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When you prepare for an interview, you consider how to answer a number of questions, from “Tell us about yourself” to “When have you failed?”  To ensure this job is right for you and to stand out in the interviewer’s mind, you’ll also need to ask some key questions.

Here are seven questions you should ask in every biotech marketing job interview:

Before the Interview

When scheduling your interview, remember to ask the following questions:

  • Who will be there? This question, along with questions about the timeframe and format, will help you prepare and reduce the risk that a surprise will derail or confuse you.
  • What should I bring? Demonstrate a desire to come prepared, and follow through by bringing anything asked, along with spare copies of your cover letter and resume and your portfolio.

During the Interview

Interviews are a dialogue.  The company wants to know if you’re right for the job; you want to know if the job is right for you.  As a result, it’s important to ask good questions during the interview, such as:

  • Tell me more about your management approach. If you’ve ever had a bad boss, you understand why a bad relationship with the supervisor is the number-one reason marketing professionals quit.  Asking about management approach helps you determine whether this boss will be right for you.
  • Can you walk me through a typical day on the job? If the description you receive doesn’t match the job you applied for – or worse, if the manager can’t give you details on what you’ll do day to day – watch out.  You may be facing a job with no clear guidelines or rules for success, making it very hard to succeed.
  • How do you measure success? Specific details can help you determine whether this employer offers the opportunities for advancement you’re looking for.

After the Interview

As the interview concludes, it’s important to ask a few questions as well.  Good questions to ask include:

  • When can I expect to hear from you? The more specific the response – and the more punctual the employer is in following up on it – the more likely they are to be organized and to care about their employees’ time and effort.
  • Whom should I contact if I have additional questions or information? Having current contact info can help ensure that you can send more information, answer questions or ask them.  It’ll also give you someone to contact if you don’t hear back in the time frame you expect.

At SMR Group Ltd, our recruiters specialize in connecting sales and marketing professionals to some of the best jobs in the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device industries.  Contact us today to learn more about our marketing career opportunities in the biotech, pharmaceutic and medical industries.


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