Basic Interview Questions with Answers for B. Sc, M. Sc, B. Pharm & M. Pharm Freshers
- Mr. Vikram PR
- Sep 5
- 2 min read
Industry Focus: QA | QC | Production | R&D | Regulatory
Preparing for your first pharma job interview? Here’s a quick guide with commonly asked questions and key points you should know!
Top General Questions
1. Tell me about yourself
Share your education, internships, area of interest, and passion for pharma.
What is the difference between QA & QC?
QA: Process-oriented, prevention of defects.
QC: Product-oriented, detection of defects.
What is GMP and why is it important?
Good Manufacturing Practice ensures consistent product quality and safety.
What is HPLC and where is it used?
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography is used for analyzing drug purity and content.
What is the role of a buffer in formulations?
Maintains pH to stabilize drug compounds.
Difference between assay and purity?
Assay measures the active drug content; purity checks for impurities.
What is a dissolution test?
Tests how quickly and completely a drug dissolves — important for effectiveness.
What is an SOP?
Standard Operating Procedure ensures consistent and compliant work.
Types of tablets?
Immediate Release (IR), Sustained Release (SR), Delayed Release (DR), etc.
What are ICH guidelines?
International guidelines for drug quality (e.g., Q1A for stability, Q2 for validation).
Department-Specific Questions
QA/QC Roles
What is a deviation and how do you handle it?
What is CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action)?
Name common analytical instruments used in QC (HPLC, UV-Vis, IR).
What is calibration and why is it necessary?
Explain the principle of UV Spectroscopy.
Production Roles
Explain granulation (dry vs wet).
What is IPQC (In-Process Quality Control)?
What is a Batch Manufacturing Record (BMR)?
Describe the tablet compression process.
R&D/Formulation Roles
Factors affecting bioavailability.
What are excipients? Examples?
What are pre-formulation studies?
Difference between suspension and emulsion.
HR / Behavioral Questions
Why do you want to work in pharma?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Are you willing to relocate or work shifts?
Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it.
Tips for Freshers:
Revise pharma fundamentals & instruments.
Research the company before the interview.
Be confident, honest, and show eagerness to learn.
Communicate clearly and maintain good body language.
Whether it’s a campus interview, walk-in, or your first pharma role — this guide will help you prepare smartly!
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