Every answer that I'm giving to these questions is completely true so sincerity won't be problem. I just want to make sure I'm not inadvertently eliminating myself from the running. Please help me… interviews are hard to come by-much less interviews for a job that I really really want like I want this one. Pleaes be as harsh as you need to. Thank you very very much.

Why do you want to work here? This position is one in which I have experience and knowledge, so there isn't a very steep learning curve. I like the fact that I can begin contributing immediately, and I'm impressed with the reviews on your website. I want to be part of an organization that shows that it genuinely cares for its clients.

What is a weakness of yours? It's been brought to my attention before that I have a tendency to get bogged down in small inconsequential details. Things that have no bearing on the finished product. I've taken steps to remedy this though; now I identify the necessary steps needed to complete a project and focus on those.

Why haven't you been working this year? Since I moved back to Long Beach, I've been very selective about the jobs that I apply for. I want it to be as good a fit for me as I am for it. So I've sent resumes out pretty sparingly, and that in combination with the economy has made it difficult to find a company that I want to work for long term.

What experience do you have that benefits us? One of my main responsibilities for about 3 years was verifying insurance coverage and benefits. I know effective dates, the difference between HMO's and PPO's, in network and out of network coverage, etc.

What is your work ethic? My work ethic is based on attendance, attitude, and results. They're all equally important to me and I hold myself to high standards as an employee.

Why should we hire you? I am familiar with medical insurance and so I won't require much training beyond what's specific to your company. I'm dependable, I have a great work ethic, and I'm not just looking for an interim job. There will be no question that if I'm hired here, I'm here to stay as long as we both feel that I'm doing an excellent job.

What did you like least about a previous job? Not being able to contribute as much as I wanted to. Since I had to stay in the front, I couldn't go looking for more work in my downtime so I asked my supervisor what I should work on, and he told me to play solitaire. I'm proud of my work ethic, and I didn't get a chance to show it off at that organization.

****What did you like best about a previous job? Being given the freedom to look for extra ways to shine.

****What have you learned from previous mistakes? I learned not to get bogged down in small details that don't affect the big picture.

What qualities do you look for in a boss? I can work and be successful under any type of management, but I've learned the most from bosses that make their expectations clear and offer constructive criticism.

Tell about a time that you resolved a dispute with a customer. There was a billing dispute with a responsible party. He'd been receiving bills for his wife's services, and informed us that she wasn't receiving the services and wouldn't pay. When I checked, I found out that the wrong patient was being billed for months because she had the same name as another patient whose family had agreed to pay for the services. I apologized, assured him that the mistake would cease immediately, and made notes on both patients in the database and on the hardcopy. I also let the private party biller know so that she would recognize the name and check more closely next time she was sending out bills for that facility.
You about covered it all - I would hire you if I was in the insurance business. In our office we have at times had 2 interviewers making small talk with the applicant - this seems to bring out some of the less desirable traits that the applicant wants to hide. We joked about the quality of the coffee and the applicant said "Oh - by the way I don't drink coffee so I don't make the coffee either". That was a shame, because the boss likes coffee sometimes. The applicant did not get the job. It was really more the attitude behind the "I don't" than the actual task.
Looks good. The only thing I see is that your answers to "liked best" and "liked least" sound contradictory.

Good luck.
Wow … I would hire you!

One thing irritated me: In the first answer you say Ou won't have a steep learning curve. That's an important point, but I'd add that you're willing to learn new things and aspects of your job every day. Bosses like that, because it shows you're interested in their pont of view and want to learn something from them.

Good luck !
Your answers look good to me. Just make sure that you don't sound over-rehearsed when you give them.

A couple of other things to look out for:

Tell me about a time you dealt with pressure or deadlines.
Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult coworker.
Tell me about a time where you had to do something and you didn't have enough information.
Do you have any questions that you'd like to ask us?