IQVIA tries to accommodate employees' scheduling preferences as much as possible. Is there a particular schedule that would best fit your personal/family responsibilities?

"I am not married and have no children at this time. I am pretty flexible with my schedule. If I had a choice, I would prefer the late shift, as I am a bit of a night owl. However, I am excited about the opportunity to become a part of this team and am willing to work where I'm needed."

It's easier to plan a schedule you can agree on now than fix scheduling issues later after telling the interviewer what you think they want to hear. Be honest and direct. Being upfront with the interviewer about the schedule that suits your preference could prevent scheduling conflicts and help them fit you into your perfect schedule earlier.

"I am a single mom with two school-aged children. Ideally, the day shift would be a better fit for me. That would allow me to fulfill my work and home responsibilities without a conflict."

If you had your choice of a research project, what would you choose?

"Research is such an exciting industry. If I had a choice, I would love to work on a project dealing with cancer research. Cancer is a dreadful diagnosis, and I would love to have some part in helping to find better ways to treat and hopefully cure it."

The world of research is broad, providing those looking to experience different areas of specialty with great opportunities. CROs work with several sponsors and companies on a variety of projects. Expressing your interests will help the interviewer place you according to your skills or interest.

"I have always wanted to work in research, but I don't know if I have a favorite or preferred area. Things change so quickly within our industry that I feel like any area I work in would be exciting."

"I am very passionate about research. I would love to take on a challenging project. Recently I have seen a complex dataset of Alzheimer's disease which comprises 200000 data points. I am interested in finding all the insights for that dataset."

What do you think your best and worst qualities are?

"I would have to say that one of the things I'd like to improve about myself and that most people recognize about me is I always want to be the 'fixer.' While I know that this is not always a negative thing, I have often let the fact that I couldn't fix a certain situation trouble me. On a lighter note, I believe I have a positive, outgoing personality. I enjoy getting to know others and like to make them feel comfortable."

You want to show that you are self-aware and emotionally mature and recognize your strengths and growth opportunities in equal share. Explain how you strive to improve upon your self-perceived strengths and how you strive to turn your growth opportunities into strengths that benefit the team.

"My best quality is my willingness to work on any project I am asked to take on. My worst quality is that I am willing to take on too many projects at once. I've had to learn to pace myself and prioritize my tasks so that I am not overwhelmed, and my quality of work does not suffer because I am too busy."

"My best qualities are that I am a great mediator, mentor, and learner. I love helping newer employees and helping others to see a different perspective. I also like to teach myself new things and will put in the extra effort to understand, ask questions, and get the job done. My worst quality is that I am soft-spoken. I have always been rather quiet but as I gain more experience and confidence, this has improved significantly. I still may need to be reminded to speak louder but I never let it stop me from doing a presentation or speaking in meetings. I also encourage the feedback if people can't hear me and have been going to my local Toastmasters to get more comfortable with public speaking."

Have you ever had a disagreement with a boss or co-worker? If so, how was it resolved?

"I believe most employees have had at least one disagreement with a friend or co-worker. Although I consider myself to be pretty easy-going, I am also very passionate about my patients and the care that they receive. I have been aware of disagreements between other co-workers but like to think of myself as a peacekeeper. I feel like professional people should be able to discuss things logically and come to an agreement that is satisfactory for everyone involved."

On the job, disagreements happen. Being unwilling to compromise or find alternative solutions to a dispute can negatively affect everyone on a team. Your interviewer wants to know how you foster a team mentality through compromise and functional communication with your co-workers.

"I think the most common disagreements between myself and others have involved our personal feelings about how healthcare should be carried out. However, I have learned that, while our opinions are important, plans of care are designated by strict guidelines and with the input of everyone on the care team and the patient. Learning to respect those guidelines and patient wishes usually resolves any issues."

