I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Sanofi (Boston, MA) in Sep 2017
Interview
2 phone call interviews and 2 in person interviews - standard questions and process i applied online and received an intial call from the recruiter then the hiring manager then went in for an in person interview
I went through a long and ultimately disappointing interview process with Sanofi. The entire process took roughly three months. After I applied, I was contacted by an HR representative and then interviewed by the hiring manager. Both conversations were friendly, and I was told they were very interested in my background. I was also asked whether I could work from the Cambridge office three days a week.
Next came a one-hour panel interview. It went exceptionally well, and based on the feedback, I expected an offer. Instead, two weeks later HR reached out again to schedule additional interviews — one with a more senior leader and another technical interview. Both of these conversations went well too, with a mix of behavioral and technical questions.
Afterward, I again expected a decision. Instead, 1–2 weeks later HR told me I was still a candidate but that they were also interviewing people outside the U.S. “to finalize the list of finalists.” That was unexpected and confusing.
About a month after that, I was informed that the position had been given to a candidate from Europe.
Overall, the process felt extremely drawn-out and indecisive. I invested a lot of time and energy and consistently received strong signals of interest, only for things to shift multiple times. It was a disappointing experience, and in hindsight it may be for the best — a hiring process this uncertain does not inspire confidence in how the organization operates internally.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell us about a new scientific method that you developed.
Pretty standard but more automated feel - screening call with a general HR person and then got invited to a 5 person panel interview. After a few weeks I got an offer from a HR person I didn't interact at all
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Sanofi (Cambridge, MA)
Interview
The whole process was very organized and moved quickly. The Sanofi team was communicative throughout, and the interview process itself felt very comfortable (more a conversation than rigid, stereotypical interview style questions).
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Have you worked with someone who is difficult before, and how do you handle such interactions?