30 Chemical Technician Interview Questions & Answers
Accomplishment
1. What single project would you consider to be the most significant accomplishment in your career so far?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like you to go into detail about something that you have worked on in your career that was important to you. This can be a research project, a scientific experiment, or even a process improvement that you were a part of that was beneficial to your previous employer.
Answer Example
"My most significant accomplishment so far in my career is my work on vaccines. This was important to me not only because I was working to help save lives all over the world, but because I was working to prevent my loved ones from becoming ill. It is because of important projects like this one that I enjoy being in the scientific industry."
Behavioral
2. Describe a time you had a difficult ethical decision to make. How did you handle this?
How to Answer
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, which is important to any company. In the scientific field, it is especially important to report any ethical concerns, as some poor ethical decisions can result in the invalidation of data and testing. Talk about a time you were faced with an ethical decision or a time that you witnessed someone else making a poor ethical decision and how you handled it. Ethical decisions can involve reporting false data, false time reporting, and violating confidentiality, to name a few.
Answer Example
"I was faced with a difficult ethical decision at my previous workplace when I noticed that my paycheck had a larger than the normal amount. When I went back and looked at my timecard, I realized that I had mistakingly entered an additional time for that pay period. Once I became aware of my mistake, I alerted my supervisor and the payroll team to arrange for the additional sum of money to be paid back to the company. While it would have been nice to keep the extra money, and it was hard to admit that I had made a big mistake, it was important to be honest because I had not earned that money."
Behavioral
3. This position requires attention to detail. Do you consider yourself detail-oriented, and if so, how?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question because a Chemical Technician requires a great deal of documentation. There is no room for error in the safety details, chemical details, and documentation details. To answer this question, demonstrate that you are aware of the importance of details in this role and that you have worked in roles previously that required you to be very detailed. Provide some examples of how you have been detail-oriented in the past.
Answer Example
"I do consider myself to be very detail-oriented. I believe that all scientific roles require attention to detail. Chemistry is particularly detail-oriented because it requires exact measurements, temperatures, and processing times. I recheck any documentation before sending it on for data review. I have even rewritten my work in the past if I felt that any of my writing was not very clear. I understand that even the slightest mistake on my part can hinder the outcome of an experiment and alter the results. I make sure to double-check my work, write clearly in my documentation, and add in any extra detail that I feel may help others."
Direct
4. When did you first become interested in our company and why?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear about how you heard of the company, and they want to see that you took the time to research their organization. Tell the interviewer what caught your attention when visiting the company website. Maybe you have a friend that works for the company; explain what that friend told you that made you want to work there. If you have heard great things about the culture of the organization or are interested in a specific research program or possible growth opportunities with the company, this would be a great time to bring it up. You'll want to demonstrate that you took the time to look into the company before interviewing by giving specific examples of things that piqued your interest while doing research.
Answer Example
"I first became interested in the company when I saw a job posting for the Chemical Technician position a few months ago. I visited the company website, and while I am very excited about the scientific work this company is doing, I was most impressed with the company culture. I saw that there was a mentor program for employees. It seems that the company values the employees that work here, and there are many growth opportunities in place."
Experience
5. Tell us about your previous experience in the scientific industry.
How to Answer
To answer this question, describe any scientific work experience that you have and your scientific educational background. Go into detail about your previous experience in each position that relates to the scientific field.
Answer Example
"I graduated in 2008 with a degree in Chemistry. My first position right out of school was at MEL Labs. In that role, my responsibilities were preparing glassware and labels for the Chemists. Following that position, I accepted the role of Associate Chemical Technician at MEL Labs. In that position, I was responsible for running testing on solutions, recording data, running reports, and reviewing the data of my peers. In my current position at S&Q Scientific, I am working as a Chemical Technician, and my responsibilities are preparing solutions, running testing, recording data, comparing data, chemical trials, developing medications, and training new employees on my team."
General
6. Why are you interested in a career as a chemical technician?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for you to explain what influenced you to pursue a career in Chemistry. Provide details about how and why you began working in the scientific field and why you ultimately decided on the path of Chemistry. The interviewer is looking for you to display a genuine passion for science and provide details about why Chemistry is important to you personally. 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 the Chemical Technician position and get them excited about your candidacy.