"I was in charge of a new hire that had previously been an intern. My test lead had a negative experience with this coworker while he was an intern and therefore always assumed the worst of him. I had given the new hire an email template for routing documents for approval. The example I gave was addressed to the manager of our department but for this particular document cycle, the manager did not need to be on it. I had given the new hire the order of people for approval and advised him to CC the next person so that they knew it was coming to them. He ended up sending the email to our manager with myself and my supervisor CC'ed. My test lead found out and got very angry with the new hire telling him to pay better attention and that now they need to do damage control. I disagreed with this treatment and had a discussion with him about his behavior. I told him that my instructions may not have been clear enough and regardless the manager will most likely just delete the email once we tell him to disregard it. In any case, this person was new and we shouldn't discourage him from making a mistake as long as he learns to correct it. My test lead agreed that he needed to be more mindful of how he treats new people and apologized to the new hire for his reaction."

What are your thoughts regarding people who become participants in a clinical trial but leave before the trial ends?

"Without knowing why a participant chooses to leave a trial, it would be difficult to say exactly how I feel about their exiting the trial. Some people become ill or cannot take the effects of the treatment and are forced to leave, while others simply change their minds."

Concentrate on the goals and potential benefits of a clinical trial and the missed opportunities for the trial participants and those conducting the studies. Be sympathetic to the participants and the common reasons behind them leaving before the trial ends. Ensure your response to this question reflects the professionalism and experience required of someone who has successfully navigated such terrain.

"I imagine that people who have worked with clinical trials longer than me may be a bit more opinionated concerning the matter. I think each person should weigh the risks and benefits before agreeing to a trial. However, it is understandable if circumstances arise that could not be predicted."

What are some things you would like others to notice about your personality?

"I think one thing people notice about me rather quickly is that I am light-hearted and easy to get along with. Life, in general, has enough tensions. I like to have a positive attitude and be the type of person others feel they can easily approach."

This question provides the interviewer an opportunity to get to know you. Remember, you want them to know the good qualities about you, but don't try to 'over-sell' yourself. Such questions provide insights into your personality and how you'll complement their teams. Be forthcoming with the qualities you feel could advance you in building relationships with your teams.

"Once people get to know me, I would like to think that they consider me to be a genuine person. Anyone can fake their way through a day, week, or even months, but I want to be considered genuine, dedicated, and kind."

"I have a tendency to keep an open mind and not judge others. This allows me to maintain positive relationships with coworkers and customers in spite of others' opinions. I also like for others to notice the effort I put in to solve my own problems, using all the resources at my disposal, before asking others for help. This allows me to bring forth all the information I've gathered on the subject so as not to waste other people's time and it becomes a learning opportunity for bits of information that I may need later."

Contract Research Organizations such as IQVIA employ people from many backgrounds with a variety of skills. Have you ever worked with a very diverse group of people?

"The largest diverse group I worked with was in my clinical rotation at University Medical Center. I was afforded the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, religions, and professional backgrounds. It gave me an eye-opening experience of how many wonderful people there are!"

In the healthcare industry, it is essential to provide effective universal care. When working for a CRO, diversity among peers and clients is expected. Some people feel intimidated when exposed to new cultures and beliefs. Show the interviewer you are open to meeting and learning about new people, with no reservations about becoming an integral part of a diverse team. Be positive with your response.

"I think diversity in the healthcare industry is essential. People from all over the world now call our country their home. I believe learning about and showing an appreciation for people from different walks of life only makes us stronger as we build upon the common bond of caring for others."

"I have worked on various cross-functional projects. One example is when I was part of a team creating an operational demo of new functionality for the customer. I worked with Systems Engineers to draft requirements and discuss the test group's input for the demo. During the development of the demo software, I worked with Software Engineers to discuss the interaction of the test scripts and the software GUI and controller. Having different skill sets involved helped provide different perspectives on the project and drive it forward."

If you were the person responsible for hiring at IQVIA, what characteristics would you look for in a candidate? Do you feel that you possess those traits?

"I believe that honesty is important no matter the job title. I have found that being honest with people creates an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Those qualities, I feel, are essential when building rapport with patients and co-workers. In the field of research, we have to hold one another to a high standard of accountability. We are responsible for reporting vital information to sponsors/companies and caring for the candidates involved in our research. Also, yes, I do believe I possess these qualities. I strive to ensure that I don't ask something of others that I am not willing to give in return."

