20 GSK Interview Questions and Answers

As one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, GSK is always looking for talented 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 interview questions.

In this guide, we’ll give you some sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your GSK interview.

GSK Interview Process

The interview process at GSK can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, the average length of the hiring process is about two months. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position. For entry-level positions, the interviews tend to be more general and focus on your qualifications. For higher-level positions, the interviews are usually more specific and focus on your experience. Overall, the interview process at GSK is relatively positive. Most applicants report that the interviewers are friendly and helpful.

1. How do you think GSK’s values align with your own personal values?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand GSK’s values and how they align with your own. This can be a great way to show that you are committed to upholding these values in your work as a pharmaceutical representative.

Example: “GSK’s mission statement of ‘Improving the quality of human life by enabling people to make better decisions about their health’ really resonates with me because I believe it’s important for everyone to have access to healthcare. As someone who has always been passionate about helping others, this company’s commitment to improving lives through its products is something that drew me to apply here.”

2. Tell us about a time when you had to give bad news to someone, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle difficult situations at work. Use your answer to showcase your communication skills and ability to empathize with others.

Example: “In my previous role, I had a manager who was very hard to reach. He would often take long breaks without telling anyone where he was going. One day, when I couldn’t get in touch with him for several hours, I called his cell phone and left a message saying that if he didn’t call me back within an hour, I would have to report him to HR. Sure enough, he called me back within five minutes of receiving the message. He apologized and said he just needed some time alone.”

3. What is your experience with product development and lifecycle management?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and how you can contribute to GSK’s product development process. Your answer should include a brief overview of what this process entails, as well as any experience you have with it.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for managing the lifecycle of our company’s products from start to finish. This included creating marketing strategies that would help sell our products, identifying customer needs and developing new features based on those insights. I also worked closely with other departments to ensure we were meeting all regulatory requirements and deadlines.”

4. Describe your expertise in data analysis.

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of data analysis and how you can apply it in the workplace. When answering this question, be sure to highlight your skills with using data analytics software and tools.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with data analytics software like Tableau and Microsoft Power BI. I’ve used these programs to analyze large sets of data for my previous employers, including analyzing customer purchasing patterns and identifying trends that could help improve sales. In my last role as a marketing analyst, I also had access to GSK’s proprietary data analytics program called Insight. This program helped me understand consumer behavior and preferences.”

5. Why are you interested in working for GSK?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and why you are interested in working for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that attracted you to GSK. You can also include what you know about the company and how it fits with your career goals.

Example: “I am very passionate about healthcare and would love to work for a company like GSK because of its commitment to improving people’s lives through research and development. I have always been fascinated by the medical field and want to use my skills as an accountant to help support such a successful organization.”

6. Have you ever worked on a project that didn’t go as planned? How did you manage the situation?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. Your answer should show that you’re willing to take on difficult tasks, learn from mistakes and adapt to new situations.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist, I was tasked with creating a new database for our company’s sales team. Unfortunately, when I tested the system, it didn’t work properly. Rather than giving up, I spent several hours researching why the program wasn’t functioning correctly. After some trial and error, I discovered that one of the settings needed to be adjusted. Once I made the change, the database worked perfectly.”

7. Do you have any experience with drug discovery and design?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of pharmaceuticals and how you apply that knowledge in your work. If you have experience with drug discovery or design, share it with the interviewer. If not, you can still answer honestly by explaining what you do know about this process.

Example: “I’ve never worked directly on drug discovery or design, but I am familiar with the process. In my last role as a research scientist, I was responsible for testing new drugs to see if they were safe for human consumption. This involved using lab equipment to test the chemicals in the drugs and observing their effects on mice.”

8. Have you ever had to deal with an upset colleague or customer? How did you approach the situation?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative, I had a coworker who was often late for work. This made it difficult for us to complete our daily tasks on time, which in turn caused some customers to become upset with us. When I noticed this trend developing, I approached my coworker privately and explained that their behavior could affect our performance at work. They apologized and committed to arriving to work on time every day.”

9. What would you say is your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked by employers to see how you respond to criticism. When answering this question, be honest about your weakness but also highlight what steps you’ve taken to improve upon it.

Example: “I would say my biggest weakness is that I’m too trusting of others. In the past, I have been burned by people who were dishonest with me, which has made me hesitant to trust new people. However, I am actively working on overcoming this weakness by practicing active listening skills and learning to recognize when someone may not be trustworthy.”

10. As an investigator, what kind of research projects would you be most interested in?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your interests and how they align with GSK’s research goals. Use this opportunity to show that you have done some research on the company, its products and its mission.

