20 Cardinal Health Interview Questions and Answers

Cardinal Health is a global, integrated healthcare services and products company, providing customized solutions for hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories and physician offices worldwide.

If you’re interviewing for a position at Cardinal Health, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your skills and your knowledge of the healthcare industry. You may also be asked questions specific to Cardinal Health, such as “What do you know about our company?” or “Why are you interested in working for Cardinal Health?”

Preparing for your interview by familiarizing yourself with the company and its products and services will help you answer these questions confidently. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview at Cardinal Health.

Cardinal Health Interview Process

The interview process at Cardinal Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screening with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may be interviewed by a panel of people. The difficulty of the questions asked during the interview process can also vary, but most interviewers will ask both technical and behavioral questions. Overall, the interview experience is generally positive, though some applicants have found it to be unprofessional.

1. How would you handle a situation where your team is struggling to meet deadlines and expectations?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenges and motivate your team to achieve goals. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a team overcome obstacles or meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role, I had a team of five people who were responsible for shipping thousands of products each day. One day, we encountered an issue with our inventory system that caused us to ship out some incorrect items. This resulted in customers returning the product, which meant we had to send it back to our warehouse to be fixed before sending it back out again. The entire process took about two weeks, but I worked with my team to ensure they could still meet their daily shipment quotas while also fixing the problem. We all stayed late one night to get everything shipped out so we wouldn’t have any delays.”

2. Can you tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your previous work experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my last position as a sales associate at a department store, I had a customer who was upset because she couldn’t find what she wanted in our inventory. She became increasingly frustrated with me and other associates when we didn’t have her desired product. I calmly explained that we were out of stock on that item but offered her an alternative. She accepted it and left the store satisfied.”

3. What do you think makes for a good manager/leader?

This question can help the interviewer get to know your management style and how you would approach leadership in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to think about what makes a good manager for you personally and share those qualities with the interviewer.

Example: “I think that a good leader is someone who is able to motivate their team members while also being open to feedback from them. I believe that leaders should be empathetic to the needs of their employees and create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. As a leader, I want my team to feel supported and valued so they can do their best work.”

4. Tell us about an area of healthcare that you are passionate about.

This question is a great way to show your passion for healthcare and the industry. It also allows you to share some of your knowledge about an area that may not be common knowledge. When answering this question, it can be helpful to choose an area that aligns with the job description or company values.

Example: “I am passionate about mental health in the workplace. I believe that having a mentally healthy workforce leads to better productivity and overall success. In my last role as a human resources manager, I implemented a program where employees could take time off work if they felt overwhelmed by stress or anxiety. We also offered free counseling sessions to all employees. The results were amazing, with employee turnover dropping by 50%.”

5. Describe your experience working in a fast-paced environment, how did you adapt to it?

Working in a fast-paced environment is common for many healthcare professionals. Employers ask this question to make sure you can adapt to their company’s work pace and ensure your experience will be positive if they hire you. In your answer, explain how you handle working quickly and efficiently. Share an example of a time when you had to adapt to a new situation or change in the workplace.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment before, so I am used to it. When I first started my career as a nurse, I was thrown into a busy emergency room where I had to learn how to adapt to the high volume of patients. It took me some time to get used to the speed of the job, but now I feel confident in my ability to work at any pace.”

6. What was the last project you worked on?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your skills and abilities. It also helps them understand what you’re most passionate about in your career. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that was challenging but rewarding.

Example: “The last project I worked on involved helping my team develop new ways to track inventory levels. We were able to use our findings to create an app that helped employees keep track of their inventory. This allowed us to reduce errors and increase efficiency. The project took several months to complete, but we all felt proud of the results.”

7. Why do you want to work at Cardinal Health?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for Cardinal Health. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the company that interest you or how your skills and experience align with their job description.

Example: “I want to work at Cardinal Health because I am passionate about helping people stay healthy. In my previous role as a nurse, I saw firsthand how important it is to have access to affordable healthcare. Cardinal Health’s mission statement resonates with me, and I think I would be an excellent addition to the team.”

8. Do you have any experience working in a warehouse setting?

Cardinal Health is a pharmaceutical company that operates warehouses across the country. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in a warehouse setting and how it relates to Cardinal Health’s operations. If you have previous warehouse experience, share some of your responsibilities with the interviewer. If you don’t have any warehouse experience, consider discussing another type of work environment where you had to perform similar duties.

Example: “I worked as a forklift operator for three years at my last job. I was responsible for moving pallets of inventory from one location to another within the warehouse. I also performed quality checks on each shipment before sending them out to customers.”

9. Tell us about a time when you were assigned to multiple projects at once and how you handled it.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your work and manage multiple projects. Use examples from your experience to show that you are organized, efficient and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing a team of five people while also working on several large projects at once. One project involved creating new marketing strategies for our pharmaceutical clients, another involved developing an inventory management system and another involved improving customer service training for all employees. I met with each team member every week to discuss their progress and offer advice or assistance as needed. This helped me stay informed about what everyone was doing so I could provide support when necessary.”

