After applying for the position, HR contacted me for a phone screen. They verified my background information and discussed the position, making it clear this was a non-laboratory/benchwork position. They asked for salary requirements but were perfectly fine when I deflected/redirected the question. Really a great phone conversation. It was a relaxing, low-intensity discussion.
After the phone screen I was invited on-site for the full interview. It was a long day! Started at 8 am, ended around 3-4 pm. Every hour/hour and a half a new person or pair of people would come and interview using the STAR method (behavioral interviewing). I felt bad towards the end because I was using the same examples for each new interviewer-it was hard coming up with that many! But one of the interviewers said they don't talk about the actual stories we tell when making assessments.
For lunch I was taken to the cafeteria with three current study directors and it was more informal (although still interviewing!). After lunch and my last interview, I was taken on a tour of the facility.
Although the day was really long, it was enjoyable and I walked away having a really good sense of the role, the company, and the fit between myself and Covance.
Since I accepted the offer, they did a VERY thorough background check and send me for a drug screen.
Tip: bring your own bottle of water. I didn't have one in the morning, but grabbed one from the cafeteria at lunch and it made a world of a difference!
