MSL Mock Interview

Master 35 MSL interview questions covering scientific expertise, stakeholder engagement, and clinical insights.

Question 32 of 35

As our next MSL, how would you prioritize multiple duties calling at once when they all seem equally important?

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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

The world of a Medical Science Liaison potentially involves working with a large network of physicians and medical leaders on several different products of the organization you are interviewing with. There will be days where your phone will be ringing off the hook, emails are coming in steadily and more things keep popping up hourly and your interviewer needs to be assured that you would join their organization with the ability to prioritize your work and ensure all get handled in a timely fashion.

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I aim to be as effective and efficient as possible and make sure I can use all minutes of a day wisely. I have a few client things going at once most of the time. My experience allows me to quickly prioritize things that are the highest needs and I take care of them swiftly before moving on to other items. One tactic that really helps me is ensuring that I block time on my calendar each day to work through emails and not ever get behind on things there. Physicians expect responses in short order."

Ryan Brunner

Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.

When answering this question, show the interviewer that you have a system in place that helps you to think through what needs to happen, and when. The better you can prioritize, the more productive you will be, making you an asset to their company! While there are many approaches you can take, it's important you understand what works for you and reiterate that in your interview. You can mention that you are a list maker or you utilize calendar technology, just make sure you emphasize that your method works for you.

Interview Coach

Jaymie

A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.

Typically responds within 24 hours.

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35MSL Interview Questions & Answers

Discovery

1.If hired as our next MSL, do you have the availability to travel regularly throughout the region?

Situational

2.Talk about a time there was a serious conflict on a team that you collaborated with. How did you resolve it?

Experience

3.Have you ever worked in a cross-functional environment as an MSL?

Communication

4.How would you describe the written communication skills you would bring to our organization as an MSL?

General

5.What are the components of a successful, and effective, presentation as a Medical Science Liaison?

Discovery

6.Why do you think companies need to employ MSL's?

Behavioral

7.Can you work under pressure as a Medical Science Liaison?

Behavioral

8.Do you consider yourself as someone who is direct and forthright with others?

Discovery

9.What do you hope to achieve in the first five years as our Medical Science Liaison?

General

10.Talk about the various administrative duties you are responsible for in your current job. Why are these duties important to the overall success of a Medical Science Liaison?

Operational

11.As an MSL, you often have to bridge the gap between research and front-line healthcare providers. How do you see yourself as building that bridge in this role?

Situational

12.Talk about a time when you had to work closely with someone who had a difficult personality. How did you handle that situation?

Situational

13.When have you had to think outside of the box to solve a problem?

Discovery

14.What does the word 'innovation' mean to you as a Medical Science Liaison?

Discovery

15.How would you define excellent customer service as an MSL?

Scenario

16.If you could not make a key physician happy, what would you do?

Behavioral

17.Talk about a time when you had to be extra diligent in order to meet a deadline.

Salary

18.If you were to be offered this MSL position, do you have any specific salary expectations?

Discovery

19.What gives you the most satisfaction working as an MSL in the healthcare industry?

Discovery

20.Highlight your top leadership qualities for me. How do they benefit you as a Medical Science Liaison?

Behavioral

21.Our MSL's play a critical role in the success of our organization. How can we motivate you as a leader, keeping you engaged in the job?

Behavioral

22.When change occurs in healthcare, it can create new problems. Do you see inevitable changes as inconvenient problems or opportunities to learn?

Discovery

23.With your education and a wide array of options, why did you choose a career path as a Medical Science Liaison?

Discovery

24.What do you like to do in your free time?

Direct

25.Have you ever provided training to physician and other healthcare leaders? If so, what aspect did you enjoy most, and what did you find most challenging?

Behavioral

26.What challenges do you anticipate if hired as our next Medical Science Liaison, and how will you meet those challenges?

Discovery

27.What are you most looking forward to in this role as our next MSL?

Discovery

28.How do you keep up to date on new technologies and trends in this industry and your career as an MSL?

Leadership

29.Tell me about a time when you took charge of a meeting. Was the outcome a positive one?

Discovery

30.What do you think our company's biggest challenge is?

Behavioral

31.When a problem requires a quick solution, how do you typically respond?

Operational

32.As our next MSL, how would you prioritize multiple duties calling at once when they all seem equally important?

Behavioral

33.Talk about the most challenging aspect of your current job. How did you overcome it?

Situational

34.Tell me about a time when your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it?

Discovery

35.When planning for a client interaction, presentation or report, how often do you create alternative scenarios to help you adjust to changing situations?