20 PAREXEL Interview Questions and Answers

PAREXEL is a global biopharmaceutical services organization that offers a comprehensive suite of services to help clients throughout the product development life cycle. As a result, PAREXEL has a wide range of interview questions that are specific to the company and its clients.

In this article, we will provide an overview of some of the most common PAREXEL interview questions. We will also provide sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

PAREXEL Interview Process

The interview process at PAREXEL can vary depending on the position you are applying for, but generally speaking, it is a fairly lengthy and detailed process. For clinical research positions, you can expect to have several rounds of interviews with different members of the team, as well as a written exam. The difficulty of the interviews will depend on your experience and qualifications, but overall they are not excessively difficult. The company is looking for candidates who are knowledgeable and passionate about the field, so if you can demonstrate that you have these qualities, you should do well.

Overall, the interview process at PAREXEL is very thorough and professional. The company takes its time to ensure that they are hiring the best possible candidates, so if you are selected for an interview, it is a good indication that you have the skills and qualifications they are looking for. However, because of the length and detail of the process, it can be quite stressful, so make sure you are prepared before going in.

1. What would you do if a client has a problem with a product?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle customer service issues. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you are a problem solver and have good communication skills.

Example: “If a client has a problem with a product, I would first try to find out what they expected from the product. Then, I would ask them if they followed any instructions when using it. If they did follow all of the instructions, I would offer to replace the product or refund their money. If they didn’t use the product as instructed, I would explain that we cannot issue a refund or replacement.”

2. How would you handle a situation where the results of your research were not what you expected?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you respond to challenges and whether you are able to adapt your approach. Your answer should show that you have a problem-solving mindset, along with an ability to learn from mistakes.

Example: “In my previous role as a research scientist, I was working on a project where we were trying to develop a new type of sunscreen. We had been testing it for several weeks when we noticed that our results weren’t what we expected. At first, I thought there might be something wrong with the equipment or the data collection methods, so I checked both of those things. After doing some more research, I realized that the formula we were using wasn’t compatible with the UV rays in our area. We ended up changing the formula and successfully completed the project.”

3. Have you ever worked in an international environment before?

Working in an international environment can be a unique experience. Employers ask this question to make sure you are prepared for the challenges that come with working abroad. In your answer, explain how you would handle any potential challenges and what steps you would take to ensure you have a successful experience.

Example: “I’ve worked in an international environment before. I was part of a team that developed a new drug for European markets. We had to consider cultural differences when developing our marketing strategy. For example, we learned that Europeans prefer more natural remedies than Americans do. As a result, we decided to market our product as a safer alternative to other painkillers on the market.”

4. Tell us about a time when you encountered a difficult person and how did you deal with it?

This question is a great way to assess your interpersonal skills. It’s important that you show the interviewer how you can remain calm and professional in challenging situations.

Example: “I once worked with a scientist who was very passionate about his work, but he would often get frustrated when I asked him questions about it. He would sometimes raise his voice or make comments under his breath. I learned to be patient with him and ask more specific questions so he could explain things better. Eventually, he realized I wasn’t trying to annoy him and started to answer my questions more thoroughly.”

5. Do you have experience working on clinical trials?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a similar environment. If you do, they may ask you to describe your previous work and how it relates to this position. If you don’t have direct experience, you can talk about what you’ve learned from others who have worked on clinical trials.

Example: “I haven’t had the opportunity to work directly on clinical trials, but I did take an elective course in college that helped me understand the process. The class was very informative, and I learned a lot about the different phases of testing drugs and other medical products. It’s definitely something I would like to pursue as a career.”

6. Are you familiar with SAS or SPSS?

These are two common statistical software programs that pharmaceutical companies use to analyze data. Your answer should show the interviewer you have experience using these programs and can adapt to using them in your new role if necessary.

Example: “I am familiar with SAS, but I’ve never used it before. However, I have worked with SPSS for several years now, so I feel confident adapting to SAS if needed. In my previous position, we had a team of statisticians who were responsible for analyzing our data. My job was to collect the data from the field and enter it into the system. I also helped troubleshoot any issues that arose during the analysis process.”

7. Give me an example of a time when you had to work under pressure.

Working under pressure is a common requirement for pharmaceutical sales representatives. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the stress of working in their company. In your answer, explain how you handled the situation and what skills you used to overcome it.

Example: “In my previous position, I had to meet a quota every month. One month, I was having trouble meeting that quota because of some new regulations. My manager told me not to worry about the quota until I could get back on track with the regulations. I spent extra time studying the regulations so I could sell those products again. By doing this, I was able to meet my quota while also following the regulations.”

8. If hired, how long would you see yourself staying with PAREXEL?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re not just looking for a job, but also a career. They want to know that you plan on being with the company for a long time and are willing to put in the effort to grow within it. When answering this question, be honest about your intentions. If you don’t have any plans of staying long-term, let them know that as well.

Example: “I would love to stay here for many years. I feel like I’ve found my place at PAREXEL and am eager to continue growing with the company. I’m excited to learn new things and help develop new products.”

9. Why is good documentation important for clinical trials?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your understanding of the importance of documentation in clinical trials. They want to know that you understand how important it is to keep accurate records and follow protocols during a trial. In your answer, explain why good documentation is so important for clinical trials and what can happen if researchers fail to document their work properly.

Example: “Good documentation is essential because it helps ensure that researchers are following all necessary procedures and adhering to protocol. If they don’t accurately record data or keep proper notes, it could lead to inaccurate results or even dangerous outcomes. For example, if researchers failed to note which patients were receiving certain medications, they might not realize that some patients weren’t getting the right treatment until it was too late.”

