Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
The role of a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician is to help create the medications that save lives and improve the quality of life for people all over the world. As a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician, you’ll be responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment used to make these life-saving drugs.
To get a job as a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician, you’ll need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked a variety of questions about your work experience, technical skills, and ability to work in a team. You may also be asked questions about the manufacturing process and the equipment you’re familiar with.
To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve put together a list of sample pharmaceutical manufacturing technician interview questions and answers.
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your knowledge and skills in this area.
Example: “I have worked with many different types of pharmaceutical equipment during my time as a pharmaceutical technician, including automated filling machines, capsule filling machines, tablet presses, blister packaging machines and liquid filling machines. I am comfortable using all of these pieces of equipment, although I prefer working with the automated filling machine because it is more efficient than other methods for large-scale production.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to working as a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician.
Example: “The most important skill for me is attention to detail because I know that even small mistakes can lead to big problems later on in the production process. Another important skill is problem-solving because there are often unexpected issues during production that require quick solutions. Finally, communication is also an important skill because I need to clearly communicate with my team members and other technicians.”
This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the role of a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician and can explain it to others. Use this opportunity to highlight some of the most important aspects of the job, including what you enjoy about it.
Example: “A pharmaceutical manufacturing technician works in a lab environment where they use specialized equipment to create medications for patients. They are responsible for following strict safety protocols while also making sure their work area remains clean and organized. I find this job very rewarding because I get to help people by creating life-saving medications.”
This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your attention to detail and ability to follow procedures. Your answer should include steps you take to ensure equipment is properly cleaned, maintained and stored.
Example: “I always clean my workstation before I leave for the day. This helps me make sure that all of my tools are put away and ready for the next day’s production. At the end of each week, I also perform a more thorough cleaning on all of the equipment I use during the week. This includes sanitizing any surfaces that come in contact with pharmaceuticals or other chemicals.”
This question can allow the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with machinery. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your critical thinking, analytical and technical skills.
Example: “In my last role as a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician, I was responsible for troubleshooting issues with machines on a daily basis. One day, I noticed that one of our production lines had stopped working. After checking all of the equipment, I realized that there was an issue with the conveyor belt system. I immediately contacted my supervisor so they could help me find a solution. We decided to shut down the entire line until we could fix the issue.”
This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your critical thinking skills and how you would implement change. Your answer should show that you understand the current process, but also have ideas about how it could be improved.
Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing is ensuring quality control throughout the entire production line. I would like to see more automation implemented so that machines can test products as they’re being made instead of relying on human testing at the end of the production cycle.”
Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of following safety procedures and how they can help keep employees safe. In your answer, explain that you would first talk with the employee about why it’s important to follow safety procedures. If the employee does not comply after a conversation, you would document the incident in case there is another issue later on.
Example: “I believe that safety should be everyone’s top priority at work. I would first speak with the employee about why it’s important to follow safety procedures. If the employee still did not comply, I would document the incident so we could discuss it further if there was an accident or injury later on.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how well you can follow written instructions and whether you have any difficulties with reading comprehension. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you followed written instructions in your previous role and what challenges you faced while doing so.
Example: “I find that I am very good at following written instructions because of my attention to detail. However, there was one instance where I had difficulty understanding some of the more complex instructions for a project I worked on in my last position. My supervisor noticed that I was having trouble and helped me understand the instructions by explaining them in simpler terms.”
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience working with dangerous chemicals and other materials that require special handling. Your answer should highlight any training you’ve received in hazardous material handling, as well as the specific skills you use when working with these substances.
Example: “I have worked with hazardous materials before, although I haven’t had much experience with them at my current position. However, I did complete a course on how to handle hazardous materials while in school, which taught me about proper safety protocols for working with these substances. In my previous role, I used these skills to help create safe work environments by following all of the necessary precautions.”
When working in a pharmaceutical environment, it’s important to know when you need help from your supervisor. This question helps employers determine if you’re able to recognize when you need assistance and how you go about getting it. In your answer, explain that you would first try to solve the problem yourself before asking for help. You can also mention specific situations where you’ve done this in the past.
Example: “I believe it’s always best to try to figure out a problem on my own before I ask for help. However, there are times when I have questions or concerns that I don’t feel comfortable addressing with my coworkers. For example, during my last job, I had an issue with one of my coworkers who was being unprofessional. Instead of confronting them directly, I went to my supervisor and they handled the situation.”
This question helps employers understand your standards for quality and how you compare to other companies. Use examples from your experience to explain what makes the products you produce high-quality.
Example: “I believe our company produces some of the highest-quality pharmaceuticals in the industry. We have a team of highly skilled technicians who work together to ensure every product meets our strict quality standards. I personally take pride in my work, so I always make sure that each batch is thoroughly tested before it leaves the facility.”
This question can help the interviewer assess your attention to detail and organizational skills. Use examples from previous experiences where you documented each step of a manufacturing process, including how you organized your documentation and how it helped you complete your tasks more efficiently.
Example: “I use an electronic system for documenting my progress throughout the day. I find that this method is much faster than using paper records because I can access my notes on any computer or mobile device. In my last role, I used this system to document every step of the production process, which allowed me to keep track of all important information while also helping me stay focused on completing my daily tasks.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant work experience, education or certifications and any transferable skills.
Example: “I am passionate about helping people, which is why I chose to pursue a career in pharmaceutical manufacturing. In my previous position as a pharmaceutical technician, I learned how to create medications that help patients manage chronic illnesses. This inspired me to continue my education so I could become certified as a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician. With my certification, I have gained valuable knowledge about quality control procedures and sterile environments.”
This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how you apply it in different industries. Your answer should include what you learned from each industry and how that knowledge can help you succeed in this role.
Example: “I’ve worked in both food manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, so I understand the importance of cleanliness and safety when working with these types of products. In my previous position at a food manufacturer, I was responsible for cleaning equipment and ensuring all ingredients were stored properly. At my current job as a pharmaceutical manufacturing technician, I’m also responsible for cleaning equipment but also monitoring quality control and testing samples.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your understanding of quality control and how you apply it to a manufacturing environment. Use examples from your experience to explain what you think is most important about quality control, and highlight any specific skills or knowledge that helped you perform this function in previous roles.
Example: “I believe the most important aspect of quality control is ensuring all products meet their specifications before they leave the production floor. In my last role, I was responsible for testing batches of medication to ensure they met the required purity levels. I used several different methods to test the medications, including spectrophotometry and chromatography, which helped me identify any issues with the product so we could address them before shipping.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how much experience you have with quality control testing. Use your answer to highlight your ability to use discretion and judgment when performing tests, which can be an important part of this role.
Example: “Quality control is a very important part of pharmaceutical manufacturing because it helps ensure that the products are safe for patients. I always perform quality control tests at least once per shift, but sometimes more often if there’s a change in production or other factors that could affect the product. For example, if we’re running low on supplies, I may run additional tests to make sure the product isn’t compromised.”
This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to troubleshoot the issue and identify a solution.
Example: “If there was a problem with one of our machines that produced a product, I would first check the machine’s operating manual for any error codes or instructions on how to fix the issue. If I couldn’t find anything in the operating manual, I would then look at the machine itself to see if there were any obvious issues. After checking the machine, I would contact my supervisor to let them know about the issue and ask for their advice.”