How to Prepare for an Aviva Interview: Tips & Questions
From application to final-stage interview, this guide walks you through what to expect at Aviva, how to answer competency questions using STAR, and the specific preparation steps that will set you apart.
Understanding Aviva's Typical Interview Process
Aviva is one of the UK's largest insurance and financial services companies, and its hiring process reflects the rigour you'd expect from a FTSE 100 business. While specific steps vary by role and business area, candidates for graduate schemes, corporate functions, and specialist roles typically move through several stages.
The process commonly begins with an online application and may include numerical or situational judgement assessments. Shortlisted candidates are often invited to a one-way video interview — where you record answers to pre-set questions within a time limit — before progressing to a telephone or live video interview. Final stages for some roles include an assessment centre with group exercises, case studies, and a panel interview.
Because formats differ between early-careers programmes and experienced-hire roles, always check the specific job listing and any communications from Aviva's recruitment team for the precise steps that apply to you.
- Online application and CV screening
- Psychometric or situational judgement tests (common for graduate and volume roles)
- One-way video interview (HireVue-style, timed responses)
- Live telephone or video interview
- Assessment centre or panel interview for shortlisted candidates
What Competencies Does Aviva Typically Assess?
Aviva publicly emphasises values around inclusion, customer focus, innovation, and sustainability. Its interviewers are likely to probe competencies that map onto these values, which means you should be ready to demonstrate more than just technical knowledge.
Across financial services, competency-based interviews commonly assess areas such as customer orientation, commercial awareness, collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving. For Aviva specifically, the company has publicly highlighted its purpose — 'with you today, for a better tomorrow' — so candidates who can articulate genuine interest in long-term customer outcomes will stand out.
For experienced hires, expect deeper probing on leadership, stakeholder management, and how you've delivered results under uncertainty. Technical roles may include a skills-based assessment or case study alongside the competency interview.
- Customer focus and empathy
- Commercial and financial awareness
- Collaboration and inclusive teamwork
- Resilience and adaptability
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Alignment with Aviva's sustainability and purpose-led agenda
Common Aviva Interview Questions to Prepare For
While no preparation guide can guarantee the exact questions you'll face, the following types of questions are well-established in competency-based interviews at large financial services firms and align with the values Aviva communicates publicly.
Expect questions such as: 'Tell me about a time you put the customer at the heart of a decision,' 'Describe a situation where you had to adapt quickly to a change,' 'Give me an example of working collaboratively to solve a complex problem,' and 'How do you stay commercially aware in your current role?' You may also be asked motivational questions like 'Why Aviva?' and 'Why insurance?' — treat these as seriously as the behavioural questions.
- 'Tell me about a time you delivered excellent customer service under pressure.'
- 'Describe a situation where you identified a risk and took proactive steps to manage it.'
- 'Give an example of when you had to influence someone who disagreed with you.'
- 'Tell me about a time you contributed to an inclusive team environment.'
- 'Why do you want to work for Aviva specifically, rather than another insurer?'
Reading about it isn't the same as doing it on camera.
Run a free timed mock interview →How to Use the STAR Method for Aviva Interviews
The STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result — is the most reliable framework for structuring competency answers. It keeps your response focused, evidenced, and easy to follow for an interviewer who may be assessing multiple candidates in a day.
Here is a worked example for the question 'Tell me about a time you put the customer at the heart of a decision.'
- Situation: 'I was working as a customer service advisor at a financial services firm when a long-standing client called, frustrated that their policy renewal had been processed incorrectly.'
- Task: 'It was my responsibility to resolve the issue quickly and restore the client's confidence, while ensuring the correction was documented properly for compliance purposes.'
- Action: 'I took ownership immediately rather than transferring the call. I walked the client through exactly what had gone wrong, corrected the policy in real time, and followed up with a written confirmation the same day. I also flagged the processing error to my team leader so we could prevent recurrence.'
- Result: 'The client thanked me directly and renewed their policy. My team leader used the case as a positive example in our next team briefing, and the processing error was traced to a system misunderstanding that was clarified in our training materials.'
Preparing for Aviva's One-Way Video Interview
One-way video interviews are increasingly common at large insurers and financial institutions as a time-efficient way to assess candidates at scale. In this format, you'll be presented with a question on screen and given a set time — often 60 to 90 seconds — to record your answer. There is usually a brief preparation window before recording begins.