This question tests your sincerity. The interviewer wants to know what qualities you think are crucial in performing this job. Also, your answer will inform the interviewer if you hold yourself to the same standard as you do others. If you want to see specific characteristics in your peers, you should be able to confidently tell the interviewer that you also possess those traits.

"There are many characteristics that I feel are important when considering hiring someone. I think personal accountability and a willingness to learn from and contribute to a team are extremely important in this role. I also believe I possess these qualities."

"I would look for someone who has a passion for IQVIAs mission and the willingness to grow. I think I embody these characteristics because I went into Biomedical Engineering for the same reasons IQVIA went into medical information technology, to create a healthier world. In addition, I am always willing to learn new things. I learned new tools and a new programming language to be successful in previous roles and I obtained certification to help me grow and be more successful as a Biomedical Technician."

What is something that causes you stress at work, and how do you try to overcome it?

"I think we all experience stress in different ways. The work-related stressor I have experienced most is not being able to give everyone the results that they want in a clinical trial. Although it is frustrating, I am also mature enough to know that if we don't succeed at something today, tomorrow we can try again."

Stress is inevitable no matter what profession one chooses. It's how we deal with it that makes a difference. The interviewer, therefore, is interested in how you control your stress and what methods you use to work through it.

"I think I cause myself more stress than any external event or situation. I say that because I put pressure on myself to succeed and see things through to the end. As researchers, we don't always get the results we are hoping for. I have to remind myself that that is why we do research."

"I get stressed when a task goes unfinished for whatever reason. I like for things to be complete but sometimes I need to wait for others to finish their portion. I overcome this by reminding myself that there are some things I can't control and focus on the tasks that I can do immediate actions for."

What makes you feel you have done a good job or have been successful?

"At the end of the day, I am happy knowing I have participated in a job/study that made a difference for someone. For instance, monitoring a clinical trial for a new medication with great results for the participants. That makes me feel fulfilled."

The interviewer wants to know how you define success. Everyone wants to have a sense of fulfillment or accomplishment in their work. Understanding what makes you feel accomplished tells the interviewer a lot about you and your work ethic. Be open about the things that make you feel like you have done a job well.

"I feel like any day I can go to work and give my best to my co-workers, patients, and anyone I meet is a successful day. Clinical trials happen every day. Life happens one day at a time. I try to live my life to the best of my ability each day."

"I feel successful when I have accomplished the tasks that I set out for myself for that day or if I have helped a coworker/customer in any way. In a general sense, making an impact on the health of society is what makes me feel successful."

While IQVIA likes to employ people who plan to work for us long-term, sometimes plans change. Do you anticipate any significant changes in your life within the next 3-5 years?

"I recently became engaged. Although we have not set a date yet, we have agreed to wait twelve months before the marriage. My fiance just passed the Bar exam and has been offered an opportunity to join an existing law firm. We plan to stay where we are and build a career, not just work a job. Also, we do not plan to have children for at least two years after the wedding. We both feel that becoming established in our careers and saving for our future would be the responsible thing to do before starting a family."

A CRO like IQVIA often has several projects for different sponsors being conducted simultaneously. Knowing your goals and any changes you expect in your life will allow the interviewer to evaluate if you are interested in having a long-term relationship with their company. If so, be sure to express this. With that said, they'll want to know of any life changes and how they might place you in positions that won't disrupt your plans. With a CRO, if you expect a move or other significant change, they may still offer you employment but within a project that fits your time frame. Either way, be honest with the interviewer. That will be beneficial to both you and IQVIA.

"My spouse is in the military, and, although I would like to say with certainty that I will be living in the same place three years from now, there is no guarantee. I am glad you asked this question because I want to discuss opportunities with IQVIA where I could be useful but may not be obligated for several years until we know if he will be able to stay in one place."

What made you choose a career in research?

"When I was a child, one of my friends was diagnosed with leukemia. I wanted to find a way to fix her. She eventually experienced remission and is still well today. I never lost my desire to find ways to help people, and research has one of the broadest platforms I could think of."

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. The interviewer simply wants to get to know you. Share the motivators in your life that prompted your career in research.

"Science was always intriguing to me. I was the kid with the experimental labs and the nurse kits. Finding a career in research was a natural choice for me!"

