20 MSD Interview Questions and Answers

As a leading global biopharmaceutical company, MSD is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team. If you’re lucky enough to land an interview with MSD, you can expect to be asked some tough questions specific to the company.

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

MSD Interview Process

The interview process at MSD is generally positive, with most reviewers finding it professional and efficient. However, some note that the difficulty of the questions asked can vary depending on the position being applied for. For internships, the process is typically brief and easygoing, while for more senior positions, such as data analyst or programmer analyst, the questions may be more difficult. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with fast turnaround times and good communication from the company.

1. What are some skills you have that would make you a good fit for this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and qualifications for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list a few of your most relevant skills and how they would help you succeed in this position.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which I think are important qualities for someone working in this role. In my previous roles, these skills helped me manage large projects and meet deadlines while maintaining high quality standards. I also have excellent communication skills, which I use to collaborate with team members and clients.”

2. How do you stay up to date with the latest biomedical research?

MSD is a company that values innovation and research. Your answer to this question will show the interviewer how you stay up to date with current biomedical research, which can help them understand your ability to work in an environment where new information is constantly being produced.

Example: “I have always been passionate about science and medicine, so I make it a point to read as many medical journals as possible. In my previous role, I was able to attend seminars and conferences on the latest developments in the field of biomedicine. I also subscribe to several online newsletters that provide me with daily updates on recent discoveries.”

3. Tell me about your experience working in drug development or clinical trials.

MSD is a global leader in drug development, so it’s likely that you’ll be asked about your experience working with pharmaceuticals. Use this question to highlight any relevant skills or experiences you have and how they can benefit the company.

Example: “I’ve worked as a research assistant for the past five years at my current university. My role was to help conduct experiments on mice to test new drugs. I also helped develop an experiment where we tested different dosages of a certain drug to see which dosage would produce the best results.”

4. Do you know what MSD’s mission is?

MSD’s mission is to help people live longer, healthier lives. This question helps the interviewer determine if you understand what MSD does and how it contributes to society. When answering this question, make sure to mention that you know about MSD’s mission and how it relates to your career goals.

Example: “I am very familiar with MSD’s mission because I have been passionate about helping others for a long time. My goal is to work at a company like MSD where I can use my skills to contribute to making the world a better place. I believe that by working here, I will be able to fulfill my passion of helping others while also growing professionally.”

5. What software do you have experience using?

MSD uses a variety of software programs to complete projects and tasks. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using the same or similar programs they use at MSD. Before your interview, research what software the company uses and highlight any similarities between it and the software you’re familiar with.

Example: “I’ve used Microsoft Office for years in my current role as an administrative assistant. I also have some experience using Salesforce, which is one of the main software programs that my previous employer used.”

6. Describe a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things from your perspective.

This question can help the interviewer determine your communication skills and ability to persuade others. Use examples from previous work or school experiences where you were able to successfully convince someone of a certain idea or perspective.

Example: “In my last position as an account manager, I had a client who was very unhappy with our company’s services. They felt that we weren’t meeting their needs and wanted to cancel their contract. I met with them in person to discuss their concerns and listened to what they had to say. After hearing their feedback, I offered some solutions to meet their specific needs and helped them understand how our services could benefit them.”

7. Give an example of how you showed leadership in your past job.

MSD is looking for candidates who can lead teams and projects. They want to know that you have experience with leadership, so answer this question by describing a time when you were in charge of a project or team. Explain what your role was and how you managed the group.

Example: “In my last job as an account manager, I had to manage several different clients at once. This required me to delegate tasks to other employees and make sure everyone on my team was working efficiently. I also had to keep track of all our sales goals and report them to my managers.”

8. What technical and inter-personal skills can you bring to the team?

MSD is a global company that offers many opportunities for advancement. The interviewer wants to know if you have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in their organization.

Example: “I am highly organized, which has helped me manage multiple projects at once. I also have excellent communication skills, so I can work with my team members to solve problems or answer questions. My ability to think critically and creatively helps me find solutions to complex issues. Finally, I’m passionate about healthcare and committed to providing quality care to patients.”

9. What do you think it takes to be successful at MSD?

MSD is a large company that has many different departments. The interviewer wants to know what you think it takes to be successful in your role and how you would contribute to the overall success of MSD as a whole.

Example: “I believe that being successful at MSD requires hard work, dedication and passion for the job. I am willing to put in extra hours when needed and always strive to do my best. I also have a strong desire to learn new things and take on challenges. I understand that there are always ways to improve processes and procedures and look forward to learning from others.”

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. MSD wants to know that you’re committed to the company for the long term. If you have plans to move on within five years, explain why you think this job will help you get there.

Example: “I see myself as an experienced professional at MSD in five years. I plan to continue my education and pursue certification in biotechnology. I also hope to work with more clients and develop my management skills.”

