This position requires a great deal of attention to deal. Do you consider yourself to be detail oriented, and if so, how?

"I have always paid a great deal of attention to detail, and pursuing a career in science has strengthened my attention to detail even further. I review my work several times throughout a project to avoid making any mistakes. I also review my coworkers' project notes and ask that they review mine before sending them on to the data review team to minimize the risk of having a mistake that results in rework."

Scientific positions require a great amount of detail, and the slightest error can cause a large amount of rework. The interviewer wants to hear that you recognize that errors can jeopardize your work and are aware of the consequences errors have on the company.

Focus on the methods you use to pay attention to small details in your role. Tell the interviewer why the details of your work are so important.

What made you look for a role outside of the company that you are working for?

"I enjoy working for my current employer and have learned so much throughout my career with them. Unfortunately, it is a very small company and there is not much room for growth. I cannot meet my career goals of obtaining a leadership position while working with my current employer."

The interviewer is trying to determine why you are looking for a new position with a new company rather than continuing to grow with your current employer. The interviewer wants to hear what your career goals are.

Avoid speaking poorly of your management team or the company you work for. Keep this answer professional, and avoid making references about anything personal.

Do you feel that you will face any challenges in meeting the requirements of this position?

"After meeting today and hearing more detail about the position, I do not foresee any concerns meeting the expectations of the position, and I am excited about the opportunity."

The interviewer wants to determine if there is any piece of the role that you may struggle with and if you will be a good fit for the position. The interviewer would rather you be honest about any reservations regarding the role so that it is not a concern after you begin working if hired.

If you have anything that you need clarification on, now is the time to ask those questions. For example, if there is a travel requirement that you have questions about or if you are unsure of certain programs that are used at the company, ask for clarification now. Discuss any concerns that you have with the role while expressing that you are still very interested. If you feel that you will not have any issues meeting the expectations of the role, reassure the interviewer of that.

Provide us with a summary of your scientific background.

"I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2014 with a Bachelors in Biology. My first position out of college was at Vancouver Scientific as an Associate Biological Technician. I took a position at Layne Genetics in 2017 as a Biology Scientist, and I am currently working with them as a group leader for a Biology team."

The interviewer would like to hear about your educational background and where you obtained your degree. The interviewer is also looking for an overview of your professional experience in the industry to gain some insight into the knowledge and skills you have obtained and how long you have stayed with prior employers.

Talk about your educational background and any scientific degrees that you hold or are working towards. Then, discuss your prior work experience in the scientific field. Give some background about your first position in the industry and discuss each position you have held in the field. Your current or most recent position should be the last one discussed.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"I am looking for longevity in my next position. I would like to begin working for a company I can grow with. I think that I have a lot of valuable knowledge, and with the right company, I would like to be in a leadership role within the next five years."

The interviewer would like you to describe your short-term and long-term goals. The scientific field is very competitive, and employers are looking for candidates who show an interest in longevity with the company.

If you have goals of moving to a higher-level position, this is when you should elaborate on that. If you are interested in being part of a specific research or experimental project, mention that as well. Avoid giving brief answers, such as, 'I want to grow within a company.' Go into detail about the goals you have and why they are your goals.

Talk about a goal you have set for yourself and what action steps you have taken towards achieving that goal.

"My current goal is to visit a scientific laboratory each time that I travel to another state. I plan to visit a lab in each US state. I have visited laboratories in nine states so far, and it has been very educational. Each lab has been slightly different, and it has been great to bring some outside knowledge back to the team I work with. I plan to continue taking one or two trips each year to work towards my goal."

The interviewer wants to see that you recognize that there are skills you could improve and that you are willing to learn and grow. Identify a skill you could improve and relate that skill to the position for which you are applying.

Avoid giving a weakness that could cause you or the company to struggle if you were hired. Also avoid giving answers that involve safety, ethics, or poor performance.

What do you feel is the most important piece of a Biological Technician's role and why?

"I feel that the most important piece of a Biological Technician's role is data review. Client interaction and testing are incredibly important, but testing can quickly be invalidated because of a very simple mistake in the data documentation. Without data review, so many of these simple errors would be missed, which would result in lost time and money for the company and client."

