What have you done to further your professional development in the past 5 years?

What You Need to Know
Answer Example

Since 2022, turnover and burnout have become rampant in the clinical trials industry as the percentage of clinical trials has increased. However, studies have shown that Clinical Research Associates and other clinical trial staff have improved retention rates when they pursue opportunities to grow their skills. The interviewer asks this question to determine if you are driven and motivated to progressing professionally. Tell the interviewer about any certifications, career-related conferences, leadership workshops, or higher education you have participated in or achieved in the past five years. If you haven't attended many seminars or workshops, then consider how you have gone above and beyond in your work to learn from others. You might have a mentor, or maybe you've briefly stepped away from your career to try a new job in the hopes of gaining a unique skill set that will complement your profession. Whatever you have done to grow professionally in the past five years should be shared with the interviewer, no matter how small it seems.

"After a few years working in the lab and gaining hands-on experience, I felt it was time to level up my skills. I started supporting the interns in our lab and enjoyed the opportunity to mentor others and monitor their progress. I researched continuing my formal education and found a master's program that offered online classes. I continued gaining practical, hands-on experience in the lab during the day and furthering my knowledge and skillset in the evening. I graduated this time last year and have taken on more of a supervisory role on my team since then. In the future, I will continue to develop my leadership skills by attending leadership workshops designed for Clinical Research Associates and take on more managerial responsibilities."

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How to Answer: What have you done to further your professional development in the past 5 years?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Clinical Research Associate job interview.

3. What have you done to further your professional development in the past 5 years?

What You Need to Know

Since 2022, turnover and burnout have become rampant in the clinical trials industry as the percentage of clinical trials has increased. However, studies have shown that Clinical Research Associates and other clinical trial staff have improved retention rates when they pursue opportunities to grow their skills. The interviewer asks this question to determine if you are driven and motivated to progressing professionally. Tell the interviewer about any certifications, career-related conferences, leadership workshops, or higher education you have participated in or achieved in the past five years. If you haven't attended many seminars or workshops, then consider how you have gone above and beyond in your work to learn from others. You might have a mentor, or maybe you've briefly stepped away from your career to try a new job in the hopes of gaining a unique skill set that will complement your profession. Whatever you have done to grow professionally in the past five years should be shared with the interviewer, no matter how small it seems.

Written by Krista Wenz on May 17th, 2023

Answer Example

"After a few years working in the lab and gaining hands-on experience, I felt it was time to level up my skills. I started supporting the interns in our lab and enjoyed the opportunity to mentor others and monitor their progress. I researched continuing my formal education and found a master's program that offered online classes. I continued gaining practical, hands-on experience in the lab during the day and furthering my knowledge and skillset in the evening. I graduated this time last year and have taken on more of a supervisory role on my team since then. In the future, I will continue to develop my leadership skills by attending leadership workshops designed for Clinical Research Associates and take on more managerial responsibilities."

Written by Krista Wenz on May 17th, 2023

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