20 Thermo Fisher Scientific Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing for a position at Thermo Fisher Scientific, it’s important to be prepared to answer questions about the company, its products, and your experience in the scientific field.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of sample Thermo Fisher Scientific interview questions and answers that you can use to develop your own responses. With these questions and answers in hand, you’ll be ready to impress your interviewer and land the job.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Interview Process

The interview process at Thermo Fisher Scientific can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, there may be multiple rounds of interviews. The interview difficulty can also vary depending on the position. Some positions may require a more technical interview, while others may focus more on behavioral questions. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, although some applicants have found it to be lengthy or confusing.

1. How would you describe your leadership style?

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a large company with many employees. As a leader, you may be responsible for managing teams of people and helping them achieve their goals. Your interviewer wants to know how you would approach this responsibility. Use examples from your past experience to describe the leadership style that you have used in the past.

Example: “I believe that effective leaders are those who can motivate others to work hard and achieve their goals. I am an empathetic person who likes to get to know my team members on a personal level. This helps me understand what motivates each individual employee. In the past, I have led teams of up to 20 people. I find that regular one-on-one meetings help me keep everyone motivated and productive.”

2. What has been your most challenging project and how did you overcome it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the challenge you faced and how you overcame it in detail.

Example: “My most challenging project was when I had to manage a team of five people who were all working on different projects at once. This made it difficult for me to keep track of everyone’s progress and ensure that they were meeting their deadlines. To solve this issue, I created a spreadsheet where each person could update their own status daily. This helped me stay organized and ensured that my team members were accountable for their work.”

3. Have you ever worked in a team environment where there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Working in a team environment is an important part of the job, and it’s likely that you’ll be working with others at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Your answer should show your ability to work well with others and resolve conflict.

Example: “I have worked in a team environment where there was conflict before, but I always try my best to avoid it. If there is ever any conflict between myself and another employee, I will speak to them privately about the issue and try to find a solution together. I believe that communication is key when resolving conflicts.”

4. Do you have any experience with software development?

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a company that offers many different services, including software development. If you have experience with this type of work, it can be beneficial to include it in your answer.

Example: “I do have some experience with software development and I find it very interesting. In my last position, I worked on the team that developed new features for our software. It was challenging but rewarding to see how we could improve the system by adding new features. I think I would enjoy working as part of a software development team at Thermo Fisher Scientific.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to make a tough decision.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you made a decision that was not popular with everyone but ultimately helped the company or organization.

Example: “When I first started my career as a lab technician at a small research facility, we were tasked with testing samples for a new drug that would help treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The problem was that our equipment wasn’t sensitive enough to test such low levels of the drug in the blood samples. We had two options—either send the samples back and wait another week for them to be tested again or use more advanced equipment that cost $10,000 per month to rent.

I decided to go ahead and spend the money on the more advanced equipment because I knew that if we didn’t get those results back quickly, the company wouldn’t have enough time to produce the drug before the patent expired.”

6. When working on a large scale project, what is your communication preference?

When working on a large scale project, it’s important to be able to communicate with your team members. The interviewer wants to know how you will ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands their role in the project.

Example: “I prefer face-to-face communication when working on a large scale project because I feel it allows me to better understand my teammates’ questions and concerns. However, if there are multiple people involved in the conversation, I would use an online collaboration tool so that everyone can see what’s being discussed.”

7. Why do you want to work at Thermo Fisher Scientific?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing for this interview, make sure you do some research on Thermo Fisher Scientific and what they offer employees. This will help you answer this question with confidence and enthusiasm.

Example: “I have always been interested in science and technology, so when I saw that Thermo Fisher Scientific was hiring, I knew it would be an excellent opportunity to work at a place where I can use my skills and knowledge of science to create something useful. I am also very excited to work here because of the many opportunities available for growth within the organization.”

8. We are looking for candidates who can work independently as well as part of a team. Can you give an example of a time when you successfully did both?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work independently and as part of a team. You can use examples from previous jobs or experiences in school that highlight your teamwork skills and your ability to complete tasks on your own.

Example: “In my last position, I was the only person who knew how to operate our lab’s data system. When the system crashed, I had to troubleshoot it myself because no one else could help me. It took me several hours, but I eventually figured out what the problem was and got the system back up and running.”

9. Our company values employees that are self-motivated and driven. Can you provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a client or employer?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are a hard worker and willing to go the extra mile. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about what you did and how it benefited your employer or client.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing our clients’ accounts. One day, I noticed that one of our largest clients hadn’t uploaded their data in over two weeks. This could have been a problem if they didn’t upload their data by the deadline. So, I called them up and asked why they hadn’t uploaded their data yet. They told me that they were on vacation and would get the data uploaded as soon as they got back. I assured them that we understood and would wait until they returned before taking any action.”

