21 Eli Lilly Interview Questions and Answers

Eli Lilly is a global pharmaceutical company that offers a wide range of products and services to its customers. The company has been in operation for over 140 years and has a workforce of over 40,000 employees.

If you are applying for a job at Eli Lilly, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your skills, experience, and qualifications. In this article, we will provide you with a list of some of the most common questions that are asked in an Eli Lilly interview.

Eli Lilly Interview Process

The interview process at Eli Lilly is lengthy, difficult, and overall not a great experience. It can take up to two months to hear back from the company after applying, and the interviews themselves are very challenging. Many of the questions are behavioral and require you to give specific examples of times when you’ve displayed certain skills. The interviewer also likes to ask hypothetical questions that are designed to trip you up. Overall, it’s a very tough process, but if you’re able to get through it, the job is definitely worth it.

1. What is your biggest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews. Employers ask it to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They also want to know if you can identify weaknesses that need improvement. When answering this question, be honest but try to focus on your strengths.

Example: “My biggest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to help others succeed and make sure they have the tools they need to do their job. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on helping others that I forget to take care of myself. I’ve learned to set aside time each day for self-care so I don’t burn out.”

2. Are you comfortable with working in a laboratory environment?

Working in a laboratory environment is an important part of the pharmaceutical industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with working in such an environment and that you have experience doing so. Before your interview, research what the company’s lab looks like. If possible, try to visit it or speak with someone who works there about their experiences.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a laboratory setting. In my previous role as a chemist, I worked in a similar environment every day. I was responsible for creating new formulas and testing them out on different patients. It was a rewarding job, but I’m excited to work somewhere where I can use my skills to help people.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to present information to a group of people, how did it go?

This question is a great way to see how you interact with others and your presentation skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific group of people you presented to and what you talked about.

Example: “At my previous job, I had to present information to our entire company once a month. I would talk about new products we were developing or any other news that was relevant to everyone. It was important for me to make sure everyone understood the information I was presenting, so I always practiced my presentations multiple times before giving them.”

4. Do you have any experience doing research?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this position. If you have experience doing research, share what kind of research you did and what you learned from it. If you don’t have any experience doing research, you can talk about other ways you’ve used critical thinking skills in your previous positions.

Example: “I actually worked as a researcher at my university’s library while I was getting my bachelor’s degree. My job was to find information for professors who needed help finding sources for their lectures. This helped me develop my research skills and taught me how to use databases to find relevant information.”

5. Why do you want to work at Eli Lilly?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know that you have done research on the organization and understand what it offers its employees. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through the job description so you can refer to specific requirements or expectations. You can also use this time to show how your skills match up with those needs.

Example: “I am very interested in working at Eli Lilly because of the innovative nature of the company. I feel like my background in science would be an excellent fit here, especially since I love being able to create new solutions to problems. Another reason I’m excited to work here is because of the culture. I’ve heard from many people that Eli Lilly has a strong sense of community among its employees.”

6. We are looking for someone who can develop strong relationships with clients. Can you provide an example when you developed a relationship with a customer or client?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with clients. When answering this question, think of a time you developed a strong relationship with a client or customer that resulted in positive outcomes for the company.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a client who was very unhappy with our product. They were threatening to leave us for another supplier because they weren’t getting the results they wanted from our product. I scheduled a meeting with them to discuss their concerns. During the meeting, I learned more about what they needed from our product. I worked with my team to develop a new version of the product that would meet their needs. The client was so happy with the new product that they signed a five-year contract with us.”

7. Describe your sales process from start to finish.

This question is a great way to see how you apply your skills and experience in the workplace. It also allows employers to understand what kind of salesperson you are, including whether you’re more focused on customer service or results.

Example: “I start by identifying my target audience and researching their needs. I then create a list of potential clients who might be interested in our products based on this information. Next, I reach out to these companies and set up meetings with them to discuss our product line. If they decide to purchase from us, I follow up with them regularly to ensure that they’re happy with our products.”

8. How would you handle a situation if you were having difficulty building a relationship with a client?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenges in your work. Use examples from past experiences to show that you are willing to put in extra effort to build relationships with clients and customers.

Example: “In my previous role, I had a client who was very difficult to reach by phone or email. When this happened, I would send them an email every day until they responded. Eventually, they started responding more frequently, and we were able to have regular meetings about their projects. This helped us develop a strong relationship where they felt comfortable reaching out to me if they needed anything.”

9. Why should we hire you over the other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you an ideal candidate. You should also be honest in your answer and avoid comparing yourself to other candidates.

Example: “I am highly motivated and driven, which makes me a valuable asset to any team I’m on. I have excellent communication skills and always strive to work with others to find solutions to problems. My ability to think critically and solve complex problems makes me a strong candidate for this position.”

10. Have you ever worked on projects that didn’t succeed?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. Use examples from previous work experiences where you faced a challenge, analyzed the situation and implemented solutions that helped achieve success.

