19 Pfizer Interview Questions and Answers

Pfizer is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, with products ranging from over-the-counter medicines to prescription drugs. If you’re interviewing for a job at Pfizer, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your qualifications, and your goals.

You may also be asked questions specific to Pfizer, such as “What do you know about our company?” or “Why do you want to work for Pfizer?”.

Answering these questions well can help you stand out from other candidates and show that you’re truly interested in the job. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to answer Pfizer interview questions.

Pfizer Interview Process

The interview process at Pfizer is lengthy, and can be difficult for some perspective employees. The company uses a variety of methods to assess candidates, including phone interviews, in-person interviews, and panel interviews. The hiring process can take several weeks or even months to complete.

Overall, the interview experience at Pfizer is positive. The company is known for being thorough in their assessment of candidates. They want to make sure that they are hiring the best possible employees. This means that the interview process can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity to showcase your skills and abilities.

1. Do you have any experience working in the pharmaceuticals industry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this role. If you have experience working in pharmaceuticals, share what you did and why it was important to your career. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about other work that has helped you develop skills that are relevant to this position.

Example: “I worked as an assistant manager at a local pharmacy while I was going through my undergraduate program. This job taught me valuable customer service skills and how to manage employees. It also gave me the opportunity to practice my communication skills with patients who were sometimes frustrated or upset.”

2. What is your experience with clinical trials?

Clinical trials are a major part of the pharmaceutical industry. They’re also an important part of working at Pfizer, as they help develop new drugs and treatments for patients. Your answer should show that you understand what clinical trials are and how they work. You can describe your experience with them or explain why you don’t have any experience but still feel qualified to do this job.

Example: “I’ve worked on several clinical trials in my previous positions. I find them very interesting because it’s exciting to see how different medications affect people. In my last position, I was responsible for recruiting participants for a trial about a new medication for depression. It was challenging to get enough volunteers, but we eventually found enough people to complete the study.”

3. Are you comfortable traveling approximately 50% of the time for work?

Travel is a common part of the pharmaceutical sales job. Employers ask this question to make sure you are aware of how much time you will spend on the road and if that’s something you’re comfortable with. Before your interview, read through the job description to see what percentage of travel is required for this position. If you feel like it’s too high, consider asking about other opportunities within Pfizer that might be more suitable.

Example: “I am definitely open to traveling as long as I have access to a reliable form of transportation. In my last role, I drove myself to all of my appointments so I could leave at any time without having to wait for a ride. This allowed me to get work done during down times in between meetings.”

4. How would you describe your leadership style?

Leadership style is an important factor in determining how well you will fit into a company’s culture. The interviewer may ask this question to determine your leadership skills and whether they align with the company’s values. When answering, consider describing your strengths as a leader and what makes you effective at motivating others.

Example: “I believe that my greatest strength as a leader is my ability to motivate others through positive reinforcement. I am always looking for ways to encourage my team members and praise their accomplishments. This helps create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. Another strength of mine is my ability to delegate tasks effectively. I can assess each member of my team’s strengths and assign them projects based on those strengths.”

5. Give an example of a time when you had to communicate complex information to someone who was not familiar with it.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can break down complex information into something that’s easy for others to understand. When answering this question, try to use an example of a time when you had to explain something technical or scientific to someone who wasn’t familiar with it.

Example: “When I was working as a research scientist, I would often have to communicate my findings to the rest of my team. While most of my colleagues were scientists like me, there were times when we’d hire interns or other professionals who weren’t as familiar with our work. In these situations, I tried to make sure everyone understood what I was talking about by using analogies or examples they could relate to.”

6. Can you tell me about a time when you were responsible for developing new procedures, how did you decide what needed to be done and who needed to do them?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work as part of a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to make sure everyone was involved in the decision-making process.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that we were having issues with our inventory management system. It wasn’t able to keep up with all of the different products we had on hand, so I decided to hold a meeting with my supervisor and other members of the accounting department to discuss what could be done. We came up with several solutions, including updating the software or hiring more employees. After discussing both options, we decided to update the software.”

7. Pfizer has over 80,000 employees worldwide. How well do you think you will fit into that kind of environment?

This question is designed to determine how well you will fit into a large company. It’s important that you show the interviewer that you are confident in your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects.

Example: “I think I would do quite well in a large company environment. In my last position, I worked as part of a team of five people. We were responsible for creating an entire marketing campaign from start to finish. I was able to use my interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with my teammates and delegate tasks so we could all get our jobs done by the deadline.”

8. If hired, what are some things you would like to change in the company?

This question is a way for the interviewer to see how you would fit in with their team. They want to know that you will be able to work well with others and that you are willing to adapt to the company’s culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you liked most about your previous job and what you disliked.

Example: “I really enjoyed my last position because of our open-door policy. I feel like we were all very approachable and always happy to help each other out. However, I noticed that there was no formal mentorship program in place. If hired, I would love to create a mentor program where employees could learn from one another.”