10. Describe your experience with lab equipment.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a company that provides lab equipment and services. This question allows the interviewer to assess your experience with their products and how you might use them in your new role.

Example: “I have worked with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s systems for over five years now, so I am familiar with all of the different types of equipment they offer. In my last position, I was responsible for maintaining our inventory of equipment and ensuring it was properly calibrated before each use. I also performed routine maintenance on the equipment as needed.”

11. If hired, what type of projects would you be interested in working on?

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a large company with many different departments. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interests and how they align with the job description. Before your interview, read through the job description and highlight any projects or tasks that you would be excited to work on.

Example: “I am passionate about scientific research, so I would love to get involved in any project that helps scientists advance their knowledge of science. In my previous role as an IT specialist, I worked on several projects for pharmaceutical companies. One of my favorite projects was creating a system that allowed researchers to track data from multiple sources. This helped them make better decisions when designing new drugs.”

12. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, be honest about your future plans but also show that you’re willing to stay with the company for several years.

Example: “I plan on staying in my current position for at least five years. I love working here, and I’m excited to continue learning from my colleagues. In five years, I hope to have earned my master’s degree in chemistry and be working toward becoming a department head.”

13. What is your process for scheduling tasks?

This question can help interviewers understand how you prioritize your work and manage deadlines. Use examples from previous experience to explain the steps you take when scheduling tasks, including how you determine which projects are most important to complete first.

Example: “I use a calendar app on my phone to schedule appointments and meetings with clients. I also have a separate task list that I add all of my daily, weekly and monthly goals to so I can stay organized and focused on completing each task by its deadline. When determining which tasks to complete first, I consider what is due soonest and what will require the most time or effort to complete.”

14. What is the best thing about working in a team?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and teamwork abilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you enjoy working with others and what makes team members successful.

Example: “The best thing about working in a team is the ability to bounce ideas off of each other and learn from one another. I find that when we work together as a group, we are able to come up with more creative solutions than if we were working alone. In my last role, I was part of a team that worked on developing new products for our company. We had weekly meetings where we would discuss our progress and ask questions to help us move forward.”

15. How do you prioritize your day?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan your day and what methods you use to stay organized. It’s important to show that you have a system for prioritizing tasks, but also that you’re flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances.

Example: “I usually start my day by checking emails and making sure I respond to any urgent messages. Then, I check my calendar to see if there are any meetings or appointments I need to prepare for. After that, I’ll look at my task list to prioritize which projects I want to work on first. If anything changes throughout the day, I’m able to quickly adjust my schedule as needed.”

16. Are you comfortable handling hazardous materials?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to work with dangerous chemicals and materials. It’s important that you show your willingness to handle these materials safely, as well as your knowledge of how to do so.

Example: “I have worked with hazardous materials in my previous position, and I am comfortable handling them when necessary. However, I always make sure to follow all safety protocols and procedures to ensure the safety of myself and others around me.”

17. Are you willing to relocate if needed?

If you’re interviewing for a position that requires relocation, it’s important to let the interviewer know if you’re willing to move. If you are not willing to relocate, be honest about your reasons and explain how you can still contribute to their company.

Example: “I am open to relocating as long as my family is able to come with me. I understand that this may require additional training or time to adjust, but I’m confident in my ability to adapt to new environments quickly.”

18. What is one piece of advice you would give your past manager?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to give constructive feedback. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of something specific from your past job and explain how the advice helped improve your work or the company as a whole.

Example: “In my last position, I had a manager who was very busy with other projects but would often forget about important deadlines for our team. As a result, we were constantly scrambling to meet our project goals on time. After talking with my teammates, we decided to create a shared calendar where we could all add due dates for our projects. This allowed us to keep track of each other’s assignments and avoid any more missed deadlines.”

19. Describe your experience in pharmaceuticals.

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to this role. If you have experience in pharmaceuticals, describe what you did and if you don’t, explain why you’re interested in working for a company that does.

Example: “I’ve worked with pharmaceutical companies before, but I’m more interested in working for a company like Thermo Fisher Scientific because they provide services to both large pharma companies and smaller labs. I think my skills would be useful in helping them develop new systems and processes.”

20. In this position, we need someone who can learn quickly while being flexible enough to change priorities often. What do you think is the best way to accomplish this?

This question is a great way to show your ability to adapt and learn quickly. It also shows that you are willing to take on new challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you have adapted in the past.

Example: “I think the best way to accomplish learning quickly while being flexible enough to change priorities often is by having a strong work ethic. I am always looking for ways to improve my processes and make sure I am doing everything as efficiently as possible. This helps me when there are changes because I already have a good idea of what needs to happen.”