10 Common Navient Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked Navient interview questions along with strong sample responses:
1. Tell me about yourself.
This open-ended question allows you to shape the narrative. Focus on your background and experience most relevant to the role.
Sample Response: “I have over 5 years experience in customer service and relationship management roles within the financial services industry. I spent 3 years at Wells Fargo managing a portfolio of small business lending accounts before moving to Bank of America to lead a team handling mortgage servicing. This built my skills in client analysis, account management, and communicating complex financial information to customers. I’m excited about this opportunity with Navient as I’m looking to specialize in student lending and help educate students on responsible borrowing.”
2. Why do you want to work at Navient?
Show you’ve researched the company and explain why you’re passionate about their mission.
Sample Response: “Navient’s focus on student loan servicing aligns with my passion for improving access to education. I admire your initiatives to educate students on smart borrowing. I’m also excited by your rapid growth and innovative projects like mobile apps to engage customers. Being part of a purpose driven, forward-thinking company is very motivational to me.”
3. What are your strengths?
Pick 2-3 strengths directly related to the job and provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated them.
Sample Response: “I have very strong relationship-building skills that enable me to connect easily with customers. In past account management roles, I built several long-term partnerships simply through trust and rapport. I also have a creative problem-solving ability. When issues inevitably arise, I can think outside the box to come up with solutions to delight customers.”
4. What are your weaknesses?
Share a real weakness you have improved on rather than a humblebrag disguised as a weakness.
Sample Response: “Earlier in my career, I struggled with prioritization and time management when juggling multiple projects and tasks. However, I’ve improved dramatically by implementing systems to organize my work and schedule more efficiently. Now I can take on more responsibility without getting overwhelmed thanks to the structures I created.”
5. Why should we hire you?
Summarize your strongest qualifications and underscore how you’ll add value to the role.
Sample Response: “With my background in customer service, account management, and fintech, I have all the key skills and experience to hit the ground running in this position. More importantly, I’ll thrive on the challenge of building relationships with student borrowers and helping educate them. My passion for your mission will motivate me to go above and beyond expectations.”
6. What do you know about our company?
Demonstrate you’ve researched Navient thoroughly by highlighting facts about their history, services, values, growth, and recent news.
Sample Response: “Navient is a leading provider of asset management and business processing services for education, healthcare, and government clients. Established in 2013 following a split from Sallie Mae, Navient now services over 12 million student loan accounts. You offer innovative solutions like mobile apps, payment incentives, and career counseling. Navient takes its role in promoting financial literacy seriously. I also read about your awards for employee volunteerism which speaks highly of your culture.”
7. How would you handle an upset customer?
Show how you empathize, listen actively, own solving the issue, and follow-up.
Sample Response: “I would first let them vent their frustration and empathize by apologizing for the inconvenience or problem. I’d listen closely to fully understand what happened vs. interrupting them. Once I grasp the issue, I’d calmly explain what steps I can take to help resolve it as quickly as possible. Even if I couldn’t resolve it singlehandedly, I’d take ownership and follow-up to ensure they have a positive resolution.”
8. How do you prioritize important tasks?
Share your workflow and productivity methods for tackling competing priorities.
Sample Response: “To stay focused on the right priorities, I start each morning reviewing my open projects, upcoming deadlines, stakeholder needs, and key company initiatives. From there, I make a simple daily task list of 3-5 must-get-done items. I block time on my calendar to focus on big priorities without distraction. When urgent needs inevitably arise, I pivot while communicating changes proactively with my manager and team.”
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Show you’re interested in growing long-term with the company in increasingly responsible roles.
Sample Response: “I’m passionate about building a long-term career here at Navient. With my foundation in student lending servicing, in five years I hope to be leading a team, managing complex portfolios, and potentially overseeing more advanced projects leveraging data analytics to enhance operations and the customer experience. I’m eager to learn, contribute, and grow over many years here.”
10. Do you have any questions for me?
Ask smart, thoughtful questions that show your understanding of the company and role.
Sample Questions:
- What are the biggest challenges facing the student lending servicing team right now?
- What systems and technologies does Navient use for account management and analytics?
- How does the performance review process work and what helps people succeed here?
- How would you describe the culture on your team?
Tips for Acing Your Navient Interview
With preparation, practice, and confidence, you can really shine during your Navient interview:
Research the company – Study their website, news articles, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor to demonstrate your knowledge.
Practice responding to likely
What is the best part about working for the company?
Your first job after college is probably going to be tough because you have federal or private student loan debt. You can combine your student loans, but it’s better to have the money to pay them off from a job you enjoy. Also, if your boss likes their job, chances are, this will trickle down to you. Do not forget to ask the interviewer what they like about the company and the job during the interview. This can provide you with insight regarding the satisfaction level of employees at a company.
How do they evaluate an employee’s performance?
Each company will handle the employee evaluation process differently. They may use a formal or informal review process, each of which can be effective. However, it is important to understand what specific process they use so you will know what to expect.
Career Playbook – Avoid The Trap: The Art of the Job Interview
FAQ
Why should we hire you?
Can you tell me about yourself sample answer?
