20 EMD Serono Interview Questions and Answers

EMD Serono is a leading biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for patients with serious medical conditions.

If you’re interviewing for a job at EMD Serono, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of EMD Serono interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

EMD Serono Interview Process

The interview process at EMD Serono can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, often including a phone screen with HR followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager and/or team members. For some positions, like Senior Director or Principal Scientist, the process may include additional steps such as presentations or a technical project. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with interviewers being friendly and professional. However, some candidates have reported long wait times to hear back from the company, and in some cases, the process has been cancelled or changed last minute.

1. What are the biggest challenges facing our industry right now?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your knowledge about the industry and how you might fit in. Your answer should include two or three challenges, along with what you think is being done to address them.

Example: “The biggest challenge facing our industry right now is finding qualified employees. I’ve heard that many companies are struggling to find enough people who have the necessary skills for this type of work. In my last role, we were able to solve this problem by offering more training opportunities to existing staff members. This helped us develop new talent within the company while also ensuring we had enough skilled workers to meet demand.”

2. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would fit into their team. Your leadership style is a personal preference, so it’s important to be honest about your approach and what motivates you.

Example: “I believe in being an empathetic leader who encourages my team members to feel comfortable sharing ideas and opinions. I also like to delegate tasks to those who are most qualified for them, which helps me manage my time more effectively. In my last role, I noticed that some of my colleagues were hesitant to speak up during meetings. So, I started holding smaller group discussions where everyone could participate.”

3. What is an example of a time when you had to be very strategic in order to meet all your top priorities?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage competing priorities. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your ability to plan ahead, set goals and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a senior marketing manager for a software company, I had to ensure that all of our marketing campaigns were successful while also managing multiple teams of marketers. To do this, I created a strategic marketing plan that outlined specific objectives for each campaign and team member. This helped me delegate tasks more effectively and ensured everyone was working toward the same goal.”

4. Describe what you think it means to work in a matrix organization.

Matrix organizations are common in the pharmaceutical industry, and your interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in one. If you haven’t worked in a matrix organization before, consider describing what you think it means to work in one.

Example: “In my previous role as an EMD at Serono, I was responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously. This meant that I had to be able to prioritize tasks effectively and communicate with other team members about which projects were most important. It also meant that I needed to understand how different departments within the company worked together.”

5. Tell me about a time where you were successful at getting a large gift and what your strategy was.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to work with others. It also allows the interviewer to see how you might approach their company’s fundraising efforts. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific strategies that helped you achieve success in getting large gifts.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for helping organize our annual gala event. We had a goal of raising $100,000 at the event, which would have been a record-breaking amount for us. To help reach this goal, I organized several committees to focus on different aspects of the event. For example, one committee focused on finding sponsors while another focused on creating an entertainment lineup. By delegating responsibilities, we were able to raise over $110,000.”

6. Give us an example of a time when you displayed excellent customer service skills.

EMD Serono is a pharmaceutical company, so it’s important to show that you can provide excellent customer service. When answering this question, think of an example from your previous job where you helped a client or patient with their needs and made them feel comfortable.

Example: “When I worked at my last job as a medical assistant, one of my patients was having trouble understanding the instructions for her medication. She called me multiple times asking questions about how to take her pills and when she should take them. I scheduled a time to meet with her in person to go over everything again. After our meeting, she felt more confident in taking her medication and didn’t call me back.”

7. Are you comfortable with traveling for business?

This question is a good way for employers to learn about your willingness to travel. If you are applying for a position that requires frequent business travel, it’s important to let the employer know in advance so they can plan accordingly.

Example: “I am comfortable with traveling for business as long as I have access to reliable transportation and lodging. In my last role, I traveled twice per month to visit clients across the state. My company provided me with a car service when needed, and I always stayed at hotels within walking distance of our client locations.”

8. Why do you want to work at EMD Serono?

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 EMD Serono that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I applied for this position because I was drawn to your mission of helping people live longer, healthier lives. I have always been passionate about healthcare and am excited to work at a company that is dedicated to making such an impact on the world. I also really like how transparent you are with your employees, which makes me feel confident in my decision to join the team.”

9. We are looking for someone who works well under pressure, can you give us some examples of times when you have done so?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work under pressure and how you have overcome it in the past. When answering this question, try to provide an example that shows your problem-solving skills and creativity.

Example: “I once had a patient who was experiencing severe pain from their cancer treatment. They were unable to take any of their prescribed medications because they made them feel even worse. I asked my patient what kind of foods or drinks they enjoyed most, and they told me they loved ice cream. So, I went into the hospital kitchen and found some recipes for homemade ice cream. I then used those ingredients to make a special batch of ice cream just for them.”

10. Tell me about a time that you showed integrity in the workplace

Integrity is a key value for many employers, and they may ask this question to see if you can uphold it in your work. When answering this question, try to think of an example that shows how important integrity is to you.

