35 Medtronic Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our Medtronic interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.

Table of Contents

1. Behavioral Questions
2. Communication Questions
3. Direct Questions
4. Discovery Questions
5. Education Questions
6. Experience Questions
7. General Questions
8. Operational Questions

Behavioral

1. At Medtronic, we want to hire bold thinkers who find innovative solutions and creative ideas to help solve problems. Tell us about a time during your career when you brought forward a bold idea. How was it received?

How to Answer

Innovation and discovery often stem from a person taking a risk that no one before them has taken before, and in the medical device industry, breakthroughs in technology require this type of bold thinking. Medtronic wants to hire people who can think outside the box to find creative solutions to problems, and your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are willing and able to bring bold, creative ideas to the table if hired for the position. In your answer, talk about the thought process that led to your idea, explain how you brought it forward, and then describe the results. Even if the idea fell flat on its face, you can point out that you aren't hesitant to bring fresh ideas and new ways of thinking.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"A couple of years ago, my management team had taken years of implementing new practices in our warehouse to run as efficiently as possible. Knowing that more labor and material savings were still possible, I researched and pursued some great automation processes in our warehouse that would put us on the cutting edge of warehousing technology and efficiency. I created an RFP for our senior leadership team that highlighted the costs, benefits, and potential cost savings of us purchasing robotic, self-guided transport vehicles for our operation. My plan involved not cutting any labor but rather reducing our picking staff and putting more bodies in order processing to increase our output. After a trial run of six months, the results of the implementation of the robotic vehicles was a huge success and a venture into totally new territory for my organization."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"A few years ago, I attended a national conference for manufacturing engineers. I love these events to network with others in my field and get new ideas. After attending a presentation on the continued growth of plastics in the medical industry, I brought several new ideas for product lines back to our R&D and leadership team. At the time, we were a pretty small operation looking to grow our business by tapping into new markets. Within months, we had two new lines of products made for insulin syringes, and these new products doubled our company's yearly sales very quickly."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"S: In my current place of work, I noticed that a lot of time was spent on repetitive manual labor screening, collecting and filing time sheets

T: To save time and reduce paperwork, I suggested the replacement of handwritten time sheets with auto-generated call logs.

People resist change, and so naturally, I received push back from my colleagues and the administrator who argued it was standard procedure with all agencies she knew to use handwritten timesheets. I explained the benefits of the switch and how it could save time and money

A: I explained the benefits of the switch and how it could save time and money. We replaced them with call logs which were generated when an employee punches in and out

R: We were able to save cost and time spent on filing which could be redirected to other activities that improve client satisfaction while making work easier and more efficient for everyone. Save cost and time spent on manual labor like filing to make work easier for everyone."

Rachelle's Feedback

Perfect! Your answer is very organized and gives the hiring authority a lot of results to reflect on.

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Anonymous Answer

"In a previous role, I was in charge of budgeting for all travel and entertainment expenses within the team. To do this I had to reconcile expenses using the company's general ledger and our expense tracking tool. This became a long process so I created a spreadsheet with tabs for each direct report so when I approved their expense reports or a report from someone on their team each month I could add it to the spreadsheet and not have to go line by line on the general ledger. This spreadsheet also made it possible to forecast any travel for the year to ensure we would stay within budget. My boss was so impressed and loved that she was able to track how much was left in the budget at any given time."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! You've used the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) well here. It sounds like you came up with a smart way to improve a tedious process, which will undoubtedly impress the interviewer. Just remember to emphasize how innovative and creative you are since that's what the question highlights. Good job!

Behavioral

2. At Medtronic, we highly value the ability of our employees to achieve results. What do you consider your greatest achievement to date in your career?

How to Answer

Medtronic believes in doing what they say they're going to do and delivering the results with the highest standards. This question allows you to brag a bit to your interviewer by having you talk about your greatest achievement during your career. No matter what you believe that is, make sure that you demonstrate the hard work, initiative, and desire it took to accomplish that achievement. Let your interviewer know that greater achievements are ahead of you.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"As a relatively young software engineer, my greatest achievement so far is the project I just completed in creating a user-facing web app for my current organization. Upon being handed the lead on the project, I was given a very short time frame of four months for completion and a pretty standard budget. Through successful coordination and leading of a team of individuals and diligence in setting benchmark goals for the project, the project was completed successfully two weeks before the deadline and over $10,000 under the budget. This was a huge success for me personally and for my department. I think that this project prepared me well for bigger and better things in this role with Medtronic."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"With my current organization, I was recognized with the prestigious Sales Person of the Year award two years ago, and I consider this one of my greatest achievements in my career due to the dedication I put forth in achieving the award. With a staff of over 150 sales reps, I set my sights on the award as the New Year turned over. Knowing that 10% new customer growth and 25% volume growth were pre-requisites for the award, and for good reason, I focused first on gaining great new customers knowing that volume would likely follow. Through a focused approach to growing my numbers, I grew my new customers by 22% that year and saw a volume increase of almost 40% over the year prior. When awarded at our annual banquet in front of our entire team, the accomplishment hit home and made me realize that a focused approach to the daily grind of sales goes a long way in personal success and the success of the organization that I represent."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I completed the approval of a new power supply for various systems. This involved testing in all the applicable systems and backfit testing to an older version. This involved a total of about 6 test events where I was the test director and completed a test report for final approval."

Amanda's Feedback

You've shared a valid achievement. You can make your answer stronger by sharing how the achievement impacted the business or the customer in a positive way.

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Anonymous Answer

"My greatest achievement to date in my career is quitting my stable job at a pharmaceutical company and starting nursing school with two toddlers at home. I knew that it was a huge risk to my family, but I set a goal for myself and achieved it. During nursing school I worked at a dept store and sold Rodan & Fields to help bring in extra income. It would have been easy to quit at times, but I successfully graduated and became a nurse."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is an amazing accomplishment to be proud of and to share with the interviewer. Great work!

Behavioral

3. At Medtronic, we challenge ourselves to improve people's health. When have you pushed and challenged yourself outside your comfort zone?

How to Answer

The medical device industry demands forward-thinking individuals who can continue to do MORE. The interviewer wants to hear an example of a time you stretched yourself for a project or initiative at work.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I was working with clinics in my territory to promote our medical devices and kept hearing that our competitor was offering a better product that was more tech-savvy. I brought this feedback back to our R & D team, but I also had an idea on how we could differentiate ourselves from our competitor's product. I researched how to engineer something like this, even though that was far out of my scope as a salesperson. I was then put on a project team to explore developing this upgraded product. Our team was able to research, design, and launch a product that my physicians were excited about. It was the most challenging and rewarding experience!"

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"In college, we were given an assignment to create a marketing proposal for a local business. I did a mix of traditional and digital. I had seen a new technology mentioned the day before on a blog I subscribe to, and even though my project was due in two days, I decided to research everything I could find on this new automation technology. I didn't sleep the night before the project was due, but adding this new technology made my project stand out."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"In an effort to improve patient satisfaction and the quality of care our clients received, we decided to act on feedback we got that patients would like better communication with their health care providers.

I led an initiative to modify the in service training we give direct care providers to include a section that highlighted the importance of good communication with patients and helped them develop and practice communication skills.

This was a challenge for me because it meant added responsibility with driving and managing the project among my other responsibilities. Because, I initiated this change, I was responsible to drive it. , initiating meetings"

Rachelle's Feedback

Good! You provide a lot of information that showcases your ability to take the lead and challenge yourself.

