20 DePuy Synthes Interview Questions and Answers

As a leading medical device manufacturer, DePuy Synthes is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team. If you’re lucky enough to land an interview with this company, you can expect to be asked some tough questions.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common DePuy Synthes interview questions, along with sample answers to give you an idea of what the company is looking for.

DePuy Synthes Interview Process

The interview process at DePuy Synthes is long, with multiple interviews and a lot of waiting time in between. The questions asked are relevant and job specific. Everyone is very kind and professional.

1. Do you have any experience selling medical devices?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to their company. If you have no direct experience selling medical devices, consider sharing an example of a time when you sold something else that was challenging or complex.

Example: “I’ve never directly sold medical devices, but I do have experience in sales. In my previous role as a pharmaceutical representative, I had to sell complicated medications to doctors who were skeptical about them. My ability to explain the benefits of these medications clearly and concisely helped me win over many new clients.”

2. How do you think the healthcare industry will change in the next 5 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 experience to show that you’re adaptable and willing to learn new things.

Example: “I think we’ll see more technology integrated into healthcare, which will make it easier for patients to understand their conditions and treatments. I also think there will be more emphasis on preventative care, so doctors can catch problems before they become serious. In my last position, we started offering free blood pressure checks at our office once a week, and it was very popular with our patients.”

3. Tell us about a time when you had to persuade someone to buy your product or service.

This question can help the interviewer determine your sales skills and how you interact with clients. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you’re a strong communicator who’s able to persuade others.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for selling our company’s orthopedic products to hospitals and medical facilities. One of my biggest challenges was convincing doctors to use our products instead of those made by our competitors. To do this, I would meet with each doctor individually to discuss their needs and explain why our products were better than our competitors’. This helped me build trust with many of them, which led to more sales.”

4. Describe how you would prioritize your daily tasks as a sales consultant.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would prioritize your tasks and responsibilities as a sales consultant. Use examples from previous work experiences to describe how you would approach prioritizing your daily tasks, including any specific strategies or techniques you use to stay organized.

Example: “I find that it’s important to have an organized system for keeping track of my daily tasks and activities. In my last role, I used a planner to keep track of all my appointments and meetings throughout the day. I also found that using a calendar app on my phone was helpful because I could access it anywhere and quickly add new events to my schedule. Another strategy I used to stay organized was setting reminders in advance so I wouldn’t forget about upcoming deadlines.”

5. What are some of the key qualities for a successful sales person?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities that are important for success in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of these qualities and explain how you possess them yourself.

Example: “A successful sales person needs to be confident, persuasive and empathetic. I believe that having empathy is an important quality because it allows me to understand my clients’ needs and provide solutions that they find valuable. Persuasive skills allow me to convince clients to buy our products, while confidence helps me feel comfortable presenting ideas and selling our services.”

6. In what ways do you like to stay informed on changes in the medical device industry?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in the medical device industry and how you stay up-to-date on new developments. You may want to mention any professional organizations or publications that you follow, as well as any personal interests that have helped you develop an understanding of the industry.

Example: “I am a member of several professional organizations for medical professionals, including the American Medical Association and the Society for Biomaterials. I also subscribe to two journals that regularly publish articles on advancements in medical technology. In my spare time, I enjoy reading news stories online about recent discoveries in the medical field.”

7. Why do you want to work at DePuy Synthes?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on DePuy Synthes and are excited about working for a medical device manufacturer.

Example: “I want to work at DePuy Synthes because I am passionate about helping people live healthier lives. Your company is known for creating innovative products that improve patients’ quality of life, which is something I would love to be a part of. I also appreciate how much DePuy Synthes values its employees. From what I’ve read online, it seems like there is a lot of room for growth within the organization.”

8. Would you be comfortable working with clients that include surgeons, hospital staff, and patients?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your communication skills and ability to work with different types of people. Your answer should show that you are confident in your interpersonal skills, as well as your ability to communicate effectively with all types of clients.

Example: “I have worked with surgeons, hospital staff and patients before, so I am comfortable doing it again. In my previous position, I was responsible for communicating with surgeons about their orders and ensuring they were fulfilled by our team. I also communicated with patients who called into the company’s customer service line to ask questions or voice concerns.”

9. What is your greatest weakness?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit into their company culture. They want to know that you are self-aware, so it’s important to answer honestly. When answering this question, try to think of a weakness that isn’t too serious or something that would be challenging for you to overcome.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person, which is great most of the time, but sometimes I can get overwhelmed with all my tasks. This means that sometimes I don’t give myself enough time to complete everything on my to-do list. To work on this weakness, I have started using a planner app to help me stay on top of my deadlines.”

10. Are you familiar with database software? Have you used it before?

This question is a great way to assess your technical skills. If you have experience with database software, describe how it helped you in previous roles.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of database software throughout my career. I started out using Microsoft Access and SQL Server when I was working as an office manager for a small medical practice. Then, I learned Oracle while working at DePuy Synthes where we use the system extensively. It’s important to me that I can adapt to new systems quickly because it helps me learn more about technology.”

