20 AbbVie Interview Questions and Answers

AbbVie is a pharmaceutical company that specializes in both biopharmaceuticals and small molecule drugs. If you’re interviewing for a position at AbbVie, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with both types of drugs, as well as your knowledge of the company’s products. In this article, we’ll give you a head start on your preparation by providing some sample AbbVie interview questions and answers.

AbbVie Interview Process

The interview process at AbbVie can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may be required to give a presentation or take a test. Overall, the interview process is average in terms of length and difficulty.

1. How would you handle a challenging situation with your manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a conflict with your manager. It’s important to be honest and show that you’re willing to work through any issues or disagreements.

Example: “I’ve had several managers throughout my career, and I have always valued their opinions and advice. If I ever disagreed with something they said, I would approach them directly and ask for clarification on what they meant. I find it helpful to get as much information as possible before making a decision so I can make sure I’m following company policies and procedures.”

2. What makes AbbVie stand out to you?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on their company. It also gives them an opportunity to tell you what they think makes AbbVie unique and why it’s such a great place to work.

Example: “AbbVie has a reputation for being one of the best places to work in the pharmaceutical industry, which I find very impressive. The fact that you offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits and opportunities for advancement make me want to be part of this team even more.”

3. If someone was unhappy about the results of their clinical trial, how would you respond to them?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills and ability to handle conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would respond to someone who was unhappy with the results of their trial.

Example: “If someone was unhappy about the results of their clinical trial, I would first listen to them and understand why they were upset. Then, I would explain that we have strict quality control measures in place to ensure our trials are safe and effective. If they still weren’t happy, I would offer to speak with my manager or supervisor to see if there was anything else we could do.”

4. Do you have any experience in sales?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the skills and experience that AbbVie is looking for. If you do, it can help your chances of getting hired because they are likely to be impressed by your previous work history. If you don’t have any sales experience, you should talk about how you would learn quickly and apply what you learned to succeed in this role.

Example: “I’ve never worked as a salesperson before, but I am confident that I could excel at this job with some training. In my last position, I was responsible for cold-calling potential clients and convincing them to use our services. While I didn’t always get positive responses, I did learn how to overcome objections and make more effective pitches.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to work on an interdisciplinary project.

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work with others and collaborate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the skills you used in that project and how they helped you succeed.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked on an interdisciplinary team of scientists who were tasked with developing a new drug for a specific type of cancer. We had to communicate our findings to each other so we could all understand what everyone else was doing. This process required us to use many different communication methods, including email, phone calls and face-to-face meetings. By working together as a team, we were able to develop a successful treatment.”

6. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a client.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to go the extra mile for your clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you helped solve a problem or challenge that was outside of your job description.

Example: “When I worked as an account manager at my previous company, one of my clients called me in a panic because they were missing some important documents. I immediately went into work mode and started calling around to see if anyone had seen them. After about 30 minutes of searching, I found the documents in a folder on someone else’s desk. The client was so grateful that I took the time to help them.”

7. Does your current employer know that you’re looking for other jobs?

Employers want to know that you’re loyal and committed to your current job. If you are, explain why you’re looking for other opportunities. If you aren’t, explain what led you to apply for a new position.

Example: “I’m very happy at my current company. I’ve been there for five years now, and they have given me the opportunity to grow in my career. However, I am interested in learning more about AbbVie’s culture and how it compares to my own. I also think that working here would be beneficial because of their reputation as an industry leader.”

8. Give us an example of a time where you were able to build rapport with a customer quickly.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation where you were able to quickly build rapport with someone or a group of people.

Example: “I once had the opportunity to meet with a large group of doctors at a conference. I was nervous about speaking in front of such a large crowd but knew that if I could make them feel comfortable, they would listen to what I had to say. So, I started by asking questions and making sure everyone felt included. By the end of my presentation, many of the doctors thanked me for being so personable.”

9. Are you comfortable working with large scientific data sets?

AbbVie is a pharmaceutical company that relies on scientific data to develop new drugs. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience working with large amounts of data and how you approach it. In your answer, explain what steps you take when working with data sets and highlight any specific skills or software programs you use to analyze information.

Example: “I am comfortable working with large data sets because I’ve had plenty of experience doing so in my previous role. At my last job, I worked as a research scientist where I analyzed thousands of data points each day. I used several different tools to organize the data, including Microsoft Excel and SAS. These tools helped me find patterns within the data that led to breakthroughs in our drug development process.”

10. What is your approach to troubleshooting?

Troubleshooting is an important skill for any employee in a pharmaceutical company. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have the ability to solve problems and think critically.

