20 Merck Interview Questions and Answers

As one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, Merck is always looking for talented and ambitious employees. If you’re hoping to land a job at Merck, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough interview questions.

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

Merck Interview Process

The interview process at Merck is lengthy, difficult, and overall not a great experience. It can take up to two months to hear back from the company after applying, and the interviews themselves are very challenging. Many of the questions are behavioral and require you to give specific examples from your past work experiences. The interviewer was also very difficult to read and it was hard to tell if they were interested in what I had to say. Overall, I would not recommend applying to Merck unless you are absolutely sure that you want to work there.

1. Describe a time where you had to solve an issue that was not straightforward.

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 how you were able to come up with an innovative solution.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project that required me to create a new type of software. The software needed to have certain features, but we did not have enough time or money to develop them all. So, I had to think outside the box and find ways to make the software work without having all the features. After some research, I found a company that could help us out by developing one feature for our software at a discounted price.”

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

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what your greatest strengths are so that you can use them on the job. They also want to know about any weaknesses so that you can work on improving them. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths first.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to think critically. I am always looking for ways to improve processes or solve problems. My weakness would have to be my attention to detail. While I do my best to make sure everything is correct, sometimes I miss small mistakes. I’ve been working on improving this by taking more time to double-check things.”

3. How do you stay up to date with the latest scientific trends?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you learn new information and adapt to changes in your field. Use examples of ways you’ve learned about scientific trends, such as attending conferences or reading journals.

Example: “I attend a lot of conferences throughout the year where I meet with other scientists and researchers who are working on similar projects. At these events, I also get to hear from keynote speakers who have published their research in respected journals. These events allow me to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in my field.”

4. Do you have any experience working in a team environment?

Working in a team environment is an important part of working at Merck. The company has many different teams that work together to achieve their goals, and they want to make sure you have the experience necessary to do so effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific skills or experiences you have with teamwork.

Example: “I’ve worked in a team environment for most of my career. I find that having multiple perspectives on a problem helps me come up with creative solutions more quickly. In my last position, I was part of a five-person team that worked on developing new marketing strategies for our clients. We each had different strengths and weaknesses, which helped us create effective plans.”

5. Tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the workplace, and employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are able to communicate effectively and resolve conflict.

Example: “When I was working on a team project for my marketing class, there were some disagreements about what we should include in our presentation. One of my teammates wanted to focus more on social media while another teammate wanted to focus more on traditional marketing methods. I decided to take charge of the situation by organizing a meeting where we could discuss all of our ideas and come up with a compromise.”

6. If hired, what goals do you have for yourself at Merck?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and how you plan to contribute to Merck. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what attracted you to the job in the first place. Consider mentioning a few things that interest you about working at Merck and how you hope to make a positive impact on the company.

Example: “I am very excited to join the team at Merck because I have always been impressed with the company’s mission of improving lives through science. If hired, my goal would be to learn as much as possible about the pharmaceutical industry and become a valuable member of the sales team. Another goal would be to help develop new relationships with clients and build strong customer loyalty.”

7. Have you ever worked with toxic chemicals before?

This question is asked to determine if you have experience working with dangerous chemicals. If you do, the interviewer will want to know how you handled them and what your safety practices were. If you don’t have experience working with toxic chemicals, you can talk about your ability to follow instructions carefully and work safely in a lab setting.

Example: “I’ve worked with some very strong acids before, but I always made sure to wear protective gear when handling them. I also never mixed different chemicals together unless instructed to by my supervisor. I understand that mixing certain chemicals together could be extremely dangerous, so I was always careful to follow all of my supervisor’s directions.”

8. Would you be comfortable handling potentially hazardous materials?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your comfort level with working in an environment that involves potentially dangerous materials. If you have experience handling hazardous materials, share what you did and how you handled it. If you don’t have experience, explain why you would be comfortable doing so.

Example: “I’ve worked with hazardous materials before, but I always made sure to follow all safety protocols. For example, when I was working at my previous job, we had to handle some chemicals that were highly flammable. We had to wear protective gear like gloves and goggles while mixing them together. I also used proper ventilation techniques to avoid any potential risks.”

9. Why do you want to work at Merck?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in Merck and how you can contribute to their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what attracted you to Merck as well as why you’re excited to work there.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in pharmaceuticals, so when I saw that Merck was hiring, I knew I had to apply. The mission of Merck is to improve lives through innovation, which is something I’m passionate about. I think my skills and experience are a good fit for Merck, and I’m eager to help the company achieve its goals.”

10. What inspires you to come into work every day?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality might fit in with Merck’s culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about yourself or your background that makes you unique.

Example: “I come into work every day because I love science. I find it fascinating how we are able to learn more about our world every day. I also enjoy working with people, so I am inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues on projects. I feel like I have a lot to offer Merck, and I’m excited to see what new challenges await me here.”

