20 Avantor Interview Questions and Answers

Avantor is a provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and applied materials industries. The company has a wide range of products and services, and as such, interviewers may ask questions specific to the company in order to gauge a candidate’s fit for the role. In this article, we will provide some sample questions and answers for an interview with Avantor.

Avantor Interview Process

The interview process at Avantor can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screening with HR, followed by one or more interviews with the hiring manager and/or other team members. For some positions, you may also be asked to complete a written assignment. Overall, the process is fairly standard and should not take more than a few weeks.

1. What is your experience with project management?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with managing projects and how you might apply that experience to this role. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your skills in project management, including time-management, communication and organization.

Example: “In my last position as a senior project manager, I was responsible for overseeing multiple teams of employees working on various projects. I used my leadership skills to motivate team members and ensure they were meeting deadlines and goals. I also helped resolve conflicts between team members and provided guidance when needed.”

2. How do you think the life sciences industry will change over the next 5-10 years?

This question can help an interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about the industry and how you might fit in. Use examples from your own experience to show that you’re passionate about this field and eager to learn more about it.

Example: “I think we’ll see a lot of change in the life sciences industry over the next 5-10 years, especially with regard to technology. I’ve seen so many advancements in medical devices and software that make our lives easier as scientists and researchers. For example, I worked on a project where we used artificial intelligence to predict outcomes for patients based on their genetic data. This is just one example of how technology will continue to improve healthcare.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to manage multiple projects at once and how did you prioritize them.

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and ability to multitask. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you organized the projects and what steps you took to ensure that they were all completed on time.

Example: “In my previous role as an operations manager, I had to manage multiple projects at once. One of the most important things I did was create a schedule for each project so that I could keep track of when certain tasks needed to be completed. This helped me prioritize which projects needed to be done first and ensured that everything got done by its deadline.”

4. Describe a time when you received criticism from your manager, how did you handle it?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you used the feedback to improve your performance.

Example: “When I first started working at Avantor, my manager gave me some constructive criticism about a presentation I was giving to a client. At first, I took the feedback personally and felt like he didn’t think I could do my job well. However, after taking a few minutes to process his comments, I realized that he was just trying to help me become a better employee. I thanked him for his feedback and promised to use it to improve my work.”

5. Give an example of a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your past where you had to work with someone who was difficult, but also highlight what you did to resolve the situation or improve the relationship.

Example: “In my last position as a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company, I worked with a team of sales representatives that were all very competitive. We would often compare our numbers and try to outdo each other, which made it hard to collaborate on projects. To solve this problem, I started holding weekly meetings where we discussed our goals and strategies for achieving them. This helped us focus on our individual tasks rather than comparing ourselves to one another.”

6. Do you have any experience in the lab equipment sales industry?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and how it relates to the position. If you have experience in this industry, share what you did and why you enjoyed it. If you don’t have direct experience, talk about any other sales positions you’ve held or customer service jobs that relate to working with clients.

Example: “I worked as an assistant manager at a local electronics store while I was going through college. This job taught me a lot about interacting with customers and helped me develop my communication skills. It also gave me valuable insight into the lab equipment sales industry.”

7. If hired, what would be your approach to generating new leads for Avantor’s products?

This question is an opportunity to show your sales skills and how you would approach a new role. Your answer should include examples of how you have generated leads in the past, as well as what strategies you plan to use for Avantor’s products.

Example: “I believe that my first step would be to research the company’s target audience and develop a marketing strategy based on their needs. I also think it’s important to understand the competition so I can differentiate Avantor’s products from others in the industry. In my last position, I used these two approaches to generate over $1 million in revenue within six months.”

8. Are you willing to travel frequently as part of this position?

Travel is a common part of many positions in the life sciences industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you are aware that travel may be required and that you’re comfortable with it. If you have any concerns about traveling, share them honestly with your interviewer. Explain how you plan to overcome those concerns or address them if they arise.

Example: “I am willing to travel as part of this position. I understand that there will likely be times when I need to travel for work. However, I do have some concerns about long-distance travel. I’m concerned about missing important family events while I’m away from home. To help alleviate these concerns, I would try to schedule trips during school breaks and summer vacation.”

9. We want to make sure our customers always receive excellent customer service. Can you tell me about a time that you provided great customer service?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience with customer service and can apply those skills in your new role. When answering this question, think of a time when you helped a customer solve a problem or answer their questions.

Example: “In my last position as a sales representative for a software company, I had a client who was having trouble using our product. They called me on a Saturday morning because they were frustrated with how long it took them to learn how to use our software. I told them I would be happy to help them over the phone, but if they preferred, I could come into the office and walk them through the program myself.”

