I applied online. The process took 7 weeks. I interviewed at Pfizer in Sep 2015
Interview
My interview experience with Pfizer was very positive. They maintained consistent communication with me every step of the way, and I feel like the process was streamlined maybe even a little bit faster then normal due to the hiring manager and the connection I had with him. Before I interviewed with Pfizer I read countless reviews and interview experiences on Glassdoor, so I feel it’s only fitting to return the favor with the details of my own experience:
Day 1 – Found the job listing on Glassdoor and applied
Day 3 – Received thank you email from Pfizer for applying
Day 13 – Received invitation via email to do a digital interview
Day 14 – Completed digital interview online. All prerecorded questions & timed answers into web camera. Typical pharma interview questions
Day 22 – Received email from hiring DM requesting a phone interview later in the week
Day 24 – Completed 45 minute phone interview with hiring DM. Very conversational with a couple of behavioral questions
Day 25 – Filled out online employment application
Day 26 – Received invitation for a face-to-face interview. Also filled out background verification forms
Day 32 - Face–to-face interview with hiring DM and another DM. STAR questions. Very typical but also very comfortable
Day 33 – Received invitation to interview with RM
Day 38 – Interview with RM. Even more in depth STAR questions and a bit more discerning/probing feel to the interview. Still very positive though
Day 40 – Received verbal offer. Offer was accepted and more background checks & drug test scheduled with Pfizer’s third party vendor
Day 50 – Background check & drug screen results received by Pfizer. Official start date confirmed.
I see that Pfizer scores "Average" on their interview difficulty. I spent many days preparing for my face-to-face interviews, putting together my brag book and while I walked away from each of them feeling confident and that the experience was straightforward, comfortable, etc I would rate the interview process as Difficult simply because it's very thorough. You have to know your stuff. Like anything else, the better you know the company and the better you know yourself (work history, behaviors, attitude), the better you're going to do. But don't take it lightly. The more you prepare the better the experience will be.
I applied online. The process took 5 weeks. I interviewed at Pfizer (Virginia Beach, VA) in Jan 2015
Interview
I had a total of 3 interviews. My first interview was a phone screen with the District Business Manager which lasted about 25 minutes. Two weeks later, I had a face-to-face interview over lunch with the District Business Manager and one of his counterparts. My final interview was with the Regional Sales Manager the following week. I received the verbal job offer a week and a half later and the written offer 3 days after that. Be VERY well prepared throughout the entire interview process. Pharmaceutical sales is a very competitive and difficult industry to get into so there's a lot of competition. You will be asked several behavioral questions. Make sure you share testimonials about how one of their prescription drugs has helped you or a relative and/or share testimonials of how Pfizer's over the counter medications have helped you feel better (i.e. Advil, Robitussin, Emergen-C, etc). Brag books are very important to reference during your interview. They help set you apart from other candidates and show a documented track record of success.