"To improve patient satisfaction and the quality of care our clients received, we decided to act on the feedback we got that patients would like better communication with their health care providers. I led an initiative to modify the in-service training we give direct care providers to include a section that highlighted the importance of good communication with patients and helped them develop and practice communication skills. This approach was a challenge for me because it meant added responsibility with driving and managing the project among my other responsibilities. Because I initiated this change, I was responsible for driving it."

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Anonymous Answer

"As a new hire at my first job out of college, I was tasked with leading the testing of a new power supply on all of our systems in development or currently in the field. I was unsure if I was up to the task with being so new, but I wanted to try anyway. I figured if I was unsure how to do anything I could ask the more experienced engineers. In the end, I was able to successfully test all of the systems and get the final approval from the customer."

Amanda's Feedback

Terrific answer! You shared an industry-related example that illustrates your ability to take initiative, overcome discomfort, and achieve a positive result.

Anonymous Answer

"A time I pushed and challenged myself outside of my comfort zone was when I became a travel nurse. I loved my staff nurse position at the hospital but saw the opportunity to make more money and face new challenges by working at different hospitals and jumped on it."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a great example! What about the travel nursing position that challenged you or was uncomfortable? How did you overcome those challenges?

Behavioral

4. At Medtronic, we do a lot of cross functional team projects. Tell me about a project team you've been on and your role.

How to Answer

If you thought group projects ended in college, you were wrong! Most organizations have their share of project work on top of the day-to-day work. Walk the interviewer through a successful project where you played a big role.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"At my company, I was selected to represent my department in a larger project team to implement a new CRM system. We met weekly, sometimes twice a week, for about 12 months. My role was to make sure our old CRM system data was converted into the new one and was organized in a useful way. I collaborated with IT and the project manager for the new system to make sure the data was useful and organized. When the new system launched, our old and rich data was there and useable so that we could maintain relationships with our customers seamlessly."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"In college, we had to do a big project in my Marketing class where we created an advertising campaign for a local business. I was in a group with four people, none of which I knew very well. We started talking to figure out where people's strengths were, and there was a more technical person, one who was a good presenter and communicator, a financial person, and me, the creative person. We all had particular skills but came together to help on the different pieces. We pitched our idea, and the business we had modeled wanted to implement the majority of our ideas."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I was part of the production scale-up project team. My role was to validate a duplicated subassembly line in the cleanroom. We met weekly in the cleanroom for three months. I collaborated with the equipment engineering team to make sure all equipment got calibrated and set up correctly in the production. As the equipment is calibrated and set up in the assembly line and passed IQ. I started performing OQPQ with the Quality Engineering team. We then reported back to the Project Manager that the subassembly line is ready for production. As the duplicated line is launched, production is able to double its volume without any issues. It was a successful project."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a well-rounded response that reflects your contributions effectively. Good for you!

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Anonymous Answer

"My previous roles involved teams of various types of engineers. I would interact with systems engineers to review requirements for testability. I would interact with hardware and software engineers to discuss any defects I found with the system. Many of the documentation involved an approval from various groups and organizations. I would interact with them to gain approval and resolve any questions or comments."

Amanda's Feedback

I like that you describe the different professionals you collaborated with and how. You can strengthen your response by sharing what your role or job title was, how you interacted with the various groups or stakeholders to investigate/understand problems, build consensus, or delegate tasks.

Anonymous Answer

"I led a team at my current hospital to implement a training program for orienting to the OR. When I started at the hospital there were no guidelines in place so everyone's documentation varied. Through this project, we now have a successful training program for new nurses to the unit."

Jaymie's Feedback

You're off to a great start! What role did you play in this project? Be sure to take this opportunity to highlight your contributions to the project and your ability to work well among a team.

Behavioral

5. At Medtronic, we believe in continuous feedback so we can all improve. When have you received constructive feedback?

How to Answer

All companies need people who can take criticism and give it without feeling sensitive about it. Demonstrate to the interviewer how you have used a piece of constructive feedback to improve.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"In one of my reviews, I received feedback that I didn't delegate enough, and therefore, it seemed like I didn't trust my colleagues. I took that feedback to heart. I looked at my workload, which was high, and made some priority buckets. One bucket contained low-risk work, and I distributed it to my team. One team member did a great job, so I gave her some of the more complex projects."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I received feedback that everybody knows what I am thinking from my nonverbal expressions, especially in meetings. That was tough feedback to hear. That entire next year, I worked very hard to ensure my facial expressions were positive and neutral versus worried or anxious, no matter the content of the meetings. It was a tough exercise, but I'm glad I received the feedback, or I would not have known this."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I received feedback that I am passionate about my work and will go above and beyond to accomplish the projects. Sometimes, I would cover other people's part since I know how to do it fast and accurately. My intention is to get things done. Others might think that I took their shining moment. So, I took the initiative to show others the trick and get the job done more efficiently. As they have finished their parts, I appreciated their work and gave them full credits."

Stephanie's Feedback

This question unfortunately doesn't exactly answer the question. Were you given critical feedback? What was that feedback? How did you react and move forward? The response should focus on the way that you receive and react to feedback, and your current answer doesn't quite reflect that.

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Anonymous Answer

"My supervisor would tell me I need to speak up in meetings so that people could hear me. I always think I'm speaking louder than I am so this feedback helped me gauge how loud I need to be talking. Eventually, he complimented me on how well he could hear me while I was giving a presentation."

Amanda's Feedback

You've used a good example that illustrates your ability to take the feedback, make a change in response, and then go on to succeed based on that change. Consider improving your answer by sharing how this impacted your confidence and willingness to continue accepting feedback.

Behavioral

6. Medtronic is highly matrixed with US and global partners on our teams. How have you navigated this kind of environment in the past?

How to Answer

Working in a matrixed organization means you have multiple people you are accountable to, often with competing priorities. It can be complex to navigate in this space, so the interviewer wants to know if you can handle working in this environment.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Answer Example

"Currently, I report to a leader here in the US, but my functional leader is in the UK. With the time change, it can be difficult to reach each other, so I changed my hours slightly to be in the office earlier so I could talk more via Skype with this person. I felt like our emails weren't necessarily the most effective means of communication. I try very hard to keep my leader in the US in the loop about what I'm doing and make her feel included in my decisions. After a month or so of trial and error, I have a nice system down now."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"As labor & delivery nurses, we often have two patients that have various medical needs, and who often have different attending doctors. While the result of having a safe delivery is common - It takes much thought and prioritization when deciding who needs to be seen at what time, thinking about how each attending likes their patient labor process to progress, and keeping the charge nurse and surgical technicians in the loop about their progress also."

Jaymie's Feedback

While you haven't worked with global partners, this is a good, comparable example to share. It demonstrates that you can work well with other interdisciplinary team members to support high-quality patient care.

