Why Do You Want to Be a Clinical Research Coordinator?

Being a clinical research coordinator is unlike any other role in the medical industry.

It is rare that you will be working directly with the test subjects. Instead, you will be overseeing data collection, data analysis and ensuring that all trials meet ethical guidelines.

Along the way, you will be working with all manner of people to ensure that the study works properly and meets the overall goals.

As a clinical research coordinator, you not only need to have an analytical and logical brain, but you also need to have the ability to work in teams.

You will also need to know how to act as a leader.

Only a few are good enough to be decent clinical research coordinators, which is why a good amount of your interview will be focused on why you want to get into the role in the first place.

If you know how to answer ‘Why do you want to be a clinical research coordinator?’, then you are already in a far better position than the majority of people who will apply for this type of job.

On this page, we want to walk you through some example answers that you can give.

Why Do You Want to Be a Clinical Research Coordinator Answers

In these example answers for ‘Why do you want to be a clinical research coordinator?’, we will give you ideas of how to answer questions in an interview.

However, do bear in mind that these are just ideas. We don’t expect you to recite them word for word.

Instead, lean on your own personality and experiences to give an idea that is better suited to you. We are just here to help get those creative juices flowing.

1. example answer

I want to make a difference in people’s lives.

While I know that I won’t be directly interacting with patients as a clinical research coordinator, I understand that the work I carry out on a daily basis can have a huge impact on how people are treated in the future.

I want to help to plan and coordinate medical studies to ensure quality treatments are brought to market. I want to help to save lives.

This answer shows that you understand what the main goal of a clinical research coordinator is. By showing this, it demonstrates that you have passion for the job.

You are telling the interviewer that you are there to make a difference, not just to collect a paycheck.

2. example answer

Ever since I was at school, I have always approached things logically.

I have always been a planner, one that always wants to come up with the best way to ensure that things go smoothly.

During my schooling, and even my current job, I am often the one that people turned to when a leader was required.

I was apt at creating schedules, analyzing data, and ensuring that we had all the tools and equipment needed to succeed.

When I realized I could use these talents to help people, it made me realize I wanted to be a clinical research coordinator.

Again, you are showing that you have knowledge of what the job entails (lots of planning). It shows that you have gained the required skills, albeit not in a clinical research setting.

You are showing that you want to apply those skills to help save people’s lives.

3. example answer

I am a born leader, and I love working in team environments.

I have always dreamed of being at the forefront of clinical research and helping new treatments hit the market.

While I could never be the person that develops the initial drugs, I know that a clinical research coordinator has a vital role to play in the process.

They are the ones for ensuring that studies are conducted safely, and effectively, and that key information is shared.

I see it as an incredibly important role, and I feel I would succeed working in an environment like that. In fact, this may be the best use of my natural talents.

This answer shows that you want to help develop new drugs. Yes, it does show that you may not have the knowledge to come up with drug ideas, which is fine.

That is a completely different skill set. It does show that you understand that your job is important to the drug development process, though.

4. example answer

I have spent a lot of time researching the role of a clinical research coordinator. I love everything about it. I love how varied the role can be.

It is something that plays into my natural talents. I enjoy analyzing information, and I enjoy planning.

I enjoy working in a team environment, and I love being the person that ensures everything goes smoothly.

Whether it is at school or at work, these are all things that I have thrived at. I have often fallen into the leadership and planner role.

I believe that working as a clinical research coordinator is a great way to use my skills. I want to help people, and this is the area I believe I can help people the most.

This shows that you have skills that can be adapted to the clinical research coordinator position and that you have spent some time discovering what a clinical research coordinator does.

5. example answer

I have been working in the medical industry for a while now. In many settings, I have been the one to take charge and lead treatment plans.

While I have enjoyed working directly with patients, I have always desired to work in the background and carry out important work there.

I know that working as a clinical research coordinator is a good fit for me.

I have ample knowledge of the world of medicine, I am a skilled planner, I enjoy working in teams, and my work experience shows that I am able to multitask with ease.

I do love working with patients directly, and it is something that I have always enjoyed doing. However, I want to make bigger differences.

Differences that can change the world, and working as a clinical research coordinator is where I believe I can do that.

You aren’t becoming a clinical research coordinator unless you have a solid understanding of the medical industry.

This conveys that you have worked in it and you have practiced many of the more desirable skills for medical research coordinators.

How to Answer Why Do You Want to Work in Clinical Research?

As we said, our examples are just a guide to how you could potentially answer questions. It is important that you come up with your own answers.

After all, you never know whether other people are reading the same page! Here, we want to give you a couple of tips on how you can start crafting your own answers for the interview.

Remember, you should always have an understanding of what a clinical research coordinator does. You need to know how varied their role is and the various responsibilities that they have.

The job description will always give you an idea. Use it.

You can then use this to talk about:

How you have an analytical mind.
How do you enjoy planning.
How do you enjoy working as a team.
That you are a born multitasker.
That you enjoy the varied life of clinical research.

If you can talk about the skills and talents you have, and how they made you believe that you would make a good clinical research coordinator, then you are well on your way toward giving a fantastic answer.

You may also want to tie in personal experiences.

For example:

Whether you or somebody you know has benefitted from new drug developments.
Whether you have a desire to help people and develop new treatments.

Try not to sound too robotic in your responses. Asking this question serves a couple of purposes.

Firstly, it is there to ensure that you understand the role (a lot of people don’t), while also ensuring that you have a bit of passion.

You don’t have to cover everything about yourself when you are answering. Just a quick overview.

A talented interviewer will expand their questioning if they need to.

Clinical Research Coordinator Interview Questions and Answers PDF

Download our comprehensive PDF guide featuring expertly crafted clinical research coordinator interview questions and model answers.

Gain the confidence and knowledge you need to excel in your upcoming job interviews.

Don’t miss out – get your PDF now and embark on your path to career success!

Download PDF

Conclusion: Why You Want to Be a Clinical Research Coordinator?

If you are applying to become a clinical research coordinator, then we hope that we have helped you to come up with ways to answer one of the most important questions you will be asked.

We know that becoming a clinical research coordinator is tough, but we believe in you.

You have already shown initiative, and by reading this page, you can give better answers than 90% of the applicants.

Best of luck with your upcoming interview!

Related articles of ours: