Interview Guide
 for clinical pharma contractors
You've successfully made it through
the initial selection process and now you have been asked to attend
an interview. There may be a lot of very stiff competition for
that contract role, so how do you go about giving yourself the
best chance of getting that job?
What
Is An Interview?
An interview is a two-way process whereby the
company or interviewer and you the interviewee meet to discuss
prospects of future employment. As the company will be investigating
if you are suitable for the company, you too will be investigating
if the company is right for you.
There are three main objectives that the interviewer
has:
1. Can you do the job? (Skills, Qualifications
and Experience)
2. Will you do the job? (Motivation, Attitude and Career Goals)
3. Will you fit into the team? (Culture Match)
When you are having the interview you should
also be answering the above three questions for yourself. Can
I do the job? Will I do the job? And will I fit into the team?
An interview is a conversation, not an interrogation! Most contract
interviews usually last less than one hour. It is in this short
period of time that you have to really impress your future manager
with your skills and knowledge... it is now or never time. An
unprepared interview could cost you that contract position, so
read up!
Presentation
To create a professional impression carry a folder.
Open it, allowing the interviewer to see headings like "Interview
Objectives" and "Key Issues". Tick off points as
they are covered.
When asked if you have any queries, preface your
question with an item of information which shows you know something
of the company and industry. The formulation "it's my understanding
that" is the usual way of framing this lead-in. You might
like clarity on the company's management style and expansion plans.
You also need to know exactly what is required of you.
Men are advised to wear dark blues and charcoals.
No bottle greens and chocolate brown. No white socks. No grey
shoes. No slip-on shoes. Black brogues are safest. Wear black
socks that are quite long so hairy legs won't be visible should
you cross your legs. No jewellery. No ear-rings. Smart, short
hair is safest. Finger nails should be short, with no dirt under
the nail. Don't smoke. Don't chew gum.
Don't mumble. Speak clearly and confidently.
Sit up straight. Look the interviewer in the eye. Don't fidget.
Turn your mobile off. If the interview is after lunch, ensure
there are no food stains on the tie. Don't eat garlic. Don't drink
alcohol. No late night partying before a morning interview. Have
an early night.
Women (or men!) are advised not to carry a handbag.
The tendency is to rummage in it when nervous. Simply carry the
folder. If wearing trousers, wear a matching jacket. If you wear
a skirt, wear stockings and a shoe with a heel. A business suit
creates a good impression. No costume jewellery.
If you have good legs, a mini is permissible,
but not the micro-variety. A pony-tail is out. Rather wear your
hair up. You wish to look businesslike and professional. Wear
glasses rather than contact lenses, especially if the lenses make
you squint. Leave sunglasses in the car. Don't smoke. Decline
drinks if offered (your hand may shake lifting a cup, indicating
nerves). Give a firm hand-shake.
Practise this personal dress code in contacts
with recruitment agencies. It says you are professional and encourages
them to include you on interview lists.
Preparing
For An Interview
This is the essential first step toward
a successful interview and that contract position. If you feel
you have prepared for the interview then this confidence will
come across at the interview with the answers that you give. Motivate
yourself. Be confident and courageous. If you have been granted
an interview it means that there is something about you that the
client already likes. Think only positive thoughts.
Know exactly the place and time of the interview as well as
who will be interviewing you (practice the pronunciation of
their surname). If in doubt of any details, ASK. Misunderstandings
do not make a good first impression. Your agency should provide
you with all the necessary details (venue, times, interviewers
etc).
Find out what format the interview will take - one-to-one, group
session, will there be tests?
Consider how you are going to get there - consider your route,
car parking, timetables and the actual location itself. Is it
easy to get to? Check out our travel
guide.
Will my travel expenses be paid by the agency?
Find out specific facts about the company. Things to investigate:
products and services, the department you'll be working in etc.
If you know contractors working at the company then contact
them to get some background info. Check out the company website
to see what the latest developments are.
Research to the position study the job description that the
agency should have supplied you.
Refresh you memory about your current and past employment.
Prepare questions that YOU want to ask the interviewer. Remember
an interview is a two-way street. You also need to know if the
position is right for you!
Questions To Ask
A detailed description of the contract role?
Reason that the position has become available?
Any training programs?
Length of contract, will it be renewable?
Are there plans to take on permanent head count? (should you
be interested in becoming permanent)
Best-selling product or service? To really impress your interviewer
know the answer before hand and discuss your opinion.