9. What methodologies do you use to increase productivity on teams?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to work with a team and how you might contribute to the success of their organization. Use examples from previous experience where you helped increase productivity on teams or projects, such as by encouraging collaboration or communication between team members.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important factors in increasing productivity is ensuring all team members feel comfortable communicating openly about any concerns they have regarding the project. In my last role, I noticed that some team members were hesitant to speak up during meetings because they didn’t want to offend anyone else on the team. So, I started weekly check-in meetings where each person could share what was going well for them and what challenges they were facing. This allowed everyone to get to know each other better and build trust so they felt more comfortable speaking up when they had questions or concerns.”

10. Tell us why you want to work at Pfizer.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what you like about Pfizer and why you’re excited to work there. When answering this question, make sure to highlight some of the aspects that attracted you to the job posting.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in pharmaceuticals, so when I saw the opening at Pfizer, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. The company has an excellent reputation, and I’m eager to be part of such a successful organization. I also love how much Pfizer values its employees. From the training programs to the benefits, I can tell that Pfizer wants to take care of its workers.”

11. Provide an example of a time where you managed multiple tasks simultaneously.

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you organized your day and the steps you took to complete all of your work on time.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. One day, I had three different deadlines that were due within the same hour. To manage these deadlines, I first made sure that each project was ready to go before the deadline. Then, I scheduled out my day so that I could focus on one task at a time. This helped me stay focused and get everything done by the deadline.”

12. In your opinion, what is the most important thing to remember when communicating complex scientific concepts to others?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can simplify complex information for others. When answering this question, consider the audience you will be speaking with at Pfizer and what their level of scientific knowledge may be.

Example: “I believe that when communicating complex scientific concepts to others, it’s important to use simple language and analogies to help them understand the material. For example, if I were explaining a complicated chemical reaction to someone who has no background in chemistry, I would explain the process using everyday objects or experiences they are familiar with.”

13. Describe a time where you had to make a tough decision as a leader.

When answering this question, it can be beneficial to highlight your leadership skills and how you made a tough decision that benefited the company.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, we had a large project due in two weeks. One of our employees called out sick for three days, which left us with only one employee to complete the project. I decided to work overtime with the remaining employee so we could get the project done on time. It was challenging, but we were able to finish the project before the deadline.”

14. Have you ever been told by management that you need to improve your communication skills or performance? If yes, please explain.

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn from mistakes and improve. It also shows that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions. When answering this question, be honest about the situation and how you improved or changed your behavior.

Example: “I was once told by my manager that I needed to improve my communication skills with my team members. At first, I thought it was unfair because I felt like I communicated well with everyone. However, after talking with my manager, I realized they were right. I had been so focused on getting work done that I wasn’t always listening to what others were saying. After that conversation, I made an effort to listen more closely to my coworkers and communicate better.”

16. What do you know about our current product portfolio?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of Pfizer’s products and how you might fit into their team. If you’re applying for a position in marketing, public relations or sales, it’s likely that you’ll be working with these brands at some point. It’s important to research the company before your interview so you can show that you’re genuinely interested in the work they do.

Example: “I’ve been following Pfizer for years because I have family members who use several of your products. I know that Prevnar 13 is one of your most popular vaccines, and I’m excited about the new developments you made to this product last year. I also understand that Viagra was recently approved as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.”

17. What kinds of health care issues are you passionate about and why?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the healthcare industry and how you can contribute to Pfizer’s mission. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an issue that you have personal experience with or something that has affected someone close to you.

Example: “I am passionate about mental health issues because I have struggled with depression myself. In my last role as a nurse, I noticed many patients were hesitant to seek treatment for their mental health concerns. I started offering counseling services at the hospital where I worked, which helped me connect with patients who needed support but weren’t sure how to get help. Now, I’m looking for a new opportunity where I can continue helping people overcome these types of challenges.”

18. What type of sales techniques do you use?

This question can help the interviewer understand your approach to sales and how you might fit into their organization. Use examples from your experience that highlight your ability to persuade, negotiate or influence others.

Example: “I use a consultative selling method where I meet with my clients to learn about their business goals and challenges. This helps me create solutions that are tailored to each client’s needs. In previous positions, I have used this strategy to increase sales by 20% in one quarter and 30% in another.”

19. What areas of science can you bring to the table if hired?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and how you can contribute to it. When answering this question, make sure to highlight any specific skills or areas of expertise that are relevant to Pfizer’s goals.

Example: “I have extensive experience in research methods and data analysis. I am also highly skilled at identifying trends and patterns within large sets of data. These skills would be beneficial for Pfizer because they could help me find new ways to improve existing products and develop new ones.”

20. What are your thoughts on the healthcare system in America?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your political views and how they relate to the pharmaceutical industry. Your answer should be professional, but you can express your personal opinions as long as they are relevant to the position.

Example: “I believe that America’s healthcare system is in need of improvement. I think we could benefit from a single-payer system where everyone has access to affordable healthcare regardless of their income level or preexisting conditions. This would allow people to receive treatment for chronic illnesses without having to worry about paying high premiums or out-of-pocket expenses.”