Landing a job at a reputable company like Western & Southern Life can be a competitive process. With over 130 years of experience in insurance investments and financial services Western & Southern Life only hires the best talent.
To stand out, you need to ace the interview. This means preparing thoughtful responses to common Western & Southern Life interview questions that highlight your skills and experience.
I’ve analyzed data from Western & Southern Life’s interview reviews on Glassdoor to identify the top 25 most frequently asked questions. Use this insider knowledge to craft winning answers and confidently ace your Western & Southern Life interview.
Overview of Western & Southern Life’s Interview Process
The typical Western & Southern Life interview process involves:
- Initial phone screening
- Personality assessment
- In-person interviews (1-3 rounds)
- Skills assessments
Interviews are held with HR and department managers. Questions test your technical abilities, communication skills, customer service expertise and cultural fit.
The process can take 1-3 months from initial screen to offer. Be prepared for a rigorous recruitment experience.
Now let’s dive into the top 25 Western & Southern Life interview questions and sample answers to help you succeed:
1. Why are you interested in working for our company?
This is a common opening question that establishes your passion for the role and alignment with Western & Southern Life’s mission. The interviewer wants to gauge your knowledge of and enthusiasm for the company.
Sample Answer: I’m very interested in working for Western & Southern Life because of your longstanding reputation as a leader in financial services and insurance solutions. Your 130+ year history speaks to the quality of your products, customer service and values. I’m particularly drawn to your commitment to philanthropy and giving back to local communities. My core goal as an insurance professional is helping families achieve financial security. I believe Western & Southern Life will provide the ideal environment to make that happen through your diverse range of insurance and investment solutions. I’m excited by the opportunity to grow my career with an established, reputable company like Western & Southern Life.
2. Why do you want to work in the insurance/financial services industry?
With this question, interviewers want to understand your motivations for pursuing this career path. Show genuine passion for the industry backed by practical reasons that connect to the role.
Sample Answer: I’ve always found the world of insurance and financial services fascinating. Helping people protect what matters most to them is incredibly rewarding. My analytical nature is also a great fit for developing customized solutions to meet clients’ unique needs. After graduating with my finance degree, I knew I wanted to gain hands-on experience in this industry. The opportunity for continuous learning is also a big draw. The landscape is constantly evolving so I’ll be constantly improving my product knowledge and technical skills. Most importantly, I’m motivated to positively impact clients’ lives through financial education and guidance. Western & Southern Life’s values align strongly with my own – putting people first and helping them feel secure. This role is the perfect next step to advance my career in insurance.
3. What insurance/financial services experience do you have?
The interviewer wants to understand your previous exposure to insurance and financial services. Discuss both formal experience and relevant coursework/training. Highlight transferable skills.
Sample Answer: Though this would be my first formal insurance role, I believe my finance background has prepared me well. I majored in Finance and Risk Management, where we analyzed insurance products and pricing models extensively. My course projects also involved developing financial plans and investment strategies for hypothetical clients. Through my banking internship, I gained experience having solutions-based conversations about personal finances – skills directly applicable to this role. Although I don’t have direct insurance experience yet, I’m confident my combination of education and analytical abilities will enable me to rapidly learn and thrive in this environment.
4. How would you explain our products to customers who are unfamiliar with insurance?
Here the interviewer assesses your ability to communicate complex information in a simple, engaging way. Tailor your answer to Western & Southern Life’s specific offerings.
Sample Answer: When explaining insurance to novice customers, I always start by making sure I understand their lifestyle and goals. This helps me frame our products in terms of how they can benefit that specific person or family. For example, if they have young children, I would highlight how our whole life insurance policies can guarantee insurance later in life even if health conditions change. For a middle-aged couple, I may focus on how annuities can supplement retirement savings through guaranteed lifetime income. Drawing simple comparisons to things like car insurance also helps demystify the concept. My ultimate goal is listening first, then educating customers on how our products provide protection for the things that matter most – their family, health, home, or retirement dreams.
5. How do you stay motivated when prospects continuously reject your sales pitches?
This behavioral question tests your resilience and persistence – critical sales skills. The interviewer wants to see you can handle rejection and have strategies to stay motivated.
Sample Answer: Rejection never stops stinging, but I’ve learned not to take it personally. Prospects have a range of reasons for saying no that are out of my control. I stay motivated by focusing on the relationships I’m building, not just the sale. Even if we don’t find an ideal product match now, I’ve planted a seed and made a connection. Next time they need insurance or financial guidance, I hope they’ll think of me. Finding little wins, like getting someone to agree to a follow-up call, also keeps me going. My manager’s guidance has also been invaluable – hearing how he persisted through years of rejection inspires me. At the end of the day, I know that a ‘no’ simply means I get to sharpen my skills for the next call. With persistence, the next one could be a ‘yes’.
6. How do you balance meeting sales quotas while ensuring customers receive the best products for their needs?
Responsible selling practices are crucial in this industry. The interviewer wants to hear you prioritize integrity and customer satisfaction – not just sales numbers.
Sample Answer: My philosophy is that the sale isn’t done when the policy is signed – it’s done when that customer feels protected and cared for over the long term. Recommending unsuitable products just to meet a quota does more harm than good. It damages our reputation and loses hard-won trust. That’s why I take time to thoroughly understand each prospect’s unique situation. This ensures I can educate them on which products are the best match for their needs and goals. If someone seems hesitant or confused, I’d rather guide them towards resources to learn more than pressure them to sign. Building relationships and matching customers with the right solutions ultimately benefits both them and our business in the long run. Quotas are important, but integrity and customer satisfaction come first.
7. How do you stay up-to-date on insurance regulations and trends?
Here the interviewer wants to confirm you have a hunger for continuous learning. Share the specific actions you take to stay current.