10. Describe a time when you made a mistake on a project.

This question is a great way to see how you respond to failure. It’s important to be honest and show that you can learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it’s best to describe a time when you made a mistake but learned from it.

Example: “When I first started working in the pharmaceutical industry, I was tasked with creating an advertisement for a new drug. I had never created advertisements before, so I did some research on what makes good ads. I decided to create a colorful ad with a lot of text. After presenting my work to my team, they informed me that colorful ads are not effective for drugs. They also told me that most people don’t read the text in ads. I learned that I should have done more research into the specific type of advertising I was doing.”

11. Why are you interested in joining our team?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate and their intentions. It’s also an opportunity for you to share what makes your company unique. Consider asking this question early in the interview so that candidates have time to prepare a thoughtful answer.

Example: “I’m interested in joining PAREXEL because of its reputation as one of the best pharmaceutical companies in the world. I’ve always wanted to work at a place where I can make a difference, and I know that working here would allow me to do just that. I am passionate about helping people, and I believe that my skills and experience are a good fit for this role.”

12. How do you prioritize your workload?

This question can help the interviewer assess your time management skills and ability to work under pressure. Use examples from previous experiences where you had to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and manage your time effectively.

Example: “I use a task manager software that allows me to create different projects and assign them to specific deadlines. I also set reminders for myself so I don’t forget important dates or events. In my last role, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once, including client meetings, data collection and analysis and report writing. I used my task manager software to organize all of these tasks into separate projects and scheduled regular check-ins with my team members.”

13. Can you explain some of the regulations that apply to clinical research?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you understand the regulations that apply to clinical research. This is because it’s important for a pharmaceutical researcher to follow all of the necessary guidelines and regulations when conducting their work. In your answer, try to list some of the most important regulations and explain why they’re so important.

Example: “There are many regulations that apply to clinical research. For instance, I know that researchers must obtain informed consent from participants before enrolling them in a study. They also need to ensure that any data they collect is confidential and secure. Another regulation that applies to my field is the requirement that we have an Institutional Review Board or IRB approval before starting our studies.”

14. Outline the main steps of a clinical trial.

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the process and procedures involved in clinical trials. It also allows you to show that you understand how they work, which can be important for anyone who will be working with clients on their trial processes.

Example: “The main steps of a clinical trial are screening, enrollment, randomization, treatment, data collection and analysis. Screening is when researchers decide if a client is eligible for the trial based on their medical history and other factors. Enrollment is when the client agrees to participate in the trial and gives consent. Randomization is when the client is randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. Treatment is when the client receives the treatment being tested by the researchers. Data collection is when researchers collect information about the client’s progress during the trial. Analysis is when researchers analyze the collected data.”

15. Do you feel comfortable interacting with clients and other departments?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and how you can work with others. Your answer should include a specific example of how you interacted with clients or other departments in the past.

Example: “I have experience working with clients, as well as my team members and other departments like marketing and finance. In my last role, I worked on a project that required collaboration between multiple teams. I was responsible for communicating with each department about our progress and any challenges we faced. This helped us all stay informed and ensured we were able to meet deadlines.”

16. Have you used any statistical software programs like Minitab or Statgraphics?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see if you have experience using similar software programs. If you do, you can explain how you used them and what your favorite features were. If you don’t have any experience with these types of programs, you can talk about other statistical software that you’ve used in the past.

Example: “I have worked with Minitab before, but I prefer Statgraphics because it’s easier to use and has more useful features. For example, when I was working at my previous job, we had to analyze data from our clinical trials. We used Statgraphics to help us determine which factors contributed most to the success or failure of the trial.”

17. What are the most important qualities for someone who works at PAREXEL?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a good understanding of what it takes to succeed at PAREXEL. You can answer this question by listing qualities that are important for any job, such as hard work and dedication, but also include some specific qualities that are especially relevant to working in pharmaceuticals.

Example: “The most important quality for someone who works at PAREXEL is integrity. The company’s reputation depends on its employees being honest and ethical in their work. Another important quality is creativity. Pharmaceutical research requires creative problem-solving, so I think it’s important to hire people with a background in science or engineering who are comfortable thinking outside the box.”

18. What’s your opinion on alternative medicine?

This question is a great way to see how you approach controversial topics. It’s important for pharmaceutical companies to be able to work with alternative medicine, so it’s likely that they want employees who are open-minded and willing to collaborate with other departments. Your answer should show the interviewer that you’re flexible and can adapt to different situations.

Example: “I think alternative medicine has its place in healthcare. I’ve worked with several patients who have used both traditional and alternative medicines together to treat their conditions. In my opinion, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t use all of our resources to help people feel better.”

19. Do you think more public funding should be given towards medical research?

This question is a great way to assess your political views and how they may affect your work. If you are applying for a position that requires you to interact with the public, it’s important to be able to answer this question in a way that shows you can represent the company well.

Example: “I think more funding should definitely be given towards medical research. The advancements we’ve made over the past few decades have been incredible, but there is still so much more we need to learn about our bodies and diseases. I believe that if we continue to fund research, we will eventually find cures for many of the world’s most devastating illnesses.”

20. How do you stay up-to-date with developments in the pharmaceutical industry?

This question can help the interviewer assess your commitment to learning about new developments in the pharmaceutical industry. It also shows that you are willing to take initiative and seek out information on your own. Use this opportunity to highlight any professional development courses or training programs you have participated in, as well as how you keep up with news from relevant organizations and publications.

Example: “I am a member of several professional organizations within the pharmaceutical industry. I find that these groups provide valuable insight into current trends and challenges facing the industry. In addition, I subscribe to several newsletters and journals that offer insights into recent advancements in research and technology.”