20 Merck Interview Questions and Answers

As one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, Merck is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team. If you’re lucky enough to get an interview with Merck, you can expect to be asked some tough questions.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Merck interview questions, along with sample answers to give you an idea of what the company is looking for.

Merck Interview Process

The interview process at Merck can be long, difficult, and frustrating. It often takes several months to hear back from the company, and many applicants report being ghosted after multiple rounds of interviews. The interviews themselves are mostly behavioral, with some technical questions thrown in. Many applicants report feeling like the process is disorganized and that the company is not interested in hiring anyone outside of their current network.

1. What questions do you have for us?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done research on Merck and are interested in working for them. Use this time to ask questions about the company, its culture or what it’s like to work there.

Example: “I am very excited to learn more about Merck and how I can contribute to the success of the organization. I noticed that Merck has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. What steps do you take to ensure that all employees feel welcome and valued?”

2. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would fit into their company culture. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you used your leadership skills to achieve a goal or solve a problem.

Example: “I believe that effective leaders should always be open to feedback and suggestions from their team members. I also think it’s important for leaders to set an example by being hardworking and dedicated themselves. In my last position as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I was promoted to lead a new team of representatives. During this time, I made sure to listen to my team members’ ideas and concerns. I also worked hard to provide them with training and resources so they could succeed in their roles.”

3. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, be honest about your future plans but also show that you’re willing to stay with the company for several years.

Example: “I hope to still be working at Merck in five years. I’m very passionate about my work here, and I love the culture of innovation and collaboration. I would like to continue to grow professionally while helping others through my work.”

4. Although we are a pharmaceutical company, our main focus is on the people affected by illness and disease. How do you feel about that? Do you agree with it?

This question is a great way to see if you are aligned with the company’s values. It also shows that they want employees who care about their patients and customers. When answering, make sure to show how much you care about others and why this aligns with your own personal values.

Example: “I completely agree with Merck’s mission statement. I believe that we should always put our customers first, no matter what business we’re in. As a healthcare professional, it’s my job to help people feel better and live healthier lives. I think that Merck does an excellent job of putting its customers’ needs before anything else.”

5. Tell me about a situation where you had to work under pressure.

This question is a great way to assess how well you perform under pressure. It also allows the interviewer to see if you have any experience working in a fast-paced environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you were able to overcome challenges and achieve success despite being under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I had to work under pressure quite often. One time, I was tasked with selling a new product that wasn’t yet available for purchase. This meant that I would need to convince doctors to prescribe the drug before it was even on the market. While this was challenging, I knew that I could use my skills as a salesperson to help me succeed.”

6. Can you tell me more about your background in science?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your education and experience in science. If you have any certifications or degrees, be sure to mention them along with what they are and when you received them.

Example: “I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in biology. I then went on to receive my Master’s degree in microbiology from San Diego State University. While working toward my Master’s degree, I also became certified as a medical technologist through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.”

7. How do you think you can contribute to Merck’s success?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have done research on the company and understand what it does. It also gives them an idea of how you can help their organization succeed. When answering this question, make sure to mention specific things about Merck’s mission or values that you can relate to.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for Merck because I am passionate about helping others live healthier lives. I know that Merck has been working hard to develop new medicines that will improve people’s quality of life. I believe my skills as a researcher and communicator can help me contribute to the success of this company.”

8. What experience do you have working in a highly regulated environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in a regulated industry and how you handled the challenges that came with it. Use examples from previous work experiences to explain what regulations were, how they affected your job duties and how you overcame any challenges.

Example: “In my last position as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I worked within a highly regulated environment where I had to follow strict rules for selling our products. For example, I could only sell our products to licensed physicians or pharmacists, which meant I couldn’t market directly to patients. However, I found ways around these restrictions by building relationships with doctors and pharmacists so they would recommend our products to their patients.”

9. Are you comfortable with frequent travel?

Merck is a global company that requires its employees to travel frequently. The interviewer wants to know if you have any concerns about this requirement and how you would handle it. If you are not comfortable with frequent travel, be honest and explain why.

Example: “I am very comfortable with frequent travel as long as I can get enough rest before my trips. In my previous position, I was required to travel every week for two weeks at a time. I made sure to pack healthy snacks and meals so I could avoid fast food while on the road. I also brought along an eye mask and ear plugs to help me sleep on planes.”

10. Have you ever worked with a global team before?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with a diverse group of people. If you haven’t, you can talk about how you would approach this situation and what steps you would take to ensure that you’re able to work effectively with others from different backgrounds.