Example: “In my last role as an account manager, I was tasked with increasing sales for our company’s product line. After analyzing the market, I realized we were losing customers because of our pricing structure. I worked with my team to create new marketing strategies that would attract new customers while also retaining existing ones. We created discounts and coupons for loyal customers and offered free shipping on all orders over $100. These changes increased sales by 20% within six months.”

11. Tell us about your educational background.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want to know what degrees you have and whether they’re related to pharmaceuticals or healthcare. If you don’t have a degree, explain what other educational opportunities you pursued instead.

Example: “I graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. I then went on to complete my Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Purdue University. Throughout my education, I took many courses that prepared me for working in the pharmaceutical industry.”

12. Explain what makes Eli Lilly a good company to work for.

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what makes Eli Lilly unique as an employer. You may also want to mention any specific benefits that attracted you to working for the company.

Example: “Eli Lilly is a great place to work because of its commitment to innovation. The company has been developing new medications for decades, which shows me that they are dedicated to helping people. I am excited to be part of such a successful organization that cares about its employees. Another reason why I think Eli Lilly is a good company to work for is because of its competitive salary. I was impressed by the company’s compensation package when I applied for my current position.”

13. Which one of our products interests you most and why?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and its products. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about how you can contribute to the company’s success. When answering this question, make sure to choose a product that you have experience with or are familiar with.

Example: “I am most interested in Eliquis because I believe it has the potential to save lives. As someone who cares deeply about my patients, I would love to be part of a team that develops life-saving medications. In my previous role as a nurse, I saw firsthand how much Eliquis helped patients manage their blood pressure. This drug could help so many people lead healthier lives.”

14. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. It can also be used to determine whether or not the company would be a good fit for your future plans. When answering this question, make sure you are honest about what you want from your career. You should also try to show that you’re committed to growth and development.

Example: “I hope to still be working at Eli Lilly in five years. I’m very passionate about my work here, and I love the culture of innovation and collaboration. I plan on continuing to grow as an employee and eventually becoming a manager.”

15. 10 years?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your long-term goals and how they align with Eli Lilly’s. Your answer should include what you hope to accomplish in the next 10 years, as well as what you hope to achieve at Eli Lilly.

Example: “I would like to be promoted within five years, and I plan on working hard to make that happen. In 10 years, I’d like to have achieved my promotion and become an executive level employee. I also hope to see our company continue to grow and succeed.”

16. Give an example of a time when you had to prioritize tasks, how did you decide which task came first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your tasks and what methods you use to ensure that you complete them in a timely manner. Use examples from previous work experience or school projects where you had to manage multiple assignments at once.

Example: “In my last internship, I was working on two different projects for two different managers. One project required me to create an ad campaign while the other needed me to write copy for their website. My first step was to meet with both of my managers to discuss the projects and find out which one they wanted completed first. After talking with both managers, I found out that the website project would take longer than expected, so I decided to start on the ad campaign first.”

17. What are some of your hobbies outside of work?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and interests. They want to know if you will fit in with their company culture. When answering, try to choose hobbies that are similar to the ones of other employees. This shows that you would be a good fit for the organization.

Example: “I love reading and writing. I have been working on my own novel for years now. It is something I do as a hobby, but it also helps me relax after work. Another hobby of mine is playing video games. I am not sure how many people at Eli Lilly play, but I think we could all relate to enjoying a fun game.”

18. In what kind of culture do you thrive best?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their company culture. They want to know that you will be happy at the job, so they are looking for a positive answer. When answering this question, try to focus on what makes you feel good about yourself and why you enjoy it.

Example: “I thrive best in an environment where I can make my own decisions and have freedom to do my work as I see fit. I find that when I am given these opportunities, I am able to produce my best work. In my last position, I was working in a team of five people, all of whom were doing different tasks but collaborating together. We had a lot of freedom to decide our schedules and how we worked.”

19. How well do you perform under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle stress and still perform your job well. They want employees who are able to stay calm under pressure, so they may also be looking for signs that you’re a team player. In your answer, try to show that you have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations while also showing that you value teamwork.

Example: “I am someone who is naturally calm, but I know how to use my coping skills when needed. When working on a project with others, I always make sure to communicate clearly about what I’m doing and why. This helps me avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunications. It’s important to me that everyone understands what’s going on, which makes it easier to work together.”

20. How quickly do you adapt to new environments?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you adapt to new environments and whether you would fit in with their team. Use your answer to highlight your ability to learn quickly, communicate effectively and work independently.

Example: “I have moved several times throughout my life, so I am used to adapting to new environments. When I first arrived at college, I was nervous about meeting new people and finding my way around campus. However, I made a point of getting involved in clubs and organizations as soon as possible to meet other students. This helped me make friends more easily and find my way around campus much quicker than if I had waited until later in the semester.”

21. What was the last book you read?

This question is a great way to see what kind of books the candidate reads. It can also show you if they are up-to-date on current events and news. You may want to ask this question to get an idea of their interests, but it’s important not to judge them based on their answer.

Example: “The last book I read was The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. This book really resonated with me because it helped me understand that sometimes we have to let things go in order to be happy. I think it’s important to know when to let something go so we don’t waste our time dwelling on it.”