Insurance

How to get a job at Aviva

20 real interview questions, insider tips on the hiring process, and what Aviva actually looks for. Most people read about it. Very few practise for it.

London, United Kingdom 30,000+ 3.8/5/5 Glassdoor
Practise Aviva interview free

Sign up free · No card needed · Free trial on all plans

Video Interview Practice

Choose your interview type

Your question

Tell me about yourself and what makes you a strong candidate for this role.

30s preparation 2 min recording Camera + mic

About Aviva

Company overview

Aviva is one of the world's leading insurance companies serving customers across personal insurance, commercial insurance, and life and pensions. Operating across multiple countries with significant UK operations, Aviva combines heritage insurance expertise with digital innovation to deliver insurance solutions to millions of customers.

The company provides car insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, commercial insurance, life insurance, and pension products. Aviva operates through direct channels and partnerships, combining traditional insurance expertise with digital-first customer service models. The organisation invests heavily in technology and data analytics to enhance underwriting, pricing, and customer experience.

Aviva attracts talented professionals across actuarial, underwriting, claims, technology, and business functions, offering opportunities to contribute to transforming insurance delivery.

Inside the company

Culture & values at Aviva

Aviva's culture emphasises customer centricity, innovation, and operational excellence. The company values integrity, diversity, and inclusive working practices. Employees are encouraged to challenge conventions and develop creative approaches to improving customer outcomes.

The company is committed to responsible insurance practices and sustainable business. Aviva invests in employee development through training, mentoring, and clear career progression pathways supporting growth across technical, actuarial, and business functions.

Why people want to work here

Contribute to transforming insurance delivery in a leading global insurance company. Access advanced analytics and technology infrastructure, comprehensive professional development, and diverse career opportunities across insurance disciplines.

What to expect

Working at Aviva

Most roles at Aviva are office-based or hybrid, with teams typically splitting time between their London, United Kingdom offices and remote working. The day usually starts with team stand-ups or check-ins, followed by focused project work. Collaboration is a significant part of the role — expect cross-functional meetings, client interactions, and working alongside colleagues from different departments throughout the day. The rhythm varies by team, but most people find a mix of heads-down work and collaborative sessions. Peak periods (month-end, quarter-end, project deadlines) can mean longer hours, but the day-to-day pace is generally manageable.

With 30,000+ employees, Aviva is large enough to offer diverse teams, specialisms, and career paths, but not so large that individual contributions go unnoticed. You'll typically work within a team of 6–15 people with clear reporting lines and regular feedback loops. Cross-team collaboration is common, and most people find they build a strong professional network within their first year.

The culture at Aviva shapes how the day feels beyond just the work itself. Colleagues describe the environment as one that values Insurance & Risk Understanding and Analytical Capability. Lunch breaks, team socials, and informal catch-ups are part of the rhythm — Aviva recognises that building relationships across the organisation is as important as the deliverables themselves. Most employees report that the people are one of the best things about working here, and that the team dynamic makes challenging work feel manageable.

The hiring journey

Aviva interview process

Aviva employs a structured recruitment process tailored to role level and specialisation. The process includes initial screening, online assessments, technical or competency interviews, and stakeholder evaluation.

1

Application Screening

1-2 weeks

CV and application review against role specifications and competency requirements.

2

Online Assessments

1-1.5 hours

Numerical, verbal reasoning, and role-specific assessments depending on position.

3

Telephone Interview

30-45 minutes

Initial conversation with recruiter covering background and motivation.

4

Technical / Competency Interview

60 minutes

Interview with hiring manager on experience, technical knowledge, and approach.

5

Specialist Interview

60 minutes

In-depth discussion with subject matter expert on specialist knowledge and case studies.

6

Final Interview

45 minutes

Meeting with senior manager to discuss strategic fit and career opportunities.

7-10 weeks from application to offer

Insider tips

Research Aviva's insurance products and digital transformation strategy. Prepare examples of insurance, risk analysis, or data analysis work. Demonstrate knowledge of insurance market and regulatory requirements. Highlight analytical thinking and problem-solving experience. Show understanding of customer service and business perspectives in insurance.

Your game plan

How to prepare for your Aviva interview

Aviva's interview process typically takes 7-10 weeks from application to offer. Starting your preparation 4 weeks ahead gives you enough time to research thoroughly, build strong examples, and practise until your answers feel natural rather than rehearsed. Candidates who prepare systematically consistently outperform those who wing it — and interviewers can always tell the difference.