Next step in the interview process? (usually there's just the
one interview if it's a standard contract position)
Questions
You Can Expect
Recruiters use stock questions. These include
"what are your strengths and weaknesses?" and "there
are 10 applicants, so why should I select you?" They may
also throw in oddball questions. Examples are "should prostitution
be legalised?" although these are unusual for contract positions.
Avoid monosyllabic responses. For instance, if asked if you are
punctual, don't just say "Yes", but provide a tidbit
of information to prove the point, such as "Yes, I always
ensure that I am 5 minutes early for meetings." At the interview,
expect some questions for which you did not prepare. Be honest.
Be yourself.
Tip:
Don't memorise answers, as this will sound unnatural and too regurgitated.
Tell me
about yourself? Not I was born in 1954, but qualification, achievements
and all your selling points
Why did you want this contract role?
Why would you like to work at our organization permanently should
the opportunity arise?
What do you want to be doing with your career in five years
time? Why?
What style of management do you best like to work with
What is your understanding by ICH/GCP?
How long have you used Oracle Clinical? How would you close
a query in OC?
What SAS version are you currently using?
What interests you in our products or services?
What have you learnt in your last jobs?
What is your major weakness? What are you doing about this?
What are your strengths?
Have you ever had any failures and how did you deal with them?
What do you think determines a person's progress in a good company?
Are you willing to relocate?
What does teamwork mean to you?
How do you spend you free time? What are your hobbies?
What type of books do you read?
Questions Not
To Answer
There are many questions that the interviewer
cannot ask you, either because they are
inappropriate or simply illegal. If you think that the question
asked is too personal politely decline
to answer the question.
Are you married?
Are you planning on getting married?
Do you have any children?
Are you planning on having children soon?
Overcoming
Obstacles
There will always be a couple of questions
during the interview that may throw you off. Relax, think carefully
and then answer. Think how you would you approach these implications:
You are over/under-qualified.
You are too young/old.
The only way to overcome these obstacles
is to be prepared. Know what your answer would be before the question
is even asked. Turn your weakness into a strength. For example,
"I may be over-qualified but that means that I would start
being productive quicker than a candidate who does not have my
qualification. This would save you a lot of training time and
money. I would be able to start making money and profits for the
company sooner."
How to ask and
get what you want
Many contractors don't know how to ask
for what they want. Here are a couple of pointers for you to remember:
Communicate your goals respectfully.
Be clear and precise about what you want out of the contract.
Be flexible and always prepare an alternative option.
Be creative when negotiating.
Provide your commitment to the company and your potential contributions.
Be realistic.
DO arrive a few minutes early. If you are going to be late phone
them to let them know.
If you need to fill in an application form DO so neatly.
DO greet the interviewer by his/her surname.
DO give a firm handshake.
DO wait until you are offered a seat before sitting.
DO listen to your interviewer.
DO look at the interviewer in the eye.
DO have a positive attitude, smile and be relaxed.
DO let the interviewer know how you will be an asset to the
company.
DON'T smoke during the interview even if the interviewer smokes.
DON'T answer questions with only a "yes" or "no",
try to elaborate when possible.
DON'T lie. Be honest.
DON'T oversell yourself. The truth will come out
DON'T make derogatory remarks about your past employers or companies.
DON'T over answer the question.
DO turn your mobile phone off!!
DON'T smoke before you go in.
DO end a negative with a positive i.e. if you are asked for your
greatest weakness, try and choose something that could also be
seen as a positive.
Always close the interview positively even if you did not think
it was so great. The interviewer may have had other positive
impressions.
Watch the interviewer's body language and listen carefully to
what he/she is saying. If he/she sounds like they like you negotiate,
you are now in a position of strength.
Confirm your strengths and benefits with the interviewer before
ending the interview.
Ask the interviewer if he has any more questions to ask you.
Let the interviewer know that you are available for further
questions or a possible second interview.
If the interviewer offers you the role and you want it, accept
it on the spot and say that you'll get in touch with your agent
straight away
Don't be afraid to ask for more time to think about the offer
if you are not sure
Always thank the interviewer for the interview, his/her time
and for considering you.
Give a firm handshake once again before leaving.
When you have completed the interview, let your agency know
how it went. They will also be able to provide you with feedback
from the client on your performance, which should help you the
next time round, if there needs to be a next time.
If you followed these steps you will be one block
closer to landing that contract.
Good luck for your interview and make them want
you!
Remember to send us your interview questions
- especially the ones that threw you!
Contractor Testimonials
"Although I have come across sites which prep you
for interviews, this site is invaluable to me with the contractor
specific interview techniques!"
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