11. Are you willing to relocate?

Merck is a global pharmaceutical company, so they may need you to relocate for this position. They want to make sure that you are willing to move if necessary and that you have the ability to do it without any issues. If you have moved before, talk about how easy or difficult it was. If you haven’t moved, explain why you would be excited to do so.

Example: “I am more than happy to relocate for this job. I’ve moved several times in my life, and each time has been an exciting new adventure. I’m ready to start a new chapter of my life wherever Merck needs me.”

12. What are some of your hobbies outside of work?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and interests. They want to know if you have any hobbies that might be a good fit for the company culture. When answering, think of something that shows your creativity or problem-solving skills.

Example: “I love to cook, so I started a blog where I share my recipes. It’s been fun to get feedback from other people who enjoy my food. I also like to do woodworking projects in my spare time. I built a bookshelf last year as a gift for my parents, and they loved it. I’m hoping to find a job where I can use these skills.”

13. How do you like to keep track of your progress on different projects?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your organizational skills and how you keep track of important information. Your answer should show that you have an effective system for organizing projects, tasks and deadlines.

Example: “I use several different tools to stay organized. I find it helpful to create a calendar with all my upcoming deadlines and appointments so I know what’s coming up each week. I also like to use a task manager app to keep track of smaller tasks and subtasks on each project. This helps me see everything I need to do at once and prioritize which tasks are most urgent. Finally, I make sure to write down any notes or thoughts I have about a project in a notebook so I don’t forget anything.”

14. What is your passion in life?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It can also help you determine if they are passionate about working in healthcare, which is important for this role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that relates to your career path or how you got into this field.

Example: “My passion in life is helping others. I have always been interested in medicine, so when I was younger I volunteered at my local hospital. There, I learned about different medical conditions and how to treat them. This inspired me to pursue a degree in biology, where I could continue learning about medicine.”

15. What does ethical business practice mean to you?

Merck is a global pharmaceutical company that has to adhere to strict ethical standards. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you understand the importance of upholding these standards in your work. Use examples from your past experience to explain what ethical business practice means to you and how it can benefit a company.

Example: “Ethical business practice is one of the most important things for me when working with a company. I believe that companies should always put their customers first, even if it’s at the expense of profits. In my last position as a customer service representative, I had a client who was upset about a shipment they received. Instead of telling them we couldn’t do anything about it, I offered to send out another shipment free of charge. This satisfied the customer and helped build our reputation.”

16. What is your experience with animal testing?

Animal testing is a controversial topic in the pharmaceutical industry. Some companies have stopped using animal testing altogether, while others still use it to test new drugs and treatments. Merck has not completely eliminated animal testing from its process, but it does work hard to reduce the number of animals used for this purpose.

If you are interviewing with Merck, your answer should reflect that you understand the company’s stance on animal testing. You can also explain how you would approach this issue if you were hired by Merck.

Example: “I am aware that Merck uses some animal testing as part of its research and development processes. I believe that we need to find ways to reduce the number of animals used for this purpose. For example, I could develop alternative methods of testing that do not require the use of live animals.”

17. What is your experience with drug development?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and how you can contribute to Merck’s drug development process. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project or experience that helped you develop your skills in this area.

Example: “In my last position as a research scientist at BioMed Pharmaceuticals, I was responsible for developing new drugs based on existing compounds. My team and I would test different combinations of compounds until we found one that had the desired effect. We also tested our drugs on animals before moving into human trials. This process taught me how important it is to have a thorough understanding of the science behind drug development.”

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

This question is a great way to see if you are passionate about the work Merck does. It also helps employers understand what your interests are and how they align with their company’s mission. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area of science that you have studied or researched in the past.

Example: “I am most interested in neuroscience. I find it fascinating how our brains work and all of the different ways we can use that information to help people. In my last job, I worked as a research assistant for a neurologist who was studying Alzheimer’s disease. I learned so much from her and gained valuable experience working on a team.”

19. What do you think will be the next big breakthrough in science?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the scientific community and how you can contribute to it. Your answer should show that you are aware of current research, as well as what you think will be important in the future.

Example: “I believe we’re on the verge of discovering new ways to treat cancer. There’s been a lot of promising research into immunotherapy treatments, which use the body’s immune system to fight disease. I think this could be a major breakthrough for treating cancer because it uses the body’s natural defenses rather than introducing foreign substances or chemicals.”

20. What type of research setting have you had the most success in?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know what type of research setting you are most comfortable in, as well as how it may fit into Merck’s current research environment.

Example: “I have had success working in both large-scale and small-scale settings. I find that my ability to work with others and communicate effectively makes me successful in any setting. However, I prefer smaller groups where I can get to know everyone on a personal level and feel like I am making an impact on their lives. In larger groups, I sometimes feel like I’m just another number.”