How to get a job at Willis Towers Watson UK
20 real interview questions, insider tips on the hiring process, and what Willis Towers Watson UK actually looks for. Most people read about it. Very few practise for it.
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Your question
“Tell me about yourself and what makes you a strong candidate for this role.”
About Willis Towers Watson UK
Company overview
Willis Towers Watson is a leading insurance brokerage and risk management company operating in the UK. The company serves commercial clients with comprehensive insurance and risk services.
Willis Towers Watson UK provides advisory, placement, and risk consulting services. The company is a trusted advisor to clients managing complex risks.
Willis Towers Watson is committed to advising clients and managing risk effectively.
Inside the company
Culture & values at Willis Towers Watson UK
Willis Towers Watson cultivates a culture of professional excellence and risk expertise. The organisation values client partnerships and professional development. Employees are encouraged to develop deep expertise.
Why people want to work here
Join Willis Towers Watson UK to work in professional insurance and risk advisory. You'll contribute to client service and risk management. The company offers opportunities in client services, consulting, risk analysis, and operations. You'll develop expertise in insurance brokerage.
What to expect
Working at Willis Towers Watson UK
Most roles at Willis Towers Watson UK are office-based or hybrid, with teams typically splitting time between their London, UK 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.
As a 4,100+-person organisation, Willis Towers Watson UK sits at a size where you can genuinely know people across different departments. Teams tend to be close-knit, and there's a real sense of shared purpose. You'll likely have more visibility with senior leadership than you would at a larger employer, which means your contributions are noticed and your ideas can reach decision-makers more quickly.
The culture at Willis Towers Watson UK shapes how the day feels beyond just the work itself. Colleagues describe the environment as one that values Professional Capability and Risk Expertise. Lunch breaks, team socials, and informal catch-ups are part of the rhythm — Willis Towers Watson UK 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
Willis Towers Watson UK interview process
Willis Towers Watson's interview process assesses professional capability.
Application and CV Review
1-2 weeksYour CV is reviewed.
Phone Screening
30 minutesInitial conversation.
Professional Interview
45-60 minutesHiring manager discussion.
Assessment
1-2 hoursAssessment if needed.
Team Interview
30 minutesTeam meeting.
Final Interview
30 minutesLeadership interview.
The process typically takes 5-8 weeks.
Insider tips
Research Willis Towers Watson. Demonstrate professional capability. Show client and risk focus.
Your game plan
How to prepare for your Willis Towers Watson UK interview
Willis Towers Watson UK's interview process typically takes The process typically takes 5-8 weeks.. 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 Willis Towers Watson UK thoroughly — read their annual report, recent press coverage, and leadership interviews. Understand their position in insurance & risk management and any challenges or opportunities they're facing. Follow Willis Towers Watson UK 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 Willis Towers Watson UK and reach out for an informal conversation.
3 weeks before
Prepare 8-10 STAR examples from your experience that demonstrate Professional Capability, Risk Expertise, Client Focus. 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 Insurance Broker or Risk Advisor 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 Willis Towers Watson UK'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 Willis Towers Watson UK's strategy.
Final week
Review and refine your STAR examples — tighten any that felt long or unfocused during practice. Check Willis Towers Watson UK'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 Willis Towers Watson UK looks for
Professional Capability
Professional skills.
Risk Expertise
Risk knowledge.
Client Focus
Client service.
Communication
Professional communication.
Get through the door
How to apply to Willis Towers Watson UK
Start by studying Willis Towers Watson UK's careers page and current openings carefully. Tailor your CV to mirror the language they use in job descriptions — insurance & risk management 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 Insurance Broker, Risk Advisor, Consultant, research what each role involves at Willis Towers Watson UK specifically, not just the job title in general.
If you're early in your career, look for entry-level or junior positions on Willis Towers Watson UK'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 Willis Towers Watson UK offers internships or work experience placements as a route in — many insurance & risk services employers use these as a pipeline for permanent roles.
Before submitting your application, research Willis Towers Watson UK'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 & risk services employer. Referrals from current employees significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, so connect with people at Willis Towers Watson UK on LinkedIn and attend any open days or recruitment events they run.
As a smaller organisation, Willis Towers Watson UK values personal connections. Attending industry events where their team members speak or exhibit can be an effective way to build rapport before you apply. In insurance & risk services specifically, personal recommendations carry significant weight.
Mistakes candidates make
- 1Submitting a generic CV that doesn't reference Willis Towers Watson UK or insurance & risk management-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 Willis Towers Watson UK'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 Professional Capability and Risk Expertise — Willis Towers Watson UK 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 — Willis Towers Watson UK's process typically takes The process typically takes 5-8 weeks., 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 Willis Towers Watson UK and the specific role.
- 6Applying to multiple roles at Willis Towers Watson UK simultaneously without tailoring each application — recruiters notice this, and it signals that you're not genuinely interested in any specific position.
Real questions asked
Willis Towers Watson UK interview questions
20 questions sourced from real Willis Towers Watson UK candidates. Practise answering them out loud before your interview.
- 1Tell us about your professional experience.
- 2How do you understand risk?
- 3Describe your background.
- 4What excites you about Willis Towers Watson?
- 5Tell us about your professional interest.
- 6How do you approach advisory?
- 7Describe your professional experience.
- 8Tell us about your contributions.
Your career here
Growth & development at Willis Towers Watson UK
Career progression at Willis Towers Watson UK 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 & risk services organisations increasingly recognise and reward technical and specialist career paths.
Willis Towers Watson UK 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 & risk management professionals, Willis Towers Watson UK 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 Professional Capability and Risk Expertise — are transferable across the insurance & risk services 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 Willis Towers Watson UK started in entry-level or early-career positions, which speaks to the genuine career development opportunities available.
Compensation
Salary & benefits at Willis Towers Watson UK
Competitive salary ranging from £24,000 for entry-level roles to £125,000+ for senior positions.
Notable benefits
Roles they hire for
Popular roles at Willis Towers Watson UK
Frequently asked questions
What services does Willis Towers Watson provide?
Willis Towers Watson provides insurance brokerage, risk consulting, and professional advisory services.
What is Willis Towers Watson's focus?
Willis Towers Watson advises commercial clients on comprehensive risk management and insurance.
Does Willis Towers Watson support development?
Yes, Willis Towers Watson provides professional development and career support.
What is the workplace culture?
Willis Towers Watson's culture focuses on professional excellence and client advisory.
What professional development is available?
Willis Towers Watson supports professional qualifications and career development.
Your Willis Towers Watson UK interview is coming.
Be ready for it.
Practise with real Willis Towers Watson UK questions, get scored across 6 competencies, and walk in confident you can perform under pressure.
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