Here at LifeLabs, we are continually seeking innovation in our business and we rely on our employees to be the innovative minds. Have you ever sought new or innovative ways to perform your job?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

Innovation is imperative in the clinical laboratory setting. Whether it is a simple change in a process to make it more efficient or a large-scale update in a new piece of equipment, being innovative separates LifeLabs from their competition. Talk about a time when you noticed a new process, technique, or something else could benefit from a change, and discuss what you did to implement it. On top of your example, stress to your interviewer that being complacent in your work is never an option for you.

Focus on showing the interviewer how you are creative and think outside the box. Even if your suggestion was not implemented, the interviewer wants to ensure that you are not a complacent person and seek ways to improve your job.

"A few years ago, when I was hired at my current employer, the only downside to the job that I found very quickly was the lack of a triaging system for incoming samples or a process written around prioritizing our work. Having had the experience of writing a process with a previous employer, I approached my director to do the same. I came from the view that work requests were being completed and triaged differently, depending on the individual, and high-priority requests did not have a timeline. She agreed to let me and another coworker write a new procedure and develop a triage system. It is still working well to this day."

"Two years ago, I attended a great CME event for Cytotechnologists, and one seminar I attended was on new technology in the field. While there, I learned how new technology in digital microscopes was changing the field and simultaneously making our jobs more efficient and accurate. Upon returning from the conference, I approached my director about the idea of purchasing one of the units. He and I made a capital budget request for the following year, which was approved. I'm still loving using the new equipment to this day."