How to get a job at CIGNA.

Do you work at CIGNA? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

Well, my experience with Cigna started out well and quickly went sour.

I sent in my resume and had a quick response to set up a phone interview with a HR person in Nashville. The HR person who called was seemingly nice and professional sounding, and after a brief phone interview, she asked if I would go to the Cigna office that I applied to for an interview with the manager.

I agreed, and this interview went exceedingly well. The manager/interviwer hinted that I had one of the several positions being filled if I wanted one. I asked what the next step in the process was, and he said the HR lady in Nashville would contact me in the next couple of days with an answer either way.

So........fast forward two weeks and I haven't heard anything. I email the HR lady and ask if I am still being considered for this postion. No response. Another week passes and I call the HR lady and leave a message asking if I am still being considered. No response. At this point I am TICKED.

I don't mind not getting a job that I interview for, but how rude and unprofessional to not even take a minute to respond to my email or call me back and say "Sorry, we have selected another candidate" or "I still don't know." After all, I did take time out of my life for these interviews. And, after all, isn't that what her job is?

A company is only as good as it's employees, and I was definitely not impressed with Cigna's.

CIGNA SUCKS THERE RUDE AND VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. WHAT IS COMING OF THE BUSINESS WORLD WHAT A MESS WE HAVE.

I worked for CIGNA for 8 years. I had the SAME experience getting in that KM did. Waited and waited and waited, only to find out they were under a hiring freeze. Even when I applied for jobs internally (already an employee looking to move departments)the communication was awful.

Now, with that being said, I enjoyed working for CIGNA. I was promoted and my salary was fair. There was room for advancement and good training.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

i went to one of the giant job fairs that they had here, i spoke with one of the hr people and she told me she would get back to me in the morning........now almost 1 month later i called the lady only to get the run around about they are lookin' for someone with a more corp. background Hello i'm in nursing does that person even exist!

Not like average employers, CIGNA wants to recruit and retain the very best employees. If you have solid skills and/or qualifications and strong communications skills, you stand a fair shot at an interview. Give it your all and chances are someone will consider you for a position now or in the future.

Good luck!

- A CIGNA employee

This is an utterly wrong and inaccurate statement.

I called them got a voice mail and they never called me back I called 3 - 4 times and when I finnally got a hold of them said the classes and job been filled.

Not my fault that there never in. Very unprofessional. They had a claims job but thats not I applied for. I have 15+ years in customer service and was a senior medical underwriter for 5+ years. I am more than qualified. I have a marketing degree and ton's of experience.

I live In nashville Tn.

I went to there orientation and passed everything with flying colors.

Lost me. I was appying for the Sr customer service opening thay had in Nashville TN.

Lost me on this company. I need to start my own business. I blow away the competition.

O well,
Michael Ladd

I was working at CIGNA as a consultant and after being with them for 1.5 yrs, they hired me as full time.
Till date the experience is good. one advice though is that you would have to bargain on your package and they just dont give you as per the market rate. Once you are in for a good package, the increase usually is around $1000 to $2000 max per annum. If you get into a position which offers you a bonus that is even good!!!

All the best...

Eric in Haverford, Pennsylvania said: I was working at CIGNA as a consultant and after being with them for 1.5 yrs, they hired me as full time.
Till date the experience is good. one advice though is that you would have to bargain on your package and they just dont give you as per the market rate. Once you are in for a good package, the increase usually is around $1000 to $2000 max per annum. If you get into a position which offers you a bonus that is even good!!!

All the best...

I agree with this person. Not a bad place to work...just make sure you get a good offer coming in the door as the annual raises are 2-4% (and that is for a good performance rating)...

I agree with others that it is pretty good place to work. They do search for high quality employees. One word of caution---get a good compensation package coming in the door as the annual raise are not great (3% this year and I had a good perf. rating).

KM in Belmont, New Hampshire said: Well, my experience with Cigna started out well and quickly went sour.

I sent in my resume and had a quick response to set up a phone interview with a HR person in Nashville. The HR person who called was seemingly nice and professional sounding, and after a brief phone interview, she asked if I would go to the Cigna office that I applied to for an interview with the manager.

