Top Syneos Health Interview Questions and How to Prepare for Them

Are you getting ready for a Clinical Educator interview? Our recruiters have put together some tips and guidelines to help you know what to expect and how to go about the whole Syneos Health interview process.

At the end of most interviews, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. You should write down questions you want to ask the interviewers ahead of time and bring them with you. As you consider what questions to prepare, think about what is most important to you. That will help you figure out if this job is right for you. That will help you figure out what the customer’s biggest problems are and where they can grow.

At Syneos Health, we strive to create fair and standardized interviews. To do this, our full-time Clinical Educator candidates have to give a 10- to 15-minute clinical presentation on the product they will be teaching patients how to use.

Our per diem Clinical Educator candidates should prepare to role play for a patient education scenario.

One example scenario is that you go to a patient’s house and teach them how to give themselves a subcutaneous injection using a pre-filled syringe. The patient is very nervous, anxious about self-injecting, and is hesitant to bring the needle to their skin.

Once the hiring manager has concluded the interview, you must proceed into your close. Right now is the time to stress how much you want the job and why you should be considered for it. Remember that you can’t expect the interviewer to see you building trust and strong relationships with an HCP or patients if you can’t convince them to hire you?

Writing a follow-up thank-you letter allows you to build a relationship with the interviewer and develop rapport. You remind them of why you are the best person for the job by thanking them for the interview and going over the most important parts of the meeting.

Getting hired at a leading biopharmaceutical solutions company like Syneos Health is no easy feat. With operations spanning over 110 countries, Syneos Health only recruits the cream of the crop. As a job candidate, you need to demonstrate your skills, expertise, and fit for the role during the competitive Syneos Health interview process.

In this article, we provide insights into the most common Syneos Health interview questions along with tips to help you prepare effectively.

Overview of Syneos Health Interviews

The Syneos Health hiring process typically involves:

Initial online application
Screening call with a recruiter
1-2 rounds of video/in-person interviews with hiring managers and team members
Reference checks

Interviews are described as conversational yet detailed, with questions designed to assess both your technical abilities and cultural fit. The process aims to hire driven, innovative professionals who align with Syneos Health’s collaborative work culture.

Let’s explore the top Syneos Health interview questions and how to tackle them successfully

Leadership and Problem Solving

1. How have you motivated teams and fostered collaboration in past roles?

Syneos Health values leaders who can rally teams towards shared goals Discuss strategies you’ve used to motivate teams, like setting clear objectives, recognizing achievements, and promoting open communication Give examples of how you’ve built trust and cooperation across teams through workshops, brainstorming sessions etc.

2 Walk me through a time you overcame an obstacle on a clinical trial project What was the outcome?

Share a specific example that highlights your perseverance and problem-solving skills in the face of challenges. Explain the obstacle, steps you took to address it, and the end result. Emphasize how you kept the project on track through critical thinking and swift action.

3. How have you effectively managed competing priorities with limited resources?

Highlight your ability to prioritize efficiently and allocate constrained resources optimally. Share examples of reprioritizing tasks or finding creative solutions to deliver projects despite limitations. Emphasize collaboration, stakeholder communication, and composure under pressure.

Industry and Role Expertise

4. How do you stay updated on the latest pharmaceutical sales trends and techniques?

Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning by highlighting resources you use to stay updated, like publications, webinars, and industry networks. Emphasize your adaptability to apply new skills and knowledge.

5. Walk me through your experience with the drug approval process and regulatory agency interactions.

Summarize your hands-on experience navigating the drug approval landscape. Discuss interactions with bodies like the FDA, highlighting your project management and communication skills. If inexperienced, demonstrate theoretical knowledge and eagerness to learn.

6. How have you built relationships with key opinion leaders in this industry? What strategies worked well?

Share your approach to identifying and engaging influential KOLs, through networking, transparent communication, and seeking their expertise. Give examples of collaborations you’ve built through regular check-ins, value-adding, and public recognition.

Analytical Skills

7. How do you analyze pharmaceutical sales data to identify growth opportunities?

Walk through your methodology for interpreting sales data to uncover trends, gaps, and areas for improvement. Discuss specific metrics and analytical techniques you use to derive actionable insights. Share examples of data-driven strategies you’ve proposed.