11. If hired, what kind of information would you ask our current employees to help you get acclimated to the company?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its employees. It also shows that you’re willing to learn from others, which can be an important skill for new hires. When answering this question, try to think of questions that would help you get to know the culture of DePuy Synthes.

Example: “I’d ask them about their favorite part of working here. I’m sure there are many things they enjoy about the company, so asking what they like most could give me some insight into what it’s like to work here. I’d also want to know if there are any challenges or concerns they have with the company. Knowing what areas need improvement can help me understand how I can contribute to the organization.”

12. Give an example of a time where you worked closely with another team member or coworker to achieve a goal.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects that highlight your teamwork skills, communication abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last job as an assistant manager at a restaurant, I worked closely with one of my managers to develop new menu items for our customers. We would meet weekly to discuss ideas and test them out in the kitchen. My manager was great at coming up with creative ideas while I helped implement those ideas into actual dishes.”

13. What tools would you use to test the quality of a medical device?

This question is a test of your technical skills and knowledge. It’s important to show that you have the ability to use tools like computer-aided design software, testing equipment and other instruments used in quality control.

Example: “I would first start by using 3D modeling software to create a virtual model of the device. Then I’d use this model to simulate different conditions and environments to see how it performs. Next, I would perform physical tests on the actual product to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Finally, I would run simulations and tests on the final product before shipping it out.”

14. When was the last time you conducted a failure mode effects analysis?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to learn from mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to conduct the analysis and what you learned from it.

Example: “The last time I conducted a failure mode effects analysis was when I worked as an engineer at a manufacturing plant. One of my coworkers had been having issues with one of our products for months, but we couldn’t figure out why. After conducting a failure mode effects analysis, we discovered that he hadn’t properly calibrated his equipment before testing the product. Once we fixed that issue, we were able to continue producing quality products.”

15. Tell us about your most recent project. What did you learn from it?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are eager to learn and grow in your career. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss the challenges you faced on the project and how you overcame them.

Example: “On my most recent project, I was tasked with creating an online database for our sales team to use when they were out in the field. This task seemed simple at first, but as we began developing the system, we realized there were many different ways the salespeople could enter data into the system. We decided to create multiple forms within the database so that each salesperson could enter their information in the way that worked best for them.”

16. What do you understand by regulatory compliance?

Regulatory compliance is a major part of working for DePuy Synthes. The company has to comply with the regulations set by various regulatory bodies, such as the FDA and European Commission. Your answer should show that you understand what regulatory compliance means and how it affects your work.

Example: “Regulatory compliance refers to the process of ensuring that medical devices are safe and effective before they are released into the market. It also involves submitting reports on any adverse events or complaints about the device after its release. I have worked in healthcare for many years, so I am familiar with the rules and regulations regarding regulatory compliance.”

17. What resources would you look at when investigating new regulations?

The interviewer may ask this question to understand how you approach compliance and regulatory requirements. Your answer should demonstrate your ability to research regulations, interpret the information and apply it to your work.

Example: “I would start by researching the specific regulation or law that applies to my department or company. I would then look at any relevant updates or changes to the regulation. Next, I would read up on the history of the regulation and why it was created. Finally, I would review what other companies in our industry are doing to comply with the regulation.”

18. When was the last time you ran into a problem with a design process? How did you solve the issue?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and solve problems. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to collaborate with others and willingness to take on new responsibilities.

Example: “When I was working as a designer for a small medical device company, we were in the process of creating a new knee replacement product. We had already created several prototypes that didn’t meet our expectations, so my team decided to start from scratch. However, this meant we would have to delay production by at least six months.

I met with the CEO to discuss the issue, and he agreed that starting over was the best option. He also gave us more resources to hire additional designers and engineers to speed up the design process. In the end, we were able to create a better knee replacement product than before.”

19. What do you enjoy most about being a mechanical engineer?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your passion for mechanical engineering. When answering, it can be helpful to include a specific example of how you enjoy being a mechanical engineer and what that means to you.

Example: “I love problem-solving and finding creative solutions to complex problems. I find it rewarding when I am able to use my skills as a mechanical engineer to solve a challenging issue or create something new. For instance, at my last job, we were tasked with creating a more efficient way to transport medical supplies from one facility to another. After some research, I was able to design a system that would allow us to move supplies between facilities without having to rely on outside transportation.”

20. Give us an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).

This question is designed to test your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. It’s important that you show the interviewer that you can be a team player, even if it means working with someone who may not like you personally.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I had to communicate with several different people on a daily basis. One of those individuals was the CEO of the company, who didn’t particularly care for me or my accounting methods. However, he respected my knowledge of the financial system and how I could use it to help the company grow. He would often ask me questions about our finances and what we should do next. By answering his questions in a professional manner, I was able to maintain a good relationship with him.”