20 Natera Interview Questions and Answers

Natera’s cell-free DNA testing is a cutting-edge technology that is revolutionizing prenatal testing. If you are interviewing for a position at Natera, you can expect to be asked questions about your knowledge of this technology and how you would use it to benefit patients. In this article, we will provide you with some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview at Natera.

Natera Interview Process

The interview process at Natera can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two interviews, often with the hiring manager and another team member. For some positions, like data entry or customer service, the process may be shorter and only involve one interview. However, for more technical positions, like data scientist or engineer, the process may be longer and involve multiple rounds of interviews, including a panel interview. Overall, the interview process can be lengthy and challenging, so it is important to be prepared before applying.

1. Why are you interested in working at Natera?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your personality and how you feel about working at their company. You can answer this question by explaining what attracted you to Natera, such as its mission statement or values.

Example: “I am interested in working for Natera because I believe that it is a company with a strong commitment to providing quality healthcare services to women who are pregnant. In my research on the company, I learned that Natera has an excellent reputation within the industry for developing innovative products and services. I would love to be part of a team that is dedicated to helping others.”

2. How would you handle a stressful situation and balance multiple responsibilities?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle stress and multitask. Use examples from previous experiences where you were able to manage multiple tasks at once while still delivering quality results.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing the entire marketing department. One day, our website crashed due to a server issue. While I worked with IT to resolve the problem, I also had to make sure all of my team members were working on their projects. I delegated responsibilities to each member so that we could get everything done by the end of the day.”

3. What do you find most challenging about working with clinical data?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and what strategies you use to overcome them. Your answer should highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to adapt to change and commitment to continuous learning.

Example: “The most challenging part of working with clinical data is that it’s constantly changing. For example, when I first started in this field, we used a different method for analyzing cell-free DNA than we do now. As new technology emerges, I am always eager to learn about the latest advancements so I can apply them to my work.”

4. Give an example of when you had to work on a team that was dysfunctional, how did you handle it?

When working in a team, it’s important to be able to communicate and collaborate with others. This question is asking you to demonstrate your ability to work well with others.

Example: “In my last position as a lab technician, I worked on a team of three other technicians who were all responsible for different aspects of the testing process. One of my coworkers was very quiet and didn’t like to speak up when they had questions or concerns. As a result, we often missed deadlines because she would forget to tell us that she needed more time to complete her tasks.

I approached her about this issue and asked if there was anything I could do to help her feel more comfortable speaking up. She told me that she felt overwhelmed by the amount of work she had to do each day and wanted some extra training to learn how to better manage her time. I offered to train her on the new software system we were using so she could become more familiar with it. After doing this, she became much more confident in her abilities and no longer forgot to ask for help.”

5. Do you have any experience with healthcare sales?

Natera is a medical device company that sells its products to healthcare providers. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your experience selling in the past and how it relates to working with their organization. If you have sales experience, share an example of a time when you helped a client make a decision.

Example: “I worked as a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company for three years before moving into my current role as a marketing specialist. I enjoyed helping doctors find solutions to their patients’ needs and was able to increase my territory by 20% within six months of starting there.”

6. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of your customer service skills and how you handle challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and what steps you took to ensure the best possible outcome for the customer.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a client who was having trouble with their test results. They were worried they might have a false positive result because of some abnormal symptoms they were experiencing. I spoke with them over the phone and explained that while there are rare cases where a false positive could occur, it is more likely that they are actually pregnant. We discussed our process for retesting samples and offered to do so free of charge.”

7. What is your experience with creating reports and spreadsheets?

Natera uses a lot of data to create reports and analyze results. The company wants to know that you have the skills necessary to complete these tasks efficiently. Use your answer to highlight your experience with creating spreadsheets and reports. Explain how you use these tools to organize information and present it in an easy-to-understand format.

Example: “I’ve worked as a medical transcriptionist for five years, so I’m very familiar with creating reports and analyzing data. In my previous role, I was responsible for transcribing patient notes into electronic records. This required me to compile all relevant information from the doctor’s notes into a spreadsheet. Then, I would type up the information into a report that could be easily read by other healthcare professionals.”

8. What special certifications do you have?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your education and training. If you have a certification in prenatal testing, share it with the interviewer. You can also mention any other certifications that are relevant to the job.

Example: “I am certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling as a genetic counselor. I’ve been working as a genetic counselor for five years now, so I’m familiar with all aspects of the field. I also hold an associate’s degree in genetics from University of California.”

9. Describe your experience drawing blood from patients, including pediatric patients.

This question is a behavioral one that allows you to demonstrate your skills and experience with drawing blood. You can use this opportunity to highlight any specific training or certifications you have in phlebotomy, as well as the number of years you’ve been performing these duties.

Example: “I have five years of experience drawing blood from patients of all ages. I am certified in basic phlebotomy by the American Society for Clinical Pathology and have taken additional courses on pediatric phlebotomy techniques.”

