19 Astellas Pharma US Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a position at Astellas Pharma US, you can expect to be asked questions about your research experience, your motivation for working in the pharmaceutical industry, and your thoughts on the role of Astellas Pharma US in the global market.

You may also be asked questions about your experience working with teams, your ability to handle confidential information, and your thoughts on the company’s culture and values.

Preparing for your interview by familiarizing yourself with the company and its products, as well as thinking about how you would answer these types of questions, will help you make a strong impression and increase your chances of being offered the job.

Astellas Pharma US Interview Process

The interview process at Astellas Pharma US can be long and difficult, with multiple rounds of interviews. The first round is usually a phone screen with HR, followed by a phone or in-person interview with the hiring manager. After that, there may be additional rounds of interviews with other members of the team. The questions asked can be general or specific to the role.

1. What is your experience in the pharmaceutical industry?

This question is a great way to gauge your experience level and how you can apply it to the position. If you have no experience in pharmaceuticals, consider what other industries you’ve worked in that are similar.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with patients who require medication management. I was previously employed at a medical clinic where I helped patients manage their medications and provided them with education on proper usage. This experience has given me valuable insight into the challenges of managing multiple prescriptions and ensuring patients understand why they need each prescription.”

3. When was a time when you had to work with a team that was not performing at maximum capacity, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to motivate others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific actions you took to help the team improve their performance or how you motivated them to work harder.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, there were times when some of my employees would slack off during the end of the day. This made it difficult for us to meet our daily goals on time. To solve this problem, I scheduled weekly meetings with each employee where we discussed their progress and set new goals for the week. This helped me identify which employees needed more guidance and allowed me to provide individualized attention.”

4. Why do you want to be a sales representative for Astellas Pharma US?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Astellas Pharma US that you like or how you learned about the job opening.

Example: “I want to work as a sales representative for Astellas Pharma US because I am passionate about helping people live healthier lives. In my last role, I helped patients find affordable treatment options for their chronic illnesses. I also love working with customers and building relationships with them. Working at Astellas Pharma US would allow me to use my skills in both of these areas.”

5. Tell us about a time where you were given a task but didn’t know how to complete it, how did you approach it?

Astellas Pharma US is looking for employees who are willing to learn and grow. This question helps them determine if you’re open to learning new things, as well as how you approach challenges.

Example: “When I first started my current position, I was given a task of creating an Excel spreadsheet that would help us track our sales numbers. At the time, I had no idea how to create spreadsheets or even use Microsoft Excel. However, I asked my coworkers about it and they were able to show me how to do it. Now, I’m comfortable using Excel to complete tasks.”

6. How would you respond if faced with resistance from a customer or client?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. Use examples from previous experiences where you faced a challenge, overcame it and delivered results for your company or clients.

Example: “In my last role as an account manager at a marketing agency, I had a client who was very resistant to our ideas and suggestions. They were not open to any changes in their campaign strategy and wanted us to implement everything they requested without compromise.

I met with them one-on-one to discuss their concerns and find out what they really wanted. It turned out that they just needed reassurance that we knew what we were doing and would deliver on our promises. After this conversation, they became more receptive to our ideas and implemented many of our recommendations.”

7. Describe a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time where you helped someone who was not an immediate family member or friend.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a customer service representative, I had a customer call in with a problem they were having with their prescription. They said that the medication wasn’t working for them like it should and wanted to know if there was anything we could do about it. After talking with them for a while, I realized that they were taking the wrong dosage of the medication. I explained to them how to take the correct dosage and told them that they would start seeing results soon.”

8. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you would fit into their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight your leadership skills and any past experiences that helped you develop them.

Example: “I believe I am an empathetic leader who is able to motivate my team members while also being approachable. In my last position, I had a team of five people, including myself, and we all worked together to meet our goals. We were able to do so by communicating with each other regularly and making sure everyone was comfortable asking questions or expressing concerns.”

9. Do you have any experience working in R&D?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this role. If you have experience working in R&D, share what you did and what you learned from that experience. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about other relevant work experiences.

Example: “I worked as an assistant researcher at my university’s lab where I helped conduct experiments on new medications. This was a valuable experience because it taught me how to use different equipment and interpret data. It also gave me insight into the pharmaceutical industry.”

10. We look for employees who are innovative and creative, can you give us an example of a time when you came up with a creative solution to a problem?

Astellas Pharma US is looking for employees who are innovative and creative, so they ask this question to see if you have these skills. When answering this question, think of a time when you solved a problem in an unconventional way or used your creativity to solve a problem.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on a project that required me to create a new marketing campaign. My team and I were brainstorming ideas one day at lunch, and we came up with several different concepts. However, none of them seemed like the right fit. So, I decided to take all of our ideas and combine them into one concept. We ended up creating a campaign that was more effective than any of our individual ideas.”

11. Give us an example of a time when you failed while trying something new, what lessons did you learn from that experience?

