20 GSK Interview Questions and Answers

As a leading pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team. If you’re hoping to land a job at GSK, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions during your interview.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common GSK interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence. We’ll also provide some sample answers to help you get started.

GSK Interview Process

The interview process at GSK can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two interviews, one with a manager and another with a director. There may also be an HR screening at the end of the process. The questions asked during the interviews will typically be focused on finding out if you are a good fit for the role. Overall, the interview process is good and the experience is positive.

1. Why do you want to work at GSK?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the company and its values. It’s also a chance to highlight any research you’ve done on GSK, including what it does and how it operates.

Example: “I want to work at GSK because I’m passionate about helping people live healthier lives. Your mission statement of ‘improving the quality of life by enabling people to do more’ resonates with me because I believe that everyone should have access to healthcare. I am excited to join such a forward-thinking organization that invests in new technologies and treatments.”

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to prepare for it. When answering this question, you should be honest about your strengths and weaknesses while also showing that you are self-aware and willing to improve.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator who can work well with others. I have strong organizational skills and attention to detail, which helps me stay on top of my projects. However, I do sometimes struggle with time management. I’m always working to improve my time management skills so that I can complete all of my tasks within the deadlines.”

3. Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with multiple tasks on a deadline, how did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks. It also allows you to discuss a specific example of how you used your time management skills to complete the task successfully.

Example: “In my current role as a marketing manager, I had to create a campaign for a new product launch while managing several other projects at once. One day, I received a call from our CEO requesting that we change the entire marketing strategy for the product launch. This required me to re-evaluate all of my previous work and develop a new plan within two weeks. I delegated some of my smaller tasks to my team members so they could focus on their own assignments. Then, I focused on developing the new marketing strategy with my team.”

4. How would you explain the process of drug development to a layperson?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and ability to simplify complex processes. When answering this question, try to use simple language and analogies that the person you’re speaking with will understand.

Example: “Drug development is a long process that involves many steps. First, researchers must find out what kind of drug they want to create. Then, they need to test it on animals to see if it’s safe for humans. After that, they can start testing it on human subjects. If all goes well, then the FDA can approve the drug.”

5. Tell us about your experience in sales.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience in the sales industry. Use this opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that relate to the job description and how they can help you succeed at GSK.

Example: “I’ve been working as a pharmaceutical sales representative for five years now, so I’m very familiar with the ins and outs of selling products to doctors and hospitals. In my current position, I work on developing new leads and making cold calls to find new clients. I also regularly meet with existing customers to discuss their needs and ensure we’re providing them with quality service.”

6. Describe a problem that you have solved recently.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the issue and what the outcome was.

Example: “At my current job, I had an employee who was consistently late for work. This negatively affected their performance at work because they were always rushing around trying to get everything done. After talking with them about the issue, we found out that they were having trouble getting their child ready in time for school every morning. We decided to hire a babysitter so that they could leave earlier in the mornings.”

7. Give an example of when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even though they may not speak the same language or share the same background.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can adapt to different situations. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the importance of communication in any situation and how you were able to overcome language barriers or cultural differences.

Example: “When I was working as an intern at a hospital in Mexico City, I had to communicate with patients who spoke Spanish. Although I don’t speak Spanish fluently, I learned some basic phrases that helped me understand what they needed and help them feel more comfortable. This allowed me to build strong relationships with many of my patients.”

8. If hired, what do you hope to gain from working at GSK?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the company and its mission. You can also use this as a chance to highlight any skills you hope to develop or improve while working at GSK.

Example: “I am excited about the opportunity to work with such a large organization that has a reputation for being innovative and ethical. I have always admired GlaxoSmithKline’s commitment to research, development and quality products. I would love to be part of a team that continues to make strides in the pharmaceutical industry.”

9. Explain how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work.

This question helps the interviewer understand how you approach your work and manage deadlines. Use examples from past experiences to show that you can plan, organize and meet deadlines effectively.

Example: “I use a calendar app on my phone to keep track of all my appointments and tasks for each day. I also have a planner where I write down important dates and deadlines so I don’t forget them. In my previous role as an administrative assistant, I had to prioritize many different projects at once. For example, when working with multiple clients, I would first check email and respond to urgent messages. Then, I would move onto other tasks like making calls or sending emails to set up meetings.”

10. Do you prefer to brainstorm ideas with others or independently?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you work with a team. Your answer should show that you value teamwork and collaboration, but also your individual contributions to projects.

