Preparing for an interview can be challenging, especially when you have no clue what the interviewer is going to ask you.
If you take the time to plan ahead, you can lay out your skillset, certifications, and prior experiences with confidence to give you the best chance of succeeding in your interview.
Here are the top questions you can expect your hiring manager to prepare for:
- What is your management style as a CRM?
- How much experience do you have with clinical research projects?
- How do you prioritize tasks in the workplace?
- How do you promote ethicality in your workspace?
- How do you manage non-compliance?
- How do you ensure that all team members are on the same page?
- Can you balance your workload for your CRAs effectively?
You’ll probably hear some form of each of these questions when you go into your interview, and having your answer locked down in advance will help the interviewer recognize your commitment to presenting yourself well.
The rest of this article will dive into these common clinical research manager questions so that you’ve got the best shot of doing well in your interview.
Clinical Research Manager Interview Questions and Answers
1. What is your management style as a CRM?
One of the first things your hiring manager will want to know about you is how you handle business when it comes to team communication, project organization, and handling conflict.
Do you tend to crack the whip or try to resolve conflicts through mutual understanding?
However you choose to answer this question, you want to avoid espousing a “one size fits all” philosophy when it comes to the work environment.
Your answer should reflect your understanding that a clinical research trial requires a case-by-case approach to each concern that arises.
Example answer:
I always operate with the understanding that we have sponsors to impress and deadlines to meet, so I try to actively assess the proficiency of my team members and delegate tasks accordingly.
At the same time, I recognize that effective communication at all stages is incredibly important, and strive to demonstrate empathy to each of my team members.
2. How many experiences do you have with clinical research projects?
Your experience is important in showing whether you’re fit to lead a project.
Make sure to outline your successes in previous projects and trials and how you were instrumental in making positive change.
Example answer:
I’ve served as a CRA for 5 years, and it took me quite a while to settle into the role.
But over time, my skills with both hands-on, detail-oriented work and interpersonal communication have improved immensely.
3. How do you prioritize tasks in the workplace?
One of the most difficult things you’ll need to manage as a CRM is prioritizing tasks.
Understanding how to manage workflows for your team members and effectively push the project forward is crucial to completing tasks in a timely manner.
Example answer:
My first recourse when facing a question of time management is to consult my team and be open to their opinion.
Oftentimes, having a civil discourse where all concerned parties can speak their mind helps establish the workflow the project needs and helps us communicate better as a team in the future.
See also: Clinical Supervisor Interview Questions
4. How do you promote ethicality in your workspace?
A rigorous standard of ethics maintains clinical trials, and compromising those ethics throws the entirety of the project into jeopardy.
As the CRM, the buck stops with you when it comes to holding yourself and your team members accountable.
Example answer:
Throughout my years of clinical research experience, I know firsthand just how important ethical standards are in clinical trials.
As the CRM, I hold myself responsible for maintaining standard other can follow and provide disciplinary action where necessary on members who breach our code of ethics.
See also: Clinic Manager Interview Questions
5. How do you manage non-compliance?
Conflict in clinical research is inevitable, especially with deadlines to meet and sponsors to please.
As such, your interviewer will likely ask you how you’ll handle difficult situations with participants and team members.
Example answer:
I always strive to ensure participants understand exactly what is expected of them in the trial.
If they refuse to cooperate with the methodology of the study, however, protocol demands that they be disqualified from the trials.
6. How do you ensure that all team members are on the same page?
Effective communication is an important part of clinical research, with countless individuals all playing crucial roles in the project’s timely completion.
As the CRM, you’ll need to delegate responsibilities and communicate deadlines and requirements properly.
Your interviewer will likely want to know how you intend to keep your team organized, focused, and inspired while managing difficult assignments.
Example answer:
The first step in promoting a healthy work environment is communication.
I hold frequent team meetings to assess progress and contact struggling individuals to evaluate how we can improve the workspace for their needs.
7. Can you balance your workload for your CRAs effectively?
Using your CRAs effectively without burning them out will be a significant part of your role as a CRM since you’ll be working closely with the CRAs to make sure tasks are completed on time and according to the project guidelines.
When you answer this question, emphasize your prior experience working with CRAs and how you delegate tasks to them.
Example answer:
Having worked as a CRA myself for several years, I know exactly what it’s like to be burned out under an unrealistic workload that leaves you feeling demoralized.
That’s why I believe it’s important to stay in constant communication with my CRAs to evaluate their progress and reduce stress.
See also: Sterile Processing Manager Interview Questions
Clinical Research Manager Interview Questions and Answers PDF
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Conclusion: Interview Questions for Clinical Research Managers
A career as a CRM is quite demanding and requires a lot of skills.
But even if you’re the right person for the job, you still want to prepare ahead of time for these clinical research manager interview questions.
Doing so will help you be on the ball for anything your hiring manager might throw at you and increase your odds of landing that job.
Best of luck with your upcoming CRM interview!
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