Pfizer Mock Interview
Practice 40 Pfizer interview questions covering regulatory knowledge, clinical insight, and patient-centered innovation.
Question 17 of 40
By this time in your career, you should have advanced further. What has slowed down your career progression?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
Example Answer 2
How to Answer
What NOT to Say
Community Answers
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
When an interviewer sees slow career progression on your resume, they will want to determine whether this is by your own choice, outside circumstances, or lack of motivation. If your career has progressed slower than you wish, you must be honest with the interviewer when discussing this.
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"I agree with you that my career progression has been slower than some. You'll see between 2001 - 2009, I worked for the same company without an increase in my job title. The company was too small to offer a promotion to me, as the next level was ownership and the business wasn't for sale. After that, from 2009 to 2012, I was on leave as I needed to care for my ailing parents. The growth since returning to work has been steady, but those years were a bit of a standstill for me. I am ready to spring into action now and forge ahead in my career."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"Early in my career, I was left to care for an elderly, sick parent. Her care required more of me than expected, so I allowed my career to sit and wait. I am happy with that decision. Spending those last precious moments with a loved one is worth the setback."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Experiences where the greater need requires you to put your personal goals aside for the greater good. Relatable life experiences also work well here. In most cases, our paths are rarely linear. Focus on your career journey, describing the twist and turns along the way, and how it leads you to the present day, sitting at the interview discussing this opportunity.
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Avoid excuses or any narrative that paints you as a victim. Avoid statements like "back on track." This might lead to assumptions on flakiness in your commitment to the role.
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Anonymous Answer
Unfortunately, in my previous job I was in the highest position and didn't have opportunity to progress.
Rachelle's Feedback
Totally fair, and a situation that many people face! How can you turn this into a positive, at the end of your reply? I have provided a starter, below.
"In my previous job, I was in the highest position and didn't have the opportunity to progress in my job title; however, I worked hard to ensure that I progressed in knowledge and skill. I did this by...(describe the actions that you took to ensure growth)."
Anonymous Answer
I have worked with several small companies of less than 20 people. I achieved the highest possible positions available at those companies. Because those companies were so small, I had to learn how to perform a variety of tasks and research, which expanded my knowledge base and allowed me to gain the myriad of experiences that give me an appreciation for multidisciplinary team building. I've been a scientist, engineer, quality control, and clinical worker, and this experience will allow me to bring together an excellent team.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! You've done an excellent job showing how a supposed weakness is a strength! Wearing multiple hats within a small company is great because it allows you to learn so many skills and how to fill many roles. The interviewer will appreciate your versatility and experience in so many areas.
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