20 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Interview Questions and Answers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, food, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

The FDA interview process is designed to assess a candidate’s qualifications for the position they are applying for. During the interview, candidates will be asked a variety of questions about their experience, education, and skills. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample FDA interview questions and answers.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Interview Process

The interview process at U.S. Food and Drug Administration can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one panel interview. The panel interview may be followed by additional interviews with managers or other team members. The interview process can take several months to complete.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of the FDA?

The FDA is a highly visible government agency, and its actions are often the subject of news stories. As such, it’s important for candidates to have an opinion on how the organization is performing. Your answer should show that you understand what the FDA does and why it’s important. You can also mention any specific areas where you think improvements could be made.

Example: “I believe the FDA is doing a good job in many ways. It has been instrumental in ensuring food safety and protecting consumers from harmful drugs. However, I do think there are some areas where improvement is possible. For example, I would like to see more transparency regarding the approval process for new drugs. The public deserves to know about the risks involved with these medications.”

2. How would you handle a situation where someone was not following protocol?

The FDA is a regulatory agency that oversees the safety of food and drug products. As such, it’s important for employees to follow protocol and ensure they’re upholding the organization’s mission. When answering this question, you can describe how you would handle a situation where someone was not following protocol and what steps you would take to ensure they were complying with regulations.

Example: “If I noticed someone wasn’t following protocol, I would first speak with them about their actions and explain why it’s important to follow protocol. If they still didn’t comply, I would document the incident in my notes and report it to my supervisor so they could address the issue.”

3. The FDA is an agency that requires collaboration with other government agencies, how well do you work in team environments?

The FDA is an agency that requires collaboration with other government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services. Collaboration is also important within the organization itself, so your answer should show you can work well in a team environment.

Example: “I have worked in teams throughout my career, including when I was part of a research team at my university and when I worked on a project to improve food safety standards with the CDC. In both cases, I found working in teams helped me learn from others and develop new ideas. I am confident that I can contribute to a team by sharing my knowledge and expertise.”

4. Do you have any experience working with food and drug safety issues?

The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of food and drugs in the United States. Your answer to this question can help an interviewer determine if you have experience working with similar issues in your current or previous role. If you do, share a specific example that demonstrates your ability to work within regulatory frameworks.

Example: “In my last position as a quality assurance manager at a large pharmaceutical company, I was tasked with overseeing the testing of our products before they were released to consumers. This included making sure all employees followed proper procedures when handling raw materials and packaging. It also involved inspecting finished products to ensure they met quality standards. These tasks helped me develop skills that are relevant to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”

5. If hired, what would be your approach to reviewing products for approval?

The FDA has a lot of responsibility when it comes to reviewing products for approval. The agency needs employees who can make decisions that are in the best interest of consumers and public health. Your answer should show your knowledge of how the FDA reviews products, as well as your ability to make smart decisions.

Example: “I would first look at the safety of the product. I know that the FDA’s main goal is to protect the public from unsafe products. If I see any red flags or issues with a product, I will recommend that the company fix those problems before we move forward with the review process. After ensuring the product is safe, I will then consider whether the product meets its claims. I believe this is an important part of the review process because it helps ensure consumers get what they pay for.”

6. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. The interviewer wants to know what your greatest strengths are so they can see how you will be an asset to the team, but they also want to understand any areas of improvement that you may need help with.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I am able to prioritize tasks and complete them efficiently when there is a deadline. My weakness would be my attention to detail. While I am very thorough in my work, sometimes I miss small mistakes or typos. I have been working on improving this skill by taking more time to proofread my work.”

7. How important is it to follow procedures when conducting research?

The FDA requires that all research be conducted in a safe and ethical manner. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand this requirement and how it applies to your work.

Example: “Procedures are extremely important when conducting research because they ensure safety and accuracy. I always follow procedures when conducting my own research, but I also make sure to check the validity of any information I use from other sources. If I find that the source is not credible or reliable, I will not use its data for my research.”

8. We want our employees to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

The FDA is a large organization that requires employees to work independently. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have the ability to complete tasks on your own and how much experience you have working in an independent environment. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects to show that you can work independently.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for this type of environment because I am used to working independently. In my last job, I was responsible for completing all aspects of my project without any help. I also had to research information about my topic and write up reports. These skills are similar to what I would need at the FDA.”

9. Describe your experience working with chemicals and/or pharmaceuticals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the use of chemicals in food, drugs and cosmetics. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with these substances and how you handled them. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or knowledge that will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of chemicals throughout my career. In my current position as a quality assurance specialist for a pharmaceutical company, I test products for safety before they go into production. I also ensure that all employees are following proper procedures when handling chemicals. For example, I recently had an employee who was using expired equipment. I reported it to my supervisor so we could address the issue.”

10. Which area of chemistry are you most interested in?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for regulating the safety of food, drugs and cosmetics in the United States. The agency also monitors medical devices, blood products and vaccines. Interviewers ask this question to determine if you have a passion for chemistry that can be applied to your work at the FDA. In your answer, explain which area of chemistry interests you most and why.