The interviewer is trying to determine what piece of the role that you are interviewing for takes priority for you. This answer will allow the interviewer to determine if you are the ideal candidate for this position or if they should look for someone more focused on a different aspect of the role.

Because the scientific industry is very regulated, it is a good idea to speak about something necessary to validate any testing that is completed based on those industry regulations. For example, you may want to say that data integrity or data review is most important because a simple error may invalidate all of the work that was completed for that testing.

What is your greatest weakness?

"My biggest weakness is that I don't always ask for help as quickly as I should. I use resources and try to figure out the answer on my own. Sometimes, I spend too much time researching the answer instead of asking a peer or leader. I realize that asking for help sooner would speed up the process and save time. I am actively working on improving in this area."

The interviewer wants you to recognize that there are skills you could improve upon. The interviewer also wants to hear that you are willing to learn from your faults and grow.

Identify a skill that you could improve upon and relate that to the position that you are applying for. Demonstrate that this weakness will not interfere with your ability to be successful in the position.

What is your greatest strength?

"My greatest strength is my ability to multitask. I can balance more than one project at a time and shift my focus between several assignments. This is very beneficial when working in a laboratory that provides rush testing and requires working on more than one project at the same time."

The interviewer wants to hear you describe traits and skills that relate directly to the position that you have applied for. Connect your greatest strength to the position that you are interviewing for so the interviewer can see why you would be the ideal Biological Technician for their company.

Avoid providing a strength that can also be perceived as a weakness, such as, 'I am a perfectionist' or 'I struggle to let others help me.' Instead, provide a strength that will be beneficial to the company.

What do you enjoy most about working in a lab environment?

"I greatly enjoy working with a team of scientists and learning from their experience. I have learned many techniques and gained so much knowledge working alongside my peers."

The interviewer asks this question to determine what you like most about working in a laboratory. This allows the interviewer to determine what you focus on in the lab and what type of environment you thrive in.

Talk about the aspect of working in a laboratory that you enjoy most. Some scientists enjoy working alongside their peers, others enjoy the instruments that they work with, and some thrive knowing that their work is meaningful. Tell the interviewer which part of working in the lab you most enjoy.

How do you measure the success of your work?

"I feel that my work has been successful when I can see the impact that it has on the community or people's lives. Sometimes it is hard to see how successful my work has been until I am well into a project, but once I can see the effect that it will have, it is a pretty great feeling."

The interviewer asks this question to determine the standards you hold yourself to. The interviewer wants to hear you describe what makes you feel proud of your work and how you decide if you have done well.

Think about times that you have gone home from work feeling proud or accomplished. Talk about what specifically made you feel that way and how you determine if your work has been successful.

What do you feel is the most important skill a Biological Technician should possess?

"I feel that attention to detail is the most important skill for a Biological Technician to possess. Making the slightest mistake or missing the smallest detail in testing can completely change the results, making them invalid and resulting in lost time and money for the company."

The interviewer asks this question to determine what you feel is the most important skill or trait for a Biological Technician to have. Your answer will give the interviewer insight into what skills you may possess and be able to contribute to the role.

Think about the skills and traits you bring to your role that allow you to be successful in your position. Think about which skill or trait is the most important and most utilized in the role. Explain to the interviewer why you feel that particular skill is so important and how your job would be affected if you did not have that specific skill.

If I were to contact your current/most recent supervisor and ask what you could improve on, what would he/she say?

"If you contacted my supervisor I think that she would say that note-taking is my biggest weakness. While my documentation is excellent, my handwriting is not the best, which at times makes it very difficult for my team to interpret my notes. I know that I need to slow down and take the time to write more legibly so that others can review my work. Improving my handwriting would not only benefit team members on the data review team who have to read my documentation to validate testing, but it would also help newer employees in the future to read my notes if they perform a similar test."

The interviewer expects you to be honest about the areas in which you can improve. Identify an improvement that you could make that would assist you in performing the functions of your position.

This weakness can be something that was pointed out to you during a performance evaluation or in a one-on-one meeting or even something that you have noticed about yourself that could be improved upon. Focus on a weakness that you have been made aware of, and discuss how you could be a better employee if you were to work on this improvement opportunity.

