Merck Interview

Tell me about yourself.

Walk me through your résumé.

Why do you want to work at Merck?

Why are you interested in this particular internship role?

Describe a time you faced a challenge in a project. How did you overcome it?

Tell me about a time when you worked on a team that had conflicting perspectives. How did you handle it?

Give an example of when you made a mistake in research or work and how you corrected it.

Tell me about a time you led a project. What did you do, and what was the outcome?

How do you prioritize and manage your time when you have multiple deliverables?

Describe a situation when you had to learn something new very quickly.

Have you ever had to persuade someone (a peer or senior) on a scientific decision?

Tell me about a time you gave or received constructive feedback.

What motivates you in your work or research?

What do you hope to gain from this internship experience?

Can you tell me about a time when you put the needs of others or a greater goal first?

Describe a situation in which you had to make an ethical decision in your research.

How do you define scientific integrity, and what does it mean to you?

Give an example of when you demonstrated innovation or creativity in a project.

How do you ensure respectful collaboration when working with a diverse team?

Tell me about a time you contributed to a positive team culture.

How do you embody Merck’s “Patients First” value in your work or studies?

What does “translational research” mean to you, and why is it important?

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate and how you resolved it.

What was a challenging situation during your previous role, and how did you overcome it?

Tell me about a time you had to think quickly on your feet.

Describe a time when you were given vague instructions — how did you proceed?

What’s a project you’re most proud of, and why?

Tell me about a time when your project didn’t go as planned. What did you learn?

How do you handle setbacks in your research?

Describe a time when you had to balance multiple responsibilities — how did you manage it?

How do you deal with uncertainty in experimental results?

What interests you most about oncology research?

Why do you want to work in translational oncology rather than basic science?

How would you explain the importance of biomarkers in cancer treatment to a non-scientist?

How do you think discoveries made in academia get translated into therapeutic development?

What are some emerging trends or technologies you find exciting in oncology research?

How would you approach identifying a new target for cancer therapy?

What’s one recent paper or breakthrough in oncology that caught your attention?

What do you hope to learn from this internship at Merck?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

How do you see this internship fitting into your long-term goals?

What unique perspective or skill set do you bring to this team?

How do you handle feedback or critique from mentors or supervisors?

What’s one skill you’re hoping to strengthen through this experience?