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Cerner Interview Questions & Reviews in Kansas City, MO Area

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Web: www.cerner.com | HQ: Kansas City, MO

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Updated Feb 10, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
Ratings are reflective of location and job title.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 92 ratings

2.6

“Easy” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 92 ratings

Positive	72%
Neutral	20%
Negative	9%

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1–10 of 92 Cerner Interviews

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3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Interviewed Feb 2011 in Kansas City, MO (took 1+ week)

Had a 1:1 interview on campus for half an hour. It was technical and was asked questions about OOPS concept and trees, linked lists

Interview Questions

What is encapsulation

Answer Question

Complexity of linked list and tree insertion

Answer Question

Reason for Declining

Personal reasons

Other Details

I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

More Cerner Software Engineer Interviews

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Interviewed Jan 2012 in Kansas City, MO (took 4+ weeks)

In the beginning, Cerner was professional about the interview process. However, as the hiring process dragged on Cerner was EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL in the manner they handled potential employees there. The recruiter followed up consistently early on in the interview and then barely communicated at all in later stages. I also noticed several other "red flags" in the organization. This was very surprising given that I was referred to Cerner by a good friend of mine, which is how I secured the interview. After meeting several employees later outside of Cerner, I learned that the organization is good to start your career but after 2 years, get out and go somewhere else. If you have experience designing and delivering training programs, then this is NOT the organization for you. They're looking for new talent and want to ingrain you in their ways and methods. Political games could easily be sensed during the interview. I've been on a handful of interviews (approx 6) and Cerner was definitely the most unprofessional. I recommend to steer away.

Interview Questions

Why do you want to work in healthcare?

Answer Question

What's a creative solution to a problem you've encountered?

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

1.0

Very Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jan 2012 in Kansas City, MO (took 3 weeks)

i knew that the first phone interview is a behavioral interview so i googled interview questions and i wrote down things that happend that i could talk about, good and bad qualities that i have and situations that i was in that show positive things about me like leadership and knowledge of the job.

Interview Questions

they emailed me to schedule a time for a phone interview.

they asked me why do i study IT/CS and what programing languages are my strongest ones.
after that they told me a little bit about the internship and asked me if thats something i would be interested in.

and then they ask to meet with me for a second 1 on 1 interview in a few weeks

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Mar 2010 in Kansas City, MO (took 2 days)

I initially applied online, and was asked to be apart of initial screening interviews happening at my university. The initial screen consisted of technical and behavioral type questions. They definitely weren't too hard on me considering I had no previous work experience and was just graduating college. Next they invited me to their World Headquarters for a weekend trip, where they paid for my hotel room on the plaza. The first night they took everyone out to dinner and gave the recruits the opportunity to ask questions to Cerner veterans. The next half day consisted of 2 more interviews, one technical, the other behavioral. I felt like I completely bombed the technical, but I got an offer regardless.

Interview Questions

How would you go about coding a game of checkers?

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

I didn't try to negotiate, but plenty of my friends did successfully. It never hurts to try.

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

More Cerner Software Engineer Interviews

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Interviewed Dec 2011 in Kansas City, MO (took 4+ weeks)

I originally reached out to recruiters via email. They liked me, so I was invited in for a "experience cerner day" where they take you out to dinner the night before. The next day they sit you in a large room where they give you a short presentation fallowed by taking you upstairs for your interviews. You get interviewed by 3 separate people for half an hour each. After that, they take you to lunch and part ways with you after giving you a little bag with a water bottle as a gift in it.

Interview Questions

Describe a time where you had to deal with conflict among co-workers?

Answer Question

Why do you want to work for Cerner?

Answer Question

Reason for Declining

During my interviews, I noticed that the people interviewing me all had bags under their eyes. These people were TIRED. I could tell they were overworked and had low morale. I asked each of them how they enjoyed working for Cerner. They all explained to me that it was a great place to work, but I could tell they all absolutely hated it.

Many of my friends that work there didn't recommend Cerner as a good place to work. Upon further investigation, I found this email on the internet that the CEO sent out internally to Cerner workers. Keep in mind, this CEO is one of the founders and is still in charge.