Example: “I start by identifying what I know about the problem, then I research possible solutions. If I can’t find a solution on my own, I ask my supervisor or other team members for help. Once we’ve identified a solution, I implement it and monitor its effectiveness. This process helps me learn more about troubleshooting so I can improve my skills.”

11. Can you tell me about a time when you disagreed with your manager’s decision?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you disagreed with a manager’s decision but were able to come up with a solution that worked for everyone involved.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant at my previous job, my boss asked me to organize a meeting between her and the CEO of our company. I knew she wanted me to invite other managers to the meeting, but I also knew they would all be busy with their own projects. Instead of inviting them, I suggested we hold a conference call instead so they could listen in without having to leave their desks. She agreed, and we held the meeting over the phone.”

12. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, consider the job description and highlight skills that match what the employer is looking for.

Example: “I am extremely organized and detail-oriented, which has helped me succeed in previous roles. I’m always willing to take on more work if needed, but I’ve learned to balance my workload so I can meet deadlines without sacrificing quality of work. My only weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on getting tasks done that I forget to ask for help when I need it.”

13. Why do you want to work at AbbVie?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing an answer, make sure you highlight some of the aspects that attracted you to AbbVie and why you think this organization would be a good fit for you.

Example: “I want to work at AbbVie because I am passionate about helping people live healthier lives. Your company’s mission statement really resonates with me, and I believe my skills and experience can help further your goals. I also love the idea of working for a smaller company where I can have a greater impact on the team.”

14. Describe a time you failed and what you learned from it.

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s ability to reflect on their own performance and identify areas for improvement. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you used your learning experience to improve your skills or work ethic.

Example: “When I first started my career as an accountant, I was working with a client who had multiple businesses. One day, I noticed that one of his companies hadn’t filed its taxes in over two years. I immediately called him to discuss the issue, but he assured me everything was fine. After some research, I found out that he had been using money from other companies to pay for his personal expenses. He eventually declared bankruptcy, which caused all of his businesses to suffer.”

15. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

This question is a great way to assess your leadership skills and how you would fit into the company’s culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe yourself as a leader in a specific situation or give an example of when you were a leader.

Example: “I am a very empathetic person who always wants to help others succeed. I believe that my ability to listen to people and understand their needs makes me a strong leader. In my last position, I had a team member who was struggling with her work. She came to me for advice, and I listened to her concerns and helped her find solutions. After our conversation, she felt more confident in her work and went on to have a successful week.”

16. What interests you about this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research on the company and its open position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few things about AbbVie’s mission or values, as well as any specific job duties that interest you.

Example: “I’m very interested in working for a pharmaceutical company because I find the medical industry fascinating. In my last role, I worked with patients who were struggling with mental health issues, so I know how important it is to have access to effective medications. I also understand the importance of patient privacy and confidentiality, which is why I am excited to work at AbbVie.”

17. What do you think will be most challenging about this job?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’ve done some research on the company and understand what it’s like to work there. It also gives you an opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that will help you overcome this challenge.

Example: “I think the most challenging part of this job would be working with a team in another time zone. I have experience managing remote teams, so I know how important communication is when working across different time zones. I’m confident that my project management skills can help me overcome this challenge.”

18. Have you worked with any biopharmaceuticals before?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience working with this type of drug. If you haven’t worked with biopharmaceuticals before, it’s okay to say so and explain why you’re interested in learning more about them.

Example: “I’ve never worked with biopharmaceuticals before, but I’m very excited to learn more about the process of creating these drugs. In my last position, we were able to create small molecule drugs, which was an amazing opportunity for me. I would love to work with both types of drugs at AbbVie.”

19. When did you first hear about AbbVie?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s knowledge of AbbVie and their interest in working for the company. If you are interviewing someone who has never heard of AbbVie, it may be difficult to understand why they would want to work there.

Example: “I first heard about AbbVie when I was researching pharmaceutical companies that were hiring. I saw that AbbVie had an excellent reputation and many job openings, so I decided to apply.”

20. What kind of environment do you prefer: working alone or collaboratively?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your personality and how you might fit in with their team. It’s important to be honest about what kind of environment you prefer, but also highlight any skills or experiences that would allow you to adapt to different situations.

Example: “I enjoy working collaboratively because I find it helps me think through problems more thoroughly. However, I am comfortable working alone as well. In my last position, I was often tasked with researching topics on my own and presenting my findings to the rest of the team. I have found that I am good at managing my time and prioritizing tasks so that I can complete them both independently and collaboratively.”