What individual has had the greatest influence on your career?

"The individual who has had the most influence on my career is my high school chemistry teacher. He noticed early on that I had a passion for science and helped me with my college application process. Once I was in college, he kept in contact with me and provided me with some study techniques. After graduating, he assisted me in finding my first position. I am very grateful for his support throughout my education and career."

The interviewer wants to hear what specific person has had the largest impact on your career. Talk about the person that made you want to pursue your science career.

Talk about a specific person who has influenced your career in science. This person can be a professional that you have looked up to, or it can be a personal relationship. Think about the individual who has had the most impact on your career and talk about that person and why they have had the most impact.

What makes you the ideal Biological Technician for our company?

"I am at a great point in my career where I have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to others, but I am also very eager to learn. I feel that I would be a great benefit to the company because I will work hard to learn while acting as a mentor to newer staff members."

The interviewer expects you to discuss what sets you apart from other candidates. There are likely several other candidates interviewing for the same position, so be sure to provide an answer that makes you stand out. Speak to what you hope to contribute to the company through your work. Talk about how your qualities can benefit the company.

Avoid giving generic answers such as, 'I enjoy science' or 'I enjoy working in a lab.' This answer should demonstrate what makes you more valuable than other candidates who are interviewing for the same position.

Why are you interested in a career as a Biological Technician?

"I have enjoyed Biology since I was in grade school. Science and healthcare have always intrigued me, and Biology is the best of both worlds. I enjoy the study of life and working with living organisms. Without biology, we would not have much of the information that we do today regarding blood-borne pathogens or information on wildlife. Biology is a continuously changing field, and I greatly enjoy that aspect of working in a Biological laboratory."

The interviewer wants you to explain what influenced you to pursue a career as a Biological Technician. Provide details about how and why you began working in the scientific field and why you ultimately decided on the path of a Biological Technician over other areas of science. The interviewer is looking for you to display a genuine passion for science and provide details about why Chemistry is important to you. Be sure to show sincere excitement about your candidacy in your response to this question.

Avoid giving short cliche answers like, 'I have always enjoyed science.' This is your chance to show the interviewer that you are truly interested in this position and have a passion for Biology.

Describe your ideal supervisor.

"I work very well under most types of supervision. My current supervisor is very direct but also makes me feel very comfortable when approaching her with any questions or concerns."

The interviewer wants to know which type of leadership you thrive under and if there is a particular type of leadership style that may not work for you. The interviewer wants to determine if you will work well under the manager or director that oversees the role that you are interviewing for.

Be honest about the type of leader you work best under. However, stay away from describing the type of leader that you feel you would not work well under. For example, you may not work well under someone who is very direct, but you should avoid giving too much information about this if the hiring manager has a more direct approach to his/her leadership style. That could prevent you from being offered the role.

Tell us about a time that you disagreed with your supervisor and how you handled the disagreement.

"A few months ago, I was a bit disappointed in my supervisor for implementing mandatory overtime for our entire team. We had just had a few new hires start, and they were not fully trained. I also felt that it was not a great way to start their employment with the company, since mandatory overtime was not the norm for our team. I knew that there were a few members of our team that did wish to take on some overtime hours. I spoke with my supervisor and asked if there was any way to create a signup system for the available work so that those who were hoping to gain additional hours could without requiring it of all employees. He liked my idea, and we now have an overtime signup sheet that we always use."

The interviewer asks this question to determine if you are willing to provide feedback to a person in a superior position. The interviewer also wants to know that when you are not in agreement with your supervisor, you will handle yourself professionally.

Think about a time you did not agree with a decision that your supervisor made or a task that was assigned to you. Provide the interviewer with details of how you went about handling this disagreement. If you had a conversation with your supervisor, talk about how that went.

In your opinion, why is laboratory safety and following lab practices important?

"Lab safety should be the most important thing to any scientist. Not following lab safety requirements can result in invalid work, and if you are not careful, someone can be seriously injured. I have learned a lot about safety and lab practices in school and through my professional experience, and I take it very seriously."

