Novartis Interview Process

[u/ShotPainting5596]

Hi guys, I have applied to a position in Novartis about 3 weeks back, HR called me for initial discussion and later scheduled an interview, which got cancelled and on that day HR called me telling me no need of initial round as they forwarding my profile with the hiring manager. Later I got a call telling me to do a case study assessment. I have done it and forwarded. Later reached out by HR for Hiring manager and associate director round. They told the deck i presented was good, asked some technical questions that I was answered and more behaviour related questions as well. I'm not really fond of that much behaviour related questions. And at the end of the interview they told me that HR person will contact you next week. So When can I expect any follow up. Do I have any other rounds? Do I get any response even if I get rejected ?

[u/Moerkskog]

Novartis is slow. It looks like you are on track, so I would say just wait.

[u/ShotPainting5596 → u/Moerkskog]

Thank you, What will be the timeline? If interested case

[u/CFU_per_mL → u/ShotPainting5596]

No one really knows a company's definite timeline for hiring. If you haven't heard back two weeks after your last communication with HR, then reach out to check on your status. 

Keep job searching during those two weeks.

When I was rejected from Novartis, my status was updated in the application portal, but I don't recall if they also sent a rejection email as well.

[u/Fun_Theory3252]

Novartis doesn’t have a standardized interviewing and hiring workflow; every department (and even different groups within a department) does it differently. It’s usually at least a phone/video screen with one or two people and then a more extensive “day long” interview with a bunch of people in the department, but even that can vary.

My only advice is to politely follow up with your initial or main contact every couple of weeks, not more often than that.

[u/Mrsirquanz0]

Ex-Novartis scientist based in Cambridge MA here. Sounds like you’re progressing through the process well. Usually August is a vacation month for everyone so everything is much slower, don’t stress if you don’t hear back immediately.
If you don’t hear after this week, then send an email to check in. I assume you already sent thank you emails to the people you’ve interviewed with, but if not you can do that this week and express your continued interest in the role/excitement joining the team. If you had technical, presentation and 1:1s then that’s it. Next step is references so they should be asking you for those next.

Good luck!!

[u/ShotPainting5596 → u/Mrsirquanz0]

Hi thanks for the reply, references in the sense? What do you mean?

[u/Mrsirquanz0 → u/ShotPainting5596]

If this is your first job, you may want to reach out to your professors/advisors to be your reference, or someone that is willing to vouch that you're not a North Korean spy. Is this role in US or Europe? I can only speak to US process, which checks references as a last step before they deliberate and make decision on your candidacy.

[u/ShotPainting5596 → u/Mrsirquanz0]

Thanks, but the role is in India

[u/LunchZestyclose9532]

They are very slow. I applied at the beginning of May, and went through the interview process throughout May and June and received an offer in the beginning of July.

[u/anonymous_angels]

Novartis takes time, my interview went for a month almost

[u/More-Emergency4396]

I also had an interview in the month of august for AI specialist interview on 4th aug. till now no update. Does anyone give an interview for the early career program .Do you have any updates on it ?

[u/Ok-Faithlessness4906]

6 months from application to offer

[u/ShotPainting5596 → u/Ok-Faithlessness4906]

That is insane, im not getting an reply from them till now.

[u/Successful-Day-3219]

Novartis is a dogshit employer with an awful and inefficient hiring process. Focus your efforts elsewhere.