Thermo Fisher Scientific is a world leader in the science industry and has a huge presence in many scientific fields. Here’s a quick rundown:
A career at Thermo Fisher Scientific opens doors to a diverse range of exciting opportunities, including:
Interviewing at Thermo Fisher Scientific? You’ve come to the right place. Landing a job at this leading scientific instruments and biotech company is a coveted opportunity. With over 75000 employees across 50 countries Thermo Fisher offers exciting career paths in research, engineering, sales, IT, and more.
But first you have to nail the interview
Below I’ve compiled the most commonly asked Thermo Fisher interview questions along with tips for crafting winning answers. With this insider info, you’ll have the confidence and preparation to impress your interviewers and snag the job.
Common Thermo Fisher Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Let’s look at some of the top questions candidates get asked at Thermo Fisher interviews, along with examples of strong responses:
Tell Me About Yourself
This open-ended question is often used to kick off Thermo Fisher interviews. Interviewers want to learn about your background and skills to see if you’re a fit.
Sample Answer:
“I’m a biomedical engineering major graduating this spring from UC San Diego. Through coursework and internships, I’ve gained experience with PCR, mass spectrometry, and other analytical instrumentation that Thermo Fisher produces. I’m passionate about leveraging technology to advance health sciences and deliver meaningful impacts on human lives. If I were to join Thermo Fisher’s product development team, I would bring strong technical knowledge along with creativity and a user-focused mindset to help enhance your life sciences instruments.”
Why Do You Want to Work at Thermo Fisher Scientific?
With this question, interviewers want to gauge your genuine interest in the company. Be specific.
Sample Answer:
“Thermo Fisher has always been my dream company due to its commitment to innovation and its impressive 75-year legacy of enabling scientific breakthroughs. I’m particularly excited about your investments in genetic sequencing and precision medicine. If I joined the team, I would leverage my molecular biology expertise to help develop cutting-edge instruments and workflows that empower researchers to unlock secrets of the genome and advance personalized therapies. I want to work for a purpose-driven company making a real difference, which Thermo Fisher exemplifies.”
What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
This common question is asked to assess your self-awareness. Be honest but emphasize strengths over weaknesses.
Sample Answer:
“My biggest strength is perseverance. I don’t give up easily when confronted with challenges. For example, for my senior design project, my team’s initial prototype failed, but I rallied us to iterate and we ended up building a novel 3D bioprinter. In terms of weaknesses, I sometimes focus too much on details instead of the big picture. However, I’ve been actively working to improve my strategic thinking abilities through coursework and leadership roles like my stint as president of the Biomedical Engineering Society.”
Why Should We Hire You?
With this question, put your best foot forward and sell your fit.
Sample Answer:
“You should hire me because my expertise and passion for your mission make me an asset to your team. Specifically, my molecular biology degree, lab skills, and experience with genomic sequencing instruments like Illumina’s platforms align perfectly with Thermo Fisher’s focus areas. On top of that, I’m a quick learner hungry to take on new challenges and make impacts. I’d love to join Thermo Fisher’s vibrant culture of science and innovation.”
What Motivates You?
With this common question, interviewers want insight into what drives you. Share what inspires you professionally.
Sample Answer:
“I’m motivated by working on technologies that tangibly improve people’s health and wellbeing. For example, I spearheaded a project in my university’s makerspace to develop an open-source infant vest monitor that tracks respiratory rate to prevent SIDS. That experience showed me how rewarding it is to create accessible medical devices that save lives. I’d be excited to bring this passion to Thermo Fisher, where I could help develop products that push scientific boundaries and enable breakthrough discoveries.”
How Do You Handle Stress and Pressure?
This behavioral question tests your coping skills when the heat is on. Share how you stay productive under stress.
Sample Answer:
“I handle stress productively by staying organized, focused on priorities, and proactive about avoiding crunches. For example, when juggling multiple engineering projects with looming deadlines, I use calendars to schedule blocks of time for each task and avoid procrastination. I’m attentive to deadlines and unafraid to ask questions early if I’m unsure about anything. While stress is unavoidable, keeping on top of my work and communicating with my team prevents me from feeling overwhelmed.”
Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
With this common question, interviewers want to gauge your career goals and interest in professional growth. Assure them you’re in it for the long haul.
Sample Answer:
“In five years, I see myself firmly established in a research scientist or product development role, applying my expertise in gene sequencing, PCR, and cell analysis to help Thermo Fisher maintain its edge. I plan to continue expanding my skills and industry knowledge. With Thermo Fisher’s incredible resources and legacy of scientific innovation, I’m confident I could carve out a long, rewarding career here as the company continues leading the way in life sciences.”
Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
Always ask smart questions to show your engagement and learn more about the role and company.