10. What do you think will be some of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare industry over the next few years?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of your understanding of current issues in healthcare. It also helps them determine if you have any unique ideas for overcoming these challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific challenges and how you would approach solving them.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare industry is patient satisfaction. Patients are becoming more aware of their rights when it comes to healthcare, which means they expect higher quality care at lower costs. I believe that hospitals need to focus on improving communication with patients so they feel like they’re being heard. This could include things like providing clear explanations of procedures or offering more personalized care options.”

11. What are your thoughts on the current state of the pharmaceutical market?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your knowledge about the industry and how you feel about it. It’s important to be honest in your response, but try to focus on positive aspects of the market as well.

Example: “I think the pharmaceutical market is an exciting place right now because there are so many new developments happening every day. I’m excited to work for a company that supports research and development initiatives, which helps ensure we’re always offering our customers the best products possible. There are also some challenges facing the market, such as rising costs and regulations. However, I believe Cardinal Health has done a great job at navigating these issues.”

12. Describe your leadership style.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would lead a team at Cardinal Health. Your leadership style is an important part of your overall personality, so it’s important to be honest about what type of leader you are and why.

Example: “I believe in being a strong but compassionate leader who empowers my team members to succeed. I like to give my employees plenty of autonomy when they’re working on projects, as long as they stay within the parameters we’ve set for ourselves. This allows them to feel more confident in their work and gives me the opportunity to provide feedback and guidance where necessary.”

13. In what ways has your past experience prepared you for this role?

This question can help the interviewer understand how your past experience relates to this role. Use examples from your resume or cover letter that highlight skills you have developed in previous roles and explain how they will be beneficial for this position.

Example: “My previous experience as a pharmaceutical sales representative has prepared me for this role because it taught me how to communicate with customers, build relationships and develop marketing strategies. These are all valuable skills I can use to promote Cardinal Health’s products and services to healthcare professionals.”

14. Are you comfortable dealing with potential safety hazards like heavy machinery?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to work in an environment that requires you to be aware of potential hazards. Your answer should show that you are willing to take precautions and follow safety protocols.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable working with heavy machinery as long as I have been properly trained on how to use it. In my last position, I worked with large machines that required me to lift and move boxes weighing up to 500 pounds. I always made sure to ask for help when needed and followed all company policies regarding lifting and moving objects.”

15. What are some of your weaknesses?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They want to know that you are self-aware, but they also want to see what weaknesses you have so they can determine if they’re a problem for the company. When answering this question, be honest and try to focus on weaknesses that aren’t too serious or important.

Example: “I am very organized, which is great in my current role, but I sometimes get overwhelmed when there’s a lot of work to do and not enough time to do it. This has happened only once at my previous job, but I learned from the experience and now make sure to plan ahead better.”

16. What kind of management style do you think works best for a software development team?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of how you would manage a team at Cardinal Health. Your answer can show them your leadership skills and ability to collaborate with others. Think about what management style you’ve seen work best in the past, or consider what kind of leader you want to be.

Example: “I think that a democratic management style is most effective for software development teams because it allows everyone on the team to have a voice. I also believe that this style encourages collaboration among team members, which can lead to more innovative solutions. In my last role as a developer, I used this style when working on projects. My teammates and I were able to come up with some great ideas together.”

17. Give an example of a time when you made a mistake and how you handled it.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react when things don’t go as planned. When answering, focus on the steps you took to resolve the issue and what you learned from it.

Example: “When I was working in a hospital setting, I had a patient who needed a specific medication at a certain time of day. Unfortunately, I forgot to give them their medication one morning, which caused them to have an allergic reaction. I immediately apologized to the patient and explained that it would never happen again. The patient understood and appreciated my honesty. From then on, I made sure to write down all medications I administered so I could keep track of them.”

18. If hired, how do you plan on contributing to our company’s growth?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the company and how you can help it grow. Cardinal Health has a history of growth, so this is an important question for them. Use examples from your past experience that highlight your ability to contribute to a growing organization.

Example: “I believe my communication skills are one of my greatest strengths. In my last role, I was able to communicate with multiple departments about new procedures and changes in workflow. This helped us streamline our processes and increase efficiency. If hired, I plan on using these same communication skills to collaborate with other employees and share ideas for Cardinal Health’s continued success.”

19. What do you consider to be your greatest strength?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They want to know what skills you have that will be useful in the role, so it’s important to choose a strength that relates to the job description. When answering this question, try to think of a skill that is relevant to the position and one that you enjoy using.

Example: “I consider my ability to work well under pressure to be my greatest strength. I am always prepared for any situation, which helps me stay calm when things get hectic. In my last role, I was responsible for managing inventory during the holiday season. It was a very busy time of year, but I stayed organized and managed to keep up with all of my tasks.”

20. Is there anything we can clear up for you? Any questions?

This is your chance to ask any questions you may have about the position or company. It’s also a great time to let them know if there are any concerns you have that you’d like to address.

Example: “I do have one question, and it’s more of a concern than a question. I’ve noticed that Cardinal Health has an open-door policy for employees. However, I’m concerned that this could lead to favoritism among management. If someone were to complain about their manager, would they be taken seriously?”