20 Exact Sciences Interview Questions and Answers

As the developer and manufacturer of Cologuard, a non-invasive screening test for the early detection of colorectal cancer, Exact Sciences is a company that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of its patients. As such, Exact Sciences takes great care in hiring the best possible candidates for its open positions.

If you’re lucky enough to score an interview with Exact Sciences, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions specific to the company and its products. In this article, we’ll give you a taste of what you can expect, with sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Exact Sciences Interview Process

The interview process at Exact Sciences can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, one with a manager and one with a recruiter. The questions asked during the interviews are typically behavioral and standard. Overall, the interview process is smooth and pleasant. However, some applicants have reported that the hiring manager was rude and unprofessional.

1. Tell me about a time where you had to set and stick to strict deadlines.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential employer’s expectations. If you’re interviewing for an exact sciences position, it’s likely that you’ll be working with deadlines and timeframes on a regular basis. Use this opportunity to show the interviewer how well you can manage your time and meet important goals.

Example: “In my current role as a research scientist, I’m responsible for meeting strict deadlines every week. My team and I have developed a system where we all know who has which assignments and when they are due. This helps us stay organized and ensures that we’re able to complete our work in a timely manner.”

2. What is your experience with screening for colorectal cancer?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the screening process and how you can apply it to Cologuard. You should be prepared to discuss your experience with colorectal cancer screenings, including any personal or professional experiences that relate to this topic.

Example: “I have worked in healthcare for over ten years now, and I’ve seen many patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer after not having regular screenings. It’s important to remember that there are no symptoms associated with colorectal cancer until later stages, so early detection is essential.”

3. Why do you want to work at Exact Sciences?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Exact Sciences that you admire or something about the organization that attracted you to apply in the first place.

Example: “I want to work at Exact Sciences because I am passionate about providing people with non-invasive screening tests that help them detect health issues early on. As someone who has had family members affected by colorectal cancer, I know how important it is to have access to this type of test. I would love to be part of a team that develops innovative solutions to common medical problems.”

4. How would you approach a potential customer that was not interested in buying our product?

This question is designed to assess your customer service skills and ability to overcome objections. It also helps the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation.

Example: “I would first try to find out why they were not interested in our product, then I would use my knowledge of the product to show them that it was exactly what they needed. If they still weren’t convinced, I would offer to meet with them at their home or office so they could see the product in action.”

5. Provide an example of when you used data analysis skills to influence decisions within a company.

This question allows you to demonstrate your analytical skills and how they can be used in a professional setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of when you analyzed data or information and presented the results to others.

Example: “In my previous role as a research scientist at a pharmaceutical company, I was tasked with analyzing patient data from clinical trials for new medications. This allowed me to determine which patients were most likely to benefit from the medication based on their age, gender, medical history and other factors. I then presented these findings to my team so we could make informed decisions about which patients would receive the medication.”

6. When have you worked successfully as part of a team?

This question can help the interviewer understand your interpersonal skills and how you might fit into their team. When answering, consider what qualities you have that would make you a valuable member of this specific team.

Example: “I’ve worked as part of several different teams throughout my career, including in research labs where I was responsible for conducting experiments with other researchers. In these situations, it’s important to communicate effectively and work together to solve problems or find solutions to issues that arise during testing. These experiences taught me how to collaborate with others and helped me develop my problem-solving skills.”

7. Describe the last project that you managed from start to finish.

This question is a great way to show your ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to complete the project and how you managed time and resources.

Example: “The last project I completed was creating an online database for my previous employer that would allow them to store patient information in one place. This helped streamline communication between doctors and patients by allowing them to access their medical records from home or on-the-go.”

8. Tell me 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 challenges. When answering, try to focus on a time when you learned from the mistake and improved upon it.

Example: “When I first started working at Exact Sciences, I was tasked with creating an online marketing campaign for Cologuard. I worked hard on the project, but after presenting my work to my team, they informed me that I had made several mistakes in my presentation. I felt embarrassed by my mistake, but I also knew that I could use it as an opportunity to improve my skills. I spent extra time researching and learning about the best practices of online marketing campaigns.”

9. Do you have any sales experience?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the skills and experience needed for this role. If you don’t, it’s okay to explain what sales experience you do have and how it can help you succeed in this position.

Example: “I’ve never worked as a salesperson before, but I did work at my local grocery store when I was in high school. I learned how to interact with customers and make them feel comfortable while they shopped. This skill has helped me throughout my career because I know that interacting with people is an important part of any job.”

10. Have you ever had to deal with an angry or upset client? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience working with clients. Use examples from your previous work experience to show that you are able to diffuse a situation, understand what caused it and learn from it so that it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their test results in time for their doctor’s appointment. I apologized for the inconvenience and explained that we were experiencing technical difficulties with our system. We sent them their results as soon as we could and offered to refund any additional costs they incurred due to missing their appointment.”