Example: “I’ve worked in a global team before when I was at my previous job. My manager had us complete an assignment where we were required to collaborate with other members of our department who spoke different languages. We used Google Translate to communicate with each other, which helped us understand one another better. It also taught me how to be more patient and respectful toward those who speak differently than myself.”

11. Describe a time when you were asked to complete a project under an extremely tight deadline, how did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work under pressure and how you can manage time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to complete a project in a short amount of time and the steps you took to ensure its completion on time.

Example: “In my previous position as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I was tasked with selling a new product to a large client within two weeks. This was a challenging task because I needed to learn about the product, create marketing materials and develop a pitch for the client. However, I managed to meet the deadline by working long hours and delegating tasks to other team members.”

12. Why do you want to work at Merck?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. When you answer this question, it’s important to show that you’ve done some research on the organization and can explain why you’re excited to work there.

Example: “I’m interested in working at Merck because of its commitment to improving human health. I have read many articles about how Merck has developed new medicines and vaccines that are helping people all over the world. This is something that I am passionate about, so I would love to be part of such an innovative team.”

13. If there was one thing you could change about Merck what would that be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your critical thinking skills and how you would implement change. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you like most about Merck and then discuss one thing that could improve upon that aspect of the company.

Example: “I love working in a fast-paced environment where I get to use my problem-solving skills every day. If there was one thing I could change about Merck, it would be to offer more opportunities for advancement within the organization. I feel as though I have done everything I can do at my current position and am ready for a new challenge.”

14. Explain why you chose to pursue a career path in sales.

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the pharmaceutical industry and how you can benefit Merck. When answering this question, consider what inspired you to pursue a career in sales and highlight any relevant experience or skills that will help you succeed at Merck.

Example: “I chose to pursue a career path in sales because I enjoy helping people find solutions to their health problems. In my previous role as a sales representative, I was able to educate patients about various treatment options and provide them with information on which medications would be most effective for their needs. This helped me build strong relationships with many of my clients, which led to increased sales.”

15. We are looking for someone who is self-motivated and driven. How would you describe yourself?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are a self-starter and can work independently. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills and qualities that make you unique as well as how they will benefit Merck.

Example: “I am someone who is always looking for ways to improve myself and my performance at work. I’m constantly reading up on new developments in my field of study and learning from others. I also like to take on projects that challenge me and help me grow professionally.”

16. Do you consider yourself a competitive person?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you’re motivated by competition and how you might fit in with their team. If you have a competitive nature, explain why this is important to you and what motivates you to be your best self.

Example: “I consider myself a very competitive person, which has helped me achieve many of my goals throughout my career. I find that when I’m working toward a goal or trying to beat someone else’s time, it helps me stay focused on the task at hand. It also makes me feel good about myself when I know I’ve done my best.”

17. Why are you leaving your current job?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you’re looking for a new job because of dissatisfaction with your current employer or if you’re simply seeking a career change. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and provide specific reasons why you are leaving your current position.

Example: “I’m leaving my current job because I’ve been in the pharmaceutical industry for five years now and am ready for a new challenge. My previous company was great, but I feel like I need to work somewhere where I can use more of my skills and experience.”

18. Is there anything that might prevent you from traveling up to 50% of the year?

Travel is a common part of working for Merck, and the company wants to make sure you’re prepared for that. They want to know if you have any family or personal commitments that might prevent you from traveling as much as they need you to.

Example: “I do have two children at home, but I am fortunate enough to have an amazing mother who would be willing to take care of them while I’m away. My husband also works full-time, so he can help out with childcare when needed. We are both committed to making this work.”

19. Give an example of a time when you demonstrated excellent customer service skills.

Customer service skills are important for any role in a company, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills. Use examples from previous jobs or describe how you would approach customer service if you were hired by Merck.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset with our product because it didn’t work as well as they expected. I listened carefully to their concerns and asked questions to understand what they needed. After learning that they wanted to use the product for longer than the recommended amount of time, I explained why that wasn’t safe and offered them a refund. They agreed to return the product and thanked me for my help.”

20. In order to be successful at Merck you need to be able to adapt quickly to new situations and processes. Provide an example of a time when you had to adapt quickly to a new process or way of doing things.

This question is designed to assess your ability to adapt and learn new things. It also helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a fast-paced environment.

Example: “When I first started my career as a pharmaceutical sales representative, I was responsible for selling multiple products to doctors. However, after six months of doing this job, my company decided to focus on one product instead of many. This meant that I had to change my entire approach to selling. Instead of focusing on multiple products, I now focused solely on our primary product. I adapted quickly by learning everything there was to know about the primary product.”