10. We want our medical assistants to be able to keep up with a busy schedule, how would you ensure you can stay on track?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to prioritize tasks and manage time. You can use examples from previous experience or discuss strategies you would implement in the future.

Example: “I have worked with a busy OB/GYN practice for five years, so I am used to keeping up with a fast-paced schedule. In my current role, I work alongside two other medical assistants who also help keep each other on track. We all communicate when we are running behind and make sure that our patients receive the care they need as quickly as possible. If I were hired at Natera, I would continue this strategy of communication and collaboration.”

11. Do you have any experience processing specimens?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with cell-free DNA and how it compares to other specimen types. If you do not have direct experience processing specimens, consider describing a time when you worked with similar materials or processes.

Example: “I’ve never processed specimens before, but I did work in a lab where we analyzed blood samples for various diseases. We used specialized equipment to process the blood samples and then ran them through our computers to analyze the results. The process was very similar to what Natera does with cell-free DNA testing.”

12. How would you go about contacting a doctor’s office if they were not returning your phone calls or emails?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would go about contacting the office and what steps you would take to ensure that you receive a response from them.

Example: “I would first try calling or emailing them once more before I contacted their supervisor. If they still did not respond after my second attempt, I would contact their supervisor directly and explain the situation. I would also include all relevant information regarding our previous communication so that they could address the issue as quickly as possible.”

13. When was a time you provided excellent customer service?

This question can help the interviewer understand your customer service skills and how you apply them to a work environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you helped a client or patient feel more comfortable with their situation or process.

Example: “When I worked as an ultrasound technician at my local hospital, I had a patient who was nervous about her upcoming C-section delivery. She asked me many questions about what to expect during the procedure and recovery period, and I took the time to answer all of her questions in detail. By the end of our conversation, she felt much more confident about her upcoming surgery and expressed gratitude for my patience and willingness to explain everything.”

14. What computer programs are you proficient with?

Natera uses a variety of computer programs to complete its work, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with any of them. List any computer programs that you are familiar with and explain why they’re important for your role at Natera.

Example: “I am proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also know how to use Google Drive, Dropbox and Trello. These programs are essential in my current position because they allow me to collaborate with other team members on projects and organize my workflow.”

15. Which shift are you available to work?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you’re available during their work hours. Before your interview, check the company’s website or job listing for information about its hours of operation. If you can’t find any information, call the HR department and ask what time the office opens and closes.

Example: “I am able to work from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. I have experience working in an office setting, so I’m comfortable with early mornings and late nights.”

16. Have you taken any classes related to laboratory testing?

Natera is a company that focuses on prenatal testing, so it’s important to show your knowledge of the field. If you have taken any classes or workshops related to laboratory testing, be sure to mention them in your answer.

Example: “I took an introductory class at my community college about lab work and how to perform different tests. I also completed a certification program through the American Society for Clinical Pathology where I learned more about the process of performing lab work. These courses helped me understand the importance of quality control and standardization when working in a lab setting.”

17. Are you comfortable with traveling for the job?

Traveling is a common part of the job for many Natera employees. The company has offices in several states, including California, Texas and New York. If you’re interviewing for an office outside your current location, it’s likely that you’ll need to relocate.

Example: “I’m happy to travel for work as long as I have enough notice to make arrangements. In my last position, I was able to get ready for a business trip with only two weeks’ notice. It can be challenging to find childcare or pet care on short notice, but I’ve found that if I plan ahead, I can usually manage.”

18. When was a time where you struggled with prioritizing tasks, how did you manage it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and attention to detail. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your ability to prioritize tasks, set deadlines and meet expectations.

Example: “In my last role as a lab technician, I had to balance multiple projects at once. One of my main responsibilities was testing samples for genetic defects in blood cells. However, there were also other tests I needed to perform on blood samples, such as checking for antibodies and white blood cell counts. To ensure all of these tests were completed accurately, I created a spreadsheet with due dates for each test so I could schedule them appropriately.”

19. What software do you feel is necessary to complete your day-to-day tasks?

This question is a great way to determine what tools you use in your current role and how they can be applied to the job you’re interviewing for. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the software that you feel will benefit Natera most while also explaining why you would choose those programs over others.

Example: “I find Microsoft Office to be an essential tool when completing my day-to-day tasks. I use Word to create documents, Excel to organize data and PowerPoint to present information to clients. These tools are easy to learn and apply to many different situations, which makes them useful in my work.”

20. Tell me about yourself.

This is a common question that interviewers ask to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality and skills match the job description, so be sure to highlight any relevant experience or education in your answer.

Example: “I am an experienced medical professional with a passion for helping others. I have worked as a genetic counselor at my current hospital for five years, where I help patients understand their test results and make informed decisions about their healthcare. My previous work experience has given me valuable insight into how Natera can improve prenatal testing.”