20 McCann Health Interview Questions and Answers

McCann Health is a global healthcare communications network with over 30 years of experience. They are part of McCann Worldgroup, which is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). Their mission is to change lives by helping people live healthier and more fulfilled lives through better health communication.

They work with some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies, as well as NGOs and government organizations. Their team of over 1,000 health professionals spans more than 60 countries and 50 disciplines.

If you’re hoping to join their team, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge of the healthcare industry. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample McCann Health interview questions and answers.

McCann Health Interview Process

The interview process at McCann Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screening with HR followed by an in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to do a writing test or presentation. Overall, the interview process is relatively quick and easy.

1. Why do you want to work at McCann Health?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of interest in working for their company. It also helps them understand what you know about the organization and its culture. When preparing for this interview question, research McCann Health to learn more about the company’s values and goals. Consider how your own personal values align with those of the company.

Example: “I want to work at McCann Health because I am passionate about healthcare marketing. I have always been interested in helping people find solutions to their health problems. I think McCann Health is a great place to do that because of all the innovative ideas they come up with. I would love to be part of a team that creates new ways to reach consumers.”

2. What is your experience with healthcare advertising?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to McCann Health. Your answer should include a brief description of what you’ve done in this field, including any specific projects or campaigns you worked on.

Example: “I have experience with healthcare advertising through my work as a freelance writer for several publications that cover health news. I also wrote a blog about healthy living where I shared tips and advice from experts in the medical community. In both cases, I was responsible for creating compelling content that would attract readers and encourage them to engage with our brand.”

3. Tell us about a time when you had to handle several projects at once and how you managed it.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle multitasking and your ability to prioritize. Use examples from your experience that highlight your organizational skills, time management abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “At my previous job, I had to manage several projects at once while also working with a team of five other account managers. We were all responsible for different accounts but would often collaborate on each other’s work when needed. One day, we received an urgent request from one of our clients who wanted us to create a new campaign immediately. The client was unhappy with their current marketing strategy and wanted something more effective.

I quickly gathered my team together and explained the situation. Then, we discussed what we could do to meet the client’s needs while still completing our other ongoing projects. After some discussion, we decided to split up the workload between us so we could complete both campaigns by the deadline.”

4. Give an example of a time where you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things from your point of view.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and ability to persuade others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had to convince someone to see things from your perspective or change their mind about something.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my local grocery store, there was a customer who would come in every week and complain about the prices. He would always say that they were too high and he could get them cheaper somewhere else. One day, I decided to ask him why he shopped with us instead of going elsewhere. It turned out that we were his favorite place because our produce was so fresh. After explaining this to him, he understood where we were coming from and stopped complaining.”

5. How would you approach working on a project that was not going well?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you would take to solve the issue and how you would communicate with others involved in the project.

Example: “If I was working on a project that wasn’t going well, I would first try to understand why things weren’t going as planned. Then, I would meet with my manager or supervisor to discuss what we could do to fix the situation. If there were other people involved in the project, I would also make sure to speak with them about the issues so they knew I was trying to find solutions.”

6. Describe a time where you had to deal with a difficult client, how did you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience dealing with clients who are unhappy. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped resolve an issue with a client and what steps you took to ensure they were happy in the end.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a client who was very upset about their bill. They claimed that we overcharged them for one of our services and wanted us to refund the money immediately. After talking with them on the phone, I realized that they didn’t understand how our billing system worked. I explained everything to them clearly and sent them a detailed email explaining why we couldn’t refund the money at that time.”

7. Do you have any experience writing for pharmaceutical companies?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. If you have relevant experience, share it with them. If you don’t, explain that you’re eager to learn how to write for this type of company.

Example: “I’ve never written specifically for pharmaceutical companies, but I do have experience writing for medical professionals. In my last position as a writer for a health website, I wrote articles on various topics related to healthcare, including nutrition, exercise and mental health. This helped me develop an understanding of what types of content are most effective when reaching out to doctors and other medical professionals.”

8. What are some qualities that you think make for a successful account executive?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality might fit in with the rest of the team. When answering, it can be helpful to think about what makes you successful at work and relate those qualities to the job description.

Example: “I believe that being organized is one of the most important qualities for an account executive. I am always prepared for meetings because I have my notes ready and all of my materials together. Another quality that I think is essential is communication skills. Account executives need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and other members of their teams. I feel confident in my ability to do this.”

9. We need our employees to be able to work independently and as part of a team. Which one would you say you prefer and why?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work in a team environment. It also helps the interviewer determine if you are flexible enough to adapt to different situations and expectations. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of both working independently and as part of a team, but it’s important to emphasize which one you prefer.

Example: “I would say I’m more of an independent worker. While I enjoy collaborating with others on projects, I find that I am most productive when I can focus on my own tasks without distraction. However, I do recognize that sometimes collaboration is necessary for success. When this happens, I make sure to communicate clearly so everyone understands their role.”

10. What do you know about the current state of the pharmaceutical industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the industry and how it’s changing. This is an opportunity for you to show that you’re aware of current trends in the pharmaceutical industry, including any challenges or opportunities facing companies like McCann Health.