I agreed, and this interview went exceedingly well. The manager/interviwer hinted that I had one of the several positions being filled if I wanted one. I asked what the next step in the process was, and he said the HR lady in Nashville would contact me in the next couple of days with an answer either way.

So........fast forward two weeks and I haven't heard anything. I email the HR lady and ask if I am still being considered for this postion. No response. Another week passes and I call the HR lady and leave a message asking if I am still being considered. No response. At this point I am TICKED.

I don't mind not getting a job that I interview for, but how rude and unprofessional to not even take a minute to respond to my email or call me back and say "Sorry, we have selected another candidate" or "I still don't know." After all, I did take time out of my life for these interviews. And, after all, isn't that what her job is?

A company is only as good as it's employees, and I was definitely not impressed with Cigna's.

I just quit Cigna last friday. It is a cheap and cold company. There is little room for growth and it fosters a back stabbing environment. You are lucky you did not hear from them.

anonymous said: Not like average employers, CIGNA wants to recruit and retain the very best employees. If you have solid skills and/or qualifications and strong communications skills, you stand a fair shot at an interview. Give it your all and chances are someone will consider you for a position now or in the future.

Good luck!

- A CIGNA employee

Retention? Please explain all the turnover and hiring freezes? Solid skills and qualifications mean nothing, your manager 100% owns you and your future at Cigna.

KM in Belmont, New Hampshire said: Well, my experience with Cigna started out well and quickly went sour.

I sent in my resume and had a quick response to set up a phone interview with a HR person in Nashville. The HR person who called was seemingly nice and professional sounding, and after a brief phone interview, she asked if I would go to the Cigna office that I applied to for an interview with the manager.

I agreed, and this interview went exceedingly well. The manager/interviwer hinted that I had one of the several positions being filled if I wanted one. I asked what the next step in the process was, and he said the HR lady in Nashville would contact me in the next couple of days with an answer either way.

So........fast forward two weeks and I haven't heard anything. I email the HR lady and ask if I am still being considered for this postion. No response. Another week passes and I call the HR lady and leave a message asking if I am still being considered. No response. At this point I am TICKED.

I don't mind not getting a job that I interview for, but how rude and unprofessional to not even take a minute to respond to my email or call me back and say "Sorry, we have selected another candidate" or "I still don't know." After all, I did take time out of my life for these interviews. And, after all, isn't that what her job is?

A company is only as good as it's employees, and I was definitely not impressed with Cigna's.

If you think thats rough, try collecting on a disability claim

Host said: Do you work at CIGNA? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

I have an interview Monday in Dallas TX. Anyone out there that can tell me about the culture and environment and work ethic at this office would be greatly appreciated.

As you read all these replies, note the spelling errors and horrible grammar. Almost all the posts complaining about not hearing anything, have several obvious errors; and even in writing, show their negative attitudes.
The people who do, or have worked for them in the past, are much more professional. They don't have all the spelling errors. They use full sentences, and proper punctuation and grammar.
Seriously, check yourself. Usually the first person to blame for a bad experience is yourself.

Cigna = AMC (All Mistakes Combined) Stay Away!

Cigna is still not a very good company to work for. I was more than qualified when I interviewed and pay could be better. Complaining about how bad most American company are will get you know were. I want start my own business again and never work for American company or politics at work again. It's horriable what got to do to keep a job at most company in a America. What happen to hire good old fashion hard working education.

Most company it's not what you know it's who you know o you have to kiss ass to keep your job.

anonymous said: Not like average employers, CIGNA wants to recruit and retain the very best employees. If you have solid skills and/or qualifications and strong communications skills, you stand a fair shot at an interview. Give it your all and chances are someone will consider you for a position now or in the future.

Good luck!

- A CIGNA employee

You must be in HR/corporate shill.

I like to say I must applied and inter viewed with the wrong company. I was going to work in customer service for cigina and they seemed unprofessional and pay was not that good with the 15+ years of experience I have. I could be wrong.

