Millennium Pharmaceuticals Interview Questions & Reviews

Interviewed Oct 2009 in Cambridge, MA (took 4+ weeks)

About a month after I applied I received a call from an HR Manager. There was a brief introduction about the company. I was told of the position, the background, and exactly what responsibilities the position entails. The HR Manager was getting a feel for my level of interest in the position and If I would be able to handle the position. After I informed him that I felt the position was a fit he advised me of the next steps. Who I would be in contact with and what to emphasize in the next round. At the same time I informed the HR manager that I had a couple other interviews in the final stages and would probably receive an offer soon. He took the initiative to expedite the process which is usually unheard of. We agreed on a time frame of two weeks for Millennium to try and come up with an offer or not.

The second interview took place a few days later. It was a phone interview with a Department Manager that I would be interacting with, but not necessarily working under. The interview was a standard, how will you fit in this role, and what skills can you bring to Millennium type of interview. The interview went extremely well and I was told I would be in contact with the HR Manager again.

The next day I received a call from the HR manager and he informed me that there would be a full day of interviews on site in Cambridge the following week. By this time I received an offer from another company and informed the HR manager. I pushed back my deadline so I could finish the interview process with Millennium. MPI was very accommodating and took every measure to ensure they would have a decision by the end of the week I interviewed on site.

There were 4 interviews in total lasting from 9:00 am - 2:00pm. I was given an agenda and met with the Hiring Manager, the Director of the Department, met face to face with the HR Manager, and I had lunch with two of my potential co-workers I would be working alongside. I felt the interviews went great. I was in stiff competition with one other candidate that had a few more years of experience than I. I was informed of this by the HR Manager during our conversations on the phone.

Unfortunately I did not receive an offer, but I was totally blown away by the professionalism of the HR staff and the Managers that I interacted with. I received a personal phone call informing me of their decision, in time for me to accept the other offer I had received. This straight forward, open communication approach should be implemented by all companies HR departments during the Hiring phase.