Behavioral

7. Tell me about a time you took initiative on your own.

How to Answer

Assure the interviewer that you are a go-getter and won't wait to be asked what to do. Walk them through a scenario where you took it upon yourself to fix something and didn't run to your leader with the problem.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I noticed we were taking at least two hours a week on a manual report that seemed to be a big waste of time. I started playing around in our system with the different reporting features and was able to test and customize a report that could take the place of the manual report. After my testing, I brought the idea to my boss, who made a few tweaks but was thrilled I had discovered a more efficient way to give customers the same information."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I noticed a huge skill gap in the team's use of Microsoft Excel & PPT. Because I come from a different industry, I had to utilize these tools a lot and volunteered to host a series of lunch & learns for anybody who wanted to brush up on them."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I will constantly go to production. Sometimes, I would see that production needs some fixtures or tools to help them assemble the parts more efficiently. I would initiate a discussion with my boss and present to him how the new fixture or tools could help increase productivity. I will not be shy to share my ideas with production and would definitely get feedback from them."

Stephanie's Feedback

This shows a high level of initiative, but I suggest focusing on a specific time when you needed to show this initiative. Do you have a specific instance in mind? This will take your answer from good to great!

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Anonymous Answer

"When I was a new hire, I worked on a project with two other new hires where we ended up struggling to finish dry running all the procedures due to a lack of knowledge about test setup and the overall system. I wanted to mitigate this for incoming new hires as I gained more knowledge so I took the initiative to create a test guide complete with instructions on how to set up the different systems for all the different types of tests as well as regular operation."

Amanda's Feedback

You've done a great job using an applicable example. Build on what you have by sharing if/how this helped the new hires coming behind you by improving efficiency, foundational knowledge, or ramping up their ability to contribute to the team more quickly.

Anonymous Answer

"While nursing is a very team-oriented career, it is also very autonomous. On each shift, I must take the initiative in helping my patient's labor progress in a timely manner. There are ways to not increase pitocin, or not change a patient's position to avoid having a delivery on my shift - but that is not something I would ever do."

Jaymie's Feedback

Since this example is more of a duty or expectation of the job, try to think of a specific example where you noticed a problem or issue and took the initiative to resolve it. Perhaps your manager was unavailable, and you noticed a patient in need, so you jumped in to assist, or maybe you anticipated a patient or family member's need or request and you took the initiative to be proactive.

Behavioral

8. Many of our projects have very strict timelines. Tell me about a time you missed a deadline or deliverable and how you handled it.

How to Answer

Everybody makes mistakes. It is best to pick a project where the missed deadline wasn't fatal, and you were able to recover and learn from your mistake.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"We had a new leader start recently. She asked for several different reports in a two-day turnaround time. She needed them for an executive meeting she was going to. One of the reports was very manual, and with my other responsibilities, I couldn't get it done in time. I went to her office and told her that I could have this complete tomorrow, but I couldn't finish it for her meeting this morning. She asked what I was working on, and I explained my competing priority. She recommended that I come to check with her to get help prioritizing in the future. I learned a big lesson that day about using your leader as an advocate for you. I should have gone to her first. I've kept this in mind in other scenarios when I've had competing deadlines."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"In college, I had a huge project due in my economics class at the end of the semester. I made a schedule that would help me get all of the pieces of this project done in time, but part of my project required outside data that I needed from a different university. There was a delay in getting this data, and it delayed some of the subsequent steps of my project. I ended up getting it just a few days before the deadline. As hard as I tried, I couldn't get it submitted on time. I was devastated. I called my professor, who understood, but I got a reduced grade because it was late. I learned that I should have chosen a data source that was more readily available and that I could have looped in my professor, who might have had another idea."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"When I worked at ____ Pharmaceuticals, we had a major product launch. A large order was missed in the EDI system when I left for the day. My manager notified me later that night that the order was missed. Luckily I was able to log on and process the order. From then on I made sure to always double-check my work before I logged off for the day."

Jaymie's Feedback

You're off to a good start! What caused the order to be missed? What was the breakdown? You did an excellent job showing that you were available for your manager to reach and took swift action to rectify the mistake. Be sure to share that you took ownership and apologized (if it was your fault). Small details like that in a response make an impact. Ending with what you learned and how you do things differently to avoid repeating the mistake is a great way to round out your answer.

Behavioral

9. Talk about a time you had to engage a colleague or a customer outside of your normal interactions to solve a problem. What was your approach to building a quick rapport and solving the issue as a team?

How to Answer

Medtronic promotes a culture of partnering with and involving others in their work, and your interviewer will be looking to gain insight into how you partner with others effectively in your work during this question. Think of a time you had to work closely with someone outside of your normal duties and explain the steps you took to gain their trust and respect to get the job done. Express to your interviewer that you are always willing to engage with others in your work to accomplish the task at hand.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"Being a successful Administrative Assistant requires reaching out and collaborating with new people frequently, and a great example of this happened a few years ago in my current role. My CEO asked that I help coordinate a retreat for the executive leadership team at my organization that involved outdoor activities and team-building practices. I partnered with a local corporate training firm and took the lead in working with a trainer from there to set up a program that would meet our needs. I took the initiative to set up a face-to-face meeting with the trainer, researched our needs, and laid them out for the trainer. Being highly organized got our first meeting off to a great start. I kept an open mind to the trainer's ideas and held tight to the things we felt were high needs for our group In the end, the training was a huge success, and my CEO commended me for getting everything set up with the trainer."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"Quality improvement requires collaboration every day, and I always look forward to working closely with healthcare leaders and front-line workers on improving quality care for patients. Last year, I led an improvement effort on patient waiting times in the clinic setting. For this project, I worked very closely with a Clinic Administrator who was very skeptical at first about what I could offer. Knowing this going into our first meeting, I told her what my role would be in the project, and I also pointed out some recent successes I had with her colleagues. After hearing about my role and seeing the successes of others, she was very willing to collaborate on the project that ended up being a huge success!"

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I'd found an issue in our requirements documents that, if not resolved, would slow down the testing progress and the ultimate delivery of the submarine. After a meeting with the owners of the documents, the discrepancy had been found to be unsolvable within my department alone. I reached out to the department who were the experts on the topic to ask them to review the requirements in question for accuracy. I expressed the importance of the situation and the department was more than willing to oblige."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a strong example that illustrates your ability to collaborate cross-functionally. Further improve your response by sharing what you did to build rapport such as identifying common ground, actively listening to others' concerns, avoiding placing blame, etc. You can also share what the outcome was after you reached out for help from another department.

Behavioral

10. Talk about a time you set a personal goal in your work and met that goal. What was the reason for setting the goal, and how did you achieve the goal?

How to Answer

Medtronic knows the importance of setting and achieving organizational goals, and every employee within the organization needs to be able to set and achieve personal goals in their work. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to see that you have the desire and drive to set goals and the vision to determine which goals will benefit your work. Make sure that your example demonstrates that you have those qualities.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"Upon taking my current role as a Quality Engineer, I quickly realized that the company didn't effectively track scrap rates for extremely costly raw materials. Knowing that the company was wasting a lot of money on raw material waste, my first project was to measure the scrap rate and do what was possible to improve it. I spent a month measuring incoming raw material versus the final production measure and found out that our rate was extremely wasteful. To get this rate under 5%, I worked hand in hand with the manufacturing folks on more effective processes to improve waste. We implemented new cutting templates and adjusted a few of the final production processes to improve defects. In just six short months, the rate was down to 4%. When I showed our leadership that the decrease in these rates saved over $500,000 per year, they were very impressed."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"A couple of years ago, in my role as the Marketing Manager for a large manufacturer of plastic products, the organization was focused on a new product line that would go into new markets outside of their current customer base. In the planning and goal-setting stages of the product line, I set the goal of sending out marketing email communications, letters, and presentations to 200 companies within the region that would be potential consumers of the products. I started with market research and assembled a small project team from within the organization. Once the targets were established, I developed communications and mailings that would go out and determined the target audience. In the end, I exceeded the goal by sending out communication to almost 250 companies. A few months down the road, our Sales Director told me that over 75 new customers that received my communications had placed orders. This was a huge win."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I was tasked with creating an operational demo for the customer. The demo was due in a few months and I wasn't sure how long it would actually take to create. I set a goal to finish the project in a couple of weeks so I could then work out the kinks in the following weeks. I set a few smaller goals of finding which files needed updating, updating a file each day, then testing the script. In the end, I was able to finish the project in 2 weeks and spent the rest of the time adding a few features to make the demo more interesting."

