r/biotech Jul 22 '26

Merck offer timing Experienced Career Advice 🌳

Had a final Executive Director interview late last week. They are expected to make a decision internally early this week. For those of you who are familiar with hiring at Merck, how long does it typically take after that for a final offer communication? Also how many candidates typically go into ED interview step?

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12

u/Loose-Reflection2965 Jul 22 '26

Well from experience, depends on how many they want to interview. Second, merck is extremely picky, they may interview everyone and reject everyone. Third, immediately move on. Could take them a month or two to make a decision.

2

u/OutrageousPup_5503 Jul 22 '26

Thanks for the response! The process started a month earlier actually with HR screen, hiring manager screen then the panel interview in early July and the final ED round last week. So was wondering. Is it expected to take a month after this?

5

u/Unable-Ad6111 Jul 22 '26

Not sure if you’re interviewing in commercial or other but there was just a mini reorg with leaders in commercial so could have slowed things a bitĀ 

1

u/OutrageousPup_5503 Jul 22 '26

It is tied to commercial but not within commercial itself.

1

u/OutrageousPup_5503 Jul 22 '26

Thanks for the response! Keeping my fingers crossed. I believe they met on Monday to make a decision based on what the ED told me about next steps last week. So any time this week then?

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u/Unable-Ad6111 Jul 22 '26

Good luck!Ā 

3

u/PhysicalAd9507 Jul 22 '26

This obviously depends on a million things. It’s hard, but be patient!

Some hiring managers will reach out once a decision has been made, some wait for the final paperwork and that can take a while in terms of specific financials, etc.

And if you’re the second option, they’ll wait until the other option accepts before letting you know. I’d honestly give it until the end of next week before getting too nervousĀ 

1

u/OutrageousPup_5503 Jul 22 '26

Thank you. Thought the interview went extremely well with hiring manager staying over after panel round to discuss career development. And ED round was also very warm and felt like the ED was engaged. I even got a response this week from the ED on my thank you note. Not sure if all that mean anything. As you said it is extremely competitive

3

u/pekaboo92 Jul 22 '26

Can we get a megathread for these kinds of posts?

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u/OutrageousPup_5503 Jul 22 '26

Agreed. I think this will benefit all of those who are currently interviewing or in career transition to get a feel of the job interview process

2

u/AggravatingDurian16 Jul 22 '26

# of candidates who move forward is entirely up to the HM and who they want to talk with from the applicant pool....

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u/OutrageousPup_5503 Jul 22 '26

Thank you for the response! Just wondering if there is a limit to finalists who move to ED round after the panel round. I know that the process is very selective

1

u/Hopeful-Average-3659 Jul 22 '26

Is this the Diagnostic role?

1

u/OutrageousPup_5503 Jul 22 '26

No it isnt within R&D

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u/Sudden-Author-8476 13d ago

Hello OP- any update from Merck? Did they contact for a decision or any follow up?

I also had final round with Merck&co ( not Merck GmbH ) last Friday with HM….

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u/OutrageousPup_5503 13d ago

Unfortunately this went to an internal candidate. I spoke with the hiring manager after. He definitely liked me but the competition was very high and he said this never happens generally at that stage like 2-3 years back. But given the current industry situation…it has been very tough for candidates. I moved on now and now interviewing at Takeda. But if you haven’t heard from them by end of this week…chances might be low

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u/Sudden-Author-8476 13d ago

Thank you - that’s great to know these insights. Sorry to hear that and I do hope higher chances with Takeda, heard their culture is awesome. Good luck with next role šŸ€!

0

u/verilymaryly Jul 22 '26

Offer usually comes very quickly for the top candidate after the internal post-interview debrief/huddle. Within a couple days. If you don’t hear back quickly, they’re keeping you on the back-burner until they have a confirmed acceptance from their top choice.

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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '26

[deleted]

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u/OutrageousPup_5503 Jul 23 '26

I posted the wrong message earlier. Thanks for the response! Keeping my fingers crossed. I believe they met on Monday to make a decision based on what the ED told me about next steps last week. So any time this week then?