I have been trying to get in for years I had a 3 panel interview and it was a disaster. Now I am trying to get in under claims assistant any tips really need the job it is hard to find one that pays that well with benefits.
3 panel? Ouch! I feel your pain! I've got awful stage fright, and I'm sure I'd choke up and sound like a complete idiot if I were in your shoes - if I didn't hyperventilate! I can't give you any pointers on getting a govt. job, but I can offer a few on getting a job in claims follow up, since that's where I got my start...Some are common sense, but it helps to be reminded sometimes...
-Know exactly how you are qualified for the position. This is especially important if you've never worked in claims before. It's a unique environment, and if you're not cut out for it...
Turnover's pretty high at times, so you need to convey that you know what the job is, and all of the skills that you can bring to the table, to do that job.
I'm not sure about the job you're going for, but our claims reps have 2 main goals - figure out why claims haven't been paid yet, and figure out why other claims didn't pay what we expected them to. That may sound simple enough, but when you consider how much time and effort goes into getting a claim processed and paid, there are a lot of things that can go awry. We would consider someone a good candidate for claims if:
-They are problem solvers who know how to find the answers they need, with minimal direction.
-They are persistant, and willing to get to the bottom of an issue that doesn't make sense, or has a difficult solution.
-They don't mind being on the phone - a LOT. Excellent phone-communication skills are a must. Claims reps can't be easily intimidated by payer reps, or they'll hardly ever get anything paid. If you've ever argued with anyone on the phone about anything (one of your personal bills or customer service experiences), and got what you wanted, you can handle dealing with claims reps.
-Good written communication skills are also important, if you'll be writing appeals. If that's a skill you have, then make sure to mention it!
-Many claims reps aren't certified coders, but it's a HUGE advantage. Payers can't hoodwink you about why something denied by citing non-existent coding rules, because you actually know what you're talking about when you say that the claim was billed correctly. And if you can spot coding errors without having to spend 30 minutes or more on the phone, you can be much more productive.
-Being really detail-oriented is also a must.
You can probably land a coding-gig once you get your foot in the door in claims, if the govt. operates like other places, but you might find that you actually like claims. Good luck!
