Interviews for Top Jobs at ICON
- What da bases are you familiar with?
- What exactly makes you change your job?
- What do you know about Icon?
- What do you know about the position?
- Tell me about a time when you received constructive criticism and how did you response to it?
- Tell me about a time when you had to start a project but you were unsure of where to begin and how you went about getting more information?
- Tell me about a time when you had to be assertive and how you conducted yourself?
- Describe an experience in which you had to multitask?
- What is your experience with contracts and budgeting?
- Why do you want to leave a sponsor?
- Why do you want to change positions at this time?
- What do you know about the responsibilities of this position?
- Tell me about a time when you needed something and weren’t getting a response. How did you handle it/ what was the result?
- Why do you want to leave your current role?
- What is your experience handling complex projects?
- Tell me about how you dealt with a difficult site?
- Talk us through your CV?
- What interests you in ICON?
- What do you know about ICON?
- Where do you see yourself in the future?
- How do you prioritize your to do list?
List of ICON plc Interview Questions & Answers
Do you prefer to work with studies related to humans, animals, or plant life?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a leading consultant and outsourcer of clinical trials and biometric activities, ICON plc conducts lab tests in a variety of manners. If you are interviewing for any type of lab research, testing position, or support position there, knowing your preference and tolerance for the different types of lab testing is vital. Your interviewer asks this question to ensure that you can handle this aspect of the job.
Perhaps you have a preference, and maybe you don’t. However, as you answer this question, be sure to keep your reply positive and relevant to the role that you are interviewing for. You want to avoid pigeonholing yourself by saying that you are against all forms of animal testing because you don’t want to shut down any particular practice of the job you are interviewing for at ICON plc.
Ryan’s Answer
“With my background, I have experience in lab studies and trial development in many settings. As long as studies are done ethically here at ICON plc, I wouldn’t have an issue working effectively in any setting.”
Ryan’s Answer
“I can honestly say that I do not have a preference as of yet. As I continue to carve out my career, that may change; however, for the moment, I would be happy to be working at ICON plc in any related focus.”
In your opinion, what is the biggest development in Biotechnology in the past three years?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Passion and a focus on innovation are vital to the success of any team member at ICON plc. Throughout your time interviewing, your interviewer will look to gauge your passion for your work in a number of ways to ensure that you would bring a passionate approach to your work. This question allows your interviewer to see that you have done your homework on ICON plc and the biotech industry and that you come prepared to talk about what you feel is the biggest development in the field in recent years.
The term “biotechnology” refers to the use of cells and molecules to create a product within medicine, genetic testing, or even agriculture. Prior to your interview with ICON plc, do some research on recent innovations in the field and come to your interview prepared to talk about what you feel is the biggest development.
Ryan’s Answer
“There have been so many developments in biotechnology the past three years, but I do feel that the biggest was the development in gene editing. It’s an incredibly controversial and intriguing practice.”
Ryan’s Answer
“There is a multitude of biotech developments from which to choose! I was recently reading about these new methods of manipulating human cells to beat a range of diseases. According to Fortune Magazine, Chinese scientists have launched the first CRISPR gene-editing trial for the treatment of cancer. It’s all pretty incredible, isn’t it?”
What creative qualities would you bring to the ICON plc team?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
At ICON plc, innovative solutions that are critical to their clients rely on the team to be creative in every manner of their work. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to hear you describe your creative abilities in the work that you would be performing with ICON plc.
Talk to the interviewer about any interest that you have in creative activities and how you have implemented your creative desires in the workplace. Even if you do not consider yourself to be a “creative person,” there likely is a significant time that you have made creative-minded decisions during your career.
Ryan’s Answer
“I do consider myself to be a creative individual in my work. In my current role, one example of this would be the telephone sales scripts that I crafted for our inside sales team. They were lively and effective, and sales increased by 23% in the first 90 days of implementation. Here at ICON plc, I know your clients rely on you to provide unique and effective developments, and I’d look forward to helping spark new and creative ideas in this role.”
