Genentech Research Associate Interview Questions
& Process

I had applied online a while back, but didn't hear anything until I'd already started a new job somewhere else. The hiring manager from Genentech reached out, and we stayed in touch. About a year later, they told me about a new opening in their department, so I applied again. First, I spoke with HR on the phone. They asked me about what I'm hoping to find at Genentech and answered my questions about the company and the interview process. HR was really nice and upfront about the expected salary range. Then, I had a phone chat with the hiring manager. We talked more about what they needed for the role and if it aligned with my career ambitions. After that, I was one of three people invited to their campus for a full day of interviews, from morning till late afternoon. I met with about 20 people in the department, from my potential peers to the director. I had some one-on-one chats, but also several interviews with two to five people at a time. Everyone I met was super friendly and understanding, and the questions weren't out of left field. Mostly, they asked about my past work and my future career plans. They specifically said I didn't need to study any old college formulas, just be myself. I also got plenty of chances to ask them about their experiences working there. They seemed to take the process seriously and made sure I was informed throughout.

The interview process was a full day event. It started with a 45-minute meeting with the hiring Scientist. Then, there was a 1-hour job talk. Following that, there were 13 more 30-minute interviews. The first few of these 30-minute interviews were with other SRAs and seemed to be for me to ask questions about the job. After that, there was a 1-hour lunch in the cafeteria with two more SRAs. The rest of the interviews, about 5, were with Scientists/Senior Scientists, the Program Director, and a Senior Staff Consultant, and these were over the phone. It ended with an exit interview with the hiring Scientist, which was a good chance to ask any final questions. The questions were mostly about science or behavioral. They were very keen on why I wanted to work at Genentech and if I understood the pros and cons of the SRA role. Everyone I met was very positive, and even the science questions felt collegial.

I met one of their core facility members at a summer training course, and about a month later, he emailed me about this opening and forwarded my resume to the hiring manager. A phone interview was scheduled for mid-August, which went well. It was about 20 minutes and covered general questions about my current job's daily activities and responsibilities. At the end, the hiring manager mentioned he'd like me to meet his group members, after which I formally applied on the Genentech career website. About 3 to 4 weeks later, the hiring manager called about on-site interview travel arrangements. The on-site interview was 1:1, with each person having about 20-30 minutes. I first talked with the hiring manager, then his team members, an HR consultant, and finally had a wrap-up with the hiring manager. I had lunch with the hiring manager and his lab manager. The cafe at Genentech was pretty good. Most questions were based on my experience and were very technology-focused, although they did ask some behavioral questions about being a team player and handling conflict with other researchers, likely because this position is in a core facility. The total on-site time was about 6 hours. After the interview, the HR consultant mostly contacted me about the background check, relocation survey, immigration questionnaire, and then a verbal offer. I didn't hear back from the hiring manager. Ultimately, things didn't work out, and I had to decline the offer.