Example: “I am passionate about finding new ways to treat mental health conditions. I believe that many people who suffer from these issues don’t receive adequate treatment because it is too expensive or inconvenient for them to access care. If I were working at GSK, I would be excited to work on developing more affordable treatments for depression and anxiety.”

11. Give me an example of a clinical trial you were involved with and explain your role.

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and how you can contribute to GSK. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what you did in the clinical trial and why you were involved with it.

Example: “In my last position as a research scientist, I was responsible for overseeing a clinical trial that tested a new drug on patients who had diabetes. My role was to ensure all patients received their medication and monitored their progress throughout the study. If any issues arose during the trial, I would report them to my supervisor so they could take action.”

12. Tell me about a time when you were under pressure at work. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react to stressful situations. Use examples from previous work experiences where you faced a challenge, overcame it and achieved success.

Example: “In my last position as an account manager for a marketing company, I was responsible for managing several clients at once. One of my accounts required me to create a new campaign every month while also maintaining existing campaigns. This put a lot of pressure on me because I had to balance multiple projects at once. To handle this situation, I created a calendar that outlined all of my deadlines and organized them by week. This helped me stay organized and complete my tasks on time.”

13. When was the last time you had to make a decision without any guidance from your manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have experience making important choices on your own. Use examples from previous work experiences to show that you are capable of independent thought and decision-making.

Example: “In my last position, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s product. My manager gave me some guidelines about what he wanted in the campaign, but ultimately, it was up to me to create something that would appeal to our target audience. After researching our competitors’ campaigns and conducting market research, I created a campaign that increased sales by 10% within the first month.”

14. Can you describe some important factors to consider when designing a new medical treatment?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the medical industry and how you can apply it to a specific situation. When answering this question, consider what steps you would take when designing a new treatment or medication.

Example: “When developing a new treatment, I would first research current treatments for the same condition. This helps me understand what patients are already experiencing and if there are any side effects that could be improved upon. Next, I would look at other medications in the same class as the one I’m working on to see if there are any improvements that could be made. Finally, I would test my new treatment on animals before moving onto human trials.”

15. How do you keep up-to-date with the latest discoveries in your field?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to learn new things and adapt to changes in your field. Your answer should show that you are willing to take on challenges, eager to learn more about your industry and committed to staying up-to-date with developments.

Example: “I am passionate about my work as a pharmacist, so I always try to keep myself updated with the latest discoveries in my field. I subscribe to several newsletters from different pharmaceutical companies and read articles online. I also attend conferences and seminars where experts share their knowledge and insights.”

16. At GSK we like our associates to be self-starters, can you provide a specific example of a time when this was exhibited.

This question is designed to assess your ability to work independently and solve problems on your own. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you were faced with a problem or challenge that required you to take initiative and find the solution yourself.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for one of our products. After researching the product and its target audience, I realized that we needed to create a more effective advertising strategy in order to reach our customers. So, I presented my idea to my manager who approved it. Then, I worked with my team to develop the campaign.”

17. We understand that sometimes managers need to delegate tasks, but other times they need to lead by example. Please tell us about a time when you led by example.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can motivate others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the results of your actions or behaviors rather than just describing what you did.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous company, I was in charge of leading a team that was new to their roles. We were all learning together, so I made sure to lead by example with my work ethic and attitude. If someone asked me a question about something they were doing, I would answer them as thoroughly as possible and then do whatever task we were working on myself so everyone could see how I completed it.”

18. At GSK we value innovation, please give us an example of a time when you innovated something at work.

GSK is a company that values innovation, so it’s important to show them you have the ability to innovate. This question allows you to highlight your creativity and problem-solving skills. When answering this question, think of an example where you innovated something at work or in school.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project with a team when we realized our client wanted us to change the entire design of the website. We had already been working on the site for two weeks, but I knew we could do better if we started over. So, I suggested we scrap everything we did and start from scratch. The team agreed, and we were able to create a website that met all of the client’s needs.”

19. Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have more to offer than what they’ve already seen on your resume. Use this time to highlight any unique skills, experiences or achievements that may not be obvious from looking at your credentials alone.

Example: “I’m a very organized person and I find it easy to stay focused on my work. However, I also know how important it is to take regular breaks throughout the day to recharge my energy levels. In fact, I recently read an article about the importance of taking microbreaks during the workday, so I started doing that regularly. It’s helped me feel more energized and productive when I get back to work.”

20. Are you comfortable working with

This is a question that can help the interviewer determine if you are comfortable with the work environment at GSK. If you have worked in similar environments, discuss how your previous experience prepared you for this role.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where I need to multitask and prioritize my tasks. In my last position, I was responsible for managing multiple projects while also ensuring all of our clients were satisfied. This helped me develop skills that will be beneficial when working here.”