Talk about a time you came up with a creative solution for a customer.
The medical device field is littered with brilliant minds that are coming up with creative solutions to helping patients find the best health possible and Boston Scientific stays at the forefront of innovation by way of their employees. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to get insight into your ability to come up with creative solutions to a problem. In your example, talk about your ability to see and diagnose problems and use critical thinking to help solve them. Make sure your interviewer understands that you have a critical thinking mind while also having the ability to work with others to find creative solutions.
"Last year in my current role, I was working with a customer on the design of a new injection mold for their new product they were planning on rolling out in the coming year. During testing, the plastic wasn't holding together very well and my customer couldn't figure out why. In meeting with them at their testing facility, I noticed that the wall thickness in the part changed drastically from 0.8 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters. Knowing that the quick change would cause weakness, I worked with their design engineers on redesigning the piece for a sturdier piece. The new design wasn't their preference, but I had to sell them on the fact it was necessary for the material they were using."
"As a person who has made their career in the sales world, my livelihood has also been predicated on finding creative solutions for my customers. A few years back, I was working with a printing company that was in dire need of new paper solutions for a particular line of printing. After meeting with their leadership and hearing about their needs, pricing was a major issue with the vendors they had spoken to so far prior to me. In hearing what they were looking for, I had to work with our sourcing and supply chain team to first see if we could obtain the type of paper they were looking for and then get them a price that beat their quote. In just a week, my team informed me we could get the product and sell it at the same price their best offer was. At that point, knowing we had other huge potential business with this client, I approached my sale director about pricing that would beat the lowest competitor and he agreed. Soon after our deal with the client, they additionally opted for our paper for several other of their lines based on our ability to meet their needs on a high-priority project."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Situation: As a researcher, my experience has been based on finding solutions to problems. During the third year of my Ph.D., our group multiplied from two colloidal researchers to nine. Our professor sourced the third fumehood and instructed me to install another of the same system so 3 could work consecutively. I contacted suppliers and organized the necessary glassware, stabilizing frames, and vacuum pumps. The vacuum pump was prohibitively expensive so I sourced a second-hand pump from the Bernal and had it refurbished by the technician's team. However, each schlenk line had 4 taps so I then reworked the vacuum tubing and bought stirrers and heating mantles allowing 4 reactions to occur in parallel at each fumehood. With the third system installed, 12 reactions can now occur simultaneously and there's room for all of the researchers. I then trained them on the processes of using and maintaining those systems.
Stephanie's Feedback
Excellent response! You clearly articulate how you were able to create a solution for a customer, providing just the right level of detail.