Example: “I am passionate about organic chemistry because it allows me to create new compounds that are useful in many different ways. I find it fascinating how one compound can be used as both a medicine and a poison. My favorite part of working with chemicals is seeing what unique solutions I can come up with.”

11. How often do you like to be in contact with your team when working on a project?

The FDA is a large organization with many different departments. Your answer to this question can help the interviewer determine if you are comfortable working in a collaborative environment and how often you like to communicate with your team members. When answering, consider what type of work you will be doing at the FDA and decide whether it would require frequent communication with others.

Example: “I enjoy being able to collaborate with my team on projects, but I am also capable of working independently when necessary. At my previous job, I was part of a larger project team that worked together to complete our tasks. However, I also had smaller teams within the department where we communicated more frequently about specific details of our work.”

12. The FDA emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

The FDA is a regulatory agency that also encourages innovation. This question helps the interviewer understand how you would approach innovation in your work for them. Your answer should show that you value creativity and are willing to take risks when necessary.

Example: “I think it’s important to remember that innovation doesn’t always mean change. Sometimes, it means finding new ways to do things or improve on what we already know. I’m an advocate of using data to inform decisions about whether or not to innovate. If there isn’t enough evidence to support a change, then I believe it’s better to continue doing something as long as it’s working.”

13. What is your experience with testing and analyzing chemical compounds?

The FDA requires its employees to have a strong background in chemistry and biology. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with testing compounds that may be harmful to consumers. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or certifications you have related to this topic.

Example: “I have worked as a food scientist for five years, where I tested various chemical compounds to ensure they were safe for consumption. In my last position, I was responsible for analyzing the quality of ingredients used by our suppliers. I also helped develop new methods of testing these compounds so we could reduce costs while maintaining high standards.”

14. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for ensuring the safety of food, drugs and medical devices in the United States. As such, they need employees who can think critically about problems and find solutions that are both effective and efficient. Your answer should show your ability to solve complex problems while also demonstrating your critical thinking skills.

Example: “When I was working as a quality assurance manager at my previous job, we had a problem with one of our suppliers. They were consistently delivering products that did not meet our standards. We tried talking to them about it, but they insisted their product met our requirements. Eventually, we decided to stop buying from them until they could prove otherwise. It took us two weeks to find another supplier who could provide what we needed.”

15. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

The FDA is a large organization that requires employees to work together on projects. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills and how you can contribute to the team dynamic. Use examples from your past experience where you were able to resolve conflict with your teammates or coworkers.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a project with two other scientists. We had different opinions on what we should do for the project, which led to some disagreements. However, instead of letting the disagreement escalate, I met with both of them separately to discuss their concerns. After talking through our ideas, we came up with a compromise that satisfied everyone.”

16. Tell us why you want to work at the Food and Drug Administration.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at the FDA. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’ve done some research on the agency and understand what it does. When preparing your answer, make sure to highlight two or three things that really drew you to this role.

Example: “I want to work at the Food and Drug Administration because I’m passionate about food safety. In my last job as a quality assurance manager, I worked with many different types of foods, including fresh produce and meats. I was responsible for making sure all products met federal standards before they were shipped out to consumers. Working here would allow me to continue doing something I love while helping ensure the safety of American food.”

17. What do you know about the Orise Fellowship program?

The FDA offers a number of fellowship programs that allow students to gain valuable experience in the pharmaceutical industry. The Orise Fellowship program is one such opportunity, and it allows students to work with the FDA for two years after graduation. Your answer should show that you are familiar with this program and its benefits.

Example: “I am very interested in the Orise Fellowship program because I would like to work at the FDA as soon as possible. This program gives me an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience working with the FDA while also earning my degree. I have heard great things about the program from other graduates who participated in it.”

18. Have you worked in a federal office before?

The FDA is a federal agency, so your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in the government. If you have worked for a federal office before, describe what it was like and how it prepared you for working at the FDA. If you haven’t worked for a federal office, explain why not and discuss any other relevant work experience.

Example: “I’ve never worked for a federal office before, but I do have some experience with government agencies. In my last role as a food scientist, I worked closely with state regulators who were responsible for inspecting restaurants and grocery stores. This experience taught me how to navigate different regulatory systems and helped me understand the importance of following procedures.”

19. Would you feel comfortable handling potentially hazardous materials?

The FDA handles a variety of potentially hazardous materials, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Your answer should show that you are comfortable working with these types of materials. You can explain your experience handling similar substances or describe how you would handle the situation if you have no prior experience.

Example: “I worked in a lab for three years where we handled many different chemicals. I am very comfortable using protective equipment like gloves and goggles to avoid contamination. I also understand the importance of following all safety protocols when handling hazardous materials.”

20. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their organization. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate. You may also want to mention any unique or transferable skills you have that could be beneficial in this role.

Example: “I am passionate about food safety and believe I would be an excellent addition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. My background as a registered dietitian has given me valuable experience working with clients on developing healthy eating habits. This skill set makes me well-equipped to help consumers understand what foods are safe to eat and which ones should be avoided.”