"I choice research long before I knew I had. In college, we do a mandatory research course before graduation. Instead of counting scales on snakes or reviewing countless journals to summarize others' research and call it my own, I went to the novel therapies department of my university. It was here I learned both translational and clinical research. I love the personal connection you get with your participants, I live staying abreast of the newest products to market and I live being closer to market and treatment than other types of research can provide. I have seen people desperately seeking help with no other options transform their lives with investigational products."

What advantage do you see in working on research and trials with a CRO rather than a large pharmaceutical company?

"I feel there is more job stability because CROs work with several pharmaceutical clients. If one project is dropped unexpectedly, a CRO can place an employee on a new project with a different sponsor."

The interviewer will use this question to get to know you and how you may complement their teams. It is an individual choice whether to seek employment with a CRO rather than a pharmaceutical company. You don't have to 'oversell' the CRO concept or 'downplay' a pharmaceutical company. Simply stating some of the reasons you prefer a CRO is sufficient.

"CROs are, to a certain extent, better shielded from the effects of economic decline than pharmaceutical companies. If one of their clients goes under, they still have other companies to work with."

If a patient participating in a clinical trial expresses a desire for the physician conducting the experiment to provide all their care throughout the trial, what would be the most appropriate advice?

"I understand that many patients prefer not to see multiple physicians. However, it is important for patients participating in clinical trials to be educated about the role of the staff conducting the trial. For example, the medication or therapy used for a clinical trial usually focuses on a specific illness/disease. It is important for patients to follow up and have continued care with their primary physician. Additionally, providers conducting clinical trials find it beneficial to communicate with the primary physician so we can work together for the best outcome for the patient."

The interviewer is not asking for 'facts,' but how you would relate directly with a patient making this request. Having a patient's health care provider work with the research team might prevent medicine contraindications. However, most clinical trials only provide short-term treatments for their designated illness or condition. Clinical trials do not provide extended or complete primary health care, nor are they designed to do so.

"I have always been taught that patients are advised to continue regular follow-ups and care for non-trial related medical issues with their primary care provider. Also, the research teams I have been a part of have always made it a priority to collaborate with the primary physician. First of all, it is a professional courtesy. Further, the open line of communication allows the healthcare team and patient to work together more effectively."

"I would recommend sending a Physician-to-physician letter to the potential volunteer's physician of choice. Additionally, the PI can reach out directly to the physician to discuss the trial, potential benefits and potential risks, and how the primary physician can assist with helping the potential volunteer make an informed decision. If a case is complex it may be important for the investigator to consult a participant's physician to determine eligibility and possible treatment after trial participation is concluded."

What would you tell a patient who asks what to expect while participating in a clinical trial?

"I believe in making sure that patients are educated regarding their care. For patients participating in trials, it is important to assure them that participants work with a research or clinical trial team, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals. Before the trial, the research team will check the participant's health and review any special instructions for trial participation. As the trial begins and throughout its duration, the research team will administer treatment and monitor the participant regularly to determine the effectiveness and side effects of the treatment."

The interviewer wants to know if you can distinguish the realities from the patient's expectations of care and communicate this. Patients need to be well informed before beginning any treatment.

"The most important thing is to ensure patients are aware of the trial's objective. For example, if a new drug is being tested, the objective would be that the drug is effective in treating the disease with little to no ill effects. Also, assuring the participant that the research team will work closely with them throughout the trial. Many patients are also relieved to know that the research team will work closely with their primary physician throughout the trial."

Why do you feel that participation in a clinical trial is a positive decision?

"I believe that participants in clinical trials play a key role in drug development and discovery. Clinical trials contribute to progress in treating and preventing diseases. Most importantly, participants can help others by contributing to medical knowledge and improving public health."

When sharing your opinion, support it with facts. That will convey your professionalism and experience.

"For many patients, participating in a clinical trial may be one of their last options for beneficial treatment for a disease."

"Every trial is designed with the intention to solve a problem. Simply put, the more people that participate in trials, the quicker we can find the answers and the faster we can solve these problems and potentially benefit the lives of everyone. There are many other positives but a frontline contribution to the betterment of healthcare and public health is for me, the most positive."

How would you explain what a placebo is and why it is used if a trial participant asks you to explain it?

