Marsh & McLennan Companies Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Marsh & McLennan Companies is a global professional services firm offering advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and people.

As a Software Engineer at Marsh & McLennan, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications that support the company's diverse business needs. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, implementing robust software solutions, and ensuring high-quality code through testing and debugging. A solid understanding of software development methodologies, particularly Agile, is essential, as well as proficiency in programming languages such as Java, C#, or Python.

The ideal candidate will possess strong problem-solving skills, an ability to work under pressure, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Familiarity with cloud services and a background in developing scalable applications will set you apart in this role. Moreover, a proactive approach to communication and collaboration will resonate well with the company's values of teamwork and integrity.

This guide is designed to equip you with the insights needed to excel in your interview for the Software Engineer position at Marsh & McLennan, helping you align your skills and experiences with the expectations of the role.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Marsh & McLennan Companies typically consists of multiple rounds designed to assess both technical and interpersonal skills.

1. Initial Screening

The process usually begins with an initial screening, which may be conducted by a recruiter or hiring manager. This stage often involves a phone or video call where the interviewer will discuss your background, experience, and motivation for applying. Expect to answer behavioral questions that gauge your fit within the company culture and your understanding of the role.

2. Technical Interviews

Following the initial screening, candidates typically undergo one or two technical interviews. These interviews focus on assessing your coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of software engineering principles. You may be asked to solve coding challenges or discuss your previous projects in detail. Be prepared for questions that test your knowledge of programming languages, algorithms, and system design.

3. Case Study or Assessment

In some instances, candidates may be given a case study or a technical assessment to complete. This could involve presenting a solution to a problem relevant to the role, demonstrating your analytical thinking and approach to software development. You may need to explain your thought process and the rationale behind your decisions during this presentation.

4. Final Interview

The final interview often involves meeting with senior management or team leads. This round may include both technical and behavioral questions, focusing on your ability to work in a team, handle challenges, and align with the company's goals. Expect discussions around your past experiences, how you handle stakeholder interactions, and your long-term career aspirations.

5. Offer and Negotiation

If you successfully navigate the interview rounds, you may receive a verbal offer, followed by a formal written offer. Be prepared to discuss your salary expectations and any other benefits during this stage, as the company typically expects candidates to respond promptly to offers.

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.

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at Marsh & McLennan typically consists of three rounds: two technical interviews followed by an HR round. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. Expect to discuss your technical skills in depth, as well as your previous experiences and how they relate to the role. Being aware of the format will help you manage your time and responses effectively.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Given the emphasis on technical skills, ensure you are well-versed in the programming languages and technologies relevant to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and system design principles. Practice coding problems that reflect the types of questions you might encounter, such as SQL queries, C# concepts, and MVC architecture. Be ready to explain your thought process clearly and concisely during these discussions.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

During the interviews, you may be presented with case studies or hypothetical scenarios. Approach these with a structured problem-solving mindset. Clearly outline your thought process, the steps you would take to address the issue, and any assumptions you are making. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to think critically under pressure.

Emphasize Agile Experience

Marsh & McLennan values candidates who are familiar with agile project delivery. Be prepared to discuss your experience working in agile environments, including how you have contributed to team dynamics, managed sprints, and adapted to changing requirements. Highlight any specific methodologies you have used, such as Scrum or Kanban, and how they have influenced your work.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your soft skills and cultural fit. Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution abilities. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey the impact of your actions.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Effective communication is key in any interview. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be mindful of your body language during in-person or video interviews, as it can convey your enthusiasm and professionalism. If you encounter challenging questions, take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding.

Research the Company Culture

Understanding Marsh & McLennan's company culture will give you an edge. Familiarize yourself with their values, mission, and recent initiatives. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your responses to align with the company's goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in being part of their team.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. This not only shows your professionalism but also reinforces your interest in the position. Mention specific points from the interview that resonated with you, which can help you stand out in the minds of the interviewers.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to navigate the interview process at Marsh & McLennan and showcase your qualifications effectively. Good luck!