Amanda's Feedback

Terrific answer! You clearly lay out the goal, why you set it, the process you used to achieve it, and the outcome.

Behavioral

11. In the medical device industry, our teams must be cohesive so we can continue to drive excellence. Tell me about a time you gave feedback to a peer.

How to Answer

The interviewer wants to know that you aren't shy about giving feedback to your peers to help them succeed. Leaders show their true colors by mentoring and supporting colleagues, not just by supporting and training direct reports. Show the interviewer that you care about the development of others and aren't afraid to give feedback.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I noticed my peer was struggling with her communication with another leader. He would get very anxious and even out of breath when he told me about what was going on. One of the times he was venting to me, I listened and asked a few more questions to probe deeper. Through my questions, my colleague was able to think of a few different strategies to try when working with this person in the future. Questions can be powerful."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"We had bi-weekly brainstorming team meetings. One of my colleagues came across as really negative and would shoot down people's ideas. That deflated the energy in the team. I asked him to go for a walk with me, and I told him how his behavior was perceived. He was caught off guard by this feedback. However, because we were walking and our bodies were moving, it helped him calm down and hear me. He thanked me for pulling him aside and talking to him about it, and I could tell at the next meeting that he came with a more open attitude."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I was receiving a report from a colleague and noticed some important information missing, and some tasks that were not completed which could have affected the patient's safety. I explained the pertinent information to the colleague and the reasoning for its importance."

Jaymie's Feedback

Nice job! Approaching the person directly and addressing the situation is an excellent strategy to share. If you can, include soft and interpersonal skills as well (empathy, compassion, kindness, communication, interpersonal skills). Also, share the outcome of providing the feedback to your peer. Did you see improvements made? If not, did you escalate it to a manager?

Behavioral

12. Give me an example of a time you had to be extra diligent in order to meet a deadline.

How to Answer

Talk to the interviewer about your ability to act diligently on the job. The interviewer would like to know that you are a diligent individual regarding work-related deadlines. They want to hear if you are determined to complete your tasks on time or if you frequently miss deadlines.

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I am always diligent when it comes to deadlines. I am organized and prioritize tasks to meet every deadline with ease. My supervisor recently asked me to prepare a company newsletter. She originally gave me three days to prepare the newsletter but moved the deadline to one day for an unspecified reason. I stayed up until two in the morning working on the newsletter to meet the deadline, which I did."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I am always diligent when it comes to deadlines. However, I remember having an abnormally large special grocery order from a regular client at my former job. I was a little stressed about making sure it was perfect, so I put in a couple of overtime hours to meet the expectation. It felt great to deliver high-quality service."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"When working at the pharmaceutical companies, we dealt with product launches. During this time it was my responsibility to track customer's orders, pricing, and shipping status. All orders had to be placed by a certain time which required high attention to detail in a very fast-paced environment."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a good example! You can showcase your skills and abilities further by sharing specific details about strategies or techniques you used to stay organized and on task.

Behavioral

13. When have you been asked to perform a task in which you had little or no experience?

How to Answer

The interviewer asks this question to see if you have ever taken on a task or role you felt was over your experience level. They want to know if you ask questions when you are unsure of an assignment or if you work your way through it.
The interviewer wants to learn more about your problem-solving and communication skills. Describe a situation where you have had to perform an inspection-related task you were unfamiliar with. Explain if you asked questions to understand the assignment or if you self-taught your way through it.

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I am often asked to perform tasks outside my wheelhouse, including dispute resolution and interviewing potential new employees. I am a diverse employee and am happy to take on additional functions."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"When my manager went on unexpected medical leave for three months last year, I was asked to step into her position in the interim. I knew the basics but was certainly not trained on the specifics of the role. I was able to take on her tasks successfully by leaning on my team, reading a lot of policy-related manuals, and asking many questions. Once my manager returned, she was very pleased with my progress, and I was awarded a promotion."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am always willing to take on tasks in which I have no experience. I am not afraid of a challenge - but also not afraid to admit when I am unsure and willing to ask for help."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a nice balance of showing the interviewer you can admit when you don't know how to perform a task and you're not afraid to ask for help so you can learn. Good job!

Behavioral

14. At Medtronic, we pride ourselves on the unique service that we provide our customers. Talk about a time you provided excellent service to someone on the job that fell outside of your regular duties. Why was this important?

How to Answer

In the medical device industry, all manufacturers are producing groundbreaking products to help their customers provide the best care possible to their patients. In the industry, the service a manufacturer provides to their customers often sets them apart from their competition, and Medtronic emphasizes the importance of service in all they do. In your example, be sure to talk about a time you provided excellent service to someone and emphasize the extra effort you put forth. Let your interviewer know that the situation warranted your action and that you never hesitate to go the extra mile for your customers on the job.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"During my time serving as an Executive Assistant to several high-level execs, my service was a reflection of those that I represented. A couple of years ago, our Chief Operating Officer was offsite at a city council meeting presenting the financial impact that our organization was having on the greater community. When he arrived, he called me saying that he had forgotten the handouts for each city council member. I was about to leave work for the day to head to another function, but I didn't hesitate to take the extra time to gather what he needed and get it to him right away. When I entered the conference hall, the meeting was already in progress, and our COO was presenting. I passed out the handouts to all of the council members with a smile on my face, and I was thanked graciously the next morning for my effort."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"A few years ago, I was working on securing a new vendor for the cleaning products at our facility. Due to the sheer size of our organization, this would be a huge contract for the company we chose. We came down to a final list of two vendors. At that point, I invited representatives from each vendor on site. Each set of representatives would spend a half-day on-site, meeting with myself, our Environmental Service staff, and our maintenance staff to get to know them, their needs, and where their pain points were with cleaning supplies. Not only did this give the vendor the chance to pitch the best available products for us, but it also won us a great contract with bulk purchase discounts in the end based solely on our needs as a facility. The extra effort and service to plan the onsite visits were crucial to making this a success."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"In a previous role, there was environmental qualification testing happening offsite, about 2 hours away. During humidity, a few switches and servers got damaged. More tests needed to be run that month to remain on schedule and if replacements weren't provided, the testing would have to wait to start until the next week. After my usual shift, I drove the parts up to the testing site and helped my coworker test the operability of the system. This allowed the testing to remain on schedule."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a good example of how you went above and beyond the call of duty to help a coworker and keep testing on schedule.

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Anonymous Answer

"After the delivery of a baby, we have to check a glucose level within certain weight parameters. This baby didn't meet the parameters, and was asymptomatic - however, I had a gut instinct to check the baby's sugar. It was low and the baby had to go to the NICU. However, if I did not check the glucose - the low sugar would have gone undetected."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a good example to share. It shows the impact you made in the situation and how it improved the patient's care.