8. Tell me about a time you had to analyze complex clinical trial data. What insights did you uncover?

Demonstrate your ability to comprehend intricate clinical data and extract meaningful conclusions. Discuss your systematic approach to analyzing the data, key insights uncovered, and how they informed decision-making. Use a real example if possible.

9. How have you leveraged technology like AI/machine learning to enhance business outcomes?

Highlight your knowledge of emerging technologies and how you’ve applied them to drive tangible results, whether through data analysis, process automation or predictive analytics. Share specific examples and metrics.

Communication Skills

10. How would you explain a complex clinical trial concept to executives vs. medical experts?

Showcase your ability to adapt communication based on the audience. Discuss using analogies, visuals and clear language for simpler explanations to executives. For experts, focus on precise clinical details and be open to questions.

11. Tell me about a time you had to influence or negotiate with a cross-functional team to drive a positive outcome.

Share a specific example that highlights your communication, persuasion and conflict-resolution skills in bringing alignment among diverse stakeholders. Discuss your approach to building consensus and achieving win-win solutions.

12. How have you simplified complex information for written reports or presentations?

Share examples of presentations, documents or visuals you’ve created to communicate complex details clearly to broad audiences. Discuss strategies like using storytelling techniques, relatable analogies and impactful visuals.

Teamwork and Collaboration

13. Tell me about a time you led collaboration across multiple departments. How did you make it effective?

Reflect on a project where you brought together cross-functional teams and established alignment. Discuss tactics like setting common goals, fostering open communication, and relationship-building activities. Share the positive outcomes achieved.

14. Give me an example of when you had to adapt your work style to collaborate more effectively with a team member.

Demonstrate self-awareness and flexibility by sharing how you recognized differences in working styles and proactively adapted your approach to improve team collaboration and outcomes. Discuss benefits of this adjustment.

15. How have you resolved conflicts between team members?

Share your conflict resolution approach focusing on active listening, finding common ground and maintaining objectivity. Provide an example where you turned conflict into an opportunity to build understanding between team members.

Customer Orientation

16. How do you identify customer needs and tailor solutions to them?

Share your process for deeply understanding each customer’s needs through research and engagement. Give examples of how you customized pitches and deliverables to resonate with specific clients based on their priorities.

17. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond to resolve a customer concern.

Highlight your dedication to customer satisfaction by sharing an instance when you took extra initiative to address a customer’s issue. Discuss the steps you took and how your efforts strengthened the relationship.

18. How have you built strong relationships with customers in past roles?

Demonstrate your relationship-building skills by sharing tactics you’ve used like regular check-ins, value-adding, and prioritizing their needs. Provide examples of how this led to increased engagement, satisfaction and loyalty from customers.

Culture Fit

19. Why are you interested in this role at Syneos Health?

Show passion for the role and sincere interest in the company by sharing what excites you about their mission, culture, and work in biopharma. Highlight aspects of the role that align with your skills, values and career goals.

20. What qualities make someone successful at Syneos Health?

Demonstrate your research into Syneos Health’s culture by discussing valued attributes like innovation, collaboration, customer focus, and drive. Share how these align with your own strengths and work ethic.

21. Where do you see yourself in 5 years at Syneos Health?

Share your long-term career goals and aspirations, painting a picture of how you envision growing with Syneos Health. Demonstrate your intent for a long-term relationship with tangible steps you’d like to achieve.

How to Prepare for Syneos Health Interviews

Here are some tips to help you prepare and make a winning impression:

Research the company – Have a solid understanding of Syneos Health’s services, mission, culture, clients, and recent news. This shows commitment.
Review your resume – Refresh yourself on all the details of your background and qualifications. You’ll need to provide detailed examples.
Practice responding to common questions out loud. Internalize your stories and examples so you can articulate them smoothly.
Prepare smart questions to ask the interviewer that demonstrate your engagement. Ask about challenges, growth plans, culture etc.
Dress professionally and exhibit polished body language. This creates a strong first impression.
Review your skills and experiences and how they relate to the role. This helps you frame responses using relevant examples.

With the right preparation, you can tackle Syneos Health interviews effectively and stand out as a top candidate. Use these tips and practice responding to the common questions provided above. We wish you the very best for your upcoming Syneos Health interview!