I tried to get in class but was to late and they forgot to get a hold of me and they offered me a claims position that payed even worse and I had way more experience in other fields. I have exstensive medical insurance background.

You might of got lucky in your job or branch but in nashville TN HR dept is all about them is seemed and could be more professional.

Michael Ladd in Nashville TN

AM said: I have an interview Monday in Dallas TX. Anyone out there that can tell me about the culture and environment and work ethic at this office would be greatly appreciated.

this is a company that you do no want to work for. I worked for them for over 10 years and there is no room for advancement, the senior case managers and team leaders are horrible and they set you up for failure. If they don't call you back, get on your knees and thank GOD because you've just avoided a NASTY CAREER trainwreck!

I'm interested in hearing from people who worked for Cigna after a takeover of their company. Did they retain the old staff? Did they change everything? What were the benefits like?

lanae999 in Anytown, Kansas said: I'm interested in hearing from people who worked for Cigna after a takeover of their company. Did they retain the old staff? Did they change everything? What were the benefits like?

Hi! Used to work for Cigna 7 years ago and when I was there, it seemed like they retained some vital staff (usually in contract for takover...(i.e. layoff x amt of people before transfer is final, retaining only vital staff). You have to remember that Cigna would want to cut expenses (layoffs) prior to final acquisition as it would go on old companies books (severance, etc). Once acquisition is final, the layoffs Cigna does would fall under Cigna...but that does not mean they will not do layoffs after take over. So, needless to say I wouldn't be surprised that a pretty big layoff about 30 days prior to final acquisition and then they are probably going to move really fast to get things transferred over...then announce more layoffs after the fact. I wouldn't count on being retained unless you job is really vital to the organization. A lot of Cigna's general staff type of positions (claims, eligibility, etc. I think is now outsourced overseas). Are you working for Great West? If you have put in a lot of years and are due a good separation package, I would hang in there to see what happens. But if you don't have a lot vested, I would start looking:-) I liked working for Cigna when I was there, but was in a sales related position. I liked the people I worked with. I know some offices had their problems...but you get that with any company. Good luck!

lanae999 in Anytown, Kansas said: I'm interested in hearing from people who worked for Cigna after a takeover of their company. Did they retain the old staff? Did they change everything? What were the benefits like?

Also Lanaee...I am assuming you work for Great West...I have a few friends over there. Have they done any layoffs yet?

Yes I do work for GW. They haven't done much yet. We're all thinking there is probably going to be a major change. They've talked about hiring customer service people over the next two years but didn't say a word about claims. I have been there less than 5 years so I don't know whats in store for me. I just hope they see my value and I'm retained.

I was a Residential Mortgage Underwriter for almost 10yrs & was fortunate to have someone their take my resume & qualifications seriously enough to be considered for a Group Medical Underwriting Specialist position. Yes, there were several phone & face to face interviews but that never bothered me they were all extremely pleasant. I liked the fact that everyone I talked to including staff employee's had good tenure there & it wasn't a revolving door shop like in the mortgage industry.

My only gripe is the pay isn't as high as in mortgage but then again I'm switching to a completely different industry. Although ALL underwriting begins with the same scientific principals & base methods I'm probably going to assume that this style of underwriting isn't as intricate as mortgage underwriting (which in itself isn't that hard), but I could be wrong.

I hate to leave the finance industry to be honest because financial underwriting has sort of a mystique to it. I ultimately wanted to become a Commercial Underwriter but Commercial Lenders are very fraternal & sort of turned their back on Residential Mortgage Underwriters in general. Oh well, their time cometh right soon.

Does anyone know if the background check for working at Cigna would disqualify employment if your credit is not that good. You hear this matters for some companies now and I am trying to get a position with them but also working on improving my credit.

Could someone tell me, does Cigna have drug testing and do they use a timeclock?

2old4this - If you have to ask that question then Cigna's probably not for you. The drug test is timed, the door was cracked open & the person stands right outside.

unemployed in Chandler - Most companies now a days are extremely credit conscious especially with all the mortgage professionals flooding the job markets. I don't think a few blips will hurt but if your credit is sh^% then you'll probably be passed by. Another good reason besides purchasing large ticket items, to keep your credit in tact.

