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Whether you’ve been working in the industry for years and are looking for a promotion, are just starting your career, or are looking for a change of scenery in your professional life, preparing for your case manager interview is a good idea.
The best way to do this is by going over some common interview questions and practicing your answers to them. In this article, you’ll find 20 example questions and answers that you can use to get started.
Key Takeaways:As a candidate, your interviewer will assess your communication and problem-solving skills, as well as your ability to perform intake, needs assessment, service planning, and monitoring and evaluation.
As an interviewer, look for candidates who have a can negotiate and communicate effectively, with the history of success to back up their skills.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
Tell me about yourself. One of the most common interview questions, this ice-breaker is an opportunity for you to share what sets you apart as a job candidate.
You can talk about your unique experiences, skills, passions, and goals - just remember to keep it relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Example Answer:
“I started my career as an RN, and I worked in the ER, the ICU, and labor and delivery. While I was doing that, I realized that my favorite part of my job was advocating for patients. Once I had my first child five years ago, I decided I wanted a less intense job where I could continue to support patients, so I became a case manager.”
“I’ve been working in this capacity at a local hospital in New Jersey for five years, and now that I’ve relocated here to Chicago, I’d love to continue working as a case manager at a hospital as well-respected as yours.”
What experience or skills would make you a good case manager? All of your education and work experience come together to create your unique set of talents and skills that make you good at your job.
Explain this to your interviewer(s), especially if your professional history isn’t related to case management.
Example Answer:
“My background as a clinical social worker has given me a lot of experience in managing multiple cases at once, coordinating with a wide variety of health and government professionals, and finding how to best support a patient.”
Why did/do you want to become a case manager? Interviewers ask this question to find out what drives you, what you’re passionate about, and what you’re looking for in a job. Give as many specifics as you can in your answer.
Example Answer:
“I’ve always known that I wanted a career helping people, but I wasn’t sure how. I was able to shadow multiple health care and social work professionals in high school, and I got the most excited when I saw what a case manager does. I decided that this is how I’d want to put my communication and analytical skills to work to help patients.”
What draws you to work with this particular group of people? Case managers can work in a wide variety of locations and with a wide variety of clients. Because of this, your interviewers are likely going to want to know why you want to work with the particular group that their organization serves to make sure you care about the position.
Example Answer:
“My niece struggled with her health quite a bit last year, and I saw how big of an impact her case manager had on my sister’s and her family’s peace of mind. I want to be able to help relieve at least a little stress for families like that by working as a case manager in a children’s hospital.”
Where do you see yourself in five years? Companies hiring a case manager want to know that you will be loyal and dedicated to keeping up with the industry. Talk about how you plan to advance your management career, and how you intend to improve your case management strategies.
Example Answer:
“In five years, I see myself as a seasoned and accomplished case manager who’s capable of advancing into a leadership role. After all, though my commitment to professional growth and staying updated on the latest practices, I will have even more knowledge and expertise than I do now.
Ultimately, I strive to continue making positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities through effective case management and meaningful interventions.”
Why do you want to work here? Companies often ask this question to see how invested a candidate is in the company as a whole. They want employees who are going to buy into the company mission and vision and not just focus on their work.
Example Answer:
“While I’ve enjoyed working at the hospital, I’ve learned I have a passion for home health care, so I want to pursue that. When I found your organization, I was impressed by how you truly care for your patients by allowing your workers to spend as much time as needed to fully meet their needs, and I’d love to be a part of that.”
What do you enjoy most about being a case manager? Hiring managers are looking for candidates who not only are good at their jobs but also love what they do. Use this opportunity to share what drives you.
Example Answer:
“I feel deep satisfaction when I’m able to solve a problem for clients and make their lives a little easier. They’re already going through so much, and I love that I get to relieve a little of the burden for them and their families.”
What do you enjoy least about being a case manager? No one loves their job 100% of the time, and hiring managers know that. They just want to make sure that you’re going to face those parts with a good attitude.
When you answer this question, be honest, but keep it as positive as possible and talk about what you do to make those hard parts more bearable.
Example Answer:
“I generally enjoy my job, but it is draining when I have days of repeatedly running into roadblocks when I’m trying to finalize a care plan or solve a problem for a client. On those days I have to walk away for a minute to refocus and recharge. When I get home, I usually do something like go for a run to decompress and get ready for the next day.”