Sample Questions:
-“What are the biggest challenges facing your team right now, and how could I help address them if hired?”
-“What training opportunities are available to help new hires like me ramp up quickly?”
-“What qualities does someone need to be successful in this role at Thermo Fisher?”
How to Prepare for a Thermo Fisher Interview
Now that you know the most common Thermo Fisher interview questions, let’s look at some tips to ace your interview:
Research the company and role extensively. Have a deep understanding of Thermo Fisher’s products, technologies, customers, and competitors. Know the required and preferred qualifications for the role.
Practice answering questions aloud. Rehearse your responses to likely questions until your answers flow naturally. Ask a friend to conduct a mock interview.
Review your resume. Refresh yourself on your skills, achievements, and qualifications so you can provide examples of them.
Prepare smart questions to ask. Brainstorm engaging questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and role.
Dress professionally. Appearance matters, so dress in formal business attire. For men, wear a tailored suit and tie. For women, choose a professional dress or blazer/pantsuit.
Arrive early. Give yourself extra time to get to the interview location so you can collect your thoughts and make a prompt entrance.
Sell yourself. When answering questions, confidently convey why you’re an excellent fit for the role. Let your genuine passion and qualifications shine.
With these insider tips on common Thermo Fisher interview questions, you can walk into your interview fully prepared to impress. Showcase both your scientific expertise and your enthusiasm to be part of a leading company enabling breakthrough innovations that benefit humanity. With the right preparation, you can convincingly make the case that you’re the perfect person to join Thermo Fisher’s remarkable team. Now get out there and ace that interview!
How many rounds of interview conducted in Thermo Fisher Scientific?
Number of Interview Rounds:
The interview process can vary depending on the specific position and department, but here’s a general idea:
- It’s possible that there will be anywhere from one to three rounds [sources cannot be named for privacy reasons].
- Possible Structure: Initial Phone Screening (Optional): An HR or recruiter might give you a short call to talk about your background and fit for the job (not guaranteed for all positions). In-Person Interview: Those who have been shortlisted are usually asked to come in for an interview with the hiring manager or a team panel. To see if you’re a good fit for the company and your skills, you might be asked behavioral and situational questions [1].
Top questions Asked for freshers in Thermo Fisher Scientific
As a fresher interviewing at Thermo Fisher Scientific, expect questions that assess your:
- Scientific Knowledge (may vary by role): Do you know the basics about the life sciences industry and the products and services that Thermo Fisher provides? (Show that you know the basics or are eager to learn.) Can you briefly explain why scientific research and new ideas are important? A basic understanding is shown. (For certain roles) How would you go about keeping a lab clean? (This could be useful for research assistant roles)
- General Skills: Tell me about yourself and why you want to work for Thermo Fisher Scientific. (Talk about your education, skills that are relevant (like teamwork and communication), and what interests you about science or a certain area like sales, quality control, or research and development. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a problem and how you solved it. (Focus on problem-solving skills and resilience). Tell me about a time when you had to work well with others. (Showcase your teamwork abilities and communication skills). Describe your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest, but highlight your strengths, such as your desire to learn, your attention to detail, and your love of science. Explain why you want to work at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Talk about your interest in the life sciences industry, their specific areas of focus (if any), or how their mission fits with your own goals for scientific progress. Do you have any questions for us? (Always come up with well-thought-out questions about the role, the company culture, or the mentorship programs for new employees at Thermo Fisher.)
Thermo Fisher 2021 Company Video
What is the interview process like at Thermo Fisher Scientific?
1st round was a 30min phone screen with HR Next interview was scheduled immediately with 2 group leaders for one hour. Like others mentioned, mostly STAR based behavioural questions and a few very basic technical questions. Offer was made the next day after the second interview. I interviewed at Thermo Fisher Scientific Very efficient and timely.
What is the hiring process at Thermo Fisher Scientific?
The hiring process at Thermo Fisher Scientific typically involves multiple rounds of interviews, starting with an initial phone screening with a recruiter, followed by one or more interviews with hiring managers and potential peers. These interviews may include a mix of behavioral, technical, and situational questions.
How long did it take to get a job at Thermo Fisher?
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Thermo Fisher Scientific (Carlsbad, CA) Easy interview, the normal questions that you can expect for a PM role. They ask how comfortable you are with leading, running the team, experiences with bad stakeholders etc.
How many interview questions does Thermo Fisher Scientific have?
Glassdoor has millions of jobs plus salary information, company reviews, and interview questions from people on the inside making it easy to find a job that’s right for you. Thermo Fisher Scientific interview details: 2,070 interview questions and 1,908 interview reviews posted anonymously by Thermo Fisher Scientific interview candidates.
