1. Tell us how detail oriented are you?
I pay extremem attention to detail. One wrong move can be a potential health risk or could mean inadequate results or patient information. I am always acting under preventative measures.
2. Explain me what are your short and long term goals?
Short range: To secure an appropriate new position where I can apply my skills and experience to increase the company's productivity and profitability.
Long range: Assume more responsibility and make greater contributions over time for my employer.
3. Tell me about the best/worst boss you've ever had?
Trap question: Never state anything negative! Say that while every boss has been different, you have worked productively with, and learned something from each one. (Be prepared to give some examples of what you have learned.)
4. Explain what's your ideal company to work for?
I seek to work for a company that delivers quality products and accurate results. I want to work for a company that prioritizes work ethic and proper treatment. I also want to work in a professional environment, minimizing the presence of lazy colleagues and corrupt systems.
5. As you know everyone has pet peeves. What are yours?
Trap question. Never state anything negative! Turn this question around by talking about your high professional standards. Your only “pet peeves” are with yourself-pushing yourself hard and not accepting mediocrity, for example-or how you are always striving to reach your full potential on the job, etc.
6. Suppose if you could relive your last 15 years, what changes would you make?
Nothing is perfect, but overall I would say that I'm quite satisfied with the way my life and career have developed-so I wouldn't make any significant changes.
7. Tell me what have you done to improve yourself during the last year?
Talk about professional development, training programs, educational curricula, study in your field, on-the-job training, skill-building, relevant books you've read, etc.
8. What weaknesses do you have for this job?
Trap question. Never state anything negative! Answer is to ponder for a while and then state that you can't think of any weaknesses that would compromise your performance at this job; or negatively impact your performance of the job's responsibilities.
9. Please explain us how do you handle stressful situations?
I try to keep a leveled head when dealing with a stressful situation. I try not to let the pressure push me into making a decision that I may regret. Slowing down and controlling the situation allows me to fully view the problem and trouble shoot with the best results.
10. Explain me how do you spend your spare time?
Say something inoffensive, apolitical, and innocuous. (reading, exercise, travel, home projects, gardening, family activities, home projects, etc.)
11. What has kept you from progressing faster and farther in your career?
Trap question. Never state anything negative! State: “I don't know what could have given you the impression that I am dissatisfied with the progress and pace of my career. I am quite satisfied with where my career is at this point in my life. However, I am ready to take on greater challenges.”
12. What does your work entail as Biology Assistant?
I spend a lot if time setting up and taking down labs, cleaning tables, and picking broken test tube glass out of the sinks. My school doesn't give me any more extra time to do this than other-subject teachers get. Some schools give science teachers an extra free period, some don't . Some schools even have a designated lab technician that will do all of this for you. Some schools require science teachers to move their labs from class to class on a cart! Science teachers are usually busy with the variety of activities that go along with being a good science teacher and are often perceived as socially-awkward or pompous by their colleagues.
13. Explain me what other companies/opportunities are you looking at now?
As I'm sure you can appreciate, I'm not at liberty to say as I am still in discussions with these companies. I need to protect their privacy, as I would for your company under similar circumstances.
14. We have all the information we need. We'll be in touch?
Take the initiative. Ask such questions as: “Where do I stand? Am I being considered as a strong candidate? When should I expect to hear from you, or would you prefer that I contact you in a day or two? What is your time-frame for making a final decision? Is there anything else I can provide to facilitate the process?” etc. Then restate your strong interest in the position and your confidence that your background is an ideal match to the job.
15. Are you considering other positions at this time?
Trap question. Simply say “yes.”
16. If you were choosing someone for this job, what kind of person would you select?
generally state your own general qualifications without being too “obvious.” Leave out the details.
17. Explain how would a former co-worker or previous supervisor, describe you?
They said I am very hard working person and always tried to help them in any situations and I am very clean person.
18. Tell me how does this opportunity compare?
From what I've heard so far, very favorably...and I would like to learn more.
19. Explain me about your greatest achievement/disappointment in your life?
Give one personal example (like meeting your spouse and getting married; putting yourself through college and graduate school; or saving up to buy your first house, etc.). Then give your best professional accomplishment story. As for the disappointment, give an answer similar to the one above implying that “overall, I would say that I'm quite satisfied with the way my life and career have been developing, so I really can't think of any major disappointments.”
20. As you know everybody likes to criticize. What do people criticize about you?
Trap question. Never state anything negative! Say that you can't think of any criticisms you have received from colleagues on the job. Of course, there have been areas for development-such as when your supervisors would have given you your “employee review,” and they might have made a suggestion for improvement. State that you have always taken these kinds of suggestions seriously, and have taken steps to make the improvements that were requested, and that this has made you stronger as a professional. (State at least one example).
21. Explain what do you like about what you do?
Teaching science allows you to be creative and to use a variety of approaches for instruction. Students and colleagues always bring in stuff…dead birds, deer hearts, hawk talons, etc. and businesses and colleges like to give things away to science teachers. I feel that science teachers are lucky because it is easy to engage students and you often reach some of those students that many other teachers have a hard time developing rapport with. The BEST part of the job….the clean slate you get at the start of the next year and being able to change things that didn't work.