What is your greatest strength? This is another common interview question designed to uncover your unique skills. Don’t be afraid to be honest, even if it feels like you’re bragging, but make sure you aren’t stretching the truth in any way.
Example Answer:
“I’m good at helping my clients understand the more complicated factors of health care, whether that’s a treatment plan or a financial process. This area is consistently one of my highest scoring categories on the feedback surveys my clients complete for me.”
What is your greatest weakness? This is not a trick question: There is no need to avoid sharing your weaknesses.
Instead, you should share what you struggle with, but make sure that you explain what you’re doing to overcome or mitigate those weaknesses as well.
Example Answer:
“I often get too caught up in the details and forget about the big picture. This is especially true when I don’t get the exact response I was looking for from an insurance company or doctor and I get discouraged or frustrated about it, even if the result will still benefit my client.”
“Because of this, I’ve started writing out my overarching goal for a phone call, such as reduce the cost for the client,’ before I make it. Then, even if I didn’t reach my exact goal, as long as the result of my efforts reaches that overarching mission, I count it as a success.”
Tell me about a time when you had to explain complex information to a client or team member. Case managers need to be good at simplifying complicated information for their clients, so you’ll likely run into a question like this in your interview.
When you answer, share the situation surrounding your example, how you responded, and the results of your actions.
Example Answer:
“I had a client who was going to need a few different surgeries and some physical therapy on his knee. I showed him a diagram of the knee and explained what each part generally did. Then I explained what was wrong with him and what each surgery would do to fix it.”
“I told him that the knee was made to move and was at its best when the muscles around it are strong to hold everything in place, so to make the surgery most effective, he also needed to do some physical therapy to strengthen those muscles. I know he got it because he thanked me and then explained the whole thing to his wife later.”
Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult client. You’re going to face less-than-pleasant clients in your job, so your interviewers want to know how you’re going to respond by seeing how you’ve responded in the past.
Example Answer:
“I had a home care client who had the early stages of dementia and wasn’t understanding that I needed to come to her home every day. It got to the point where she’d get very upset and wouldn’t let me come into the house.”
“I talked with her son, who had been handling the arrangements for her care, and we agreed to create a calendar for her. We set it in a conspicuous place in the house and wrote that I would be coming every day. Now, if she argues with me that I’m not supposed to come, I can direct her to the calendar.”
If you’re getting ready to go home and your client has another request, what do you do? Hiring managers want to know that you’ll put your clients first and that you’re willing to go above and beyond for the organization. When you answer, make sure you make it clear that you’re willing to do this.
Example Answer:
“If at all possible, I would take care of the request before I left, even if it meant I had to stay late. Once I finished, I would explain to the client that my shift is over now and provide the contact information for my replacement if necessary.”
How do you build trust with your clients? Good case managers know how to build strong relationships with their clients. Answer with a specific example of how you do this, if possible.
Example Answer:
“I first introduce myself to each client and explain what my job is. I then ask if there is anything they need, and I write it down on a notepad to help assure them that I’m paying attention. Then I make sure I fulfill their requests as quickly as possible to show that I am there to take care of them”
“I also make it a goal to be as transparent as possible. If I can’t do something, I’ll explain why, or if something is taking longer than expected, I’ll explain what’s going on as much as I can. I’ve found that clients rest easier knowing that I’m working on it than they do if they don’t know what’s going on, and it’s easier for them to trust me to get it done.”
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work. What did you do? Companies want employees with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to overcome a challenge. When you answer this question, make sure you highlight the steps you took and the result of the situation.
Example Answer:
“On one particularly busy day, I had to cover for one of my colleagues because he was out sick and no one else was available to come in. Before I started my day, I wrote down all of the responsibilities I had so that I wouldn’t have to try to remember them all”
“I also set blocks of time to work on my highest-priority tasks and let another colleague know what was going on so that she could help me if need be. Together, we were able to cover everything, and our colleague was very grateful when he came back the next day.”
How do you manage your wide variety of tasks? You’re likely going to face a question about your time management and organizational skills like this one. In your answer, give specifics about the tools and processes you use to do this.
Example Answer:
“I keep a notebook and pen on me at all times so that I can write down new to-do’s as they come up. When I get back to my office, I go to my master calendar and block out times I need to spend on all my different projects. I always leave room in my schedule for unexpected tasks and to visit with clients and take care of their needs.”
This can be a stressful occupation. How do you release that stress? Hiring managers want to see that you know how to take care of yourself so that you can perform at your best throughout your workday and won’t take out your stress on your clients or colleagues.
