Pfizer Mock Interview
Practice 40 Pfizer interview questions covering regulatory knowledge, clinical insight, and patient-centered innovation.
Question 8 of 40
Would you further your post-secondary education to include a Ph.D. in your field?
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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.
This will help them assess your career goals and how you feel another degree may advance them. One candidate may evaluate their success in their scientific accomplishments, another may feel more driven to rise through the ranks. Some may find the most ideal candidates balance these, where their accomplishments enable them to rise through the rank.
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 have considered furthering my education to include a Ph.D. It would need to be in tandem with full-time employment, but I would consider achieving this goal through evening and weekend coursework."
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.
"Oh yes! I am a big believer in higher education. These days, to be a stand-out candidate or employee, I think that having a Ph.D. is best."
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.
Some upper-level positions within Pfizer may require a higher level of education. Assure the interviewer that you're open to discussions on enhancing your knowledge to grow within the organization.
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.
Think of your career path broken up as a 5, to 10, to a 20-year business plan. Meditate on your ultimate ambition and break up how'll you'll get there into attainable goals. If that involves gaining a PH.D., detail why this is important to your career plan, where it fits into it, and how you achieve that goal sustainably.
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Anonymous Answer
I have considered furthering my education to include a Ph.D. Generally, as you can see in my CV, I follow a continuous learning lifestyle.
Rachelle's Feedback
A desire for continued learning is a fantastic trait to have, and it's great that you point out your existing learning patterns. If you were to obtain higher education in your field/specialty, what would that look like? What would you enjoy exploring as you progress in your career? Try including some of those details in your answer to allow the interviewer to get to know you on a deeper level.
Anonymous Answer
When I was in the Master's program, I considered continuing to obtain my Ph.D., but at this point in my career, I don't think it would benefit me. If that changes in the future, I love learning, so I would be willing to pursue a doctorate.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! While the interviewer wants to hear that you love learning, it's possible they won't hire someone who will shortly thereafter be preoccupied with their studies. So, you answered this question in a balanced way that should please the interviewer - you love to learn, but you're not looking to pursue a Ph.D. at this time. Consider mentioning some ways you plan to continue learning and stay abreast of industry trends on your own time (e.g., reading industry blogs and magazines, networking, attending conferences, etc.).
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