4 weeks before

Research Aviva thoroughly — read their annual report, recent press coverage, and leadership interviews. Understand their position in insurance and any challenges or opportunities they're facing. Follow Aviva on LinkedIn and note the type of content they share — this reveals what they're proud of and where they're heading. Start reviewing the 6 stages of their interview process so you know exactly what to expect at each step. Identify anyone in your network who works or has worked at Aviva and reach out for an informal conversation.

3 weeks before

Prepare 8-10 STAR examples from your experience that demonstrate Insurance & Risk Understanding, Analytical Capability, Attention to Detail. These should be specific, quantified stories you can adapt to different questions — don't just prepare one example per quality, because interviewers often ask follow-ups or probe the same competency from different angles. If you're applying for Actuary or Risk Analyst role, make sure your examples are directly relevant to that function. Start practising answering questions out loud — silent preparation and written notes aren't enough, because the interview requires you to articulate your thoughts clearly under pressure.

2 weeks before

Do a full mock interview covering Aviva's typical question types — common, behavioural, and technical. Time your answers (aim for 2-3 minutes per STAR response — shorter feels thin, longer loses the interviewer's attention). Research your interviewers on LinkedIn if you know who they are — understanding their background can help you tailor your examples. Prepare 4-5 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of each stage. Good questions show you've done your research: ask about team challenges, upcoming projects, or how the role contributes to Aviva's strategy.

Final week

Review and refine your STAR examples — tighten any that felt long or unfocused during practice. Check Aviva's news and social media for anything published in the last few days (being able to reference something current shows genuine, ongoing interest). Confirm logistics — location, format (video or in-person), dress code, who you're meeting, and how long to allow. Prepare a printed copy of your CV, the job description, and your question list. Plan your route if in-person. The night before, focus on rest rather than last-minute cramming — confidence and composure matter as much as preparation.

Stand out from the crowd

What Aviva looks for

Insurance & Risk Understanding

Knowledge of insurance principles, risk assessment, underwriting, or claims processes relevant to the role.

Analytical Capability

Strong analytical and quantitative skills with ability to interpret data and support decision-making.

Attention to Detail

Meticulous approach to work with commitment to accuracy and quality in insurance documentation and analysis.

Customer Focus

Understanding of customer needs and commitment to delivering insurance solutions that address customer challenges.

Regulatory Awareness

Understanding of insurance regulation, compliance requirements, and commitment to responsible insurance practices.

Get through the door

How to apply to Aviva

Start by studying Aviva's careers page and current openings carefully. Tailor your CV to mirror the language they use in job descriptions — insurance employers use applicant tracking systems that scan for specific keywords, and generic applications get filtered out before a human sees them. If you're applying for Actuary, Risk Analyst, Financial Analyst, research what each role involves at Aviva specifically, not just the job title in general.

If you're early in your career, look for entry-level or junior positions on Aviva's careers page. Some roles may not be advertised externally, so networking through LinkedIn and industry events can surface opportunities before they're posted publicly. Consider whether Aviva offers internships or work experience placements as a route in — many insurance employers use these as a pipeline for permanent roles.

Before submitting your application, research Aviva's recent news, strategy, and any public statements from leadership. Mentioning something specific in your cover letter — a recent project, a company initiative, or a strategic direction — signals that you've done your homework and aren't sending the same application to every insurance employer. Referrals from current employees significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, so connect with people at Aviva on LinkedIn and attend any open days or recruitment events they run.

With 30,000+ employees, Aviva has a large alumni network. Search LinkedIn for former employees now working elsewhere — they can offer candid insights about the interview process, team culture, and what it's really like to work there. Current employees are also worth connecting with, but former employees tend to be more frank.

Mistakes candidates make

  • 1Submitting a generic CV that doesn't reference Aviva or insurance-specific experience — tailored applications are significantly more likely to get past initial screening. Mirror the language from the job description and quantify your achievements.
  • 2Failing to research Aviva's values, recent news, and strategic direction before the interview — interviewers can tell immediately when a candidate hasn't prepared beyond reading the About page on the website.
  • 3Not preparing concrete STAR examples that demonstrate Insurance & Risk Understanding and Analytical Capability — Aviva uses competency-based interviewing, so vague answers like "I'm a team player" without specific situations, actions, and measurable outcomes will score poorly.
  • 4Underestimating the preparation timeline — Aviva's process typically takes 7-10 weeks from application to offer, and the best candidates start preparing weeks in advance. Last-minute cramming shows in your answers.
  • 5Neglecting to ask thoughtful questions at the end of each interview stage — generic questions like "what's the culture like?" waste your chance to demonstrate genuine curiosity about Aviva and the specific role.
  • 6Applying to multiple roles at Aviva simultaneously without tailoring each application — recruiters notice this, and it signals that you're not genuinely interested in any specific position.

