MBA Recruiter Interview: Martin Rodriguez, Pfizer

Pfizer is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, as well as being one of the World’s 100 Most InDemand Employers on LinkedIn. So, what does it take to get a job at this global pharmaceutical giant? Martin Rodriguez, Pfizer’s director of university relations and diversity recruitment explains the MBA hiring process at Pfizer, as well as its culture and what he looks for in MBA recruits.

What are some of the top reasons MBAs give for choosing to work at Pfizer?

Pfizer is a global leader in the pharmaceutical space that offers students an opportunity to do meaningful work while building a challenging and rewarding career. Former MBA students have cited their summer internship experience, opportunities to work on meaningful projects and relationships built with our colleagues as the main drivers in pursuing full-time employment.  

What are common jobs for MBA graduates at Pfizer? Are most of these jobs located in the United States?

MBA students have an opportunity to work in rotational programs or go into a direct role. Rotational programs are found in the areas of pharmaceutical marketing, finance & business operations and consumer healthcare marketing. Direct placement opportunities exist in the areas of procurement and audit. These roles are all located in the US, though some roles may not necessarily be at our New York headquarters. Past positions have been based in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Some positions require international travel.

Could you please give an overview of Pfizer's MBA recruitment and hiring process?

Pfizer begins campus recruitment in September and visits a number of target schools to generate a competitive and diverse applicant pool. We also post our summer associate job description on the Pfizer careers site for students at non-target schools so they can learn about the opportunity and submit their résumés.

First round interviews begin in January with the process usually complete by late February. The summer associate program typically is made up of 25-30 students with the goal of hiring the majority of those students as full-time employees upon graduation, assuming their performance and fit with our culture warrant the extension of an offer. Pfizer does little to no second year on-campus recruiting.

What do you look for when evaluating candidate's résumés and job experience?

We look for a strong academic record and leadership potential with track record of advancement in their careers.

Do most MBA hires need to have a healthcare background in order to work at Pfizer?

Previous experience in the pharmaceutical industry is helpful but it is not a requirement to be considered a competitive applicant. Pfizer considers students with diverse backgrounds and skillsets. We are mostly interested in students able to articulate why they are interested in a career in the pharmaceutical industry, feel they would be successful, what they have to offer, and why Pfizer, in their view, is a strong cultural fit.   

Students who demonstrate traits of our OWNIT! culture are most likely to be successful in their summer internship experience. OWNIT! is about colleagues taking appropriate thoughtful risks with an innovation mindset, challenging prevailing opinions and assumptions, and making better and quicker decisions. It has had a positive impact on how colleagues interact with each other, engage in forthright and open dialogue, and take responsibility for actions and results.

How does Pfizer select which schools to recruit from?

Schools are selected based on a number of criteria including but not limited to: geographic location and proximity to where the majority of positions are located, strength and reputation of the MBA program, diversity of the student population, strength and relevance of academic programs (finance, marketing, global supply, general management, etc.), success rate with yield on offers extended in the past and alumni currently working at Pfizer.

How many MBA interns did Pfizer have this year? How many left with job offers?

We had 25 summer associates with 16 full-time offers extended.

What steps should MBAs take in order to make a good impression? Conversely, what are some common mistakes MBAs should avoid when contacting recruiters?

Students should do their research and be able to articulate why they want to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry and why Pfizer is, in their view, a cultural fit.

They should also try and make an effort to speak with colleagues prior to their formal interview process in order to learn about the organization.

Students should be careful not to seem too overzealous in their approach, demand too much time of a colleague with too many requests for feedback or too many email follow ups. They should aim to strike a balance with showing strong commitment and interest while also respecting a recruiter’s time constraints.

What are the biggest misconceptions MBAs have about Pfizer and the pharmaceutical industry?

That you must have worked in the pharmaceutical industry in the past in order to be competitive in our application process. Students should understand that while prior experience can make you a more competitive candidate, the lack thereof does not necessarily disqualify you or make it less likely that you will receive an offer.

Is there anything I did not ask about that you think MBAs should know before applying to jobs at Pfizer?

Although I referenced this earlier, I can’t stress enough how important it is for students to try and understand a company’s culture in order to better assess potential fit. Every company has its own culture and identity. Pfizer’s culture is deeply embedded in the OWNIT! philosophy. Students should make every effort to familiarize themselves with this culture as they go through the internship/job search process. It will help them determine if Pfizer could be a cultural fit for them. Also, given that it is a very competitive process, students should get to know our colleagues, who can in turn, become advocates for them during the recruitment process.

At Pfizer, we value colleague input during the recruitment process and rely on their recommendations and input during our resume review process. If selected for an interview, students should come prepared to speak about why they would be a good fit at Pfizer, share highlights on accomplishments that point to their leadership potential and articulate why they want to work at Pfizer versus other pharmaceutical companies.