Prepare For Your Future

Find out more about Syneos Health and the people who run it before your meeting.
Review the corporate website and investor pages.
Pay close attention to the job description and think about what skills and experience you can offer the company. Be able to explain why you want THIS job over ANY job (what drives you?).
Have a copy of your resume in front of you. Plan to talk about what exactly made you successful (teaching patients, working as a team, making decisions, training people on products, etc.). ).
Prepare answers to common interview questions and practice them. Also, look over your resume again because it’s easy to forget details about past jobs.
During the whole process, stay positive and don’t say bad things about previous employers or managers.
Have a glass of water handy.
Bring a padfolio or a nice notebook with you to write in.
Prepare early, at least 10 minutes ahead of time, so you don’t sound rushed.

Before the Phone Interview

A Syneos Health recruiter and/or a hiring manager may be present at this interview.
Always answer your phone professionally. Make sure your voicemail is set up and that the greeting you use sounds professional. Make sure your mailbox is empty and ready to receive messages.
Make sure you’re in a quiet place with no other things going on, and make sure your phone works well.
If you are interviewing someone on your cell phone, make sure it is fully charged.

Before the Video Interview

You might be asked to do a live video interview or a one-way interview. Prepare much as you would for a formal interview.
Check your video link at least one day before your interview to make sure everything works right.
Make sure that your background is as plain and free of things as possible.
Make sure there isn’t any glare from the lights and that you can see yourself well.
Don’t look at the screen during the interview; look at the camera.
Don’t take notes on your laptop so that there isn’t any clicking noise in the background.
Dress professionally and in a way that fits the job you are interviewing for.

Before a Live Interview

You can meet with one or more hiring managers in separate meetings over the course of one day, or you can meet with multiple managers in a single meeting using a multi-panel format.
Dress in a way that shows you are serious about the job you are interviewing for.
During the interview, make sure your cell phone is off and doesn’t vibrate. This can be distracting.
Bring an extra copy of your resume with you to each interview, just in case they don’t have one.
Make friends with everyone you meet and think that everyone is interviewing you.

Maintain a professional tone throughout the interview.
For future use, keep your resume, a list of your most important skills and accomplishments, and any news about the company close at hand.
Body language is very important, even if the interviewer can’t see you. It can make a huge difference in how you behave. You can project your voice better if you sit or stand up straight. Smiling will also help inject positivity into your voice.
Demonstrate passion, enthusiasm and energy throughout the interview.
Don’t speak too quickly. Stop and take a deep breath if you think so.
Don’t interrupt the interviewer. To avoid this, wait a second after you think they’re done talking before you answer.
Make sure you are listening to the question asked. If you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer to explain it to you.

Be sure to use the STAR format when answering any situational questions.

(List 3 action items you took to accomplish the end result)

What is the most interesting thing about your background that makes you a good fit for this job? What do you think are the best things about your style, and why?
I’d like to hear about one or two learning experiences that you think were very important to your professional growth. How did this learning experience affect your approach going forward?.
Tell me about a coaching session that made a big difference for you. How have you since applied the feedback?.
Tell me about a time when you were teaching or training a patient who wasn’t getting it. How did you recognize this and change your approach?.

Delivering a Clinical Educator Presentation

Full-time Candidates

This presentation should focus on:

Some of the most important parts of the product’s prescribing information are its mechanisms of action (MOA) and how to administer it.
Overview and explanation of product side effects.

Per Diem Candidates

Our per diem Clinical Educator candidates should prepare to role play for a patient education scenario.

Candidates should be prepared to provide education on the following:

A step-by-step guide on how to teach a patient how to give themselves subcutaneous injections correctly
What steps will you take to help the patient and boost their confidence?

Syneos Health Commercial Solutions

FAQ

Is it hard to get hired at Syneos?

Syneos Health Interviews FAQs Is it hard to get hired at Syneos Health ? Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at Syneos Health as 67% positive with a difficulty rating score of 2.77 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty).

Why do you want to work at Syneos?

Syneos Health provides an opportunity-rich environment where employees can grow as professionals in one of many disciplines and pursue long-term career goals throughout our worldwide network of locations.

What is a good answer to your biggest weakness?

So there you have it. So as a recap, the four answers that you can give when being asked, what are your greatest weaknesses, are, I focus too much on the details, I’ve got a hard time saying no sometimes, I’ve had trouble asking for help in the past, and I have a hard time letting go of a project.