From: Patterson,Neal To: DL_ALL_MANAGERS; Subject: MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE: Week #10_01: Fix it or changes will be made Importance: High To the KC_based managers: I have gone over the top. I have been making this point for over one year. We are getting less than 40 hours of work from a large number of our KC-based EMPLOYEES. The parking lot is sparsely used at 8AM; likewise at 5PM. As managers -- you either do not know what your EMPLOYEES are doing; or YOU do not CARE. You have created expectations on the work effort which allowed this to happen inside Cerner, creating a very unhealthy environment. In either case, you have a problem and you will fix it or I will replace you. NEVER in my career have I allowed a team which worked for me to think they had a 40 hour job. I have allowed YOU to create a culture which is permitting this. NO LONGER. At the end of next week, I am plan to implement the following: 1. Closing of Associate Center to EMPLOYEES from 7:30AM to 6:30PM. 2. Implementing a hiring freeze for all KC based positions. It will require Cabinet approval to hire someone into a KC based team. I chair our Cabinet. 3. Implementing a time clock system, requiring EMPLOYEES to 'punch in' and 'punch out' to work. Any unapproved absences will be charged to the EMPLOYEES vacation. 4. We passed a Stock Purchase Program, allowing for the EMPLOYEE to purchase Cerner stock at a 15% discount, at Friday's BOD meeting. Hell will freeze over before this CEO implements ANOTHER EMPLOYEE benefit in this Culture. 5. Implement a 5% reduction of staff in KC. 6. I am tabling the promotions until I am convinced that the ones being promoted are the solution, not the problem. If you are the problem, pack you bags. I think this parental type action SUCKS. However, what you are doing, as managers, with this company makes me SICK. It makes sick to have to write this directive. I know I am painting with a broad brush and the majority of the KC based associates are hard working, committed to Cerner success and committed to transforming health care. I know the parking lot is not a great measurement for 'effort'. I know that 'results' is what counts, not 'effort'. But I am through with the debate. We have a big vision. It will require a big effort. Too many in KC are not making the effort. I want to hear from you. If you think I am wrong with any of this, please state your case. If you have some ideas on how to fix this problem, let me hear those. I am very curious how you think we got here. If you know team members who are the problem, let me know. Please include (copy) Kynda in all of your replies. I STRONGLY suggest that you call some 7AM, 6PM and Saturday AM team meetings with the EMPLOYEES who work directly for you. Discuss this serious issue with your team. I suggest that you call your first meeting -- tonight. Something is going to change. I am giving you two weeks to fix this. My measurement will be the parking lot: it should be substantially full at 7:30 AM and 6:30 PM. The pizza man should show up at 7:30 PM to feed the starving teams working late. The lot should be half full on Saturday mornings. We have a lot of work to do. If you do not have enough to keep your teams busy, let me know immediately. Folks this is a management problem, not an EMPLOYEE problem. Congratulations, you are management. You have the responsibility for our EMPLOYEES. I will hold you accountable. You have allowed this to get to this state. You have two weeks. Tick, tock. Neal ….. Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Cerner Corporation www.cerner.com 2800 Rockcreek Parkway; Kansas City, Missouri 64117 "We Make Health Care Smarter"

Other Details

I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

View Comments (1)

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jan 2012 in Kansas City, MO (took 2+ weeks)

The phone interview was just verifying that I could work in the U.S., my education, work experience, pretty standard stuff. HR offered a 1 on 1 in person interview for two weeks from the day. I will update as things progress.

Interview Questions

What was a time where you went above-and-beyond?

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Dec 2011 in Kansas City, MO (took a day)

First - phone screen with HR, goes over your resume and asks some basic HR questions. If you seem like a good fit, they schedule you for a formal interview. THis consists of 100% behavioral STAR type questions with a current employee. If you do well, they fly you out to the HQ for in person interviews.

Interview Questions

Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a group decision.

Answer Question

Other Details

I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jan 2012 in Kansas City, MO (took 2 weeks)

I talked to the recruiter via e-mail and set up a phone interview within a few days I had my phone interview which was very basic; company overview, some behavioral questions, etc (interview lasted about 30 min). After that an onsite interview was set up for the next week. The interview consisted of interviewing with 3 different people in 1:1 interviews. which were all very basic as well lots of behavioral/situational questions! I was told I'd be contacted within a week or so with the news of if I got the position or not.

Interview Questions

Describe a time when you helped someone receive recognition for their achievement.

Answer Question

Describe a time a group member or coworker was not completing a task that needed to be done. How did you address this problem with them and what did you do to fix it?

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Nov 2011 in Kansas City, MO (took 6 weeks)

First Interview: 30 minute phone interview from a recruiter. Asked questions about my resume and experience. Asked a few behavioral questions. STAR Questions
After "passing" the first interview, I got a call from the recruiter saying I was invited to the next set of interviews. This is called the "Cerner Experience"
The Cerner Experience consisted of a day of learning about Cerner. It also consisted of two back to back 30 minute interviews.
They said it would take 2 to 3 weeks. That was correct.

Interview Questions

Describe a situation where you have received criticism. How did you take it? How did you act after the criticism?

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

No negiation

Other Details

I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

More Cerner Velocity Business Consultant Interviews

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Interviewed Dec 2011 in Kansas City, MO (took 2 days)

I was contacted by one of Cerner's recruiters who found me from Dice.com. She said they were hiring 200 people by January and asked a little bit about my previous experience and salary expectations but she didn't ask any real technical questions and there was no phone interview. The company flew me to their campus on a Wednesday, paid $50 for various travel expenses and had me stay in a Sheraton. The next morning I went to the interview. They schedule 3 people to interview with from different departments and they're scheduled for 45 minutes (although most ended earlier). They're all working off similar interview sheets so sometimes two people would ask the same question. They didn't have a lot of technical questions (and the ones they did have were pretty easy).