Example: “Integrity is one of my most important values, so I would never compromise it at work. In my last job as a sales representative, I had a client who was interested in buying our product but wanted to negotiate the price. I told him that we couldn’t lower the price any more than what we were offering, but he insisted on trying to get me to change my mind. Finally, I agreed to give him a discount, but only because I knew that doing so wouldn’t hurt anyone else. He ended up being happy with the deal, and I felt good about upholding my integrity.”

11. Do you feel like you’re a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to see if you’ve done your research on the company and position. They want to know that you’re excited about working for their organization, so they can be sure you’ll stay with them long-term. When answering this question, make sure you mention something specific about the job or company that makes you excited to work there.

Example: “I feel like I’m a great fit for this position because of my background in sales. In my last role, I was responsible for selling our products to hospitals and clinics. I have experience managing a team of salespeople and helping them develop strategies to sell more effectively. I also understand how important it is to provide excellent customer service, which is why I always strive to answer questions quickly and thoroughly.”

12. Can you tell me about a time when you worked on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict in the workplace. It’s important for employers to know that you can work well with others and resolve issues effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you were able to overcome conflict and what steps you took to do so.

Example: “In my last position as an EMD, I worked on a team of three other EMDs. We all had different approaches to our jobs, which sometimes led to conflict. One day, we got into a disagreement about who should administer a patient’s medication first thing in the morning. I suggested we each write down our preferred order and then flip a coin to decide. The other two agreed, and we implemented the system for the rest of the week. After that, there was no more conflict.”

13. Tell us about a time when you took initiative and solved a problem without being asked?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your ability to take initiative, solve problems and think critically.

Example: “In my last position as a sales representative for an electronics company, I noticed that many customers were returning their products because they didn’t understand how to use them. I spoke with my manager about this issue, and we decided to create a user guide for each product on our website. This helped us reduce returns by 20%.”

14. If we hired you, what would you do to make sure that you succeed?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a plan for success. They want to know that you are motivated and willing to put in the work to be successful at their company. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that you’re able to do your job well. Think about what skills or knowledge you need to develop and how you would go about doing so.

Example: “I would make sure I was prepared for every meeting and presentation. To do this, I would read through all of my notes before each event. I would also practice my delivery and timing with a stopwatch to make sure I’m within the allotted time. I would also reach out to my supervisor when I had questions or concerns.”

15. Would you consider yourself a creative person?

Employers ask this question to see if you have the ability to be creative and innovative. They want employees who can come up with new ideas that help their company grow. When answering this question, show your creativity by giving an example of a time when you came up with something unique or original.

Example: “I definitely consider myself a creative person. In my last role as a graphic designer, I was tasked with creating a logo for a client’s website. After looking through many different options, I decided to create a logo using only shapes and colors. The client loved it, and they used it on all of their marketing materials.”

16. Give us an example of a time when you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for your employer. It also shows them that you have initiative and can take on more responsibility when needed. When answering this question, think of an example from your previous job where you did something that wasn’t necessarily in your job description but helped your company or team succeed.

Example: “At my last job, I was working with a client who had some unique needs. They were looking for a medication that would help their child’s autism symptoms while not causing any side effects. After researching the issue, I found a new medication that could potentially be helpful. I brought it up to my supervisor, who approved me testing it out on the client. The results were positive, and we ended up signing a contract with the family.”

17. What is your experience working as part of a team?

EMD Serono is a large company that requires employees to work together. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others in the workplace. Use your answer to describe a time when you worked well as part of a team. Explain what made it successful, such as your ability to communicate or collaborate with others.

Example: “I have always been able to work well as part of a team. In my last position, I was one of three EMR specialists who supported the entire hospital staff. We each had our own responsibilities, but we also collaborated on projects. For example, if one specialist needed help with a project, they could reach out to any other member of the team for assistance.”

18. Do you have any experience using Microsoft Office?

This question is a basic test of your computer skills. It’s important to show the interviewer that you have experience using Microsoft Office, especially if they’re looking for someone who can work independently and efficiently. If you don’t have any experience with this software, consider taking a class or practicing on your own before your interview.

Example: “I’ve been using Microsoft Office since I was in high school. I took an advanced course in it during my senior year, which helped me learn more about how to use it effectively. I also used it throughout college when I needed to complete projects or write papers.”

19. When was the last time you were in a stressful situation, how did you deal with it?

Employers ask this question to see how you react under pressure. They want to know that you can handle stress and still perform your job well. When answering, try to think of a time when you were in a stressful situation but still managed to do your job effectively.

Example: “The last time I was in a stressful situation was when my manager asked me to complete an important project by the end of the week. At first, I felt overwhelmed because I had never been given such a large task before. However, I decided to take it one step at a time. I started working on the project right away and delegated some tasks to other employees. By the end of the day, I had already completed half of the project. The next day, I finished the rest of the project and turned it in early.”

20. Which area of science are you most interested in?

This question is a great way to see if you are passionate about the work you will be doing. It also allows the interviewer to get an idea of what your interests are and how they may relate to the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that relates to the job description or company values.

Example: “I am most interested in genetics because I find it fascinating how our bodies function. I think it’s amazing that we have all these cells working together to keep us healthy. I would love to learn more about how genetic diseases occur and how EMD Serono is helping people with their research.”