If we contact your current leader, how will they describe you?
First and foremost, you must understand that a reference checking process will be a part of the process of final interviews with Pfizer. In proposing this question during your HireVue interview process, the hiring team wants evidence that you have a history of building positive relationships with previous leaders and employers. The goal of your response is to show that your character is strong, that you have built healthy relationships in your previous roles, and that your character aligns with the traits the hiring managers look for in new team members.
Avoid guessing what your most recent manager thinks of you. If you are unsure, the hiring managers may not feel confident in your employer/employee relationships. For instance, rather than saying, "I think maybe my manager would describe me as dedicated to my work," try saying, "My manager would describe me as dedicated to my work because I deliver on deadlines and often make myself available after hours when my clients need me."
Hopefully, your current leader is communicative with you and regularly expresses what they enjoy and appreciate about your work ethic. If possible, form your response around takeaways from your last performance review or a piece of feedback you recently received from your leader. You can further solidify your answer by referring to reliable references, such as LinkedIn recommendations on your profile.
Offer a few of your best traits that align with the duties of the role you are being considered for at Pfizer. Then, support those traits with examples of when you emulated those behaviors. You can also provide details of a measurable accomplishment. Remember that the hiring manager at Pfizer may contact your current leader if you provided them as a reference, so only respond with what your current leader would say about you.
The average HireVue interview takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. This one-way video interview typically includes three to five questions. Depending on the hiring company's parameters, the HireVue platform will generally give you 30 seconds to prepare a response and up to two minutes to answer each question. It's important to note that HireVue stops recording as soon as your time limit is up, so it's better to run under time than overtime.
"In my last performance review, and also in regular one-on-one discussions, my manager described me as technically skilled, encouraging to others on my team, and a great team player. I strive to exceed expectations when I can and encourage my team members to deliver their best work. My manager is happy to speak on my behalf as a positive reference."
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