The interviewer asks this question to determine your understanding of laboratory safety and standard lab practices. Anyone who has graduated with a scientific degree has likely had laboratory safety training. The interviewer wants to be sure that you understand the importance of laboratory safety and why standard lab practices are in place.

Think back to the safety training you had in school while earning your degree. If you have had prior work experience in the scientific field, recall the standard laboratory practices and procedures and safety training and protocols that were required. Talk about why you feel these safety protocols are so important while working in the laboratory and why standard lab practices are necessary. It is a good idea to discuss the consequences of not following safety requirements and standard lab procedures.

How do you best learn the tasks of a new position?

"I am a hands-on learner. I best learn tasks by completing them with the assistance of someone who is experienced so that I can ask questions as I go and take notes. Usually, if I complete the task once or twice with assistance, I can complete the assignment in the future."

The interviewer wants to know which training methods will be most beneficial during your orientation period. Individuals learn new tasks in a variety of ways, and the interviewer wants to know which training techniques will work well for you.

To answer this question, describe how you best learn the responsibilities of a new position so that your interviewer knows what training techniques will work best during your orientation period. Think back to when you were in school, and talk about how you learned best in your classes. Think about when you began working in your prior positions and how you learned new tasks and duties. Maybe you learn best by reading or watching training videos. Maybe you learn best by listening to lectures and taking notes. Maybe you are more hands-on and learn best by observing a demonstration of a task and then trying to complete it yourself. Explain your most effective learning technique to the interviewer.

How do you stay current with the updates and changes in scientific technology?

"I hold memberships to several scientific societies that provide me with updates on scientific technology advances. I also attend two seminars annually that discuss upcoming innovations and updates in scientific technology."

The interviewer asks this question to determine which resources you utilize to stay up-to-date with the constant changes and innovations in scientific technology. The interviewer seeks to gain insight into your process of learning about new technology.

Talk about any resources that you utilize to gain information about updates in technology. If you hold any memberships that provide you with updates, or if you attend seminars for scientific technology, discuss them with the interviewer.

What do you do if you are assigned a task that you are not familiar with?

"If I am unfamiliar with a task, I discuss it with one of my peers to determine if they have experience with the assignment. If a peer can assist me in completing the task, I take notes so that I can successfully perform the assignment in the future."

The interviewer asks this question to determine what resources you use if you are unsure how a task should be completed. The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable seeking assistance from your team when needed.

Tell the interviewer about the methods and resources you utilize when trying to complete a task with which you are unfamiliar. Talk about how you approach your coworkers or management team if you are unable to complete a task without assistance and how you ensure that you will be able to complete the task in the future.

Talk about a time you were able to implement a change in a previous role and how that change was beneficial to the company that you were working for.

"Earlier this year, I noticed that our department was using a very large amount of paper. We had so much paper in workspaces that it was hard to find anything. I spoke with my supervisor and director about creating electronic files instead of constantly printing paper. We have been using electronic documents now for about three months, and it saves paper. Our team also spends much less time trying to find forms, so overall, it saved the company money."

The interviewer wants to know that when you have an idea, you are comfortable speaking up. The interviewer also wants to determine if you are comfortable discussing areas of improvement in the workplace with the management team.

Talk about a time you presented an idea for process improvement in the workplace. Describe the impact the change had on the company once it was made. For example, the company was able to save money, the company was able to use less paper, or less time was spent completing a task. Your answer should demonstrate that you are happy to present ideas for the benefit of the company you work with.

Provide an example of a time that you had a conflict with a coworker or a client and explain what you did to resolve the conflict.

"In a previous role, I had a coworker who rarely communicated with the team. It was frustrating because we did not know what piece of the project was being worked on. Eventually, I spoke with the employee and asked if he could provide periodic updates so that we were all on the same page. It turned out that he was just so focused on getting the work done that he did not realize that his lack of communication was affecting the team. We worked very well together after that."

The interviewer asks this question to understand what conflict resolution and problem-solving methods you utilize when you are faced with a problem in the workplace. The interviewer wants to know that you can handle your work-related problems professionally without disrupting work.

Think about a time you had a problem with a client or one of your coworkers. Talk about the steps you took towards solving that problem and discuss what the overall outcome was. If you have had problem resolution training in your previous roles, talk about that as well.