Behavioral

15. At Medtronic, our medical devices can truly change people's lives. Sometimes, though, a patient may have a question or concern about one of our devices. How did you handle a difficult customer interaction in a previous position?

How to Answer

The interviewer wants to know if you can handle the stress of a difficult customer interaction. The customer could be a physician group who uses the medical device or an actual patient who has a question or concern about your product. Show the interviewer that you can stay cool under pressure and resolve the concern.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I am a lead in our department, so I take the calls that are escalated or too difficult for one of the other reps to handle. I had a customer who yelled about how much money he spent on a device that didn't work. He was beyond the return date, so we couldn't give him a refund. I let him get all of his anger out and finish talking. I then asked him questions and always addressed him by his first name to build some rapport. I learned that he hadn't been to see his physician for a follow-up. We have relationships with the caregivers at one of the local facilities, so I was able to put him on hold and see when they had an appointment available. When I transferred him over to the scheduler, he calmed down a bit. It wasn't a perfect scenario, but I tried to treat him with dignity and respect and not take his attitude personally."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I used to be a waitress in college, and dealing with difficult customers was my specialty. My co-workers would always give me the cranky regulars because I had a way of working with them that made it look easy. One evening, I had a customer who was very upset with his food order. I listened to his concern and asked him if he would like me to bring him something else, but he kept going on and on and was getting quite loud. I apologized and told him I could give him a discount on his order or bring him another choice. He took the discount and left. Difficult customer interactions don't always end perfectly, but I feel I handled the situation appropriately."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I worked in a deli in college. We had a ticketing system that required us to do the orders as they come in. There was also a kiosk where customers could continue shopping while they wait. During a busy time, we'd ended up with all kiosk orders so we weren't allowed to take the in-person orders yet. Some customers started to get angry that we seemingly weren't taking any orders. I explained that we have to do them in order and right now the queue has all kiosk orders and we'll get to them as soon as we can or they can also leave a kiosk order and continue shopping. Some seemed to choose the kiosk route instead while others decided to still be angry but that was the best solution I could think of."

Amanda's Feedback

Good! You've used an example to share how you helped customers understand the order fulfillment process and then provided a solution to resolve the issue. You can build on your response by sharing how you attempted to see the situation from the customer's perspective and empathized with the frustration of waiting before sharing a means of resolving the issue.

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Anonymous Answer

"I make sure to listen to all of their concerns and questions actively and attentively. I typically use the ask-back method if there is something I do not understand. I then will give them solutions to the best of my ability, and promise to find answers to anything I am unsure of."

Jaymie's Feedback

You highlight several key communication skills in your answer that will be what the interviewer is listening for. Great job!

Behavioral

16. In the medical device industry, there is a lot of industry jargon and lingo and many acronyms to learn to understand the business. What are some strategies you've used to acclimate quickly when you've started a new job in the past?

How to Answer

The medical device industry is highly technical. Even if you aren't an engineer, you still need to know specific information about the product to understand the business. There is a learning curve for any new employee, but those who can pick up things quickly set themselves up for success faster.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"When I started my last job, I heard so much unfamiliar terminology in my first week, so I started making a list. When I had time to ask people or look things up, I'd add them to the list until I knew what everything was. My list became pretty extensive, so the HR person who does onboarding asked me if she could give it to new hires from now on because it was so helpful."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I love Google. In almost any environment, if you don't know something, you can use Google and go from there. I take the time to research outside of work the elements of the industry that I don't know to get up to speed faster. By the second or third week, I have impressed the people I work with by contributing to the business."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Communication

17. Tell me about a time you had to educate a colleague on customer using a detailed approach. What was the situation, and how did you ensure that your knowledge or expertise transferred to the other person?

How to Answer

Medtronic's mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life is accomplished in many creative ways. The organization firmly believes that the education of staff, partners, and customers goes a long way in helping them achieve its mission, and Medtronic expects its staff to be able to educate others in their areas of expertise. Think of a time you had to provide a learning opportunity to a colleague or customer and thoroughly explain how you made sure the learner walked away with all of the knowledge they needed. Explain your approach to educating others and why you feel your approach is important.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"In a field sales role for the last five years, I have prided myself on my ability to educate the staff in the surgery centers I currently call on. I expect to be the expert on the products I'm selling. When I meet with the surgeons, techs, and nurses, I thoroughly explain the features and benefits of our new products, how they are used, and how they can benefit the work they do and the patient outcomes they are striving for. With surgical instruments, it is important that the people using them have the opportunity to put them in their hands, see how they feel, and use them on some dummy material that I bring with me on sales calls."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"Last year, my department hired two new manufacturing engineers to join our team. Before their coordinated start dates, I created a two-week customized training program for each of them. The customization was necessary because one of the hires was an experienced engineer we poached from a competitor, and the other was a new graduate. I ensured that I had a lot of 1:1 time with the new graduate to learn about our processes, machines, and the people around the facility. When training him, I used a hands-on approach to learning our floor equipment and common repairs that were needed. This customized approach got both new engineers up and running in time for our large expansion project."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My previous roles involved different lab configurations that could get confusing. To mitigate any confusion for new hires, I created a test guide that involved explanations like how to set up the switches/servers, which ports needed to be open, what equipment needed to be on, and any simulations that needed to be running. To test their knowledge I would give them the procedure to see how far they could get on their own. This not only helped them learn but also helped me make the procedure more intuitive."

Amanda's Feedback

Great answer! You've used a specific example, shared the approach you used, and also related the outcome. You can strengthen your response by telling the interviewer how you follow up to ensure the knowledge had been fully grasped by the new hire.

Direct

18. This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?

How to Answer

The interviewer wants to make sure they answer all of your questions about the company or job role during the interview. It is best to ask at least a question or two, showing the interviewer your eagerness to learn all you can. Of course, you want to review the job announcement and research the company beforehand so you are not asking questions that could be answered during your research.

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

1st Answer Example

"Thank you for asking. Yes, I do have a couple of questions. First, when would you like to have this position filled? And second, are there any required qualifications you do not see on my resume?"

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"Yes, I do have a few questions. Thank you for asking. Could you please describe the company culture? Also, do you have any hesitancy in offering me the position?"

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

Direct

19. What do you know about Medtronic's corporate citizenship programs? Would you be willing to participate voluntarily in any of the programs?

