How To Best Prepare For An Interview In The Pharmaceutical Industry
Preparing for an interview in the pharmaceutical industry requires a combination of industry knowledge, self-assessment, and interview-specific preparation. I have worked with hundreds of people in order to help them ace their interview in the Pharmaceutical industry. Here are some steps to help you prepare effectively that I have found work best:
Research the Company: Gather information about the pharmaceutical company you're interviewing with. Familiarize yourself with their products, pipeline, mission, values, recent news, and any other relevant details. Understand their position in the market and how they differentiate themselves from competitors. What makes them different? What values or mission statements have they got that would make you want to work for them over their competitors?
Understand the Role: Review the job description thoroughly to understand the specific requirements and responsibilities of the role. Identify the key skills, qualifications, and experiences they are seeking. Think about how your background aligns with those requirements and prepare specific examples that demonstrate your fit. I have spoken in previous articles here if you are new to the industry, this article is how best to make that step into the pharmaceutical industry.
Review Pharmaceutical Concepts and Trends: Refresh your knowledge of pharmaceutical concepts, drug development stages, clinical trials, regulatory processes, and industry trends. Remember that your first introductory call to a pharmaceutical company will likely be conducted by a recruiter or HR. Don’t make the assumption that they will knowthe ins and outs of your knowledge. Be prepared to explain what you exactly know. Stay up to date with any recent advancements or regulatory changes in the industry, especially with regards to the company that you are interviewing with. This will demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the field.
Prepare Common Interview Questions: Anticipate and prepare responses to common interview questions. These may include questions about your background, experience, strengths and weaknesses, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and your motivation for working in the pharmaceutical industry. Practice articulating your answers concisely and confidently. Have your stories ready to go and make sure they highlight you to the best of your ability.
Develop Questions to Ask: Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This shows your interest in the role and company while providing an opportunity to gather information. Ask about the company culture, career development opportunities, specific projects or initiatives, or anything else that will help you determine if the company is a good fit for you. Ask the interviewer what they like about this company. You will more likely get a genuine human response and can make a more accurate prediction on whether or not this role is for you.
Practice Behavioral and Situational Questions: Many interviews in the pharmaceutical industry include behavioral or situational questions (also known as compentancy questions) that assess how you would handle certain scenarios. Prepare by thinking about relevant experiences and how you would approach different situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
Dress Professionally: Choose professional attire that reflects the company's culture and the position you're applying for. It's better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Pay attention to grooming and personal presentation as well. If you are unsure, then ask! Best to clarify than make a mistake over something so simple.
Conduct Mock Interviews: Practice mock interviews with a friend or mentor to simulate the interview experience. Receive feedback on your answers, body language, and overall presentation. This will help you identify areas for improvement and build confidence. Obviously this is a service that I provide too, feel free to look at this link here for more infortmation. One free piece of advice I would give however is that contrary to popular believe, the power rests in the interviewee and not the interviewer. The more practice you have, the more you will realise this.
Plan Logistics: Determine the interview format (in-person, phone, video) and ensure you have all the necessary information, such as the interview date, time, and location (if applicable). Test any technology required for virtual interviews in advance to avoid technical issues. Make sure that you have clear audio, this usually means having a dedicated microphone as many interviewees seem to think that it’s ok to have just the laptop or phone audio. This is not ok and I would highly recommend that you use headphones with a dedicated microphones.
Take Care of Yourself: Get a good night's sleep before the interview and eat a healthy meal to ensure you're physically and mentally prepared. Arrive early for in-person interviews or log in a few minutes ahead of time for virtual interviews. Breathe and remember all of your interview preparation.
Remember, thorough preparation is key to a successful interview. By researching the company, understanding the role, practicing your responses, and demonstrating your knowledge and enthusiasm for the pharmaceutical industry, you'll be well-prepared to make a positive impression during your interview. Best of luck!