Tell us about a time you made a mistake in your career and the steps you took to correct that mistake.

"When working for a previous employer, I left a phone message for a client. After hanging up, I spoke to my coworker about the work that we were performing for another client. About halfway through the conversation, I realized that the phone had not hung up correctly, which meant part of my confidential conversation was likely on a client's voicemail. I called and emailed the client asking that they please delete the message immediately, as it contained confidential information. The client verified that the message had been deleted shortly after. I now always make sure to hang up the phone properly after using it."

The interviewer wants to hear that you know that you are not perfect and have made mistakes. The interviewer also wants to determine if you can learn from your mistakes.

To answer this question, explain that if you make a mistake, you take responsibility for it and take the proper steps to correct it. Provide an example of a mistake that you have made in your career, and describe the steps that you took to correct the mistake.

Provide an example of a time you needed to quickly change priorities.

"This past winter, we had an unexpected storm, and the majority of the lab staff was out because the roads were so bad. I live pretty close to the lab and was able to get into work. Several of my coworkers had tests that needed to be run or documentation that needed to be finished to meet deadlines. I worked on several assignments in addition to my normal workload, and it was a tough night, but I was able to help my coworkers meet their deadlines."

The interviewer is trying to determine if you can quickly shift priorities and still complete your tasks. The interviewer also wants to know that your work will not suffer if you need to switch gears.

Think about how frequently you need to shift priorities in your role and the effects those shifts have had on your work. Talk about how you complete all tasks on time, even when unexpected circumstances arise.

Talk about a time that you were disappointed in yourself and why.

"A few months ago, I sent an email to a client by mistake. The email was meant for my coworker, and although it was not an unprofessional email, I was disappointed in myself for being careless and not checking the addressee before sending it. I felt that it made me look incapable. I apologized to my client, and he was very understanding, but I always double-check now."

The interviewer wants to hear that you realize that your work is not always perfect. The interviewer also wants to hear that when you are let down by your work, you bounce back.

Focus on a particular time you felt unhappy with your work. Talk about what made you feel disappointed with yourself and how you were able to turn things around to recover from this disappointment.

Provide an example of a time you identified a workplace safety concern and explain how you addressed that concern.

"Last summer, I realized that the back door of one of our laboratory floors was unlocked for the majority of that day. There was a team that would prop it open because it was humid in their area of the building. This posed a safety risk because any person, including those not working at the lab, could access the laboratory floor at any point. I made my director aware, and he sent an email requesting that the door remain shut."

The interviewer wants to determine if you have had previous workplace safety training that would allow you to identify a potential safety risk. The interviewer wants to hear that you are comfortable enough to take the initiative to address a safety concern if you notice it.

Think about a time you came across a safety hazard in the workplace. Talk to the interviewer about what made that specific example a safety concern and how you went about either reporting the issues to the proper individual or how you were able to minimize that safety risk on your own.

When faced with competing deadlines, how do you best prioritize your work?

"I often have multiple projects that I am working on at once. I have become very successful at multitasking, and I can bounce back and forth between different testing batches, which allows me to run more than one test at a time. If I am working on more than one project, especially if it is for different clients, I take notes to be sure that no information is lost or forgotten along the way."

The interviewer asks this question to determine whether you can multitask or overwhelm easily. The interviewer is trying to determine how you decide which tasks are most important when you are assigned several projects at the same time. In the Scientific industry, oftentimes there will be last-minute testing that needs to be run or a batch of testing that may need to be rerun due to an error. The interviewer wants to determine how you handle multiple high-importance deadlines.

Tell the interviewer how you decide which task is most important. Describe the steps you take and the information you gather to determine which assignment gets completed first when you have more than one deadline to meet at the same time. Talk about time management techniques that you utilize and how you multitask in your role.

Talk about a time you were faced with a difficult ethical decision in the workplace.

"In my current role, I had a coworker who would add to the data in her notebook after testing was performed so that it would be validated. At times, she would even take the notebook home with her to make the additional changes. Taking materials from the labs and not documenting them in real-time are both violations of the company's ethics policy, as well standard lab practices. I had to make our director aware. She is no longer with the company."

