Professional Pension Consultant Interview Preparation Guide
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Pension Consultant related Frequently Asked Questions by expert members with job experience as Pension Consultant. These questions and answers will help you strengthen your technical skills, prepare for the new job interview and quickly revise your concepts

58 Pension Consultant Questions and Answers:

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Professional  Pension Consultant Job Interview Questions and Answers
Professional Pension Consultant Job Interview Questions and Answers

1 :: Explain me what are you looking for?

It takes a lot of thinking to be ready for this question. Avoid speaking in generalities. Be prepared to talk about the kind of work you’re interested in doing and how your skills translate to the employer’s needs.

2 :: Explain me what Payroll Forms Are You Familiar With?

Payroll administrators must understand the function and proper usage of various payroll forms. Forms related to payroll include personal data forms, overtime or absence approval forms, expense reimbursement forms and time sheets.

3 :: Tell me why are you looking for a job?

Keep it brief. A straightforward answer is best. For example, “My organization was forced to downsize.” Avoid negative statements about yourself, your work or your ability to get along with others. Never criticize former employers or coworkers.

4 :: Tell me do you get on with your current Manager?

I have a good relationship with my boss; he/she is not the reason I'm looking to move.

5 :: Tell me how long would you stay with us?

I see this as a long-term career move.

6 :: Tell me what is the Casualty Actuarial Society?

Casualty Actuarial Society is a professional association of non-life actuaries, of risk management professionals who work in industries other than life insurance. The motive of this society is to give knowledge to members and the general public about actuarial analysis of property and liability risk

7 :: Explain what are your greatest weaknesses as Pension Consultant?

Some people have said my natural enthusiasm is a weakness, but I found my administration skills were weak. However I have recognised this and come to terms with it. Consequently, it is no longer a major problem.

8 :: Tell me how Do You Stay Organized?

Organization is key to accurate and timely payroll processing. Highly organized payroll administrators have information about pay, deadlines, taxes and other important data all in one place for ease of access.

9 :: We don’t have many employees who are your age. Would that bother you?

Explain that you believe your age would be an asset, you are eager to learn and it doesn’t matter who helps you. Describe recent experiences, whether at work or in other situations, where age diversity has been an asset.

10 :: Tell me what is the role of actuarial assistant in the insurance company?

Actuarial assistant is a helping hand to actuary; it plays a valuable support role to the actuary, assisting with the calculation of premium rates, policy liabilities and developing new products.

11 :: Explain this is how we do things around here, what would you change?

This is more of a test of personality than technical skills, An employer is essentially asking the actuary to use their professional judgement to identify a problem, but explain it in an easily understandable way.

12 :: Do you know what is actuarial report?

An actuarial report includes the future and current conditions of the fund, like in case of pension or insurance policy, it helps to decide whether it meets the need of people depending on it. For government organization, this actuarial report is available on public request, while, for privately managed fund, it might not be accessible to the public.

13 :: Explain what do you think of your current job? / Why do you want to leave?

As a company they are fine but I do not think they can match my ambitions with the possible opportunities offered and now is a right time for me to move on.

14 :: As you know we have state-of-the-art technology. Would you be able to jump right in?

Show you are adaptable and tech-savvy. Provide specific examples of projects you’ve done that required computer skills, computer programs you know, and your familiarity with social media. Emphasize any training you’ve had to keep your skills up to date.

15 :: Tell me in your role in Pensions consulting what are your responsibilities?

My work is generally very varied, which is great. Responsibilities can range from assisting with funding updates or valuations to running calculations for specific clients on an ad hoc basis.

In my role, from early on you can get heavily involved in projects and become a key member of the team, working with a variety of clients.

16 :: Explain typical IRS Forms Such as Form W-2 and W-4?

Payroll administrators process payroll tax information. IRS forms W-2 and W-4 provide employers with the information needed to withhold income taxes from employees' wages. Familiarity with these forms ensure the candidate understands how to properly prepare these documents.

17 :: Tell me do you think your boss is a good Manager?

I have never had any problems with the management expertise of my boss and as already mentioned he/she is not the reason I'm looking for another job.

18 :: Tell me a time when you had to take initiative?

Once a coworker was trying to sign a prospective client. Our boss constantly had to check in with him to see what progress was being made, and the work simply was not getting done at the pace the boss wanted. There was a significant risk that we would lose this big client. I did not want to overstep any boundaries, but I offered to help my coworker with the research. I think my coworker was a little too prideful to outright ask for help, but I could tell he was grateful for the help, and we ended up splitting the commission when we landed the client.

19 :: Tell us what Is Your Experience with Computerized Payroll Systems or Software?

Payroll systems accurately maintain data related to payroll processing. Familiarity with formal payroll systems and computerized software ensure the candidate has experience with current payroll technology.

20 :: Tell us do You Have Experience Processing Special Pay Items?

Special pay items are not processed in the same manner as regular payroll. These items include pay for incentives and bonuses, as well as pay for work completed by contract specialists.

21 :: Do you know what does a pension actuary do?

The job of pension’s actuary is to help pension’s providers to set the pension rates and craft retirement policies that minimize risk. They apply their skills to the creation and maintenance of sustainable retirement plans. Majority of the pension actuaries work in a pensions actuarial firms while others work in government bodies.

22 :: Explain where do you see yourself in five years time?

At the moment in five years time I can see myself progressing along my chosen path and currently I would like to progress into a managerial role. But, if in two to three year's time a better, more suitable opportunity shows itself, then I would give it my consideration. Actually I would like to have won the pools and be sitting on a boat drinking wine in the Med. (Humour can sometimes help.)

23 :: Tell me aren’t you overqualified for this position?

Even though overqualified can be shorthand for "old" or "expensive", it’s important to stay positive. Express your enthusiasm for the job and pride in your qualifications. Explain what makes you interested in this position at this point in your career — such as wanting to apply your skills to a new field, not wanting any management responsibilities, or to achieve more flexibility and work-life balance.

24 :: Explain me how difficult is it balancing your day-to-day work and studying for your CFA exams?

The actuarial exams can be very challenging, however Aon are extremely accommodating in helping graduates balance their work and studies. They assign you a considerable amount of study days including tutorials in order to allow you to spend time focusing on your studies. From speaking to friends I know at other firms looking to pass the actuarial exams, Aon gives us an above average amount of study days.

You are also able to take these days when you like, as long as it doesn’t mean that you neglect your duties to clients that you are working with. People that you are working with are generally very accommodating when you are looking to study for your exams because they have all been through the process before.

25 :: Tell me how Would You Assist an Employee Whose Tax Withholdings Are Inaccurate?

This question illustrates whether the applicant has experience changing employee income tax withholding amounts. The applicant should be able to describe the necessary forms to use and the process for changing the information in the payroll system.
Pension Consultant Interview Questions and Answers
58 Pension Consultant Interview Questions and Answers