Stand out from the crowd —
Job interviews can be stressful, but a little preparation will boost your confidence and lead to a better experience. Whether you have an upcoming interview with Allstate or you're just brushing up on your skills, the following tips from our recruiters can help.
What to
expect —
Your interview may be virtual or in person, depending on the role you're applying for. The role also determines if you'll have a behavioral, simulation or technical interview.
Behavioral interviews assess how you've handled certain situations and used your skills in the past.
- Questions are usually based on the core competencies for the position, so read the job description carefully. Think about stories that will show that you meet the job requirements.
- When answering questions, use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) format to tell your story. Explain the situation, describe your role, explain what action you took and the outcome.
During a simulation interview, we'll give you theoretical situations and ask how you would handle them. This helps us learn how you face real problems that could arise in the role you're applying for.
- There are no right or wrong answers. We're just gauging how you might handle different scenarios.
- Practice beforehand. Your local community college may have a career center that can help you practice your answers with a mock interview.
- Tell a story. While the questions are mostly theoretical, they may tie into your past experiences. Follow the STAR method to tell us about the situation, your role, the actions you would take and what outcomes you would hope to achieve.
If you've applied for a role that requires certain skills like software engineering or data analysis, it's common to have a technical interview. You may be asked a mix of standard interview questions and problem-solving questions and take a technical proficiency test.
- Be prepared to talk in detail about your technical skills and knowledge.
- If you're asked to write code, use the language you're most comfortable in, whether that's Python, R, SQL or something else.
- Explain your techniques and thought process while you work.
- Be open to collaboration. Your interview team doesn't expect a perfect solution right away and is prepared to help you work through the problem.
- You may not have all the information you need to come to an answer right away. Ask questions as you work on your solution.
- Don't rush yourself. Work at a comfortable pace and take notes if you like.
Set yourself up for success —
If you have a video interview, consider the logistics:
- What will be visible in your background?
- Make sure you have a quiet and distraction-free environment.
- Do a test run to make sure your internet connection is secure and that your webcam and microphone are working.
- Use natural light if possible. Facing a window is better than having a window behind you.
- Have a digital copy of your resume on hand in case you need to send it to your interview team.
Remember the basics
Follow these simple tips to stand out:
- Speak in a strong, confident and clear voice and be aware of your body language.
- Ask us questions. We want you to have all the information you need.
- Prepare and practice. Be confident and be yourself. We're excited to meet the real you.
* These tips don't guarantee the outcome of an interview.
Ask us about our culture —
Giving back to the communities we serve is an important part of who we are. Allstate employees have many volunteer opportunities to help them give back and experience growth that goes beyond their daily job responsibilities.
Learn more about what it's like to work at Allstate:
Shared purpose
History
Allstate Foundation