The interviewer wants to know that, if faced with a difficult ethical situation, you will make the right decision. Ethical decisions speak to an employee's honesty and integrity. Making a poor ethical decision can result in the invalidation of testing and lost time and money for the company.

Talk about a time you were faced with an ethical decision or witnessed someone else making a poor ethical decision and explain how you handled it. Ethical decisions can involve reporting false data, false time reporting, or violating confidentiality.

Biological Technician Interview Questions

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1. This position requires a great deal of attention to deal. Do you consider yourself to be detail oriented, and if so, how?
2. What made you look for a role outside of the company that you are working for?
3. Do you feel that you will face any challenges in meeting the requirements of this position?
4. Provide us with a summary of your scientific background.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
6. Talk about a goal you have set for yourself and what action steps you have taken towards achieving that goal.
7. What do you feel is the most important piece of a Biological Technician's role and why?
8. What is your greatest weakness?
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. What do you enjoy most about working in a lab environment?
11. How do you measure the success of your work?
12. What do you feel is the most important skill a Biological Technician should possess?
13. If I were to contact your current/most recent supervisor and ask what you could improve on, what would he/she say?
14. What individual has had the greatest influence on your career?
15. What makes you the ideal Biological Technician for our company?
16. Why are you interested in a career as a Biological Technician?
17. Describe your ideal supervisor.
18. Tell us about a time that you disagreed with your supervisor and how you handled the disagreement.
19. In your opinion, why is laboratory safety and following lab practices important?
20. How do you best learn the tasks of a new position?
21. How do you stay current with the updates and changes in scientific technology?
22. What do you do if you are assigned a task that you are not familiar with?
23. Talk about a time you were able to implement a change in a previous role and how that change was beneficial to the company that you were working for.
24. Provide an example of a time that you had a conflict with a coworker or a client and explain what you did to resolve the conflict.
25. Tell us about a time you made a mistake in your career and the steps you took to correct that mistake.
26. Provide an example of a time you needed to quickly change priorities.
27. Talk about a time that you were disappointed in yourself and why.
28. Provide an example of a time you identified a workplace safety concern and explain how you addressed that concern.
29. When faced with competing deadlines, how do you best prioritize your work?
30. Talk about a time you were faced with a difficult ethical decision in the workplace.

Biological Technician Interview Questions

1. This position requires a great deal of attention to deal. Do you consider yourself to be detail oriented, and if so, how?

2. What made you look for a role outside of the company that you are working for?

3. Do you feel that you will face any challenges in meeting the requirements of this position?

4. Provide us with a summary of your scientific background.

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

6. Talk about a goal you have set for yourself and what action steps you have taken towards achieving that goal.

7. What do you feel is the most important piece of a Biological Technician's role and why?

8. What is your greatest weakness?

9. What is your greatest strength?

10. What do you enjoy most about working in a lab environment?

11. How do you measure the success of your work?

12. What do you feel is the most important skill a Biological Technician should possess?

13. If I were to contact your current/most recent supervisor and ask what you could improve on, what would he/she say?

14. What individual has had the greatest influence on your career?

15. What makes you the ideal Biological Technician for our company?

16. Why are you interested in a career as a Biological Technician?

17. Describe your ideal supervisor.

18. Tell us about a time that you disagreed with your supervisor and how you handled the disagreement.

19. In your opinion, why is laboratory safety and following lab practices important?

20. How do you best learn the tasks of a new position?

21. How do you stay current with the updates and changes in scientific technology?

22. What do you do if you are assigned a task that you are not familiar with?

23. Talk about a time you were able to implement a change in a previous role and how that change was beneficial to the company that you were working for.

24. Provide an example of a time that you had a conflict with a coworker or a client and explain what you did to resolve the conflict.

25. Tell us about a time you made a mistake in your career and the steps you took to correct that mistake.

26. Provide an example of a time you needed to quickly change priorities.

27. Talk about a time that you were disappointed in yourself and why.

28. Provide an example of a time you identified a workplace safety concern and explain how you addressed that concern.

29. When faced with competing deadlines, how do you best prioritize your work?

30. Talk about a time you were faced with a difficult ethical decision in the workplace.