As a footnote to my first post - I was TOTALLY wrong about the degree of difficulty on Group Medical Underwriting compared to mortgage underwriting. Group Medical Insurance Underwriting is infinitely harder than mortgage underwriting. Compared to GM Underwriting, mortgage underwriting was kindergarten stuff.

To add, I absolutely love working there!! The atmosphere is friendly & professional yet not stuffy at all!!! They treat you like an adult, just get your work done & go home! No micro managing or breathing down your neck. Training is intense but thorough. They help you all the way in training but they also leave it up to you to fend for yourself sometimes, they don't hold your hand like your a little child, like I said they treat you like an adult.

It's like in some college atmosphere's, you get your syllabus & hand your work in when it's due, if you need help, you ask, if you don't ask, then you don't get.

Some people expect to get spoon fed, then complain saying, "The company is cut throat or back stabbing", or what not.

They spend A LOT of money on you flying us out for training, salaries, per diems, hotels, so YES they want the best of the best.

They're not going to waste their time & especially money on someone who's just going to bounce in a few months!!

Oceans11 in Aliso Viejo, California said: 2old4this - If you have to ask that question then Cigna's probably not for you. The drug test is timed, the door was cracked open & the person stands right outside.

unemployed in Chandler - Most companies now a days are extremely credit conscious especially with all the mortgage professionals flooding the job markets. I don't think a few blips will hurt but if your credit is sh^% then you'll probably be passed by. Another good reason besides purchasing large ticket items, to keep your credit in tact.

As a footnote to my first post - I was TOTALLY wrong about the degree of difficulty on Group Medical Underwriting compared to mortgage underwriting. Group Medical Insurance Underwriting is infinitely harder than mortgage underwriting. Compared to GM Underwriting, mortgage underwriting was kindergarten stuff.

As a matter of fact, the question about the drug testing and time clock are not for me, but the few who ruin it for the rest of us. There are many on drugs and who cheat on their time and are allowed to do so by their supervisors. Many who have complained where basically told to mind their own business. Just hard to swallow when you show up on time each day, do your job and watch others be allowed to do as they please.

I happened to find this website while Googling about Cigna. Does anyone know what kind of money they generally pay? They contacted me for a customer service position but didn't mention the money. I have a degree, experience, and can't take a job with low pay.

I was VERY impressed with Cigna and their hiring process. I just accepted an offer to work in Human Resources and Recruitment. They were very quick to respond to my resume and flew me out to Philly to interview. My offer came the next week.

All in all a WONDERFUL experience. I cant wait to start working for them.

how much do you pay a month in medical benefits (we're a family of 4) if you work for cigna?

Joe in Chandler,
I work for Cigna and another girl there has a husband and one child and it is something like 350.00 per month with a 3K deductible/family. They give you 1500.00 to make up for the benefits being what they are. The office in Ft. Scott was previously Great West and everyone there was used to great benefits with a fair premium. With the takeover, I am one adult and one child and the premium has tripled as well as the deductible. From 500.00 to 1500.00 each. That is medical with dental having its own deductlbe and no vision to speak of.

I loved working for CIGNA for the first 2 years. Then we had a reorg, and our current manager has made working there absolutely horrible. We are losing people right and left, and the remaining employees are all actively job hunting. This guy has no management skills and needs to retire.

If you have a good manager, you probably love your job at CIGNA. I know I did when I had one.

Wow! Sorry to hear about that Tennessee. I just had some products training in Connecticut with some of the Tennessee people & you guys were very nice.

I actually really like working for Cigna, there training could stand a little updating & they could stand to spend a little more to locate some of their satellite offices in nicer buildings and area's. I feel bad for the Phoenix people because although the building is nice it's not in the best of area's. My RD is awesome!! Very understanding, patient & the trainers are pretty much all cool, funny & very knowledgeable.