How many years have you worked in the Pharma/Biotech industry? What keeps you interested in our line of work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Even though they can get a great feel for your years of experience by looking at your application materials for ICON plc, hearing your experience firsthand will be very helpful. Your interviewer also asks this question to get a sense of your passion and interest in the position you are interviewing for at ICON plc.
Take a few minutes to walk the interviewer through your work history, highlighting the most relevant positions and skills. Be sure to speak with passion as you describe your desire to work for ICON plc long term.
Ryan’s Answer
“I have worked within Pharma/Biotech for the past 15 years. I started in a lab assistant role and am now at the supervisory level with my current company. I stay in this industry because the opportunities are endless. I would be thrilled to continue my career growth in this industry with ICON plc.”
Ciera’s Answer
“I am new to the Pharmaceuticals industry and recently graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science. I plan to remain in this industry for the entire length of my career. At this point, I’d like to start in this apprenticeship role and then move forward into a role further focused on the development of new treatments.”
If you were to join ICON plc, would you consider furthering your post-secondary education to include a Ph.D. in your field?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some upper-level positions within ICON plc may require a higher level of education. With the organization priding itself on furthering the education of its staff and promoting from within, your interviewer wants to hear your thoughts on someday furthering your education.
While there isn’t a right or wrong answer to a question like this, ideally you want to assure your interviewer that you would be willing to discuss enhancing your knowledge to grow within the organization eventually. Prior to your interview with ICON plc, be sure to put some thought into what areas you could see yourself furthering your education in and talk about any advanced degrees that would help you get there.
Ryan’s Answer
“I have considered furthering my education to include a Ph.D. It would need to be in tandem with full-time employment, but I would certainly consider achieving this goal through evening and weekend coursework.”
Ryan’s Answer
“Oh yes! I am a big believer in higher education. I could definitely see pursuing a Master’s degree down the road and would be willing to put the time and effort into that here at ICON plc.”
How would you rate your performance in this interview with ICON plc so far?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
From a candidate’s perspective, the interview can fly by in the blink of an eye. There may be times that you felt nervous or you may still have unanswered questions. Your interviewer at ICON plc asks this question to ensure that you can further clarify anything else that you feel you need to so you can walk away happy and educated.
This question can create feelings of stress and anxiety, so it’s best to be prepared. Be honest with the interviewer about how you feel the interview has gone so far. If you have unanswered questions, don’t hesitate to ask them. If you feel you could better clarify an answer, be open and honest and do just that. If you feel it has gone well, speak confidently in letting your interviewer know that.
Ryan’s Answer
“I believe that this interview has been quite informative and I am happy with my performance. Is there anything that I can clarify for you from this conversation?”
When have you shown great integrity in your work during your career?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
ICON plc takes pride in its unique culture, where they always strive to do the right thing and build their business through integrity and responsibility. At some point during your time together, your interviewer will look for verification that you would come to their team with a great sense of integrity and personal values.
Integrity in the workplace comes from honesty and consistent moral values. Many see it as always doing the right thing when nobody is watching. Talk to the interviewer about the ways that you have displayed a great degree of integrity in the workplace. If you can answer in a way that pertains to clients or customers, you may earn a bonus from your interviewer.
Ryan’s Answer
“In a prior position, I was responsible for the cash deposit on a daily basis. There was never a discrepancy in the four years that I worked there. I best show my integrity by being a consistently reliable employee and I’d be proud to bring these values to the ICON plc team.”
How do you determine priorities when you have multiple deadlines approaching and other tasks to do?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
If asked this question during your interview with ICON plc, your role there will involve multitasking many projects and client priorities at one time. Your interviewer needs to be assured that you would come to their team with the ability to prioritize with ease and not miss any important tasks.
Think about what you do when you feel torn between multiple projects or tasks and explain how you decide which one needs your attention the most. To really impress your interviewer, discuss the methods that you utilize to stay on top of your work and assure them that you can be diligent when it comes to assessing your priorities.