Astellas Pharma US is looking for candidates who are willing to take risks and learn from their mistakes. This question allows you to show your ability to try new things while also highlighting your willingness to learn from your experiences.

Example: “When I first started working in the pharmaceutical industry, I was eager to impress my colleagues with my knowledge of the company’s products. During a sales meeting, I mentioned that one of our medications could treat a certain condition when it actually couldn’t. After the meeting, I asked my manager what I should do if I make a mistake like this again. She told me to be honest about my mistake and apologize to anyone I may have offended.”

12. Given the current state of health care, how will our company compete against other pharmaceutical companies?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and how Astellas Pharma fits into it. Use examples from your research about the company’s products, competitors or other relevant information to show that you understand the current state of the industry.

Example: “Astellas Pharma has an excellent reputation for developing innovative medications that are effective in treating patients with complex conditions. I believe this will help the company compete against other pharmaceutical companies because its focus on patient care sets it apart from others who may be more focused on profit margins.”

13. Would you say that you are more analytical or creative?

This question is designed to help the interviewer get a sense of your personality and how you approach problem-solving. Your answer should show that you are both analytical and creative, but it’s important to emphasize your strengths in one or the other.

Example: “I would say I’m more analytical than creative. However, this doesn’t mean that I don’t have any creativity at all. In fact, my analytical skills allow me to think outside the box when solving problems. For example, during my last job as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I was tasked with selling a new drug to doctors who were already using another brand. My analytical side helped me understand why they weren’t switching brands, while my creativity allowed me to come up with solutions for each reason.”

14. What is your favorite drug product and why?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your knowledge of Astellas Pharma products. Your answer should include which product you like and why, as well as what it does. You can also mention any other drug products that you have used in the past or are familiar with.

Example: “My favorite Astellas Pharma product is Xyzal because I’ve seen how effective it is at treating allergies. In my last position, I worked on the marketing campaign for this product, so I know firsthand how many people it has helped. It’s one of the reasons I’m excited to work here.”

15. In this role, there may be times when you feel overwhelmed, how would you overcome those feelings?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle stress and challenges in your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you felt overwhelmed at work and how you overcame that feeling.

Example: “In my previous role as an account manager, I was responsible for managing multiple accounts with different clients. At times, I would feel overwhelmed by all of the tasks I had to complete each day. However, I learned that if I focused on one task at a time, I could get through the rest of the day more easily. By focusing on one task at a time, I found that I could manage my workload much better.”

16. You will be required to travel often for this position, do you see that as a challenge?

Traveling is a common part of many pharmaceutical sales positions. Employers ask this question to make sure you are prepared for the travel that comes with the job. In your answer, explain how you plan to manage frequent travel. Share any strategies you have for staying organized and keeping track of important information while on the road.

Example: “I am excited about the opportunity to travel for work. I know it can be challenging, but I also think it’s an important part of the job. To prepare myself, I always make sure to pack plenty of snacks and entertainment. I also use my phone to keep track of all important documents and appointments. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t miss anything important.”

17. What do you think is the biggest thing that needs to change within the pharmaceutical industry?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the industry and how you can make positive changes. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you think needs to change while also showing that you have ideas on how to implement those changes.

Example: “The biggest thing I think needs to change within the pharmaceutical industry is the stigma surrounding mental health. Many people still believe that depression or anxiety are just in someone’s head, but they’re actually very real conditions that need treatment. If we could educate more people on these issues, then maybe we could reduce the number of suicides each year.”

18. There will be times when you need to convince doctors to prescribe our products instead of products from competitors, how would you go about doing that?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to persuade. It’s important that you are honest about how you would convince doctors, but also highlight the benefits of Astellas Pharma products over competitors’.

Example: “I would first do my research on the doctor I was speaking with so I could understand their background and what they were looking for in a product. Then, I would explain why our products are better than those from competitors by highlighting the advantages of our products and explaining how they can help patients.”

19. What excites you most about being a pharma sales rep?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and how it aligns with Astellas Pharma US’s values. When answering this question, consider what you enjoy most about working in pharmaceutical sales and relate that back to the job description.

Example: “I love helping people feel better by providing them with effective medications. I find great satisfaction in knowing that my work helps patients live happier, healthier lives. In my last role as a pharma rep, I had a patient who was suffering from severe depression. After trying several other medications without success, they finally found relief after taking one of our antidepressants. They called me to tell me how much their life had improved, and I felt so happy to have been able to help them.”

20. As a manager, we expect you to set high standards for yourself and your team members, what sort of expectations should be put in place?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and how you can motivate a team. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what standards you set for yourself and others.

Example: “I expect my team members to always put the best interest of our patients first. I also expect them to work hard and stay focused on their tasks. As a manager, I hold myself to these same standards. I know that if I’m working hard and putting in 100% effort, then I can lead by example and help my team members do the same.”