Anthem Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Anthem, a Fortune 20 company, is dedicated to improving lives and communities by making healthcare simpler and more accessible for everyone.

As a Software Engineer at Anthem, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality software products in a collaborative and Agile environment. Key responsibilities include working on software design projects, testing and debugging applications, and enhancing existing software according to business requirements. You will collaborate closely with senior engineers, business analysts, and leadership to drive projects through all phases of the development lifecycle, from inception to product delivery.

To excel in this role, a strong foundation in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C# is essential, along with proficiency in SQL and familiarity with machine learning concepts. Experience in developing applications with modern frameworks and technologies, as well as exposure to agile methodologies, will further enhance your fit for this position. Ideal candidates will demonstrate excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, as well as a proactive attitude towards learning and collaboration.

This guide will help you prepare by outlining the expectations for the role and providing insight into the interview process, ensuring you can effectively showcase your skills and experiences during your interview.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Anthem is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. Candidates can expect a series of interviews that focus on their past experiences, problem-solving abilities, and technical knowledge.

1. Initial HR Screening

The process typically begins with a 30-minute phone interview with a recruiter. This initial screening is designed to gauge your interest in the role, discuss your resume, and understand your career aspirations. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the expectations for the position.

2. Technical Interview

Following the HR screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing. This interview usually lasts about an hour and focuses on assessing your programming skills, particularly in languages such as Python, Java, or C#. Expect questions related to algorithms, data structures, and possibly a live coding exercise. You may also be asked to solve problems related to SQL queries and debugging scenarios.

3. Behavioral Interview

After the technical assessment, candidates typically undergo a behavioral interview. This round often involves a panel of interviewers, including potential team members and managers. The focus here is on your past work experiences, how you handle challenges, and your ability to work collaboratively in a team. Be prepared to discuss specific situations where you demonstrated problem-solving skills, leadership, and adaptability.

4. Final Interview with Hiring Manager

The final step in the interview process is usually a one-on-one interview with the hiring manager. This conversation will delve deeper into your technical expertise and how it aligns with the team's needs. The hiring manager may also explore your understanding of Agile methodologies and your approach to software development lifecycle practices.

5. Offer and Onboarding

If you successfully navigate the interview rounds, you will receive an offer. The onboarding process at Anthem is noted for being thorough and supportive, ensuring that new hires are well-integrated into the team and the company culture.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Emphasize Collaboration and Teamwork

Anthem values a collaborative work environment where team members support each other. During your interview, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively in teams, resolved conflicts, or contributed to group projects. Highlight your ability to communicate openly and your willingness to help others, as this aligns with the company culture.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a range of behavioral questions that focus on your past experiences. Be ready to discuss challenges you've faced, how you overcame them, and what you learned from those situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Given the emphasis on technical proficiency, particularly in programming languages like Python and Java, be prepared to discuss your technical projects in detail. Highlight your experience with algorithms, data structures, and any relevant software development methodologies. If you have experience with Agile practices, mention how you've applied them in your previous roles.

Understand the Role and Its Requirements

Familiarize yourself with the specific responsibilities of the Software Engineer role at Anthem. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the job description. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and your understanding of what is expected.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the team dynamics, the technologies they use, or how they measure success in the role. This not only shows your interest in the position but also helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.

Be Authentic and Personable

Interviews at Anthem are described as friendly and conversational. While it's important to be professional, don't hesitate to let your personality shine through. Share your passions, interests, and what motivates you in your work. This can help create a connection with your interviewers.

Follow Up After the Interview

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific points from your conversation that resonated with you. This not only reinforces your interest in the position but also keeps you top of mind for the interviewers.

By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared to make a positive impression during your interview at Anthem. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during an interview for a Software Engineer role at Anthem. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and past experiences. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of software development, algorithms, and your approach to teamwork and project management.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a stack and a queue?

Understanding data structures is fundamental for software engineering roles.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of both data structures, their characteristics, and use cases. Highlight the differences in how they handle data.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed. A queue, on the other hand, is a First In First Out (FIFO) structure, where the first element added is the first to be removed. Stacks are often used in function call management, while queues are used in scheduling tasks.”

2. Describe a time you optimized a piece of code. What was the outcome?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to improve existing systems.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the original code, the changes you made, and the impact of those changes.

Example

“I worked on a data processing script that took too long to execute. I identified that a nested loop was causing inefficiencies. By refactoring the code to use a hash map for lookups, I reduced the execution time from several minutes to under 30 seconds, significantly improving performance.”

3. What is your experience with Agile methodologies?

Agile is a common framework in software development, and familiarity with it is often expected.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience working in Agile teams, including specific roles you’ve played and how you contributed to the process.

Example

“I have worked in Agile teams for the past two years, participating in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. I contributed by ensuring that our user stories were well-defined and by actively participating in sprint reviews to gather feedback for future iterations.”

4. Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs?

APIs are crucial for modern software development, and understanding REST is essential.

How to Answer

Define RESTful APIs and explain their principles, such as statelessness and resource-based architecture.

Example

“RESTful APIs are designed around the concept of resources, which are identified by URLs. They use standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to perform operations on these resources. A key principle is that they are stateless, meaning each request from a client must contain all the information needed to process it.”

5. How do you handle version control in your projects?

Version control is vital for collaboration and code management.

How to Answer

Discuss the tools you use (like Git), your branching strategy, and how you manage merges and conflicts.

Example

“I use Git for version control, following a branching strategy where I create feature branches for new developments. I regularly merge changes from the main branch to keep my branch updated and resolve conflicts as they arise. This approach helps maintain a clean project history and facilitates collaboration with my team.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a challenging project you worked on. What was your role?

This question assesses your ability to navigate challenges and your role in team dynamics.

How to Answer

Choose a specific project, describe the challenges faced, and your contributions to overcoming them.

Example

“I worked on a healthcare application that required integration with multiple data sources. My role was to lead the backend development team. We faced challenges with data consistency, but by implementing a robust validation layer, we ensured that the data was accurate and reliable, which was crucial for our users.”

2. How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methods you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and project impact. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and ensure that I’m focusing on high-impact tasks first. Regular check-ins with my team also help me adjust priorities as needed.”

3. Can you give an example of how you handled a conflict within your team?

Conflict resolution is an important skill in collaborative environments.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your approach to resolving it, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, two team members disagreed on the implementation approach. I facilitated a meeting where each could present their perspective. By encouraging open communication, we were able to find a compromise that incorporated the best elements of both approaches, leading to a successful project outcome.”

4. How do you stay updated with the latest technology trends?

This question gauges your commitment to continuous learning.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to keep your skills current, such as online courses, blogs, or conferences.

Example

“I regularly follow tech blogs, participate in online courses on platforms like Coursera, and attend local meetups. This helps me stay informed about new technologies and best practices, which I can then apply to my work.”

5. What motivates you to work in software engineering?

Understanding your motivation can help the interviewer assess cultural fit.

How to Answer

Share your passion for technology and how it aligns with your career goals.

Example

“I’m motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and the opportunity to create software that can improve people’s lives. The ever-evolving nature of technology excites me, and I enjoy learning new skills to stay at the forefront of the industry.”