"I would explain to the participant that a placebo is an inactive pill, liquid, or powder with no treatment value. I will further explain that in a placebo-controlled trial, some portion of the participants will receive a placebo instead of an active drug or experimental treatment to assess the experimental treatment's effectiveness and safety versus no treatment at all."

The interviewer will use this question to test your professional knowledge and communication skills. In this setting, a patient is commonly apprehensive and might seek to calm themselves by asking a lot of questions. Explain how you would communicate this point to your participants.

"I will tell the participant that a placebo is a liquid, powder, or pill that has no treatment value used in clinical trials to help determine the difference between the active drug or experiment compared to no treatment at all."

"A dummy drug with no clinical benefit (eg a sugar pill). A comparator to assess the true efficacy of the proposed treatment/drug under investigation."

IQVIA is supportive of our employee's continuing education efforts. Do you plan to go back to school?

"I am very supportive of people who want to continue their education. I feel like I have come to a place in my career where I am happy with where I am. Notwithstanding, if IQVIA has courses or certifications that are encouraged for employees to take, I would be willing. I just don't see myself returning to school for three or four years."

This is simply one of those 'get to know you' questions. While IQVIA may support an employee who chooses to continue their education, this is not a requirement. Share your thoughts on how you intend to pursue your goals and further your career.

"I have entertained the idea of continuing my education. However, circumstances have not ended with me in school. I love research and am very happy with my career at this point."

"Yes. I consider myself a forever learner. I am also at a time where my career in research is blossoming. Settling into a company I love and going back to school are my top two priorities."

Do you understand what 'expanded access' means?

"It is my understanding that 'expanded access' is granted, under certain circumstances, to patients who do not qualify to participate in a clinical trial of a regulatory drug. The drug used in expanded access cannot expose patients to unreasonable risks given the severity of the disease, and the patient must not have any other satisfactory therapeutic options."

Expanded access is the term used to describe how manufacturers make new drugs that are being reviewed and available under certain circumstances to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial. If you have experience working with patients who have been given expanded access, share this. If you don't have personal experience, share your knowledge.

"I have some knowledge about 'expanded access,' although I have not worked directly with patients who have been granted expanded access. The manufacturer must be willing to make the drug available for expanded access use. The primary intent of expanded access is to provide treatment for a patient's disease or condition, rather than to collect data about the study drug."

"Expanded access or 'compassion use' is a term used to describe a situation where a potential participant has little to no other treatment options available for a particular indication. The investigational product may be this participant's closest option to treatment and therefore should be open-label and pose no additional risk than had the participant not participated at all."

Are you familiar with the difference between diagnostic trials and screening trials?

"Diagnostic trials are conducted to find better tests or procedures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition. Screening trials test the best way to detect certain diseases or health conditions."

Elaborate on these differences. If you are not sure, it's ok to say so and ask the interviewer to differentiate for you. However, you should research the position to prepare yourself before the interview to come across as knowledgeable and as experienced as possible. There are a variety of working trials in research. Because there is such a variety of trials, there is often an opportunity to work on more than one. Many researchers prefer working on more than one trial at a time, giving them the option to learn more.

"Although I am rather new to the research industry, based on the names of the two trials you mentioned, I think diagnostic trials look for better ways to diagnose illness, while screening trials aim to diagnose disease."

"Diagnostic trials are great for establishing better testing practices or procedures. Screening trials are to discover better ways to screen for diseases. I have worked on a biorepository study that not only screened SARS-COV-2 variants but also tested different assays for faster detection of virus and viral load."

Do you know what pharmacokinetic studies are?

"Yes, I am familiar with pharmacokinetic studies. We always called them 'clinical pharmacology studies.' These trials are used to test the administration methods for a drug/treatment, its frequency, and safety."

Before your interview, brush up on all your on-the-job experiences, recent or not, and any indirect skills or knowledge that goes with the job, whether you performed those duties or not. Be able to identify different areas of study within clinical research when asked. When an interviewer asks a question like, 'do you know' or 'are you familiar with,' share the knowledge you have without embellishment. If you have little hands-on training, let them know this falls outside your scope but that you fully understand this aspect of your field.