The biggest challenge candidates face is not content, but delivery. Without a human on the other end of the screen, it is easy to rush, lose eye contact with the camera, or let nerves affect your pacing. Practising under realistic timed conditions before your actual interview is essential.
Tools like ScreenReady are designed specifically for this format: you can practise answering competency questions on camera with a timer running and receive AI feedback on your response structure and delivery. This kind of deliberate, pressure-tested practice is far more effective than rehearsing answers in your head.
- Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection the day before.
- Frame yourself centrally, with good lighting from the front — not a window behind you.
- Look at the camera lens, not the screen, to simulate eye contact.
- Speak at a measured pace — nerves naturally speed you up.
- Use STAR to structure your answer; aim to land the Result before your time expires.
- Dress professionally from head to waist, even if only your face is visible.
Researching Aviva Before Your Interview
Aviva publishes a significant amount of information about its strategy, results, and values through its investor relations pages, annual reports, and press releases. Spending an hour reading the most recent annual report and any recent news will give you concrete material for 'Why Aviva?' questions and will help you speak credibly about the business.
Key areas worth understanding include Aviva's core product lines (general insurance, life insurance, retirement, and wealth), its stated sustainability and climate commitments, its focus on the UK, Ireland, and Canada following its portfolio simplification, and any major strategic announcements made in the past twelve months. Being able to reference something specific and recent signals genuine interest rather than generic enthusiasm.
- Read Aviva's most recent Annual Report and Accounts.
- Review the 'About Us' and 'Our Strategy' sections on aviva.com.
- Search for recent press coverage on Aviva's financial results or product launches.
- Understand how your target role fits within Aviva's broader business.
- Prepare a concise, honest answer to 'Why insurance?' that goes beyond 'it's a stable sector.'
Final Preparation Checklist for Your Aviva Interview
Thorough preparation across content, delivery, and logistics will significantly reduce interview-day anxiety and improve your performance. Use the checklist below in the days leading up to your interview.
After your interview, send a brief, professional follow-up email if you have a direct contact, and take notes on the questions you were asked while they are fresh — this is invaluable if you progress to a further stage. ScreenReady can also help you debrief by re-running similar questions so you can compare your live performance against your practice attempts.
- Prepare at least five STAR stories covering different competencies.
- Practise answering questions aloud on camera under timed conditions.
- Research Aviva's strategy, values, and recent news.
- Prepare a genuine, specific answer to 'Why Aviva?'
- Confirm the interview format, time zone, and platform in advance.
- Prepare two or three thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer.
- Check your technology and environment if the interview is remote.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Aviva interview process typically take?
The length varies considerably depending on the role and level. Early-careers and volume hiring processes can move quickly, sometimes completing within two to four weeks from application to offer. Experienced-hire and senior roles may take longer, particularly if an assessment centre is involved. Check with Aviva's recruitment team if you need a clearer timeline for your specific application.
Does Aviva use competency-based or strengths-based interviews?
Aviva's interview approach can vary by role. Competency-based questions asking for past examples are common across most levels. Some programmes, particularly graduate schemes, may also include strengths-based questions — such as 'What type of work energises you?' — which are less about specific examples and more about self-awareness and motivational fit. Prepare for both styles.
What should I wear to an Aviva video interview?
Dress as you would for an in-person professional interview: smart business or business-casual attire is appropriate. Even in a video format, your appearance signals how seriously you are taking the opportunity. Avoid distracting patterns or very bright colours, and ensure your background is tidy and neutral.
How important is knowledge of the insurance industry for an Aviva interview?
For most roles, you are not expected to be an insurance expert — Aviva hires across many functions including technology, finance, marketing, and HR. However, demonstrating basic commercial awareness of what Aviva does, who its customers are, and the competitive landscape will strengthen your answers and show genuine motivation. For actuarial, underwriting, or claims roles, deeper technical knowledge will naturally be expected.
How should I answer 'Why Aviva?' in an interview?
Avoid generic answers about Aviva being 'a big, reputable company.' Instead, connect your answer to something specific: a product line you find interesting, Aviva's stated sustainability commitments, a strategic direction you've read about, or a values alignment you can articulate clearly. The more specific and honest your answer, the more credible it will sound to an interviewer who has heard hundreds of vague responses.
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