Ryan’s Answer
“I will determine which project requires my attention by the number of hours we are behind and then by the project size. I am comfortable delegating tasks when needed, but I am also aware that these times will require an additional commitment of hours from me. Never have I underdelivered on a deadline, and you can be assured that I would never underdeliver here at ICON plc.”
Ryan’s Answer
Prioritizing is a skill that requires practice. There are many approaches you can take. Here are some suggestions:
1) Make a list. By thinking through and writing down each item that needs completion, you can see it on paper.
2) Mark what is urgent or essential. Take into account deadlines and meetings.
3) Order each task based on effort and estimated value. Considering due dates and how long it will take to do each item (also considering how much time you have).
In 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 ICON plc!
What sources do you look to when you need to solve a complicated problem?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Each client at ICON plc can present a new set of challenges, and all staff of the organization needs to be on their game to help creatively solve the most complicated issues. Your interviewer wants to know that you can think outside the box, be resourceful, and even ask for help when you are stuck on a complicated problem.
Maybe you look to a mentor or boss for advice. Perhaps you have handbooks, manuals, and systems you turn to for help. Offer some relevant examples based on your industry. If you work in the medical field, you may turn to textbooks, online research, colleagues, or even a patient’s history to find the right solution. If you work in customer service, you may ask the customer what they need to find the best way to solve the problem. Show the interviewer that you are knowledgeable and equipped to handle these types of scenarios.
Ryan’s Answer
“When faced with a complicated problem, I will look to the resources that my current company has provided me. The answer is almost always in there. If it’s more of a moral dilemma vs. a knowledge-based dilemma, I will ask my supervisor for his thoughts and opinion since I value him as a mentor and expert in our industry.”
How will you stay informed on changes in your field if hired at ICON plc?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
At ICON plc, the work is continually changing and this is due to the fact that the company is working in consulting and the outsourcing of developments. ICON plc needs staff to be flexible and at the top of their field, so your interviewer needs to be assured that you take your own personal education in your work very seriously and they ask this question to gauge that.
Assure the interviewer that you are engaged when it comes to staying on top of new trends, information, and changes in your line of work. Some things to consider discussing are your networking ability with other in your field, any societies or groups that you belong to, and any continuing education that you actively participate in on a regular basis.
Ryan’s Answer
“I follow multiple medical journals and blogs related to changes in the Pharma/Biotech industry. My favorite is wiley.com which is a strong source for updates in a variety of related medical studies.”
Ciera’s Answer
“I have set up some industry-related google alerts, and I also subscribe to Pharma Forum, Science Direct, and Medical Futurist, online. I am always looking for new opportunities to learn, so if you have recommendations, I am happy to hear them!”
What candidates say about the interview process at ICON plc
They conducted a background check before an interview. It felt odd and uncomfortable. Based on all their reviews, they do not always do this, which makes me highly skeptical, given my cultural backgro…
Technical round 1,2 and HR
Normal interview process: phone screen with one maybe two in-person interviews. Nothing outside of normal process
What advice do candidates give for interviewing at ICON plc
Be yourself. Don’t pad your resume with stuff you didn’t do, work history is well vetted. Show that you can work cooperatively in a team environment.
Ask questions about internal support
Please save yourself time and your life, don’t interview here.
How candidates received their first interview at ICON plc
Through Indeed
I submitted my CV to DOC Global and received a call within 3 days.
FAQ
Is Icon a good company to work for?
How do I prepare for a CRA interview?
- 5 trick questions to be absolutely prepared for your CRA interview. Are you currently on job interviews or do you think for a new position soon? …
- What do you want to do in five years? …
- What are your biggest accomplishments? …
- Tell me about you? …
- What is the most difficult situation you have faced?
What are the HireVue questions?
- What makes this position a good fit for you at this point in your career?
- Tell us how your experience and training have prepared you for this position.
- What circumstances led you to apply for this position?
- Give us your understanding of our organization.