"I do know about pharmacokinetic studies. They are sometimes referred to as clinical pharmacology studies. They usually involve between 20-80 healthy participants and are designed to test methods of administering the treatment (by mouth, injection, etc.) and how often, as well as the safety of the treatment."

Have you ever participated in efforts to secure funding for clinical research?

"I have some experience, but not a lot, in grant-writing. I worked with someone previously who did some grant-writing for a long-term care facility. I tried to learn as much as I could from her and would love the opportunity to learn more."

Clinical trials can be sponsored or funded by government and non-government organizations, philanthropies, and individuals. So the interviewer is asking if you have any experience or training in grant writing or other fundraising experience. If so, this could be a benefit to their teams. Share any knowledge or experience you have.

"Unfortunately, I've never had an opportunity to work in the finance side of trials. I understand that funding comes from various places, and I am not opposed to learning about ways to secure funding and offer assistance in any way I can."

Do you understand what a 'double-blind' trial is?

"A 'double-blind' trial is a clinical trial in which neither patients nor the study staff knows which participants are receiving the experimental drug and which are receiving a placebo or standard treatment."

This question tests your experience level in your field. It also evaluates your communication skills, giving the interviewer insights into how well you would effectively communicate the meaning of a 'double-blind' trial to a subject or participant.

"Yes, I do understand 'double-blind' trials. In this type of trial, like a controlled trial, one group of participants receives the experimental drug or treatment while another group receives a placebo or standard treatment. The difference is, in a 'double-blind,' neither the staff working the trial nor the participants are aware which group is receiving which treatment."

What is a 'controlled' clinical trial?

"In a controlled trial, one group of patients will be given an experimental drug or treatment, while a second group is given either a standard treatment for the illness or a placebo. It helps us determine the differences in the patients' response to the trial drug compared to a standard treatment or no treatment."

There are different clinical trials. When working in a research company that conducts trials, it is important to be fully versed in all aspects of your profession and be able to distinguish the differences. Share your knowledge with the interviewer.

"A controlled clinical trial occurs when one group of patients is given a placebo or a commonly used treatment, and another group is given the experimental treatment/drug. In this study, the workers conducting the trial are aware of which patients received the experimental drug and those who did not."

Regarding salary, IQVIA tries to be fair to all employees. However, salary is often commensurate with experience. What are your thoughts regarding someone working the same job as you being paid a higher rate due to experience level?

"I understand that years of experience are often rewarded with higher earnings. I feel, given the chance to demonstrate my knowledge and skills, you will find that I am capable of doing the job as well as some of the more experienced employees. However, I will not turn down an offer of employment because of a difference in pay based on my present lack of experience. With that in mind, what benefits are available for someone coming on board with your company with my resume?"

The interviewer is not saying you will make less than someone with more experience. This question is designed to see how you respond and how badly you want this position. If an employee is willing to put in the work and earn the pay increase, employers often see that as someone worth investing in. Also, most employers offer higher salary incentives to recruit more seasoned employees. Advertise your merits as worth that investment. This is a good time to ask about the beginning salary and discuss negotiable options, such as benefits and paid time off.

"While I do not doubt that my education and skills are comparable to those of employees at IQVIA in the same position, I understand and appreciate that IQVIA likes to acknowledge and reward employees for their years of experience. With that in mind, I am willing to accept a position at a lower beginning rate and prove myself worthy of a higher rate later."

"I have no issues if someone more experienced than me has a higher salary. They earned it and it proves to me that IQVIA will recognize me when I have more experience."

Do you understand what a 'control' or 'control group' is?

"Yes, I understand the importance of a 'control/control group' in trials. I assisted with documentation for a clinical trial when I worked at XYZ. Part of my responsibilities included monitoring the differences in vital signs of the patients who were given a placebo rather than the trial drug."

A control is the standard by which experimental observations are evaluated. In many clinical trials, one group of patients will be given an experimental drug or treatment, while the control group is given either a standard treatment or a placebo. Share the scope of your working experience and knowledge.

"I am familiar with the concept of a control/control group. It is my understanding that when a clinical trial is conducted, some participants are given the trial drug, while the 'control group' is given either the standard treatment or a placebo, but only the person administering the drug knows who is receiving which."