10. Give an example of a time when you were under particular stress on a project or task. How did you deal with that situation?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react under pressure. When answering, try to describe a situation where you were able to overcome the stress or challenge and achieve success.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist for a large corporation, I was tasked with updating all of our computers to Windows 10. This task required me to work overtime on several occasions, which stressed me out quite a bit. However, I knew that if I didn’t complete the project by the deadline, it would cause major problems for the company. So, I took some time to organize my thoughts and plan out exactly what I needed to do. After that, I worked diligently until the project was completed.”

11. Why do you want to work at Avantor specifically?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Avantor that attracted you to apply for the position.

Example: “I applied for this role because I was impressed by your commitment to innovation in the life sciences industry. In my last job, I worked on developing new products for our clients, so I am excited to use my skills to work with an innovative company like yours.”

12. How realistic are the deadlines you set yourself?

Employers want to know that you can meet their expectations and deadlines. They also want to know how you plan your time so you can complete projects on time.

Example: “I always make sure I have enough time to get a project done, but I am realistic about the amount of work it takes to do something well. If I need more time than expected, I will ask for an extension or additional resources to help me finish the project. I believe in being honest with my employer about what is needed to get the job done.”

13. What motivates you to succeed?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personal values and how they align with the company’s. When you answer, try to focus on what motivates you personally rather than listing external factors like salary or benefits.

Example: “I am motivated by a sense of accomplishment. I love being part of a team that is working toward a common goal. I also find it motivating when my work makes someone else’s life easier or improves their quality of life. In my last role, I was able to help doctors diagnose patients faster and more accurately using our products. It made me feel good knowing that I had contributed to making people’s lives better.”

14. What are some ways you can improve efficiency within a business?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to use your skills and knowledge to improve a company’s processes. Use examples from previous experience that show you’re able to analyze systems, implement changes and evaluate their effectiveness.

Example: “I’ve worked in several different departments within my last job, which has given me an understanding of how each department works together. I know that it’s important for all departments to communicate with one another so they can work efficiently. For example, when I was working as a sales representative, I noticed that our customer service team wasn’t responding to emails or phone calls quickly enough. After talking with them about this issue, we realized that there were some orders that hadn’t been entered into the system yet. By communicating with each other, we were able to fix this problem.”

15. Describe your experience with inventory management software systems.

Avantor uses a variety of inventory management software systems to track the materials it produces and sells. Your answer should show that you have experience with these types of systems, as well as how they can be used in your role at Avantor.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different inventory management software systems during my career. I find that each system has its own strengths and weaknesses, so I try to use them based on what’s most important for the business. For example, one system I worked with was very good at tracking large quantities of raw materials but not so much when it came to managing finished goods. So we had to implement another system to help us manage our finished goods.”

16. What problems have you encountered since starting your career?

This question can help interviewers understand your problem-solving skills and how you’ve overcome challenges in the past. When answering this question, try to think of a specific example that shows your ability to solve problems and learn from mistakes.

Example: “When I first started my career as an engineer, I was working on a project where we had to create a new type of material for a client. We were given very little time to complete the project, so I didn’t have much time to test the product before sending it to our client. After completing the project, I realized there were some flaws with the product. However, I learned from this mistake and now make sure to thoroughly test products before sending them to clients.”

17. Tell us about a goal you reached and how you achieved it.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are goal-oriented and have the ability to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific goal you set for yourself and how you achieved it.

Example: “When I first started my current role as an account manager at my previous company, I had a goal of increasing sales by 10% within six months. To do this, I met with each client individually to learn more about their business and what they were looking for in our products. This helped me create a marketing plan that would appeal to all of our clients’ needs.”

18. What are some common customer concerns you have dealt with in your previous roles?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your customer service skills and how you handle common challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any concerns that were resolved quickly or any issues that led to positive outcomes for customers.

Example: “One concern I often hear from my clients is the cost of our products. However, I always explain that Avantor’s products are competitively priced compared to other providers in the industry. Another common concern I have heard is about shipping times. In these cases, I let them know that we offer expedited shipping options at an additional cost.”

19. Tell us about a time when you made a mistake, how did you handle it?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you handle failure. When answering, try to focus on the steps you took to fix the mistake or error and what you learned from it.

Example: “When I first started working as a lab technician, I was responsible for testing samples of blood. One day, I accidentally mixed up two samples, which caused my supervisor to test the wrong patient. My supervisor was very understanding when I told her what happened, but she also gave me additional training in sample identification so that I could prevent this from happening again.”

20. What questions do you have for us?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done some research on Avantor and are interested in learning more about the company. Use this time to ask questions that will help you decide if this is a good fit for you.

Example: “I noticed that you offer an employee stock purchase plan, which I think is great because it gives employees a chance to invest in the company’s success. However, I was wondering what percentage of employees participate in the program.”