Example: “I find it helpful to brainstorm ideas both independently and in groups. I prefer to start by thinking about solutions on my own so I have time to consider all aspects of the problem. Then, when I meet with others, I can share my thoughts and hear what they think. This helps me see different perspectives and make sure we’re considering every option. In my last role, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our product. I started by researching similar campaigns from other companies and then met with my team to discuss ideas.”

11. Are you comfortable using initiative to solve new problems?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach challenges and solve problems. Use examples from your past experience to show that you are a problem solver who is willing to take initiative when needed.

Example: “In my last position, I noticed that our customers were having trouble finding information about our products online. I created an online database of all of our product information so it was easy for customers to find what they were looking for. This helped increase sales by 10% within six months.”

12. Have you ever worked for a large corporation like GSK before?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how you feel about working in a large company. If you have worked for a similar organization, share what you liked most about it. If you haven’t worked for a large corporation before, explain why you’re excited to work for one now.

Example: “I’ve never worked for a large corporation like GSK before, but I’m really looking forward to learning from this new experience. I think that my skills as an employee are going to be very beneficial to the company.”

13. Can you tell me about a time when you had to give a presentation, how did you prepare for it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your communication skills and how you present yourself in front of others. Use examples from previous presentations to highlight your presentation skills, public speaking abilities and confidence when presenting information to groups.

Example: “In my last position as an account manager for a marketing agency, I had to give a presentation on our client’s new product launch at a company meeting. I prepared by researching the client’s current products and services, along with their target market. Then, I created a PowerPoint presentation that included key points about the new product and how it would benefit consumers. I practiced my delivery multiple times before the meeting so I could ensure I was confident and clear in my message.”

14. Share a time when you had to make a decision without having complete information.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle uncertainty. Use an example from a previous job where you had to make a call without all of the information, and explain what steps you took to gather the necessary data before making your final decision.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing manager for a software company, I was tasked with creating a new campaign that would increase sales by 20% within six months. We didn’t have enough time or resources to test multiple campaigns, so I decided to create one campaign and measure its success after two weeks. After two weeks, we saw a 10% increase in sales, which led us to continue using this campaign.”

15. Would you be comfortable selling our products over the phone?

GlaxoSmithKline is a global company, and many of its sales representatives work from home. The interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with this arrangement. If you have experience selling over the phone, mention it in your answer.

Example: “I’ve worked as a telemarketer for three years now, so I’m very familiar with making calls and talking to people on the phone. In fact, I find that I can be more persuasive when speaking to someone directly rather than sending them an email.”

16. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

Leadership is an important skill for any manager, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership style. Use examples from past experiences where you’ve demonstrated strong leadership skills.

Example: “I believe that a leader should be someone who can motivate others to achieve their goals. I am always looking for ways to help my team members feel supported and valued. In my last role as a marketing director, I noticed one of my employees was struggling with her work. I asked her if she would like to meet with me so we could discuss how I could support her in her career development. She appreciated the offer and told me it made her feel more confident at work.”

17. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career goals. They want to know if you plan on staying with the company for a long time or if you’re looking for something temporary. When answering, be honest and specific about what you hope to achieve in the next five years. Explain how working at GSK can help you reach those goals.

Example: “I see myself as an executive director of my own marketing department by the end of the year. I’m hoping that by working here, I’ll gain enough experience to apply for that position within five years. I also hope to have started my own business by then.”

18. Name a time when you used logic to solve a problem.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. They want to know that you can use logic and critical thinking to solve problems on the job. When answering, think of a time when you used logic to solve a problem or challenge at work or in your personal life.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my local grocery store, we had a customer who would come into the store every day and return items they hadn’t even opened yet. This caused us to lose money because we couldn’t resell those products. After talking with the customer, I learned that she didn’t have enough money to buy all of her groceries each week. She wanted to make sure she could feed her family, so she returned some unopened items to get extra cash.”

19. What is your educational background?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how they relate to the job. If you have a degree in pharmaceutical sciences, for example, let them know. If not, explain what led you to apply for this role.

Example: “I graduated from the University of California with a bachelor’s degree in biology. I then went on to complete my master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences at the same university. My educational background is directly related to this position because it taught me everything I need to know about developing new medications.”

20. What type of work environment do you prefer?

GlaxoSmithKline is a large company that offers many different career opportunities. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and preferences so they can match you with the right role within the organization. To answer this question, think about what type of work environment has allowed you to be successful in the past. Consider mentioning any specific characteristics of an ideal workplace such as collaboration or autonomy.

Example: “I prefer working in a collaborative environment where I have the opportunity to learn from my colleagues. In previous positions, I’ve found that I am most productive when I feel comfortable asking questions and getting feedback on my work. I also like to work in an office setting rather than remotely.”