Technical Skills

1. What is your experience with agile project delivery?

Understanding agile methodologies is crucial for a software engineer at Marsh & McLennan. They want to know how you adapt to changing requirements and collaborate with teams.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with agile practices, such as Scrum or Kanban, and provide examples of how you've successfully delivered projects using these methodologies.

Example

“I have worked in agile environments for the past three years, participating in daily stand-ups and sprint planning sessions. In my last project, we adopted Scrum, which allowed us to adapt quickly to client feedback and deliver features incrementally, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.”

2. Can you explain the MVC architecture and its benefits?

MVC (Model-View-Controller) is a common design pattern in software development. They may ask this to assess your understanding of software architecture.

How to Answer

Briefly explain the components of MVC and how they interact. Highlight the benefits, such as separation of concerns and ease of maintenance.

Example

“MVC separates the application into three interconnected components: the Model, which handles data; the View, which displays the data; and the Controller, which manages user input. This separation allows for easier maintenance and scalability, as changes in one component do not heavily impact the others.”

3. Describe your experience with SQL and database management.

SQL skills are essential for data manipulation and retrieval. They may want to gauge your proficiency in handling databases.

How to Answer

Mention specific SQL queries you have written and the types of databases you have worked with. Discuss any experience with database design or optimization.

Example

“I have extensive experience with SQL, having worked with both MySQL and PostgreSQL. I regularly write complex queries involving joins and subqueries to extract meaningful insights from large datasets. Additionally, I have optimized database performance by indexing key columns.”

4. How do you handle exception management in your code?

Exception handling is critical for building robust applications. This question assesses your coding practices.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to error handling, including the use of try-catch blocks and logging errors for debugging.

Example

“I always implement try-catch blocks to handle potential exceptions gracefully. For instance, in a recent project, I logged errors to a monitoring system, which allowed us to identify and fix issues proactively, reducing downtime by 30%.”

5. What programming languages are you proficient in, and which do you prefer?

This question helps them understand your technical background and preferences.

How to Answer

List the programming languages you are comfortable with and explain why you prefer certain ones for specific tasks.

Example

“I am proficient in Java, Python, and C#. I prefer Python for data analysis and scripting due to its simplicity and extensive libraries, while I use Java for building enterprise-level applications because of its robustness and scalability.”

Behavioral Questions

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

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for prioritizing tasks, such as using project management tools or frameworks like Eisenhower Matrix.

Example

“I prioritize my tasks by assessing their urgency and impact. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and often apply the Eisenhower Matrix to distinguish between what is urgent and important, ensuring I focus on high-impact tasks first.”

2. Describe a challenging situation you faced in a project and how you overcame it.

They want to see your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a challenge, your thought process, and the steps you took to resolve it.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a significant delay due to a key team member leaving unexpectedly. I organized a series of meetings to redistribute tasks among the team and brought in a temporary contractor to fill the gap. This proactive approach allowed us to meet our deadline without compromising quality.”

3. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question evaluates your ability to accept and learn from feedback.

How to Answer

Explain your perspective on feedback and provide an example of how you have used it to improve your work.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. For instance, after receiving constructive criticism on my code quality, I took the initiative to enroll in a code review workshop, which significantly improved my coding practices and led to fewer revisions in future projects.”

4. Why are you interested in working for Marsh & McLennan?

This question gauges your motivation and alignment with the company’s values.

How to Answer

Discuss specific aspects of the company that attract you, such as its culture, values, or projects.

Example

“I am drawn to Marsh & McLennan because of its commitment to innovation and its focus on making a positive impact in the insurance industry. I admire the company’s emphasis on collaboration and continuous learning, which aligns with my professional values.”

5. How do you approach teamwork in a software development environment?

This question assesses your collaboration skills and ability to work in a team.

How to Answer

Share your experiences working in teams and how you contribute to a positive team dynamic.

Example

“I believe effective communication is key to successful teamwork. In my last project, I facilitated regular check-ins to ensure everyone was aligned and encouraged open discussions about challenges. This approach fostered a collaborative environment and led to a successful project delivery.”