Sample Answer: The insurance landscape is constantly changing, so ongoing learning is a must. I make a point to set aside an hour each weekday morning to review industry newsletters, blogs and podcasts. This gives me a pulse on the latest regulations, product trends and competitor moves. I also attend quarterly training sessions through the local insurance association to hear legislative updates straight from experts. Interacting with colleagues and managers provides another great learning channel – their experience offers insights no article could teach. I believe being deeply knowledgeable about our evolving industry directly translates to providing better guidance for customers. So staying proactive and curious is a priority for me, and a responsibility I take seriously.
8. Describe a time you had a conflict with a colleague. How did you resolve it?
With this behavioral question, the interviewer assesses your conflict management skills and professional maturity. Share a real example that demonstrates empathy, listening and problem-solving abilities.
Sample Answer: Early in my career, I had a colleague who often questioned my work openly in team meetings – it felt like hostile criticism. Rather than react defensively, I scheduled a 1:1 to discuss our working relationship transparently. I listened to their concerns about my performance and was able to clarify some misconceptions. We had an open discussion about communication preferences too. Since then, they’ve provided feedback constructively so I can improve. I’m grateful I took the initiative to clear the air through respectful dialogue. We may not always see eye-to-eye, but we support each other’s growth now. This experience taught me that swallowing your pride and engaging honestly with the other person is key to overcoming conflict.
9. How do you respond when a customer is upset about a declined insurance claim or benefit reduction?
In this hypothetical scenario, the interviewer evaluates your customer service skills when delivering bad news. Demonstrate empathy, listening abilities and problem-solving.
Sample Answer: Communicating claim declines or reductions is always difficult, so empathy is key. I’d listen closely to understand the customer’s full perspective and let them share their frustrations. I’d then explain as clearly as possible why the claim could not be approved under their policy terms. While being transparent about the reasons, I would apologize sincerely for the difficulty this causes them. Depending on the situation, I may explore whether we can offer any additional support or alternative solutions. Even if the policy dictates that we cannot pay the claim, my
WOW! Concerns and Confidence Colliding!
What do retired and soon-to-be retired people worry about most about retirement, and how well have they planned for their lifetime income? You might be surprised.
Hear what those age 50-75 say they need and want to help build retirement income resources and confidence.
See our “Income Outcomes” Retirement Planning Confidence Survey for key insights…top takeaways…and more.
Why Retirement Is a Hot Topic
How many times have you heard this? “60 is the new 40!” Look around you, people are living lives they never thought possible. But did you know that 60% of Americans don’t know how much money they’ll need when they retire? My name is Nicole Westin and I’m the host of Roadmap for the Future, which is brought to you by Western So why is retirement getting so much attention? We asked the President. So Troy, how did we end up this way?.
TROY: This didn’t happen overnight; it must have taken a long time, like a generation or more. And there really is more than one answer to your question. INTERVIEWER: Okay, let’s get started! TROY: Let’s start with employment, and benefits. Generations ago, people worked hard and when they retired, they had access to a pension. As of now, most people no longer have pensions or have replaced them with defined contribution plans like 401(k)s or 403(b)s. There’s no shame in my plug for Western But we are the exception to the rule. Western is the only Fortune 500 company that In terms of jobs, a lot of Americans aren’t getting the same retirement benefits they did a generation or two ago. INTERVIEWER: So we have benefits concerns… Let’s talk about personal savings. I guess the inverse would be spending… Right? TROY: Yes, and what you’re alluding to is lifestyle creep. In the media, we all see people who live in huge mansions, drive fast cars, and wear expensive clothes. So, in a way, we try to be like these people, and too often, people spend their retirement savings to do so. The result can be debt accumulation. In addition, you may not know that the s we see online and on TV often show a way of life that is not always true. It is only natural for younger people not to think about retirement. They often make purchases that provide instant, but only temporary happiness. And worse, they could miss out on years of compounding that could contribute toward a comfortable retirement. About two-thirds of Americans haven’t saved much or anything at all for retirement! INTERVIEWER: That’s scary. What else? TROY: Well, people in my generation used to be able to count on the government to take care of them in retirement through Social Security, Medicare, and other programs. A lot of that is just not there anymore, or is diminished in capacity. Or perhaps threatened. As an old saying goes, there are three legs that hold up a stool. The government leg used to hold the most weight when it came to retirement, followed by employer programs and personal savings. Today, we are moving toward personal savings being required to sustain the weight. INTERVIEWER: So our retirement stool is changing. I imagine the economy plays a role too… TROY: Yes, absolutely. No discussion on retirement would be complete without addressing our economic landscape. There were a lot of people whose small retirement savings could have been lost in the 2008 recession. And these people have had a tough time recovering. The interviewer asked Troy if there was a way out. Troy replied that he thought there was. He said that with the right help, many people’s situations could at least get better and in many cases become better. I think too many people think the situation is hopeless, that definitely is not the case. But you need to start saving as early as you possibly can. If you’re earning a living, you aren’t too young to think about retirement. And if you haven’t started saving, the time to start is now. INTERVIEWER: So the good news is… you probably can get back on track. TROY: Well sure you can. Once you’ve decided to do something, you need to work with someone—a financial expert who will really listen and understand what you have to say. You have a good chance of getting on track with your retirement plans and staying on track if you make them well and review them often. Talk to people who you know… people you respect. And know that Western & Southern has offices nationwide. Our financial experts would love to take the time to talk with you, hear what’s on your mind, and help you make a personalized plan for your retirement. INTERVIEWER: Roadmap to retirement… Troy, this sounds like good news to me… thank you for your time. TROY: Thank you!.
Why Western & Southern Life
FAQ
Why should we hire you?
