Preparing for an Actuarial Internship or Full-Time Interview

Interview preparation goes far beyond memorizing answers. Whether you're interviewing for an internship or a full-time role, the best preparation starts with understanding the company and yourself.

Research the Company Through Real Connections

First, research the company, and go beyond the website! While reviewing their mission, values, and actuarial program structure is important, the most valuable insights often come from personal connections. Reaching out to current or former interns and full-time actuarial analysts on platforms like LinkedIn is a great way to do this.

Ask about their experience, what stood out about the culture, and what helped them succeed. These conversations give you a clearer picture of whether the company aligns with you, and they also prepare you for behavioral and culture-fit questions in a much more authentic way.

The most valuable insights often come from personal connections.

Build Your Story Bank

Second, prepare your story bank! Write down meaningful experiences from college, internships, clubs, or work. Focus on the moments that built your character and the times you showed resilience, leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving.

It's important to remember that the strongest answers come from stories that genuinely matter to you. When you reflect on which experiences shaped you most, your responses will feel more natural and confident.

It's important to remember that the strongest answers come from stories that genuinely matter to you.

Practice Telling Your Stories Out Loud

Finally, practice speaking your stories out loud. Even if you know your experiences well, articulating and delivering them clearly takes practice. Record yourself, rehearse in front of friends or family, or ask them to act as interviewers.

The goal is to sound conversational and comfortable. The more you practice speaking through your experiences, the more confident and authentic you'll feel during the actual interview.

The more you practice speaking through your experiences, the more confident and authentic you'll feel during the actual interview.

Bringing It All Together

At the end of the day, strong preparation comes down to three things: research through real connections, reflect on meaningful experiences, and practice communicating them clearly!

About the Author

Ray Park is a senior at the University of Rochester majoring in statistics with a minor in economics. An aspiring actuary, he has passed three actuarial exams before graduation and has already secured a full-time role after graduation. Ray is the founder and president of the Actuarial Science Club at the University of Rochester, where he mentors students and helps grow interest in the actuarial profession. His interest in actuarial science began with a passion for sports analytics, which sparked his love for statistics and analytical problem-solving. He's excited to bring that same analytical mindset to the insurance industry.