Biopharma Industry Interview Tips
BioPharma Industry Interview FAQ
Tips for preparing for pharma industry interviews:
- Have 8-10 good example stories you can tell – see behavioral interview question resources below.
- They are looking to see if you are going to be a good team player – have some examples of this.
- Be ready to explain anything you listed on your CV/resume.
- Do your research on the company and understand why you are interested in working there.
- Emphasize what you can contribute to the company rather than what that job will do for you.
- Frame your research experience with therapeutic or disease applicability in mind. If you are doing basic research, be able to show that you are thinking in terms of drugs/therapies and impact on health and unmet medical needs.
- Have a list of about 10 questions written down that you can ask at the end of the interview.
Links and resources for interviews:
50 of the most common interview questions and potential answers. You don’t need a response to every interview question, but you should get comfortable with what you might be asked and what hiring managers are looking for in your responses.
https://www.themuse.com/advice/interview-questions-and-answers
Behavioral interview questions are a great way for a hiring manager to gain insight into specific situations you have found yourself in and how you navigated each of those scenarios. Here’s a list of commonly asked behavioral interview questions. It’s not necessary to have answers for each question but it’s recommended that you have 8-10 stories that you can adapt to these types of questions.
https://www.themuse.com/advice/30-behavioral-interview-questions-you-should-be-ready-to-answer
A job interview isn’t a one-way street between you and the hiring manager. It’s also your opportunity to determine whether this position is a good fit for you. It is important to have a few questions to ask as a candidate. Here are tips and sample questions for what to ask (and what not to ask) during your interview.
https://www.themuse.com/advice/51-interview-questions-you-should-be-asking
This article provides industry-specific questions you may be asked during your interview.
Industrial strength: Life-science industry insiders offer tips on how to beat job competitors.
This article provides tips on how you can switch your mindset from academia to industry to set yourself apart from your competitors, so you are ready to discuss with the hiring manager why you are right for their team.
STAR Method:
When answering an interview question, it is important to give a structured answer. Using the acronym STAR will help structure your responses. Situation – set the context for the story; Task – what was required of you; Activity – what you did; and Result – how the situation played out. Here are a couple of examples using the STAR method.
https://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/star-technique-competency-based-interview
Specific advice related to the BioPharma industry:
Here are BioPharma-specific questions to consider when applying for a position. It discusses the main things employers consider when hiring and questions you should ask the employer during the interview.
Virtual job interview advice:
Virtual job interviews are becoming more common. Here are a couple of resources to help you be prepared so you can be more focused on the interview, rather than if your camera is working.
https://www.themuse.com/advice/video-interview-tips
https://www.biospace.com/article/savvy-prep-for-the-new-normal-online-job-interviews/?s=116
All of these and more resources are found on our BRET ASPIRE Website:
https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/career-development/path-to-career/non-faculty-search/
blog post contributed by:
Aubrie Stricker
PhD Candidate, Cell & Developmental Biology