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      Novartis

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      Postgraduate Program Regulatory Affairs Interview

      27 Sept 2020
      Anonymous interview candidate
      Basel
      No offer
      Negative experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I applied online. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at Novartis (Basel) in Sept 2020

      Interview

      The process consisted of two interviews and a writing assignment. Even at the last step interview, the discussion was quite impersonal and I got concerned about the team, the company, and the RA program after all. The time for the interview was too restricted, while they made several questions general and standardized, I couldn’t have my questions answered to discuss the position. You basically don't know what you will be doing in this position until your first day, the recruiters don't explain or clarify these basic questions for you (activities, tasks, salary, benefits, plan of work). In addition, they don’t look for technical skills at all, which is surprising as requirements state that master/PhD or experience would be an asset. They asked several questions on weaknesses, about past problems with colleagues and supervisors, what colleagues would say about something I’m not good at, etc - I was surprised by how many negative questions were asked, or questions that underestimates you. Clearly, they are looking for a reason to eliminate you and not positives reason why they should hire you and what you would add to the group/department. Finally, at the last interview step, they mentioned (again) that they didn’t have time for my questions and I could send to them by email and they would answer, and informed be that in two weeks they would communicate their final decision. But a few minutes after the interview I received an email saying I was not anymore into consideration. They want to look friendly and nice on video, but after all, they left a very unprofessional and unethical impression. I would think twice about joining a group showing this unacceptable behavior already during a simple interviewing process. The process is not transparent and a very disappointing interview regardless of the outcome.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      While my questions about the position weren't answered due to the lack of time, they asked several questions on less-relevant personal points, what are the problems/weaknesses in my personality, what people would say about me, who I would like to have dinner with and why. No questions on technical skills or even how I would contribute to the team. Very impersonal interview. Time should be used wisely if they have time constraints to discuss and knowing better they candidates. Plus, not answering the questions the candidate has about the position is completely unacceptable. They are fishing the candidates based on the team's preferences, which the candidate has no clue about since they give no information on the basic activities related to the position. Recruiters are not transparent about the selection. In the end, the fact they said something on video and few minutes send an email with different information is very unprofessional.
      Answer question

      Other Postgraduate Program Regulatory Affairs interview reviews for Novartis

      Postgraduate Program Regulatory Affairs Interview

      22 Oct 2025
      Anonymous interview candidate
      Basel
      No offer
      Positive experience
      Difficult interview

      Application

      I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Novartis (Basel)

      Interview

      I had interview in 2024 in Basel, and there were two interview, one online via phone call and in person interview. After 1 month from the application deadline, I got an email for online interview and then after 2 weeks for prson interview. The rejection email came around 3 weeks after that. Overall, I think the process was very possitive so I think maybe something change as there were only negative reviews here. Everyone explained very well about the programe and showed what did they expected. The phone call was just normal ordinary questions like why did you join novartis, what is your motivation, what do you see yourself,... the in person interview was similar as the review in 2020. You have 5 mins introduce yourself as creative way like presentation,... then 30 mins to solv your case study task with other candidate (but work individualy), then iafter that you moved to another the room to present your case study task and interview questions, which based on STAR method

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Nothing special. All questions are common one you can find on the internet like: motivation, what do you expect,.. and other questions based on STAR method like tell me the time you ask other people for help, tell me when did you have conflict,... The hardest part maybe case-study task
      Answer question

      Postgraduate Program Regulatory Affairs Interview

      21 Sept 2021
      Anonymous interview candidate
      Basel
      No offer
      Negative experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I applied online. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at Novartis (Basel) in Sept 2021

      Interview

      Even after a year, they did not change their process. I agree fully with this comment. Interview was very unfair and not transparent at all. It consists of a few steps. First, you receive a writing assignment with simple questions that could be used from their job description or company webpage. After some weeks, they organised a useless 10 minutes phone-call with basically the same questions they have previously asked to submit via email. I cannot imagine how many people they spoke to at the time and what was the criteria of candidate selection. Some time after, I got an invite onsite (depending on pandemic evolution) for September.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Candidates were asked to prepare a 5 minute presentation of themselves in a desired format such as powerpoint presentation, poster, video, oral presentation; anything creative. Once there, you are with other candidates in the meeting room to solve (individual, not in group) half an hour ''case study'', which you present once you have an interview either in powerpoint or just as a brief oral summary. Necessity of case study is unexplained, unclear and completely mysterious, especially since they don't ask technical questions as they previously explained in their communication. It is nonsense that you should just read and apparently understand. I got confused and very concerned about working with such a company. It seemed like they were testing my reading and simple understanding abilities and skills rather than asking me how to solve simple actual case problems. It is kind of shocking that I have this evaluation only after 4 months of recruitment process and a few hardworking years of PhD education. After the case study, each of you enter a dedicated room where interviewers are waiting for you. They indeed asked almost all negative questions that underestimate you, but they present them in such a positive way. I suppose everyone read this glassdoor review previously and was prepared for it. They also ask this absurd question, who I would like to have dinner with and why. All in all, they were all RA ‘(non-)’professionals and such questions should be asked from someone who studied how to actually evaluate them, like a HR personal. They really want to look friendly and nice, but you cannot understand what is actually of importance for them during this interview. You have no clue how many candidates there are actually at the time, and how they rate or grade their answers considering that there are few groups of interviewers. Finally, at the end you have time to ask them questions but they provided very generic, diplomatic unacceptable answers. This indeed means that they are fishing you based on group preference, since you have no chance to speak or present yourself to another group of interviewers. Very disappointing for a company with such core values. Another disappointment was that such healthcare professionals as they should be, during pandemic, freely walked without masks or under their noses without respect of social distancing. It is very clear that they select candidates at that moment, so I am curious whether the outcome will come soon or after 3 months, just before the start of this position. One can give their best, but it is all about coincidence and not experience. I would be really desperate to accept such a position and such an unethical environment. If you read this for purposes of preparation for the interview, do not have high expectations and hopes!
      Answer question
      1

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