Their biggest problem is the train too much like it's college. I understand a large part of their new hires come from college atmospheres but this is the real world & not everything works like the "classroom".

Other then that it's a great company & I'm very lucky to be there coming from the industry I once was in.

Here in Tennessee said: I loved working for CIGNA for the first 2 years. Then we had a reorg, and our current manager has made working there absolutely horrible. We are losing people right and left, and the remaining employees are all actively job hunting. This guy has no management skills and needs to retire.

If you have a good manager, you probably love your job at CIGNA. I know I did when I had one.

La_Princesa in Illinois said: I happened to find this website while Googling about Cigna. Does anyone know what kind of money they generally pay? They contacted me for a customer service position but didn't mention the money. I have a degree, experience, and can't take a job with low pay.

I'm a little confused, you have a degree & experience but they called you for a customer service position? Well, if you have experience, you should know that customer service positions don't really command a great deal of salary, right?

Yep, they called me for a customer service position. I ended up turning it down because the money was way lower than what I was making. He said I COULD make $27,000, but that's much less than I was making. The guy even admitted that the other people they called in for a group interview (strange in itself) were mostly recent high school graduates. Made me mad because I applied for a different position.

Oceans11 in Aliso Viejo, California said: Wow! Sorry to hear about that Tennessee. I just had some products training in Connecticut with some of the Tennessee people & you guys were very nice.

I actually really like working for Cigna, there training could stand a little updating & they could stand to spend a little more to locate some of their satellite offices in nicer buildings and area's. I feel bad for the Phoenix people because although the building is nice it's not in the best of area's. My RD is awesome!! Very understanding, patient & the trainers are pretty much all cool, funny & very knowledgeable.

Their biggest problem is the train too much like it's college. I understand a large part of their new hires come from college atmospheres but this is the real world & not everything works like the "classroom".

Other then that it's a great company & I'm very lucky to be there coming from the industry I once was in.

Hello Ocieans11,
I live in Phoenix and I have a job interview with CIGNA on Wednesday. I am interested in finding out any and all information about this company so that I can be well informed before I walk through their doors. I have been out of work since November and I don't know if emotionally, I can handle any more rejection. I DO NOT know what employers are looking for these days. I am currently in college working towards my degree in Healthcare Management. I need a job, but from what I am reading in these posts, I am apprehensive. My husband tells me that I have to disregard about half of the negative posts on here as people who have had bad experiences and are disgruntled as a result...the one thing that does scare me is this whole credit check thing. Due to my former marriage to an alcoholic, my credit is shot. I want to work on making it better, but how can I do that without a job, and if I can't get a job without good credit...well, it seems like a vicious cycle. Any advice would be appreciated!

La_Princesa in Illinois said: Yep, they called me for a customer service position. I ended up turning it down because the money was way lower than what I was making. He said I COULD make $27,000, but that's much less than I was making. The guy even admitted that the other people they called in for a group interview (strange in itself) were mostly recent high school graduates. Made me mad because I applied for a different position.

What is this with a "group" interview? I too find that odd as well. I want to know that I am there on my own merit and not having to compete with people with less baggage than I have on my resume!

jonibugs in Phoenix, Arizona said: What is this with a "group" interview? I too find that odd as well. I want to know that I am there on my own merit and not having to compete with people with less baggage than I have on my resume!

When they called me for an interview, they said expect to stay three hours. I found that odd because none of the interviews I've had were 3 hours. One hour at tops. The guy said they go through the history, etc. None of the places I've interviewed went through that while on an interview. After the job, yes. Then he said something like we have four more seats on the interview. I asked what he meant, and he said they interview in groups. There can be up to 20 at interviews. Then they take four at a time to meet the bosses. All strange. Even though I've been unemployed for a few months, I don't want to take a job I won't stay at. I would deeply resent being interviewed with 18 year olds.

