The interview with the hiring manager was brief. They asked a few questions about my experience and quizzed my knowledge of the relevant subject area (Next Generation Sequencing). Despite being listed as an entry-level position, they seemed to want more experience (4–5 years) than would typically be considered entry-level.
I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at AbbVie (Irvine, CA) in Aug 2024
Interview
After an initial screening call with a over the phone interview, I had a subsequent video call with a recruiter that was relatively casual and somewhat brief. However, it seems that they moved on with other candidates as I did not have the experience they were looking for, which is unfortunate.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a challenging situation you faced at work and how you resolved it.
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at AbbVie (Worcester, MA)
Interview
I interviewed through a CRO, so the Abbvie panel interview followed a recruiter phone screen and subsequent virtual interview with the manager. The panel interview consisted of three senior scientists -- one of whom was team lead -- and the manager who had interviewed me prior.
They were all lovely and built a great rapport...with the exception of the team lead, who for some reason was openly disinterested in me and almost outright hostile and dismissive from the beginning (so I knew right away getting the job was unlikely). He was actively turned away from the camera, interrupted my answers more than once, and seemingly kept trying to catch me in lies about my experience (which was unnecessary since I wasn't lying). At one point, I asked something akin to what a typical day looks like (as in, a logistical question and what the team priorities), and the guy cut in with something like, "Since you're unfamiliar with the responsibilities of the role—" and proceeded to still not answer my question. One of the other panelists attempted to smooth it over by giving me a proper answer, but in general the guy's disdain was obvious enough that he was causing his colleagues to lapse into awkward (albeit short) silences. I don't know if it was his personality, he was having a bad day, or if he just didn't like how I look or what. But in the post-interview with the manager, she told me I did amazingly and was almost apologetic about it. Was ghosted afterwards.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Some personality, mostly technical questions regarding my background.