How many years have you worked in the Pharma/Biotech industry? What keeps you interested in our line of work?
Your cover letter and resume are a sales proposal. By gaining an interview you've made a conversion, but you haven't closed the sale. The interviewer has your cover letter and resume close at hand. They'll watch for consistency in your answers and how closely they match your CV. Your CV also serves as an introduction. At this stage, they are waiting for you to go deeper into the narrative, as well as points not covered.
"I have worked within Pharma/Biotech for the past 15 years. I started in a lab assistant role and am now at the supervisory level with my current company. The opportunities are endless and I stay in this industry because of it. It would thrill me to continue my career growth in this industry with Pfizer."
"I am new to the pharmaceuticals industry and graduated with my bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical science. I plan to remain in this industry for the entire length of my career. Starting in this apprenticeship role and then moving forward into a role further focused on the development of new treatments."
Take a few minutes to walk the interviewer through your work history, highlighting the most relevant positions and skills. Talk to the interviewer about your desire to work for Pfizer long-term.
"It's all there on my resume." Restrain from repeating information about you they already know.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Unfortunately, this industry is new to me, but for me, it is very important that my job is meaningful, interesting, and will provide opportunities for development.
Rachelle's Feedback
Leading with the word 'unfortunately' can lead to an unsuccessful interview answer. Starting with a negative rarely works out for the positive :) If you do not have experience in the pharma/biotech industry, that is okay - your interviewer will already know this! Instead, focus on discussing the transferable skills you bring from the other sectors you have worked in. Feel free to revisit your approach and I can return with feedback :)
Anonymous Answer
"I have worked within the pharmacy industry for approximately two years as a quality assurance officer, but in my whole career I have been responsible for the environmental health and safety of the companies I was working for. I am the appropriate person for this role because I combine previous experience in the pharma industry and in new technologies.
Rachelle's Feedback
You started very strong with this response! Rather than ending your answer with a 'selling' statement, I encourage you to weigh the question carefully. In this instance, the interviewer wants to know what drives your passion for the industry and, of course, Pfizer specifically. Essentially, you should be answering - why do you want to work in this industry?
Anonymous Answer
I have a passion for Pharma/Biotech. I have been interested in medicine and technology since I read my mother's anatomy textbook when I was eight. This industry is interesting and always changing, and I love the challenge.
Marcie's Feedback
Wow! It's amazing that you've been intrigued by medicine and technology for that length of time! Don't forget to directly answer the question, though. Tell the interviewer how many years you've worked in this industry and in what type of roles. If you don't have work experience yet, talk about your schooling and any related internships or volunteer work. Also, consider talking more about what the challenges of this industry are and why this interests you.
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