How to Answer

As part of its mission to contribute to human welfare around the globe, Medtronic puts a significant amount of effort and resources into corporate citizenship programs that benefit people in many ways. Programs include environmental stewardship, sustainability, corporate philanthropy, disaster relief, corporate ethics, and employee wellness. Do your research on the different programs Medtronic funds and speak to the ones that hit home with you. Be sure to show a willingness to contribute in whatever way possible to the things you believe in.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"After applying for this position and researching your organization in more detail, I was very excited about the prospect of coming to work for a company that puts such significant effort into human wellness efforts around the world. It's easy to see that the organization cares for its staff with great wellness and advancement programs. But what struck me were the efforts to provide disaster relief and access to healthcare in parts of the world where people don't often see these benefits. Having served in the Peace Corps for two years out of college, I gained some of the best experiences of my life living in Peru and helping people in need. I also gained some great lifelong friendships from this experience, and I'd look forward to helping to contribute to global efforts with Medtronic."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I loved seeing the efforts that Medtronic puts into environmental stewardship and reducing their carbon footprint. I believe that we as humans today are determining the fate of our planet by how we treat it day to day, and I want to work for and represent an organization that puts every effort forward to do this. Promoting less energy usage, less water usage, and less greenhouse gas emissions are something that I certainly take pride in doing in my personal life, and I would bring a lot of great ideas and thoughts into helping Medtronic's efforts."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

View This Question and Answers

Discovery

20. What interests you about working in the medical device industry?

How to Answer

The interviewer wants to hear your passion for the industry. Demonstrate that you feel value in the devices that could positively impact somebody's life.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I have always wanted to work in an innovative and cutting edge industry. It has been fun to see how medical technology has been able to save lives. It would be fun coming to work every day knowing you are doing something to better people's lives."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"As a new graduate, I have been exploring many different industries, and the medical device industry is my number one choice. I considered going into medicine, but I love the business side of things, and I can utilize those skills to help people's quality of life."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"What interests me the most about working in the medical device industry is to see how modern medical technology can save more lives and improve the quality of people's life. When I worked in my previous company, one of my colleagues had to undergo heart surgery and they used the company's product. If without all these, I thought I would not see my good colleague again."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is an excellent response and really highlights your personal connection to the medical device industry. I suggest closing out this response with a concluding sentence, such as "I am passionate about contributing to an industry that is making such a positive impact and saving lives."

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Anonymous Answer

"I have always been interested in the medical device industry and the opportunity to help people. I originally wanted to be a nurse but switched to Biomedical Engineering due to the fun of problem-solving and innovation."

Amanda's Feedback

Your interest in helping others is clear in your response, but you can make your answer more impactful by sharing how you see medical devices improving quality of life in the future or addressing medical issues in a new way that expands access to care, simplifies healthcare, or reduces costs.

Education

21. At Medtronic, we value professional development and education. What was the last learning opportunity you participated in?

How to Answer

The interviewer wants to know if you seek to learn new information when given the chance. Many organizations offer continuing education, but some people don't take advantage of it. Show the interviewer that learning new information is important to you and explain how it could benefit the organization.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I am so glad to learn that you support continuing education. The last opportunity I had was two months ago. It was a panel of speakers on how AI is and will continue to change our work. It was fascinating. I talked to a few of the speakers after and learned about the systems they are using so I can bring it back to my company for further discussion. This kind of technology would help us be more efficient in many areas."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I continuously relied on another colleague to do all of my design work. Her workload is full, and it would be much faster to do it myself. I asked my leader if I could take a two-day course to learn the design platform. She agreed, so I attended and learned a lot. I needed to do some additional practicing during my own time, but I was excited about it, so it didn't feel like work. Now, I can finish my work much more quickly since I can also do the design part."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I love learning new things and sharing what I've learned with others. In a previous role, we transferred our software files over to GitLab. This involved not only learning about version control but also how to fix mistakes. If I ever ran into issues where I committed the wrong version of a file, I enjoyed being able to find solutions and to share those solutions with others if they came across the same problem."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a good start because it shares your love of learning. However, your example is more focused on how you adapted to a change. You can improve your response by relating the professional training, conference, or educational opportunity you experienced and how it improved your ability to impact the business.

Education

22. In the medical device industry, a background in science is helpful so you can learn how our products work and help save lives. Tell me more about your background in health sciences or anatomy.

How to Answer

At Medtronic, every employee has to have basic knowledge of what the medical devices do; if you don't understand basic anatomy and the medical conditions associated with the devices, you can't see the big picture. Tell the interviewer about your background in human anatomy or science so they see your intellectual horse-power.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Answer Example

"I started my college career wanting to be a physical therapist. I took all of the basics in chemistry, biology, and anatomy. As I went on, though, I realized that my passion for business outweighed my passion for hands-on patient care."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"When I was in college, I took classes in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, and Biology. After I joined Boston Scientific and worked as a manufacturing engineer, I have become curious about medical device products and human anatomy. I would search online and looked at some of the medical device products that work and how they improve our lives. At the same time, I would search online about the human body, refresh my memory, and re-educate myself about the different functions of the human body."

Stephanie's Feedback

You do a great job of highlighting your previous coursework in health sciences and anatomy. You may wish to add a conclusion sentence to this response, such as, "While I have a solid understanding of health sciences and anatomy, I am always eager to learn more."

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Anonymous Answer

Stephanie's Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Throughout my degree, I took a class in anatomy and physiology with accompanying labs and a class in cell biology. These were some of my favorite classes because I enjoyed learning how everything works in the body and why. It was also interesting to relate what I'd learned to my daily life."

Amanda's Feedback

Perfect! You did a great job sharing the details of your science education and why you enjoyed learning and applying it.

Experience

23. Have you had any direct experience working with quality initiatives in your field or had specific training in quality?

How to Answer

In the medical device industry, quality is job one when it comes to providing high-quality products to hospitals and clinics that save patients' lives every day. No matter the career path you have taken, you've more than likely taken part in a quality initiative or have received direct training in quality in your work. Talk to your interviewer about your experiences or training and highlight why a focus on quality is important in your work. Stress that you are always focused on quality in your work and that you'd bring that approach if hired by Medtronic.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Answer Example

"A few years ago, my organization sent me and a few colleagues to a Quality in Sales training that focused on the importance of relationship building and problem-solving for customers. The relationship-building aspects we focused on were understanding needs and showing empathy towards customers and then using those things to leverage sales. The quality aspect of the training came through taking a methodical and focused approach to selling to customers. After the training, my colleagues and I presented the fresh new approach to our sales staff at a quarterly sales meeting, and we were commended for our efforts. I am now 100% focused on bringing this quality approach to my interactions with my clients daily, and I'd love to bring this approach to work here at Medtronic."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"S: Yes, I have had experience and training in Quality. I work in the healthcare industry, which is heavily regulated.

T: We have periodic internal and state audits to ensure compliance.

A - R: I was trained by QAs and worked with them through a successful state audit last year. I also work closely with QAs as a data analyst to ensure quality and complete data for analysis. I recognize that data quality/ data integrity is key to ensuring usable, accurate and actionable information.

I focus on quality and compliance when completing my daily tasks and in my interactions with clients daily, and I'd love to bring this approach to work here at Medtronic."

Rachelle's Feedback

It's great to see that you are practicing the S.T.A.R method in your interview answers. Well done!

Experience

24. At Medtronic, our medical device products touch lives throughout the world. We have offices in over 20 countries. Tell me about your experience working with a global workforce.

