When you ask this question, you get to see whether the candidate has the basic understanding needed to be an actuary. This question also allows you to find out whether the individual fully understands the purpose of this tool. What to look for in an answer:

• Concise definitions of life tables
• Understanding of the importance of life tables
• A confident response to the question

Knowledge of actuarial software is an essential part of any job, so this question helps determine if a candidate has a good grasp on the tools of the trade to help them succeed in their field. Phrasing the question like this encourages the applicant to elaborate instead of just giving you a basic list of the software they have used before. It gives you their opinion on common software, allowing you to see if they are a good fit with your company. What to look for in an answer:

• Detailed information about software
• A positive attitude towards software your company uses
• Expertise with multiple software types

Depending on the type of position you are trying to fill, you may need a candidate who has taken certain exams. You can use this question to figure out exactly what qualifications the person has. Including an inquiry about their motivations with this question can let you find out more about their career goals. What to look for in an answer:

• Completion of all exams required for the position
• Interest in taking future exams to advance
• Passion in actuarial science

Asking this question is mostly about testing the actuary candidate’s ability to resolve any issue in a way that is not damaging to the company. It helps you gauge whether they have the social skills needed to work with clients and interact with co-workers in the office. How they reply can let you know if they would properly notify their boss or potentially cause a problem. What to look for in an answer:

• A desire to be sure that clients get correct information
• A polite and humble response
• Interest in following company policies

When you ask this question, you give the candidate a chance to show off and tell you about their strongest project. The answer they give you can let you know about the sorts of actuarial work they are interested in, so you can see if they are passionate about what your company does. What to look for in an answer:

• Excitement and enthusiasm for the subject
• Impressive examples of detailed and accurate work
• Ability to work well as part of a team

A candidate's response to this question can help you determine their level of experience and expertise in the field. Complete knowledge of actuary tools and software is essential to their job success. The phrasing of this question encourages a candidate to offer extra information in regards to the process they use and encourages personal opinion which will help you to determine if they are a good fit for the culture of the company.

The candidate's response should emphasize:

• Confidence in their process and skills
• Knowledge of multiple software programs and tools
• Ability to effectively communicate and support an opinion

A response to this question may look like this: