Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
Congratulations! You have been selected for interview because you have impressed the employer with your skills and have the relevant experience and skills for the vacancy. This is your chance to stand out and demonstrate that you are the best applicant for the job and hopefully make the next step in your career. Our guide is designed to help you excel at the interview; we recommend you review this in preparation.
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
The Interview Make sure you know the following beforehand:
• Will there be any tests? • Who will be interviewing you? • In what format will the interview take place?
In person interview: Make sure you know the location, where you are going and how long it takes to get there, accounting for possible delays/traffic and planning your route. You should aim to be 15 minutes early for an interview – it is always better to be early than late!
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
The Interview Virtual Interview: make sure you treat this interview as you would an in-person one by following all the advice mentioned in this document and make sure you know the following:
What software/platform will be used? Do you need to download this in advance and set up an account? Is there a test link available online for you to check the below points and practice? Do you have the login/link to access the meeting?
Never use a mobile phone – always use a laptop (make sure it is fully charged) or desktop computer.
Close all applications (that aren’t required during the interview) and make sure notifications are switched off on your computer so that you aren’t distracted.
Always check your technology is working prior to the interview including audio, video and internet connection. Use headphones to aid better audio quality if needed.
If you are going to be presenting during the interview, make sure you know how to use the screen sharing features.
Be mindful of your surroundings – ensure you are in a welllit, quiet place without distractions or potential interruptions – make sure your mobile phone is on silent.
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
Research This is an important part of the preparation process. You must make sure you have done sufficient research into three key areas:
The Company – the interviewer will ask what you know about the company and why you want to work there, so make sure you have done as much research as possible and have the answers to these questions prepared.
The Role – make sure you understand the role that you are going for so you can demonstrate that you have the relevant skills for the role.
The interviewer – Who is interviewing you? Do you know who they are, what they do and their position in the company? This will help prepare you for the interview in which you are about to take.
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
Presentation It is important to make a good first impression, therefore smart business dress and a high standard of personal grooming/hygiene is essential as well as being aware of your body language. Make sure you are well rested before the interview takes place so that you are focused and alert.
Clothing – make sure your outfit is clean, ironed and your shoes are polished. Men wear a suit, shirt, tie and dark socks. Ladies make sure your outfit is of an appropriate length, shoulders, chest and knees are covered and that your shoes are comfortable to walk in.
Personal grooming – Make sure you have showered and used deodorant. Ensure your hair is styled and neat – men may want to schedule their haircut a day or 2 in advance of the interview and make sure facial hair is groomed. Avoid wearing too much perfume or makeup. If you smoke, don’t do it before or during the interview. Don’t chew gum or mints during the interview. Make sure your hands and nails are clean and tidy ready for the all-important handshake.
Be aware of your body language: keep your posture open and positive - firm handshake with the interviewer and make good eye contact throughout.
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
Interview Questions The best way to prepare for an interview is to practice answering potential interview questions.
Some of the questions you will more than likely be asked include: Talk me through your previous experience? What did you learn/take away from your last position? Why are you looking to leave your current role? Why are you interested in this role? Why do you want to work for our organisation? How does your previous experience relate to this position? Why do you think you would be suitable for this position?
You will also be asked one or more of these questions – Give me real examples in your previous jobs of where you:
Worked to deadlines – Prepare 2 successful examples Good Customer Service – Prepare 2 successful examples Problem Solving – Prepare 2 successful examples Decision Making – Prepare 2 successful examples
Examples of questions & answers can be found at the end of this guide.
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
End of the interview It is important to close the interview on a positive note – re-iterate your interest in the role and ask when you will find out if you have been successful. Always ask questions at the end of the interview, this allows you to…
Get instant feedback from the hiring manager Have another opportunity to demonstrate effective competence if the interviewer has any concerns Allows you one last chance to sell yourself to the company and interviewer and make that lasting impression as “the right candidate”
Questions to ask your interviewer: What obstacles might I encounter? Can you describe your ideal candidates to me? What plans does the company have for expansion? When are you looking for someone to start? How many people are in the teams? Do you have any concerns in my ability to perform in this role
Remember! To back up answers with an example where relevant/possible. Never bad mouth your previous/current employer. Remain enthusiastic and upbeat throughout the interview. Never mention salary or the other employee benefits they may be offering (you should establish this before accepting the interview)
Above all, be yourself in the interview. You are given on average 1 hour to shine, use this time well and do your best - Good luck!
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
Examples of questions and answers Talk me through your previous experience? o Know your CV. o Be able to explain any gaps
What skills have you gained from previous roles? o What are your key skills? o How can those skills complement the job role you are applying for?
What did you learn/take away from your last position? o Always speak positively about your previous roles/experience o Always highlight achievements
Why are you looking to leave your current role? Be sure about your reasons. o Professional development o New challenge o Personal reasons o Again – always be positive
What are you looking for in your next job? o Try to reflect your answer around the role in which you are applying specifically o Never talk about money, always the specific role you are interviewing for o Companies love it when you talk about their brand and what their company can offer candidates. o Talk about professional development, increasing learning experiences, new challenges, product exposure, therapeutical/product areas & geographical coverage.
What type of career are you looking for? o What kind of career is on offer with the company and match your aspirations accordingly o Do not tell them you want to move from the job on offer within 6 months. They are looking for someone to step into the role for at least 2 years so ease their concern regardless of what lies ahead
Example: “I am looking for a long-term career with your organisation. My goal is to secure the job role currently available and learn as quickly as possible, so I am adding value to the organisation and exceeding my targets consistently. If an opportunity to develop into a different position becomes available in the future, I would hope to be considered by my line manager to it discuss further.”
Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time? o Be realistic but again commit yourself to the role you are applying and perhaps use the example above to tailor your answer accordingly.
What do you know about the position in our company? o Read the job description back to front o Know exactly what the job description requires o Match the skills required for the role with your own skill set – use real life examples o Always pitch yourself at the level of role not higher-level positions – remember they are interviewing you for this specific role so show your commitment for the role you are interviewing for.
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
Examples of questions and answers What do you know about our company? Make sure you have looked at their website. o Absolutely vital. Who are the company, what do they do? o Press feeds – what is going on with the company globally vs locally. o Example: mergers, acquisitions, new product launches etc. o Educate yourself. Knowledge is Power!
Why are you interested in this role? o Be sure about your level of interest. o Show interest in the company, brand, reputation, geographical coverage, product areas and of course the job description itself. o Be enthusiastic and passionate about your interest. o Use real life examples to demonstrate you are the person they want to hire.
Why do you want to work for our organisation? This is a great opportunity to impress the interviewer. o Know why you want to work for the company. o Brand, reputation, product areas, therapeutical areas, successful team, culture. o Never mention salary or other benefits they offer.
How does your previous experience relate to this position? o Be concise and be able to use real life examples to summarise your own working experience with the specific requirements of the job for which you are applying o Summarise skills, achievements and previous job responsibilities. o Always link previous roles with current in which you are applying.
Why do you think you would be suitable for this position? Why should we pick you? o Summarise skills and experience successfully. o Use your personal skills to show not only do you have all the technical expertise but also you have the personal competencies to complement the organisation culture. o Again, an opportunity to impress your interviewer to convince them you are the right person for the job. o Re-iterate interest in specific role, company, brand and team. Show your energy for adding value quickly and that you are only have long term interests in the role/organisation.
Where have you used these skills before? Impress the interviewer! o Know the skills they require by researching the job description and be prepared for this question. o Match relevant skills with your own skill set – Use examples.
Could you give me real examples in your previous jobs of where you… o Worked to deadlines – Prepare 2 successful examples o Worked under pressure – Prepare 2 successful examples o Good Customer Service – Prepare 2 successful examples o Problem Solving – Prepare 2 successful examples o Decision Making – Prepare 2 successful examples o Implementing a process – Prepare successful example o Leadership – Prepare an example of how you have led successfully
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae
Examples of questions and answers What are your strengths? and weaknesses? Back up your example with an example o Strengths – A great opportunity to sell yourself to your interviewer. Be sure about your key strengths o Weaknesses – Identify a weakness you can turn into a strength.
Here is an example, but please use your own: This tells the interviewer a lot about yourself in a positive way.
“Sometimes I ask a lot of questions when I start a new assignment which could be seen as annoying however it is only because I’m interested and passionate so want to get things right. Once I have the answer, I do not need to ask the question again.”
What computer skills do you have? o How have you added value to other organisations/roles by utilising your computers skills o Processes or systems implemented successfully – use examples o Be concise and know your skills. o Who are their distributors, what is the region and where are their head offices?
How would one of your friends/employer’s describe you? o Excellent question but be honest and draw on all the positive and professional things your friends and manager would say about you. o This is a typical HR question, and this should be prepared beforehand. Do not sit thinking about the answer. o Think – what would I want to hear if I was asking this question?
Example: friendly, professional, successful, honest, loyal, dependable, high integrity, Ethical, intelligent, Results driven, high achiever, team player, good listener, Good leader.
How do you cope in an environment with lots of different nationalities? o The chances of working in an environment where there are lots of nationalities in the Middle East is high so demonstrate that you are used to working in a multi-cultural environment and give an example of cultural awareness.
How do you deal with the communication barriers when dealing with people from different nationalities? o Good opportunity to demonstrate your openness, flexibility, patience, and willingness to help where required, training staff members etc.
Experts in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device talent since 2012 | kinetic.ae