In a competitive job market, how applicants present themselves in interviews is critical. Asking about promotions and expressing dislike for the work they’d be doing are just a few reasons hiring managers don’t extend job offers.

Saying the wrong thing in interviews has more downsides than just second-guessing responses or feeling embarrassed. It can also keep biopharma professionals from getting coveted job offers.

To learn what candidates say that makes hiring managers not hire them, BioSpace collected feedback from managers as well as talent acquisition and recruiting experts and dove into a related Reddit thread. In some cases, it turned out that what applicants said wasn’t the only reason they missed the mark. What they didn’t say also proved critical.

1. They’re In It for the Money

Money is a prime reason many biopharma professionals pursue jobs, as noted in a career planning survey late last year that informed the BioSpace 2026 U.S. Life Sciences Employment Outlook report. When asked what was motivating them to look for a new position, the No. 2 response was “I want more money” (53%).

That said, talking about money during a job interview can be costly. One hiring manager BioSpace surveyed this month shared that they didn’t hire a candidate because “When asked why they were interested in the role, they answered ‘I’m just doing this for the money.’”

2. They Ask About Advancement

Career development is critical to biopharma professionals, according to the career planning survey. Asked what was motivating them to look for a new job, the No. 1 answer was “I want more growth opportunities” (67%).

However, inquiring about career development during interviews doesn’t sit well with every hiring manager. One commented in this month’s BioSpace survey that they tend to raise their eyebrows when applicants want to know when they’ll be promoted. Similarly, in the Reddit thread, a commenter wrote that “I’ve had candidates literally tell us they considered the job they were interviewing for a stepping stone and that they planned to move on after a short stint.”

3. They Don’t Address the Hiring Managers’ Needs

The biggest mistake applicants make is discussing their experience without connecting it to what the hiring manager needs to solve, according to Bryan Blair, vice president of biotech and pharma recruiting at GQR Global Markets.

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