"A control group is a group in the clinical trial that receives the placebo or the standard of care drug, used as a comparator to the treatment group."

"A control or control group is a set of volunteers in a study that will not be receiving Investigational Product. This group's purpose is to provide a data set with an unaltered baseline or an already accept set of values to compare to investigational products."

IQVIA likes to encourage a healthy work/life balance. How do you maintain a healthy balance between work and your personal life?

"One of my favorite pastimes is writing. After a busy day at work, I like to journal or write articles for a blog that I author. Both of these forms of writing allow me to release feelings of frustration I may experience, especially after a stressful day or a difficult situation at work. The writings in my journal are private and my way of 'letting it all out.' The blog articles, on the other hand, are my way of using creative writing to share stories with my followers."

Psychologists today say that a healthy balance in life allows a person to recharge and refocus, which can result in better productivity at work. No matter what profession a person chooses, everyone needs some time to unwind and relax. The interviewer wants to know what you do for yourself. Maybe you have a favorite pastime or hobby. This is yet another way for the interviewer to get to know you as a person.

"I enjoy working out at the gym and take a kickboxing class twice weekly. After a good workout or class, I always feel like I can rest better and wake up energized and ready for the next day."

"I really enjoy cycling classes, cooking dinner with friends or my boyfriend, and taking walks along the harbor."

CROs work with multiple clients nationally and internationally, juggling time zones while adhering to tight deadlines. How do you manage your time efficiently?

"I have worked with clients internationally and understand the importance of accurate scheduling. Before beginning a new project, I like to verify the differences in time zones, what specific duties I will be expected to carry out, and the deadline for each. I then create a schedule on my computer with daily reminders that I check each morning to make sure I am on schedule."

Because CROs are contracted to work for other companies, details such as time zone differences can often play a role in scheduling. The interviewer wants to know that you can juggle multiple tasks within an allotted time frame. Share some ways you keep yourself organized during a work day and your approach to time management.

"I like to stay on track with projects. I am a visual learner, and because of that, I make a schedule on paper and keep it in a place that is visible (desktop/bulletin board, etc.). As I complete each task, I mark it off and move to the next."

Are you familiar with what a protocol is regarding clinical research?

"A protocol is the plan on which the clinical trial is based. It describes the details regarding what people may participate in the trial, as well as tests, medications, and length of the study."

Understanding the common terminology used in research is integral to the job. This may seem like a simple interview question, but the interviewer aims to glimpse the range of your experience. This question also tests your communication skills. Showcase your knowledge clearly and concisely as you provide your definition of 'protocol' to the interviewer.

"Yes, I am familiar with the term 'protocol.' In clinical trials, it is the guide or plan that describes how a trial is carried out. It lists what types of patients may participate, what tests or procedures need to be done, and the medications and dosages that need to be monitored."

What are some risks associated with being a participant in a clinical trial?

"One of the main risks many participants and the healthcare team are concerned with is potential known and unknown side-effects."

People specializing in research must understand the risks of participating in a clinical trial. Share your knowledge with the interviewer. Explain some of those risks applicable to your job description.

"One of the frustrating things about clinical trial risk is that participants may not know that they are receiving a placebo and, as a result, will not have the outcome they had hoped for."

