What is the hiring process at Pfizer?

1. Application: Prospective employees are encouraged to explore the Pfizer webpage for information on Pfizer's business, culture, and available jobs.

   To apply for an opportunity, you will be prompted to create an online profile via Workday, then you will be able to submit your application. You will also be able to update your profile, apply for jobs, and monitor your application status using the online portal.

   Pre-screening text messages or assessments may be sent to you, or you will be contacted by a member of the internal recruitment team regarding the next steps.

   Please note that Pfizer requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. You must be fully vaccinated prior to your employment start date, including any boosters that are required by applicable laws. If you have any questions, please reach out to the internal recruitment team.

2. Interview: If your skills seem to be a match for the role, you will be contacted to set up a phone interview to discuss the role in greater detail and ask any questions you have regarding the role and/or the company. If the recruitment team feels you are a good fit, your application will be sent to the hiring manager.

   If the hiring manager wants to move forward with your application, you will be contacted for another phone interview. This is usually a 30-minute phone call that discusses the more technical aspects of the position you are applying for.

   If the hiring manager wants to move forward, you will be invited for a panel interview. This usually takes place with the hiring manager and at least one team member in the role you have applied for or at a similar level. This tends to involve scenario-based questions to gauge your personality and experience in past roles.

   For some roles, the panel interview may require that you give a presentation. The hiring manager or someone from the internal recruitment team will give you more details if this is a requirement for your interview.

3. Offer and Onboarding: If you are selected for the role, a member of the internal recruitment team will contact you to review the offer letter details, benefits, and more information on your new career at Pfizer.

   Once you have accepted an offer, you will be asked to complete forms and start the pre-onboarding process. You will also be required to submit a drug test and background check. The internal recruitment team member will provide you with more detailed information on how to complete these steps.

Pfizer outlines tips for successfully navigating the hiring process. These tips are centered around 4 principles:

1. Be prepared: Read about Pfizer's culture, missions and values, and growth behaviors. Read the job description thoroughly and feel comfortable discussing all of the qualifications needed and how you meet those expectations.

   If possible, research the interview panel beforehand and know who they are, what they do, and how they relate to the role you are going for.

2. Be strategic: Think about your skills and attributes in advance. Understand exactly what you can bring to the role and the company.

   Pfizer expects you to have questions about the company, role, and team structure. To that end, prepare in-depth questions that demonstrate how seriously you are taking the position. Do not use generic options like "Tell me more about the team".

3. Be insightful: Pfizer uses "Behavior-Based Interviewing," which is driven by the idea that past performance predicts future performance. To that end, they want to know how you have dealt with situations in the past. Prep and rehearse your answers using the SBO technique:

   • Situation: What was the context of your example?

   • Behavior: What was required of you? What challenges did you face? What actions did you take?

   • Outcome: What was the outcome of your actions?

4. Be yourself: Pfizer wants to get to know you. Feel free to ask questions or get clarification prior to giving an answer. The best interviews are conversational, with give-and-take on both sides.

   Look at the interview as an opportunity to build a relationship with the interviewer. Show confidence and eagerness in your answers and feel free to check with the interviewer to make sure you have answered their question.

   Always end your interview with a question about the next steps. This will send the message that you are excited and ready to move forward in the process.

The offer and onboarding stages signify the beginning of your career at Pfizer. Once you receive an offer, review it carefully to ensure you understand everything, including compensation, benefits, and work schedule. Once you accept the offer, you will start with the onboarding process, which includes but is not limited to drug testing and background checks.

While the hiring process at Pfizer is thorough and may seem lengthy, it is designed to ensure that both the company and the candidate are making the best possible decision. The time taken to complete each phase may vary based on the role, location, and hiring urgency.

Remember that each stage of the hiring process is an opportunity to learn more about Pfizer and its culture. Whether it's researching Pfizer's latest projects or understanding their mission and values, every bit of knowledge can help you feel more prepared and confident throughout the process.

Lastly, don't forget to follow up after each stage of the hiring process. A simple thank you note expressing your continued interest in the role can go a long way in demonstrating your professionalism and eagerness for the role.