How to Answer

In global companies, there are many nuances. The EQ and exposure to working with people in other countries are important to create community and understanding. Highlight any experiences you've had and highlight your excitement about working in a global environment.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I have learned so much from the global experiences I've had so far. One of the biggest things I learned is that words mean different things to different people. I try not to use expressions or slang terms when working with people in other countries because the translation doesn't come through. I speak slowly, clearly, and use simple words to make sure we understand one another."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I haven't had the opportunity to work in a global organization yet, but this is one of the reasons I'm excited to work at Medtronic. I went to a college with many international students, and I learned a great deal about cultures and traditions in other countries. I learned a lot about listening to understand versus talking to be heard. If you give me the chance, I could represent Medtronic in a very positive light to global colleagues."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

General

25. What is one area of expertise you would bring to this position that we may not see on your resume?

How to Answer

Medtronic is committed to being experts in what they do as an organization, and they expect their employees to bring levels of expertise to their roles. This question is an opportunity to humbly brag about a specific area of expertise or knowledge that could be unique to the role you are interviewing for. Be sure to do as much research as you can on the role and match your unique skill or ability to the job you are interviewing for.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"Last year, I took part in a two-day Sales Presentation training course where I learned to use effective presentation skills when selling products on a 1:1 or group basis. In this role as a Field Sales Rep, it sounds like presenting new products and highlighting features and benefits uniquely and effectively would be very beneficial to the success of the product in the market. I would look to use these presentation skills to advance the neurological product line here at Medtronic."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I think my Market Research training and certificate would greatly benefit the team here at Medtronic. With that training, I could bring advanced skills in measuring and analyzing customer preferences and using that data for brand positioning to the team here. With the amount of new and innovating products being churned out, market research is vital to success and efficiency in the marketplace."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"In my previous job, I had the opportunity to apply some of the skills I acquired during my vast experience in pharmaceutical companies. I benefited from my MBA, and I applied Six Sigma methodology to help my sales team overcome and learn how to solve problems. I set the DMAIC phases to identify the problem along with ways to solve it. I would use these skills to advance the coronary and RDN business."

Kevin's Feedback

Your response looks good; however, they are looking for something specific, and you have listed several things that are already listen on your resume. Your resume landed you the job. This interview is you chance at getting through to the next tier. Don't rely on the skills listed on your resume to get you there.

"“When I was working as a sales manager, I used the skills I acquired to customize my own six sigma methodology to my work processes. By applying this to my own systems to ensure my performance is above and beyond, while decreasing in my process variation helps me lead by example, leading to improvement in profits through team collaboration and employee morale, thereby affecting the quality of our products and services. Together, we solved problems, from utilizing the DMAIC phases to beyond. I pride myself on my work ethic, integrity, and seizing every kaizen opportunity available to me. These are the unique skills I’d bring with me to Medtronic.”"

General

26. How do you want to grow your career within the medical device industry?

How to Answer

The interviewer would like to hear that you would like to stay with the company as you develop new skills. Tell the interviewer your long-term goal, but make sure it aligns with where the company is going.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I noticed at Medtronic that you have offices in over 20 countries. That is exciting to me. I'd love to be in this role for several years, but after that, I could use the skills I've learned to work in one of your global locations. I'd love to work overseas for a few years and then come back to a leadership role."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"One of the elements of Medtronic that I love is the career growth opportunities. I'd love to take the knowledge I'll gain in this role and move to the sales organization to be the person in front of clinicians, showing them the great things our devices can do. When you are selling something you believe in, it doesn't feel like selling; it just feels like helping people."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I see there are different products within Medtronic. I like to work at the current positions for several years. I would like to become an NPI manufacturing engineer working closely with R&D and process development engineers. I am also interested in becoming a project manager because I am good at managing time and getting things done. I will see what opportunities are available."

Stephanie's Feedback

You do a good job of illustrating your interest in the medical device industry, as well as the ways you're hoping to grow your career.

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Anonymous Answer

"I was originally interested in Medtronic to work with insulin pumps, however, after more research, Medtronic does so much more. I would love the opportunity to use my skills to advance other technologies in the medical field, especially in software development."

Amanda's Feedback

Your passion for technology and the medical device industry is clear in your response. You can expand on your answer by telling the interviewer about how you see software development or other technology helping you grow as a professional or advance into a more challenging role.

General

27. At Medtronic, we recognize the personal worth of our employees, and we give our employees opportunity to advance in their careers. What are your ultimate career goals?

How to Answer

Medtronic puts time and resources into educating, developing, and promoting the careers of their staff, and your interviewer will be looking to gain insight into what your ultimate career goals are. For your answer, you'll have to show dedication to the job you are interviewing for while showing a drive to succeed in bigger and better things. Be honest about your career goals down the road and talk about any succession planning you have already done to achieve those goals. Be sure to research Medtronic to ensure that your personal career goals line up with a future career with the organization.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"After my discharge from the military, I used my experience there to pursue a career in warehousing. My personal goal is to someday prove my worth and knowledge in the field and be promoted into a Warehouse Manager or Director position. To make this goal come true, I am now actively pursuing my bachelor's degree in Business Management part-time, and I'd look to pursue an MBA part-time after that."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"Having worked field sales in another industry for a few years and now looking to delve into the medical device industry, I would like to become a territory or product line sales manager. I am a natural leader who has developed and implemented many great sales and service strategies, and I'd love the bring these ideas to leading a sales staff in the field. If hired for this position, I would be focused on learning the medical device field and becoming a successful sales rep here at Medtronic. I would look to prove my skills as a salesman and my ability to lead those that I work with to get to achieve my career goals."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My personal goal is to focus on supporting and improving the quality of the products. I would like to keep on educating myself and learning new skills. My ultimate careers goals are to become an NPI manufacturing engineer and transfer new products from R&D to production."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a thoughtful and well-rounded response. You have clearly given thought to your future career goals and which areas you're most passionate about working to develop.

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Anonymous Answer

"My ultimate career goal is to work with medical devices in a way that I can impact peoples' lives every day. With test automation becoming more prevalent in test engineering, my goal is to educate myself on test automation and software development to better test medical devices in a cost-effective and timely manner."

Amanda's Feedback

Terrific! You've shared your end goal as well as how you see yourself reaching that goal by gaining expertise in test automation and software development. You can also strengthen your response by telling the interviewer if you see yourself taking leadership in a new way or moving into a more challenging role/job title to achieve your ultimate career goal.

General

28. Medtronic was voted a best place to work. What kind of working environment do you thrive in?

How to Answer

Every work environment is different. The interviewer wants to get a sense of your preference for the atmosphere in which you'll be working. Be honest, but also demonstrate flexibility since you'd don't yet know what the environment is like.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"I can adapt to most work environments. I've been in very chaotic, noisy environments and can thrive with some strategies to help me focus, like my headphones. In other positions, the atmosphere was quiet. I gravitate to collaborative environments that are not too quiet so people feel like they can ask questions and interact with each other."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"In my internships, I had exposure to many different settings. I prefer a busy, fast-paced environment to keep me on my toes. I also like when there are many people around so I can ask questions if I need."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I can adapt to different working environments. I prefer to work in an environment that allows people to come together and discuss ideas and issues freely in the cubicles. If the environment is too noisy, I could wear my headphone or book a meeting room to finish my work."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a great start, but I suggest adding a concluding sentence to re-emphasize your flexibility and ability to adapt to different types of environments.

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Anonymous Answer

"I thrive in a collaborative environment where everyone is working towards a common goal. I enjoy encouraging others to do well and supporting them to reach their goals and enjoy working with people who do the same. I also enjoy the opportunity to work and learn on my own and ask questions as they arise."

Amanda's Feedback

Fantastic! You've shared the kind of team environment you like best. You can also share more information about other workplace environment aspects that help you thrive such as specific leadership or management styles, training preferences, work-life balance options, your physical workspace layout, or how employee performance is recognized.

General

29. Medtronic wants you to be able to find personal satisfaction in your work if hired. What provides you satisfaction in your work, and what could Medtronic do to foster that?