Example: “I know that the pharmaceutical industry has been experiencing a lot of change recently. For example, there are more people looking for natural remedies than ever before, which means many pharmaceutical companies have started developing more natural products. I also know that there’s been a lot of discussion about drug prices recently, with some states even considering price controls. These changes mean that pharmaceutical companies need to be able to prove their value to customers.”

11. Are you comfortable handling multiple clients at once?

This question is a good way to assess your multitasking skills. As an account executive, you may need to handle multiple clients at once and work with different teams within the company. Your answer should show that you can manage several tasks at once while still providing quality customer service.

Example: “I have experience working on multiple projects at once. I find it helpful to use my calendar as a way to keep track of all my appointments and deadlines. This helps me stay organized and ensures I’m meeting all my client’s needs. At my previous job, I was responsible for managing three accounts at once. Each account had its own unique challenges, but I found that using these strategies helped me provide excellent customer service.”

12. What is your experience with marketing campaigns?

Marketing campaigns are a large part of the advertising industry. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with creating and implementing marketing strategies. Use your answer to highlight any previous experience you have with developing, managing or executing a campaign.

Example: “In my last role as an account manager at XYZ Marketing Group, I was responsible for overseeing several different clients’ accounts. One client in particular had a very successful campaign that we implemented through social media platforms. We created content that targeted specific audiences and increased brand awareness. The client saw a 10% increase in sales within the first month of our campaign.”

13. If hired, what would be your first priority?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s work ethic and how they plan their day. It also helps you understand what they value most in their job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example from your previous experience that shows your ability to prioritize tasks.

Example: “My first priority would be to get up-to-date on all company policies and procedures. I find that when I am familiar with these things, it makes my job much easier. Another thing I would do is introduce myself to everyone I see around the office. I believe it’s important to build relationships with coworkers and clients.”

14. Do you have any experience managing teams in a creative environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you’ve managed teams in the past. If you have experience managing a team, share what your responsibilities were as a manager and how you helped your team succeed.

Example: “In my last position at a marketing agency, I led a small team of five people who worked on various projects for clients. My role was mainly to provide guidance and support to my team members while also ensuring that we met our deadlines. To help my team stay organized, I created a project management system where everyone could see each other’s progress and communicate with one another. This strategy helped us work more efficiently and meet client expectations.”

15. What is your experience with developing and executing strategic plans?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with a team and develop strategies that help achieve company goals. Use examples from previous experience to highlight your skills in planning, organizing and executing projects.

Example: “In my last role as the marketing director for a small business, I worked with my team to create a strategic plan every year. We used our annual goals to determine what we wanted to accomplish during the next quarter. This helped us stay focused on our objectives while also allowing us to adjust our plans based on new information or opportunities. The process of creating these plans helped me learn how to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.”

16. Can you tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you respond to challenges and whether you learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you learned from your mistake and improved your work ethic or time management skills.

Example: “When I first started my career as an account executive at a marketing firm, I was responsible for creating a campaign that would appeal to millennials. After working on the project for several weeks, I realized that I had not done enough research into what made millennials unique. I spent another week researching and developing a new strategy that appealed to millennial’s desire for convenience and social media interaction. The campaign I created after my research was much more successful than the one I initially developed.”

17. What types of software do you have experience using?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your computer skills and how you apply them in a work environment. They want to know if you have experience using the software they use at McCann Health, so be sure to mention any programs that are similar to those used by the company.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of software throughout my career, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and Salesforce. I’m comfortable learning new systems as needed, but I prefer working with programs that allow me to create content and track client information.”

18. Tell me about a time when you were faced with a tight deadline, how did you manage it?

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and ability to work under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you overcame any challenges that arose.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with creating an ad campaign for a new product launch. The client wanted to see multiple concepts within two weeks, which was a very tight deadline. However, I managed to create five different ads in one week by working long hours and delegating tasks to other members of my team. This allowed me to present all five options to the client at our scheduled meeting.”

19. Tell us about a time when you took a risk and failed, what did you learn?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you respond to failure. It’s important to be able to take risks and try new things, but it’s also important to learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, think of a time when you took a risk that didn’t work out as planned. Explain what you learned from the experience and how it helped you in future situations.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, we were tasked with creating a campaign for a new product. We had two weeks to come up with an idea and create a full marketing plan. I decided to take on the project myself because I wanted to prove that I could handle bigger projects. Unfortunately, I underestimated how much work went into creating a successful marketing campaign. I ended up missing our deadline by three days.

I learned that taking on too many projects can lead to stress and burnout. Since then, I’ve been more careful about choosing which projects I want to take on.”

20. Explain a time when you had to explain something complex to someone who didn’t understand it very well.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills. It’s important for healthcare professionals to be able to explain things in an easy-to-understand manner, especially when it comes to medical information. When answering this question, try to think of a time you had to break down something complex into simple terms.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse at a hospital, I had a patient who didn’t understand why they needed to take their medication. They were very confused and kept asking me questions about the medicine. I explained that the medicine would help them feel better and get back to their normal life. The patient seemed satisfied with my answer and took their medication like they were supposed to.”