Real questions asked

Aviva interview questions

20 questions sourced from real Aviva candidates. Practise answering them out loud before your interview.

  • 1Tell us about your experience in insurance or risk management.
  • 2How do you approach underwriting or risk assessment decisions?
  • 3Describe your experience with insurance software or management systems.
  • 4Tell us about your experience with data analysis or reporting.
  • 5What interests you about the insurance industry?
  • 6Describe your experience with insurance regulations and compliance.
  • 7Tell us about a complex problem you've solved in your previous role.
  • 8How do you approach customer service in your work?

Your career here

Growth & development at Aviva

Career progression at Aviva follows a relatively clear path for most roles. Promotions typically depend on demonstrating increased responsibility, deeper expertise, and leadership capability — whether that's leading teams, managing clients, or driving technical innovation. The organisation values both specialist depth and the ability to take on broader management responsibilities, so there are usually multiple progression routes available. Don't assume you need to move into management to advance — many insurance organisations increasingly recognise and reward technical and specialist career paths.

Aviva invests in structured learning and development programmes, including access to training courses, conferences, and professional certifications. Many employees report that the L&D budget is generous and genuinely encouraged — not just a line in the benefits package that nobody actually uses. Whether it's technical upskilling, leadership development, or industry certifications, there's real support for continuous learning. While formal mentoring programmes may vary across departments, the culture generally encourages learning from more experienced colleagues. Building relationships with senior team members is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your development — seek out people whose career trajectory you admire and ask them for advice regularly.

For insurance professionals, Aviva offers exposure to projects and challenges that build a strong CV whether you stay long-term or move on after a few years. The skills and experience you gain — particularly around Insurance & Risk Understanding and Analytical Capability — are transferable across the insurance sector and beyond. Internal mobility is possible for strong performers, with opportunities to move between teams, departments, or even locations as your career develops. Many senior leaders at Aviva started in entry-level or early-career positions, which speaks to the genuine career development opportunities available.

Compensation

Salary & benefits at Aviva

Graduate schemes: £28,000-£34,000. Early-career roles: £35,000-£52,000. Mid-level professionals: £50,000-£75,000. Senior professionals: £75,000-£130,000+

Notable benefits

Competitive pension scheme (defined benefit or contribution)
Private healthcare and dental insurance
Holiday: 25-28 days plus bank holidays
Professional development and training support
Flexible and remote working options
Life assurance: 4-6x salary
Performance bonuses and profit sharing
Enhanced parental leave
Subsidised gym and wellbeing programmes
Professional fees support for actuarial qualifications

Frequently asked questions

What graduate or early-career schemes does Aviva offer?

Aviva offers graduate and early-career development schemes across actuarial, underwriting, claims, technology, and business functions. Programmes typically run 2-3 years with structured project rotations, mentoring, and professional development. Successful completion usually leads to permanent employment.

How does Aviva support actuarial qualification development?

Aviva is a committed supporter of actuarial education. The company funds professional membership subscriptions, provides study time and support for exams, and offers mentoring from qualified actuaries. Many actuaries at Aviva hold professional qualifications (ASA, FSA, etc.).

What is Aviva's approach to digital transformation in insurance?

Aviva is actively transforming insurance delivery through digital channels and advanced analytics. Employees have opportunities to work on digital projects, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and innovative customer service models across the organisation.

Does Aviva support professional qualifications beyond actuarial?

Yes, Aviva supports various professional qualifications relevant to insurance roles including financial qualifications (CQF, CFP), data science certifications, project management (PMP, Prince2), and other relevant professional credentials.

What international opportunities exist at Aviva?

Aviva operates globally across multiple countries, creating opportunities for international assignments, secondments, and expatriate roles. However, most UK-hired roles are UK-based. International opportunities depend on role type and business needs.

What is Aviva's approach to sustainability and responsible insurance?

Aviva is committed to responsible insurance practices and sustainability. The company addresses climate risk, supports sustainable business practices, and helps customers transition to sustainable living. Employees can contribute to sustainability initiatives across product development and operations.

Your Aviva interview is coming.

Be ready for it.

Practise with real Aviva questions, get scored across 6 competencies, and walk in confident you can perform under pressure.

Start free

Sign up free · No card needed