11. What would you do if you were in charge of educating doctors about Cologuard?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you would interact with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to educate doctors about Cologuard and what methods you would use to do so.

Example: “I would first make sure that I had all of the necessary information on hand before meeting with them. Then, I would schedule a time when they were available for a one-on-one meeting. During our meeting, I would explain the benefits of using Cologuard as well as answer any questions they may have.”

12. Have you done any public speaking before?

This question is a great way to determine how comfortable you are with public speaking. Employers may ask this question because they want to make sure that you’re able to speak in front of large groups and represent their company well. If you have done any public speaking before, be sure to mention it in your answer.

Example: “I’ve given several presentations at my university’s biology club meetings. I find public speaking to be quite enjoyable as long as I’m prepared for the presentation. I think being able to educate others about science is an important part of being a scientist.”

13. Do you have any experience working in a laboratory setting?

This question is an opportunity to discuss your experience with laboratory work and how it relates to the position. If you have no prior experience, consider discussing a time when you worked in a similar setting or used scientific equipment.

Example: “I’ve had several opportunities to work in a lab setting throughout my education. In my undergraduate program, I took several courses that required me to perform experiments and record data. This helped me develop my skills as a scientist and gave me valuable insight into what working in a lab would be like.”

14. What are some things that you think we can improve on as a company?

This question is a great way to show your willingness to help the company grow and improve. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that you noticed during your time at Exact Sciences or something that you think would benefit the company as a whole.

Example: “I think one thing we could improve on as a company is our communication with employees. I’ve heard from some coworkers that they aren’t always sure what’s going on in the company and how their work relates to the overall goals of the organization. I think if we had more regular meetings about the company’s progress, it would make everyone feel more connected to the company.”

15. Give an example of a time where you had to be very flexible.

Employers ask this question to see if you can adapt to change. They want to know that you are willing to do what it takes to get the job done, even if it means doing something different than you expected.

Example: “I had a client once who wanted me to create an entire website for them in just two weeks. I was initially surprised by their request because websites usually take at least three months to complete. However, I accepted the project and worked with my team to develop a plan of action. We decided to work nights and weekends to meet our deadline. In the end, we were able to finish the website before the two-week mark.”

16. What qualities do you look for in a leader?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have leadership qualities that would be beneficial to Exact Sciences. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific quality and how you use it in your daily life or career.

Example: “I look for leaders who are empathetic, kind and compassionate. I believe these traits are important because they allow people to connect with one another and understand each other’s needs. In my previous role as a research assistant, I worked under a professor who had all of these qualities. She was always willing to listen to our ideas and offer advice when we needed it.”

17. Are there any goals that you have failed to achieve?

This question is designed to give the interviewer insight into your ability to learn from mistakes and apply what you’ve learned to future goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific goal that you failed to achieve and how you used the experience to improve yourself or your work.

Example: “In my last position as an analyst for a pharmaceutical company, I was tasked with creating a new drug formula. After several months of research and development, I presented my findings to my team. Unfortunately, after testing the new formula on patients, we found that it actually caused more side effects than our current product. While I was disappointed in myself at first, I took the time to analyze why the formula didn’t work and applied those lessons to my next project.”

18. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what you’re good at and how you can improve your weaknesses. When answering this question, try to focus on strengths that are relevant to the job.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very thorough when performing experiments or analyzing data. In my last position, I noticed an error in our calculations for the amount of chemicals we needed to produce. My supervisor was impressed with my ability to notice the mistake and correct it before we started production.”

19. Give us a situation where you had to make a decision without all the information.

This question is designed to assess your critical thinking skills and how you make decisions. It’s important to be honest in your answer, as it can help the interviewer determine if you’re a good fit for their company.

Example: “I was working on a project where we were tasked with creating an algorithm that would predict customer behavior based on previous purchases. We had all of the data available, but there were some missing pieces that made it difficult to create the model. I decided to use my knowledge of statistics to develop a new method of predicting customer behavior by using existing information and making educated guesses about what the missing data might look like.”

20. Can you tell me about a time when you dealt with a conflict between two parties?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you resolve conflicts and manage challenging situations. Use examples from your experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and conflict resolution strategies.

Example: “In my previous role as a lab technician, I had two coworkers who were constantly arguing about the best way to perform their tasks. One of them was very detail oriented while the other preferred to work more quickly. I met with both of them separately to discuss their concerns and find ways they could compromise. We came up with a system where one coworker would do most of the testing and the other would double check for accuracy. This helped everyone feel like they were contributing to the team.”