Underwriting Trainee

Review the description for an Underwriting Trainee position. The underlined keywords have links to interview questions for that keyword or job function.

Description:  Learn underwriting practices by participating in formal and on-the-job training:

• Reviews insurance applications and documentation to determine if the applicant is an acceptable risk in accordance with company guidelines and standards.

• Recommends appropriate premiums and coverage for risks after complete analysis and consideration of applicant documentation, business factors and competitive situations.

• Prepares written communications on adverse underwriting decisions, proposals, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations.

• Updates the underwriting systems with information relative to the underwriting analysis, requirements, status and final decision. 

• Carries out responsibilities consistently, dependably and accurately. 

• Makes field visits to Agent and Broker offices; accompanies Risk Control on visits to insureds or prospective insureds to better understand risk control assessments relating to risk exposure and control. 

• Work with Claim personnel on issues relating to specific claims, and other topics concerning the insurability of prospective risks and continued insurability of current insureds 

Candidates should have:

• Desire to develop knowledge and understanding of underwriting

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop positive business relationships 

• Ability to identify, analyze and resolve issues as well as the ability to learn rapidly and adapt quickly to change

• Ability to work independently

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite as well as other business related software

You have the potential and skills for an underwriting trainee position.  Now put it all together and get the edge in the job interview with the Complete Interview Guide.  Answer questions naturally without sounding rehearsed and build confidence for the interview.

• Learn how to practice right for the interview.

• Good or bad?  I wish, I think, I feel.

• How can hand gestures improve your interview performance?

• Why are mock interviews important?  Why isn't one mock interview enough?

• Why you shouldn't use limiting words such as "only" or "just"?

Plus:

• Answers to the toughest interview situations - follow-up letters, illegal questions, salary, job history questions and more!

• How to answer and how not to answer

• Questions to ask the interviewers

• What should you do the day of the interview?

• Identify possible interview questions

Review these critical interview tips before your interview:

• Interview Etiquette

• How to Dress for Your Interview

• Questions to Ask the Interviewers

Search for current trends and subject areas for your Underwriting Trainee interview:

Practice Underwriting Trainee Interview

1. Take me through your resume.
   Tips on your interview opening.

2. If we were to call your current supervisor, in which area of accounting would he or she say is your strongest?  

Follow-up: Which area would he or she say is your weakest?

3. What unique skills or knowledge can you contribute to our company?

Follow-up:  What additional training or experience will we need to provide you with in order to perform the duties of this position?

4. Tell me about your experience in reconciliation.

5. When do you plan on attaining your CPA?  

Follow-up:  What steps will you take to prepare yourself?

6. Give us an example of how you have used your creativity to solve a problem on the job.

7. Tell us about any accounting process that you've either developed or revised.  How would you evaluate the effectiveness of your work?

8. Why have you chosen a career in Accounting?

9. What aspect of accounting do you dislike the most?
   If the Accountant position that you are seeking is in audit, don't use audit as the aspect that you dislike the most.  Choose the aspect of accounting that you dislike the most that is most unrelated to the job that you are interviewing for.

10. What salary are you seeking?
    How does your experience and qualifications match up to the job?  Do you know how much other companies are paying?  

11. Do you have anything to add?
    Tips on your interview closing.