I have to agree with you on that. My youngest daughter is 18 and she is beautiful and has SO much going for her..I would hate to have to compete against her. Thank you for your response to my inquiry, I too have been out of work, well, for 8 months now, but, I would rather not work than to work where I was unhappy and risk having to enter that on my resume and appear unstable to any future employers. Good Luck with your endeavors! Thanks again!!

jonibugs in Phoenix, Arizona said: I have to agree with you on that. My youngest daughter is 18 and she is beautiful and has SO much going for her..I would hate to have to compete against her. Thank you for your response to my inquiry, I too have been out of work, well, for 8 months now, but, I would rather not work than to work where I was unhappy and risk having to enter that on my resume and appear unstable to any future employers. Good Luck with your endeavors! Thanks again!!

If you have experience and a degree, you shouldn't have to compete with a 18 year old for a job. Unless of course it's a modeling job, but that's another story. I'd be livid if I show up and no one else has a degree or experience and many barely graduated high school.

I know you're right..but, I am currently in school working on my degree..I put it off to raise my kids..now the 3 of them are in college or starting next month..so, it's now my turn! But...I still don't want to compete with 18 year olds..I'm too old for that...if I have to, I will wait until I finish this degree...my husband is working on his doctorate, so I don't have to work...just going crazy in this house, and I want to do my part.

jonibugs in Phoenix, Arizona said: I know you're right..but, I am currently in school working on my degree..I put it off to raise my kids..now the 3 of them are in college or starting next month..so, it's now my turn! But...I still don't want to compete with 18 year olds..I'm too old for that...if I have to, I will wait until I finish this degree...my husband is working on his doctorate, so I don't have to work...just going crazy in this house, and I want to do my part.

Oh yeah, then definitely wait. Don't jeopardize grades to jump into customer service. I know that some pocket change may sound very tempting especially in this economy but I wouldn't take something as stressful as the Insurance biz to make it either. If you really need to I'd suggest jumping into something that's very stressless & put more emphasis on your last few units to finish up your degree. Good luck!!

La_Princesa in Illinois said: Yep, they called me for a customer service position. I ended up turning it down because the money was way lower than what I was making. He said I COULD make $27,000, but that's much less than I was making. The guy even admitted that the other people they called in for a group interview (strange in itself) were mostly recent high school graduates. Made me mad because I applied for a different position.

Okay, well that makes sense then. It appears they didn't really read all your credentials then & called you for a position you really didn't want in the first place. At first it sounded like you were putting way to much emphasis on having a degree. A degree isn't going to always get you into the 6 figure range from the jump start unless you're talking about being a physician or lawyer or a handful of other industries & Insurance isn't one of them.

I was only putting an emphasis because they called me for a job way below what I wanted, as if to say nothing mattered, if that makes sense. It was kind of insulting that they did call for a low level job. Sort of like if I applied for a job at McDonald's corporate offices and they called me for a job flipping burgers. Not so much the degree per se, but the experience as well. I applied for a marketing position (I have 5-7 years) and they didn't call for that.

La_Princesa in Illinois said: If you have experience and a degree, you shouldn't have to compete with a 18 year old for a job. Unless of course it's a modeling job, but that's another story. I'd be livid if I show up and no one else has a degree or experience and many barely graduated high school.

Wow! La_Princesa it sounds like you have a real deep resentment towards the younger crowd or those who don't have degree's. You certainly sound like you think you're above them for sure.

Panel interviews are definitely nothing new so I question how old you really are. Panel interviews have been around forever & their more prevalent in larger corporations, law firms & east coast companies. Although I didn't have a panel style interview I had 3 separate interviews with 3 different people that in total took about 3 hours on 2 separate days.

Oceans11 in Aliso Viejo, California said: Wow! La_Princesa it sounds like you have a real deep resentment towards the younger crowd or those who don't have degree's. You certainly sound like you think you're above them for sure.

Panel interviews are definitely nothing new so I question how old you really are. Panel interviews have been around forever & their more prevalent in larger corporations, law firms & east coast companies. Although I didn't have a panel style interview I had 3 separate interviews with 3 different people that in total took about 3 hours on 2 separate days.

I should be making more than someone with no experience and no degree. That doesn't make me above anyone, but a realist. Yes, I've had group interviews before, but none of the jobs were legit.