11. Why do you want to work at MSD?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the company and its values. It also gives you a chance to highlight any research you’ve done on MSD, including what you know about their products or services, recent news or awards they’ve won.

Example: “I’m excited to apply for this role because I have always been passionate about healthcare and want to work at a company that makes a difference in people’s lives. After doing some research into MSD, I learned that it has a long history of developing innovative medicines and vaccines that help improve quality of life for patients around the world. I am eager to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a positive impact.”

12. What does data management mean to you?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and its operations. MSD has an extensive data management system, so you can use this opportunity to explain how you would contribute to it.

Example: “Data management means that I am responsible for keeping all information secure and organized. It also means that I have access to important documents at any time. In my last role, I was in charge of organizing our team’s research and development projects. This included creating databases and filing reports on project progress. I also had to ensure that all employees were using the right passwords and protocols when accessing sensitive information.”

13. If you had to give advice to someone starting their career, what would you say?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can help others succeed. When answering this question, think about what advice you would give someone starting their career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Example: “If I had to give advice to someone starting their career in the pharmaceutical industry, I would tell them that it’s important to be passionate about the work they do. If you’re passionate about your job, you’ll be more motivated to learn new things and take on challenges. Also, if you enjoy your work, you’ll likely have better relationships with your coworkers.”

14. What kind of projects have you managed before?

MSD is looking for candidates who have experience managing projects. This question helps them determine if you are qualified to manage a project at their company. When answering this question, explain what kind of projects you’ve managed in the past and how your skills helped you complete them successfully.

Example: “In my previous role as an IT manager, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of our technology department. This included hiring new employees, creating budgets and making sure we had enough resources to meet our goals. I also worked with other departments to make sure they were using technology effectively. For example, I would work with marketing to ensure that our website was optimized for search engines.”

15. What was one project where you needed to deal with conflicting priorities? How did you handle it?

MSD is a global company, so it’s likely you’ll encounter situations where your priorities conflict with those of other departments or individuals. An interviewer may ask this question to assess how well you can collaborate and communicate with others. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to work as part of a team while also demonstrating that you’re willing to take initiative when necessary.

Example: “In my current role, I often have conflicting priorities because I’m responsible for managing multiple projects at once. However, I’ve found that the best way to handle these situations is by communicating openly with my team members. For example, if I need to shift some resources from one project to another, I make sure to let everyone know why I made that decision and what we plan to do about it.”

16. Describe your experience designing and implementing a clinical trial protocol.

MSD conducts clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs. The company wants to know if you have experience with this process, as it can be a significant part of your job.

Example: “I’ve worked on several projects where I had to design and implement clinical trial protocols. In my last position, I was responsible for designing and implementing a protocol that would help us determine how effective our new drug was at treating depression in adults. We used a double-blind randomized control study to conduct the research. This type of study is one of the most common methods for conducting clinical trials.”

17. Have you ever worked in a multinational company before?

MSD is a multinational company, so it’s important to show that you’re comfortable working in an international environment. When answering this question, explain how your previous experience helped you adapt to the new culture and language of MSD.

Example: “I have worked for several multinational companies throughout my career. I’ve found that being open-minded and flexible are two of the most important skills when adapting to different cultures. In my last position, I was hired as a senior marketing manager but quickly became the global director of marketing after proving myself. This opportunity allowed me to work with people from all over the world and learn about their unique perspectives.”

18. What kind of classes have you taken related to biomedicine?

MSD is a global company that offers many different products and services. The interviewer wants to know if you have any experience with the industry or specific knowledge of their company. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you prepare for this interview.

Example: “I took several classes in college related to biomedicine. I was able to learn about the history of medicine, as well as current research and development. This led me to apply for an internship at MSD where I learned more about the company’s offerings and gained valuable work experience.”

19. Are you familiar with clinical terminologies such as LOINC and SNOMED CT?

MSD uses these terminologies to describe medical conditions and treatments. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of using standardized terminology in healthcare. You can explain how you use these terminologies in your current role or discuss a time when you used them in previous roles.

Example: “I am familiar with both LOINC and SNOMED CT, as I have worked in healthcare for over 10 years. In my last position, I was responsible for updating patient records with these terminologies. This helped me ensure that all information about patients’ health was recorded accurately and consistently. It also made it easier for other healthcare professionals to access this information.”

20. What positions have you previously held in pharmaceutical companies?

This question is a great way to learn about your potential new employer’s expectations. It also allows you to showcase your experience and how it can benefit the company. When answering this question, be sure to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “I have previously worked as an assistant in a pharmaceutical lab where I learned valuable research techniques. I then moved into a sales role at my current company where I was able to use those research skills to help me understand customer needs and develop effective marketing strategies.”