IQVIA Interview Questions

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1. IQVIA tries to accommodate employees' scheduling preferences as much as possible. Is there a particular schedule that would best fit your personal/family responsibilities?
2. If you had your choice of a research project, what would you choose?
3. What do you think your best and worst qualities are?
4. Have you ever had a disagreement with a boss or co-worker? If so, how was it resolved?
5. What are your thoughts regarding people who become participants in a clinical trial but leave before the trial ends?
6. What are some things you would like others to notice about your personality?
7. Contract Research Organizations such as IQVIA employ people from many backgrounds with a variety of skills. Have you ever worked with a very diverse group of people?
8. If you were the person responsible for hiring at IQVIA, what characteristics would you look for in a candidate? Do you feel that you possess those traits?
9. What is something that causes you stress at work, and how do you try to overcome it?
10. What makes you feel you have done a good job or have been successful?
11. While IQVIA likes to employ people who plan to work for us long-term, sometimes plans change. Do you anticipate any significant changes in your life within the next 3-5 years?
12. What made you choose a career in research?
13. What advantage do you see in working on research and trials with a CRO rather than a large pharmaceutical company?
14. If a patient participating in a clinical trial expresses a desire for the physician conducting the experiment to provide all their care throughout the trial, what would be the most appropriate advice?
15. What would you tell a patient who asks what to expect while participating in a clinical trial?
16. Why do you feel that participation in a clinical trial is a positive decision?
17. How would you explain what a placebo is and why it is used if a trial participant asks you to explain it?
18. IQVIA is supportive of our employee's continuing education efforts. Do you plan to go back to school?
19. Do you understand what 'expanded access' means?
20. Are you familiar with the difference between diagnostic trials and screening trials?
21. Do you know what pharmacokinetic studies are?
22. Have you ever participated in efforts to secure funding for clinical research?
23. Do you understand what a 'double-blind' trial is?
24. What is a 'controlled' clinical trial?
25. Regarding salary, IQVIA tries to be fair to all employees. However, salary is often commensurate with experience. What are your thoughts regarding someone working the same job as you being paid a higher rate due to experience level?
26. Do you understand what a 'control' or 'control group' is?
27. IQVIA likes to encourage a healthy work/life balance. How do you maintain a healthy balance between work and your personal life?
28. CROs work with multiple clients nationally and internationally, juggling time zones while adhering to tight deadlines. How do you manage your time efficiently?
29. Are you familiar with what a protocol is regarding clinical research?
30. What are some risks associated with being a participant in a clinical trial?

IQVIA Interview Questions

1. IQVIA tries to accommodate employees' scheduling preferences as much as possible. Is there a particular schedule that would best fit your personal/family responsibilities?

2. If you had your choice of a research project, what would you choose?

3. What do you think your best and worst qualities are?

4. Have you ever had a disagreement with a boss or co-worker? If so, how was it resolved?

5. What are your thoughts regarding people who become participants in a clinical trial but leave before the trial ends?

6. What are some things you would like others to notice about your personality?

7. Contract Research Organizations such as IQVIA employ people from many backgrounds with a variety of skills. Have you ever worked with a very diverse group of people?

8. If you were the person responsible for hiring at IQVIA, what characteristics would you look for in a candidate? Do you feel that you possess those traits?

9. What is something that causes you stress at work, and how do you try to overcome it?

10. What makes you feel you have done a good job or have been successful?

11. While IQVIA likes to employ people who plan to work for us long-term, sometimes plans change. Do you anticipate any significant changes in your life within the next 3-5 years?

12. What made you choose a career in research?

13. What advantage do you see in working on research and trials with a CRO rather than a large pharmaceutical company?

14. If a patient participating in a clinical trial expresses a desire for the physician conducting the experiment to provide all their care throughout the trial, what would be the most appropriate advice?

15. What would you tell a patient who asks what to expect while participating in a clinical trial?

16. Why do you feel that participation in a clinical trial is a positive decision?

17. How would you explain what a placebo is and why it is used if a trial participant asks you to explain it?

18. IQVIA is supportive of our employee's continuing education efforts. Do you plan to go back to school?

19. Do you understand what 'expanded access' means?

20. Are you familiar with the difference between diagnostic trials and screening trials?

21. Do you know what pharmacokinetic studies are?

22. Have you ever participated in efforts to secure funding for clinical research?

23. Do you understand what a 'double-blind' trial is?

24. What is a 'controlled' clinical trial?

25. Regarding salary, IQVIA tries to be fair to all employees. However, salary is often commensurate with experience. What are your thoughts regarding someone working the same job as you being paid a higher rate due to experience level?

26. Do you understand what a 'control' or 'control group' is?

27. IQVIA likes to encourage a healthy work/life balance. How do you maintain a healthy balance between work and your personal life?

28. CROs work with multiple clients nationally and internationally, juggling time zones while adhering to tight deadlines. How do you manage your time efficiently?

29. Are you familiar with what a protocol is regarding clinical research?

30. What are some risks associated with being a participant in a clinical trial?