The Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Interview - Oncology

[@OklahomaDoll]

Hi Mario, I’ve been a CRA about 25 years, leaving my last company after 15+ years. Wow! The interview process has REALLY changed! I watched this video about 10 times, probably more as part of my interview preparation. I took copious notes and color-coded everything. I watched it before bed and first thing in the morning. I studied” hard for my interview and it totally paid off!! During the interview (the 2nd more focused one) I was very relaxed and knew the material like the back of my hand. Every single thing you talked about were the exact questions I was asked! It was definitely the most difficult interview I’ve ever had.. But, THANKS TO YOU!!… I got that Dream job last fall and I’m SO happy with my company, my study, my dynamic co-workers. I feel incredibly blessed Mario and just had to reach out to let you know that this little 16 minute video changed my life and I’m very grateful to God and to you Sir. 😊 Never wonder if this video made any difference to anyone. Yes. Yes, it did. Thank you.

[@MarioDeSouza]

Hi Donna, thank you for taking the time to write a comment. Being on KZbin has been discouraging since you need at least 1000 subscribers (and 4000 hours watched) to have a legitimate KZbin channel and I'm nowhere close (532 subs / 1400ish hrs watched as I'm writing this comment). I pondered taking down my videos many times and ending my channel but I did not because I thought that there may be someone out there that's benefiting from my content. Thank you for validating that suspicion. I'm very happy to have been a part of your journey and am excited to hear you landed your dream job. Congratulations! Feel free to reach out if I can ever be of service in the future.

[@SheHer232]

Mario, I’ll definitely share your channel to the CRA groups on Facebook. Great content!

[@MarioDeSouza]

@@SheHer232: Thank you for the support. I'm still struggling to meet the KZbin minimums for a legitimate channel (1000 subscribers/4000 watch hours) so any help is greatly appreciated.

[@dolliesification]

watching this in 2023 and am so happy you did not take down the video. keep up the good work, you are appreciate, and you'll keep growing. thank youuuuu@@MarioDeSouza

[@zobottiano8446]

You are doing a great service for new and even the young at heart CRAs. You do not know how helpful and ceiling breaking your videos have been. Please don't quit making them. Keep them coming.

[@christam9750]

Thank you Mario! This helped me not only prep for the interview, but land my role! I also wanted to add, know CTCAE criteria, what ECOG stands for, side effects of Chemo, and for RECIST 1.1 make sure you can actually apply it, and solve problems!!!

[@MarioDeSouza]

Congrats on landing the role Chris! Happy to have been part of your journey.

[@ogunsakinoluwasegun5360]

Great video. Thank you.

[@zobottiano8446]

Great Interview hints. Refreshing

[@UshnaAmir-o3u]

This video is so helpful!

[@lauraardigo6861]

Great tips and summary! Thanks, Mario?

[@Evangelina999]

Excellent!!!

[@crystalejiofor1643]

Hello Mario, Thank you soo much for this video, super insightful I must say and I honestly needed it. I have been applying for almost a year now and finally had a company that I made it through the first and second interview and now in two days I have to prepare for the final interview which will be done in 4 different sections in 2days. Phew! I must say am a bit nervous but I believe I can do this and also watching this video all through the week to build my confidence. Am gonna be interviewed by 3 senior co-ordinaries and the director lastly. I will definitely keep you posted on how it goes. Wish me well and pls any tips from you will be greatly appreciated 🙏🏾

[@MarioDeSouza]

Given that you've gotten to the final interview, just keep doing what you're doing. My video will help with oncology knowledge. Just be sure to sound confident during the interview. Do keep me posted on the outcome. Good luck!

[@crystalejiofor1643]

@@MarioDeSouza I definitely will be back here to tell you how well it went🙏🏾 Am Positive I will scale through. Thank you sir!

[@catherinehalim6678]

Thank you for sharing!

[@MarioDeSouza]

You're welcome. Let me know if you have any suggestions for future videos.

[@kiruthigabalusamy5517]

Thanks Mario

[@MarioDeSouza]

You're welcome!

[@chintanbarot265]

Could you please make video on IP reconciliation and accountability ? What are the steps needs to be taken to do that ??

[@MarioDeSouza]

Check out this vide at 12:10 as it covers IP: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qF7CZ5qortiobas

[@xavierallen2452]

This was so helpful

[@MarioDeSouza]

Glad you found it helpful and thank you for checking out my channel.

[@bookbag6432]

Having my Oncology CRA interview today. Will let you know if I get the job!

[@MarioDeSouza]

Good luck! Hope the video proves helpful. Keep me posted on the outcome.

[@bookbag6432]

@@MarioDeSouza I got the job! I'm now waiting on the recruiter to send me the offer as we are negotiating price. The only question I got wrong was refractory cancer but I aced all the other cancer questions.

[@MarioDeSouza]

@@bookbag6432: Congratulations! Awesome job. Best of luck in your new role!

[@kiruthigabalusamy5517]

@@bookbag6432 I have cra oncology interview on Mo. Since i dont CRA experience could you please some tipps. thank you

[@suesue2965]

@Mario DeSouza what is refractory cancer

[@gloriamiller2486]

Hello Mario! Thanks for sharing your tips and your experience as oncology CRA. Yesterday I had a job interview and no technical questions during my interview, was more experience situations and scenarios. Do you think this was a good sign ? I will share if I get the job. I have next week another interview I see are 3 interviewer. Any tips ? Thanks

[@MarioDeSouza]

Hi Gloria, most places use a STAR interview format where they give you scenario after scenario and ask what would you. They may also ask a question like "walk me through a Pre-Study Visit." I keep meaning to put out a video on STAR interviews and likely will in the future. I'm still struggling to hit that 1000 subscriber make putting out videos frequently more viable. You'll only get the technical questions in this video if you're interviewing for oncology with experience. Regarding the three person panel interview. I really enjoy them. Know your resume well, therapeutic area, think of past scenarios (difficult SC, mistake you made, missed deadlines etc.) and have your examples ready.

[@suesue2965]

Hi Mario I've had a telephone interview and I was asked; Why do you think Phase I oncology studies would be different in monitoring compared to Phase II and III oncology studies? Could you please help me to understand and explain what I was suppose to answer this question please.

[@MarioDeSouza]

Sure. Phase I oncology studies are more complex because they involve patients that tend to have more advanced disease, often have failed multiple lines of therapy, tend to have years, if not decades, of medical history and tons of con-meds and there tend to be a high amount of AEs/SAEs that occur when compared to Phase II/III. Often times for Phase I, drugs tend to be first in human adding to the complexity of monitoring the trial.

[@suesue2965]

@@MarioDeSouza thank you for the insight

[@alminasa6511]

Any tips for entry level cra int?

[@MarioDeSouza]

Just for clarity - international or intern?

[@blessingoluseun1332]

I have a question on target and non target lesions. Can we connect via instagram so I can show you the question

[@MarioDeSouza]

Apologies, I somehow missed this comment. Hope you were able to get an answer.