22. Tell me you don't have the experience/background for this position. How could you handle it?
Say you're confused by their comment, that you're quite confident that you DO have the experience and background for this position, and that you're a very strong match for the responsibilities. Ask what specifically concerns them about your background; what's missing in your experience? (Sometimes the interviewer is just testing you.) Re-state your qualifications as needed, tying your accomplishment stories to the employer's requirements.
Trap question. Never state anything negative! Say that the employer was very good in providing resources and support to your position and that you have no complaints about this.
24. What do you expect to get in this job that you haven't gotten in you current/previous job?
Trap question. Do not say anything negative. State that your current/previous jobs have met or exceeded your expectations. With the new position you would hope to have broader responsibilities and make greater contributions.
25. Explain me your experience working beyond the laboratory. What unique skills have you developed?
Outside of school and labs, I'm a pretty good musician, namely piano and voice. I like to sew, run, cycle, hike, ski - pretty much anything outdoors. I really enjoy talking to new people, finding new projects and challenges, and generally improving myself. That's actually my personal mantra - to never stop growing.
26. Basic Biology Assistant Job Interview Questions:
☛ Tell me how you organize and maintain detailed, and accurate records in your previous work, or throughout your studies.
☛ What are your career goals in the lab? Where do you see yourself in five years?
☛ Describe your passion for the work we do at this laboratory.
☛ A laboratory assistant will do multiple tasks throughout the day.. Which of these do you enjoy the best? Least?
☛ How would a former co-worker or previous supervisor, describe you?
☛ What can you do for us that other candidates can't?
☛ What makes you the best person for this job?
☛ Describe your experience working beyond the laboratory. What unique skills have you developed?
☛ How do you handle stressful situations?
☛ How detail oriented are you?
☛ How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
☛ What's your ideal company to work for?
☛ What laboratory experience do you have?
☛ How reliable of a worker are you?
☛ What do you like most about being a Lab Assistant?
☛ Tell me about your education/training.
☛ Are you comfortable working with dangerous chemicals?
☛ As a Laboratory Assistant, there are a lot of safety protocols that need to be followed, how do you ensure that you are following all of the safety protocols needed in this position?
☛ There will be instances where additional tasks will be asked by leadership. How do you feel about the tasks I mentioned today, and potentially receiving tasks related to the position that is not listed in this job description?
☛ If a nurse or doctor asked you to get the results of a lab specimen, but you are not sure how to run the test, what would you do?
☛ Give an example of adapting quickly to a new situation.
☛ As a Lab Assistant, would you want to open your own lab?
☛ What type of people do you like working with?
☛ The candidate will be required to order tests in the laboratory information system and needs to be 95% accurate. Give me an example of how you were detail oriented in your previous role as a Laboratory Assistant.
☛ Are you familiar with medical technology?
27. Situational Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions:
☛ How have you changed in the last five years?
☛ What problems have you encountered at work?
☛ What would make you happy in a job?
☛ What have you been doing since your last job?
☛ What relevant experience do you have?
28. Strengths and Weaknesses based Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions:
☛ Describe a recent unpopular decision you made.
☛ Do you have the qualities and skills necessary to succeed in your career?
☛ Would you rather write a report or give it verbally?
☛ Tell us about the last time you had to negotiate with someone.
☛ What are your salary requirements.
29. Behavioral Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions:
☛ What are you looking for in terms of career development?
☛ Do you know anyone who works with our company?
☛ What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing?
☛ Has anything ever irritated you about people you've worked with?
☛ How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
30. Video based Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions:
☛ How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
☛ How do you think you can make a contribution to this company?
☛ What was the most difficult period in your life, and how did you deal with it?
☛ Give me an example that best describes your organizational skills.
☛ What would you say are your strong points?
Be prepared to discuss in detail and with examples your five or six main attributes.
Your answer should be focused on what you can bring to the role that will be of benefit to the company.
Make sure to tell the interviewer about the positive results your actions produced.
31. Phone Based Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions:
☛ How do you react to instruction and criticism?
☛ If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
☛ How well did your college experience prepare you for this job?
☛ What are you expecting from this firm in the future?
☛ What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
32. Communication skills based Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions:
☛ Time when you made a suggestion to improve the work.
☛ Your greatest weakness in school or at work?
☛ What do you see yourself doing within the first days of this job?
☛ What type of work environment do you prefer?
☛ Who has impacted you most in your career and how?
Never interrupt even where the question is obvious, wait for the interviewer to finish before your reply.
Never use any adjectives for these sort of Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions. Answer all Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions honestly and stay focused throughout the hiring process.
33. Competency Based Biology Laboratory Assistant job interview questions:
☛ When were you most satisfied in your job?
☛ Do you prefer to work in a small, medium or large company?
☛ What were your annual goals at your most current employer?
☛ When given an important assignment, how do you approach it?
☛ Did you feel you progressed satisfactorily in your last job?
34. Basic Biology Laboratory Assistant interview questions:
☛ What kinds of situations do you find most stressful?
☛ Describe a situation where you had to plan or organise something.
☛ Example when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
☛ How would you describe your work style?
☛ Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
Show that you are willing to take on the necessary job functions.
Illustrate your examples with experiences from previous jobs, internships, activities, team involvements and community services. Don't feel too much pressure as you have been asked many strict questions that you are unable to answer well.
Tell two or more pre-prepared accomplishment stories. Keep it positive!