How to Answer

Having staff members that are engaged in their work and happy in what they do daily is vital to the success of any organization, and Medtronic fully realizes this. For this question, your interviewer is looking to dive deep into what makes you tick as a potential employee and how they can best provide a work environment that is both stimulating and enjoyable for you. In your answer, be open and honest with your interviewer about what is important to you in your work and what makes a work environment truly enjoyable. Focus on the products that Medtronic makes and who benefits from those products.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"The best work environment is collaborative and open to new ideas. I am a people person and thrive on banging heads together to make a difference in people's lives. I must believe in the products that I am helping design and manufacture, and Medtronic certainly meets that need with the awesome line of innovative products that positively influence the health and well-being of people worldwide."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"Satisfaction in my work comes from truly loving what I do. I am passionate about sales and helping my customers find solutions to their needs, and the product line that I'd be working with here at Medtronic would keep me engaged and producing at a high level. Having a parent that suffered from major spinal cord issues later in life due to a work accident, I'd be very passionate about the spinal cord stimulation line of products and helping physicians around the region better the lives of their patients through this product line."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I like working in a collaborative working environment. People are open-minded and not afraid of sharing thoughts and ideas. I believe that technology could improve patients' lives. It is vital to me that I believe in the products that my support will improve the patients' lives. I believe that Medtronic has many innovative products that will positively influence the health and well-being of people worldwide."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response--this absolutely highlights your interest in Medtronic and alignment with the company's values and goals.

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Anonymous Answer

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response--this absolutely highlights your interest in Medtronic and alignment with the company's values and goals.

Anonymous Answer

"I find satisfaction in working collaboratively with a team to achieve the common goal of improving lives through innovation. Medtronic develops devices that help improve people's lives through quality medical device development. This is something I look for in a company and why I think Medtronic is the perfect fit for me."

Amanda's Feedback

Great answer! You've clearly and concisely answered the question. You can further strengthen your response by sharing how the company could empower you to contribute toward innovation or help improve the quality of life for others through opportunities like additional training, collaborative projects, or industry conferences.

General

30. Tell me about an organization or group you have contributed to outside of work.

How to Answer

Many hiring managers will choose one candidate over another because of their volunteer experience. They feel that it shows strong character and selflessness - all qualities that make a great employee. Talk to the interviewer about your willingness to give back to your community in some form of volunteerism. If you do not have formal volunteer experience, you can draw on things you do in your spare time to assist friends, family, or even your current employer.

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I have not formally volunteered in recent years. However, I spend a lot of time helping my sister, a single mom. I will babysit on weekends, cook dinners for her, and drive the kids to appointments when necessary. I feel it is essential to take care of my family's needs."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"For the past eight months, I have volunteered every Wednesday evening at our local animal shelter. I help groom, feed, and walk the animals. It's been an enjoyable and rewarding experience."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

General

31. At Medtronic, we believe in finding the most efficient ways of doing things. How have you used technology to be more efficient?

How to Answer

Think about ways you have to utilize technology to the fullest. You should also mention how you have learned something new and added value with the new tool.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

1st Answer Example

"We just implemented all of the Office 365 tools. There are so many programs in that suite, so in my free time, I've been studying them to determine how we could incorporate these tools into our process. I found a scheduling app that I am testing now to save some of the back and forth with clients as we schedule conversations. It has saved me at least two hours a week, so I plan to roll it out to my team next month."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"I love finding any means of technology that helps me save time, both at work and at home. I recently began using an email application that uses machine learning to automatically reply to emails for me. The application has already saved me countless minutes every day."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"While adding script steps to DOORS, tagging requirements individually to each step seemed very time-consuming. I was able to use a shell command to find the requirements in the scripts and export them to excel. I then made a few formatting changes and was able to import the steps and the tagged requirements to DOORS with a few clicks."

Amanda's Feedback

Wonderful example! You share what kind of technology you used and how it helped you work more efficiently.

General

32. The technology in the medical device industry is changing rapidly. At Medtronic, we are investing in new technology to help patients and our teams do their jobs more effectively. How do you keep up to speed with changing technology?

How to Answer

The interviewer is looking for a candidate who is up to speed with the latest technology and can pick up new systems quickly.

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Answer Example

"Our team is moving from JDE to Oracle. I was selected to be part of a project team to help with the implementation because I tend to be on the tech-savvy side. I have been building out the process for my function and incorporating feedback from my team so they feel a part of it. We are now in the testing phases before the go-live, and everything is running smoothly. I'm excited about the new tools and features because they will allow us to do our jobs faster."

Written by Ryan Brunner on March 2nd, 2019

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Our team used our own database for software scripts but recently moved to GitLab. I took the initiative to help provide new standard processes applicable to GitLab for when defects are found or how to track new/modified scripts. This also involved a learning curve of how to work remotely vs locally and how/when to create new branches. I added these processes to our test guide for everyone to utilize."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a positive start; however, your response is more focused on how you adapted to new technology and then helped others to adapt as well. You can improve your answer by telling the interviewer about publications, industry leaders, tech events, industry conferences, mentor relationships, etc. you utilized to maintain current knowledge in your field.

General

33. What are your strengths?

How to Answer

The interviewer asks this question to determine if your strengths will complement and benefit the company if hired. Think of the personal strengths that make you excellent at your job. Advantages can be skills or qualities that help you overcome difficult circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks. In a work context, your strengths will help you complete your to-do list, understand client needs, and help you to apply what you have learned in your training. Talk to the interviewer about a couple of your strengths and why those will help you to be successful in this role.

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I am meticulous, efficient, and a strong communicator. I pride myself on not taking shortcuts and always producing quality results. I am honest and direct, but I also know how to speak to people thoughtfully and respectfully. I take the initiative in projects, and I am very personable."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"My greatest strengths are my attention to detail and interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills. I am meticulous in my work and do not let the smallest details go unnoticed. I can work well with diverse people, communicating clearly and effectively. I believe the customer comes first, and I maintain professionalism with everyone I encounter."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

General

34. How was your relationship with your previous boss?

How to Answer

The interviewer asks this question to see how you work with and speak of others. They want to know if you will be an easy person to work with or a challenge. When you answer this question, remain positive, even if the experience wasn't. Keep your answer short and respectful. Avoid talking about any previous drama, and do not speak poorly of your employer.

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I make a point of investing in coworker relationships. I feel that it's important that these relationships are established early on, especially with my boss. My current boss knows that he can rely on me for anything in his absence, and my responsibilities have consistently increased to reflect that level of trust."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I had a very healthy relationship with my previous employer. She was easy to approach, and we often bounced ideas off each other. I would sum it up as a relationship led by strong mutual respect."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

Operational

35. How will you earn the trust of your Medtronic coworkers?

How to Answer

It is essential to nurture workplace relationships. The interviewer would like to know how you can win your new coworkers over. Talk to the interviewer about how you plan to earn the trust of your new coworkers should you be offered the position.

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I feel that the best way to earn the trust of my coworkers is to be helpful, always do what I promise, and be honest with them at all times. Strong relationships have to be built on these principles."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"Trust is something you earn over time. Trust happens when people deliver on doing what they say they will do. I take the approach of underpromising and overdelivering to accelerate the trust process. I will lead by example and be transparent in my communications. With strong trust, teams can accomplish great things together."

Written by Krista Wenz on June 1st, 2022