Genentech Scientist Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – I was contacted by email from their HR department, exchanged several emails, spoke with the HR person on the phone, then spoke with hiring manager on the phone for 45mins. They said they would contact me to set up an on site interview, then I heard nothing for three weeks (granted this was over Christmas). First day onsite was entirely touring and looking at real estate. Second day was 8 one hour interviews with various departments. Each had been given a specific question to ask me from a standardized interview tool that they were using (did not see the name). Had lunch at the facility cafeteria with hiring manager and one other. Range of personalities as expected, some serious bordering on stern, others more casual. HR representative arrived 12min late and offered no excuse or apology. One person arrived munching cold pizza from break room and openly disparaged recent merger with Roche. All asked reasonable questions and treated me with respect. Told me they would be in touch and three weeks later told me by phone they had given position to someone with more experience, even though I was very open from the beginning about my experience level.

Interview Details – Had several contact with Genentech personnel prior to invitation for interview. the interview (3 total) consisted on several one on one interviews, pannel discussion interviews, presentation, and a group lunch and dinner interview. Overall most of the conversations kept to science and background questions. But also has significant number of questions on why Genentech and what my motivation for science/research is. They value them selves as a Acedemic based organization and ask a lot of questions on why you would be a good fit there.

Negotiation Details – Relocation, Salary, temporary housing, and home assistance.

Interview Details – It was a 2-days f2f interview. Rather long. In general, interviewers were good. Biotech interview seems a bit disorganized. After the interview, communications were with HR. Asked for letters of recommendations (guess references not good enough). Tried to confirm with HR if they received the letters, never got response till 3 weeks later. Letters of recommendation were finally forwarded by HR to hiring group but they started a new round of interviews. Didn't get the offer. Overall, it took 7 weeks and it's a long-winded process.

Interview Details – Applied directly on the web site and received an email from an HR respresentative asking to set up a phone interview.

Phone interview with HR was a standard behavioral interview consisting of "tell me about yourself, how do you deal with conflict, how do you work under pressure.... type questions".

Was next contacted by hiring manager in the scientific department who conducted a technical interview via telephone.

Finally, was invited for a face to face interview where I met with mutiple individuals (0.5 to 1 hour each) within the organization during a one-day on-site interview.

Interview Details – It was intense. The whole process consisted of a phone interview, a half day site visit to meet the group and finally a 2 day long interview which was a presentation and 25 different 1:1 interviews. They make sure that the person they are hiring is good and compatible with everybody.

Interview Details – it is very efficient.

Interview Details – Asked generic questions with the answers located on resume.