Provide examples of what you do at home or during your workday to do this.
Example Answer:
“I find that I can handle stress much better when I exercise consistently, eat enough throughout the day, and get enough sleep. Because of this, I try to do some kind of workout every day, and while I’m at work I take several quick snack breaks during my shift. This helps keep me energized and ready to take on stressful situations.”
What is most challenging about being a case manager? This question helps your interviewers understand what you struggle with within your job, which allows them to get to know you better and to make sure that the job you’re applying for will be a good fit for you.
Example Answer:
“For me, the most challenging aspect of being a case manager is how many things are outside of my control so that I can’t always guarantee a 100% positive outcome for the client, no matter how hard I try. I know that that’s part of the job, however, and that my efforts to improve someone’s situation even a little bit make my work worth it.”
Tell me about a time you demonstrated cultural sensitivity. As a case manager, you’re likely going to encounter a diverse group of people with a wide variety of cultural practices and expectations.
Your potential employer wants to make sure you’ll handle these graciously, so don’t be surprised if you have to answer a question like this one in your interview.
Example Answer:
“When I was doing in-home care, I worked with a family that came from a culture where men are the head of the household and the decision-makers. Because of that, I had to get approval from my client’s husband before I did anything”
“When I did this, I’d lay out my case for why I wanted to do something before I asked for permission so that I wouldn’t disrespect him by arguing with him after he made his decision. Most of the time he understood why I wanted to do something and agreed with me, and eventually, he started telling me to do whatever I thought was best.”
Tell me about a time you were able to successfully negotiate on behalf of a client. This is another skill that you’re going to need to be proficient in as a case manager, so be ready to answer questions about it in your interview.
Example Answer:
“I had a client who needed at-home physical therapy. Insurance doesn’t normally cover it, but I knew the financial strain would be too much for the client. I negotiated with the doctor, insurance agent, and patient and was able to lower the cost by 10% and have insurance cover another expense to help ease the financial burden for my client.”
Why should we hire you? This interview question is another opportunity to sell yourself as the best person for the job. Talk about what you would bring to the company that no one else would.
Example Answer:
“My background in both the insurance industry and in social work has given me a unique set of skills that allows me to understand the perspectives of both patients and insurance providers. I believe I could put those skills to work to further your organization.”
How do you approach the assessment and evaluation process when working with clients?
Can tell me about the most challenging case you have worked on and how you handled it?
What would you say is the most effective way to collaborate with other professionals and stakeholders in order to provide comprehensive care for clients?
What do you know about our company?
How do you ensure the confidentiality and privacy of client information?
How do you stay updated on the latest case management research, best practices, and relevant regulations?
How would you build rapport with clients who may be resistant or hesitant to participate in the case management process?
How do you monitor and evaluate the progress and outcomes of the interventions you implement as a case manager?
Can you share an example of a time when you collaborated with community resources or external agencies to meet the needs of your clients?
What is one of your greatest successes on the job?
How do you address ethical dilemmas or conflicts of interest that may arise in your role as a case manager?
Tell me about a time you had to navigate and advocate within the insurance or funding systems to secure resources for your client.
How do you ensure the continuation of care and effective transitions for clients as they move between different service providers?
How do you maintain documentation and records to ensure accuracy, compliance, and accountability in your role as a case manager?
All of the possible Interview questions for the case manager job might seem overwhelming at first, but there are some effective steps you can take to prepare:
As a Candidate:Research. Look into the company you're applying for and try to discover what their typical strategies are, what kinds of clients they take on, etc. Going into your interview with this knowledge will make it easier to talk about your relevant skills.
Problem-solving Examples. Think of a time you were able to resolve a dispute or implement a strategic solution. These skills are crucial for anyone in a case management position to have, so you should come prepared with a few different examples.
Adaptability. You never know what kinds of clients you're going to be working with, and ever case will be different. With that in mind, part of showcasing your communication skills will be highlighting your ability to adapt to different situations.
Review the Job Description. Use the job description to construct your ideal candidate, but do not overlook candidates who are proven to be good communicators and problem-solvers.
Explain Responsibilities. Ensure your candidates are aware of the responsibilities they would have as an case manager. This includes things like how the what types of clients they might expect to take on, how many cases they'll typically manage, and more.
Provide a Timeline. Provide your prospective case manager with an accurate hiring process timeline.