Answer Example
"While I have always enjoyed science, I became truly interested in Chemistry because it is both a rewarding career and necessary for so many individuals throughout the world. Many patients currently rely on medications and vaccinations to be produced in a Chemistry Lab. There are so many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of people through Chemistry, which makes me so excited to continue along this career path and to play a part in a company making a positive impact on the world."
General
7. What do you look for in a company culture when interviewing for a new position?
How to Answer
Company culture has to do with behaviors within an organization. Company culture is a reflection of that company's values, purpose, communication standards, and the way that they work together and in the community. Company culture is also what the company expects of its employees and what the employees can expect from the company. The interviewer wants to know what you value in an organization. They want to hear not only what would initially draw your interest in a company, but what would ultimately make you want to continue working for that employer. Maybe you want to work for a company that is transparent and gives frequent updates on financial information. Maybe you wish to work for an employer that is very flexible and allows its workforce to complete some of their tasks from home.
Answer Example
"I prefer a company culture that focuses on work-life balance. I believe that everyone, including myself, can best complete their work tasks when they are taking care of themselves outside of work. While my work is very important to me, it is also important that I can attend required appointments and take time to travel and spend free time with my family and friends. It is very important to me that employers prioritize a work-life balance for their employees."
General
8. How do you best learn a new position?
How to Answer
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. Whichever way of learning works best for you, now is the time to discuss it.
Answer Example
"In my previous positions, I found that the best way I learned tasks that I was not familiar with was by observing someone who was an expert in completing that task and asking questions along the way. After observing the task, I like to take a hands-on learning approach and try to complete the task myself while having a mentor there to assist and answer questions along the way."
General
9. Do you anticipate any challenges in meeting the requirements of this position?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know if there are any parts of this job that you are concerned about. Review the job posting in detail before the interview, and if there is anything that you are unsure of, this is the time to ask questions. If there is a travel requirement or a scheduling requirement that you are unable to fulfill, be honest about your concerns now rather than waiting until you are already working for the company. If there is a function of your position that you feel you may struggle with, ask for more information so that you can determine if this role is a good fit for you. If you feel that you can be successful in the role, reassure the interviewer of that at this time.
Answer Example
"After reading the job posting and hearing more during my phone screen and this interview, I do feel that I can meet the requirements of the position. I am sure that the initial orientation period will be a challenge since I will be learning new skills, but that is a challenge that I am excited about."
General
10. What keeps you motivated in your everyday work life?
How to Answer
The interviewer is interested in what gets you excited each day - what keeps you working towards your goals and motivates you to continue growing and moving forward in your career. Talk about what keeps you coming back to work each day. Maybe there is someone that you look up to that motivates you to do well. Maybe there is a certain goal that you are trying to reach that keeps you pushing forward each day. Avoid saying things like 'getting my paycheck motivates me.' The interviewer wants to hear about something that you are passionate about that keeps you from giving up at work.
Answer Example
"I am motivated by the knowledge that the small tasks that I complete each day make a huge difference. I know that if I didn't come to work every day, there would be many individuals who would not have approved medications for their medical conditions. Having a position where my work can make a difference is motivating and rewarding."
General
11. Tell us about a challenge that you faced in a recent role and how you overcame the challenge.
How to Answer
The scientific industry can be very challenging. It is fast-paced and constantly changing. Provide an example of a time you had a challenge, such as meeting a deadline, quickly changing priorities, or a challenging client that you were working with. Describe the steps that you took to overcome that particular challenge.
Answer Example
"In my previous role, I was working with several clients at the same time. I had one client in particular who would often ask for last-minute testing to be rushed. I would do all that I could to get the testing accomplished in the small window of time that he was giving. At one point, this client's rush tests were starting to result in a delay for other clients' tests. I spoke to the client and explained that there are many testing requests each day. I told him that I completely understood that his testing was important, but other clients also had very important tests to run, and I needed to be fair to them. The client and I agreed that asking for less than a 24-hour turnaround on testing for his company was not always reasonable and that, to provide quality and timely results, we would ask that only emergency testing be given a rush request."
General
12. As a Chemical Technician, what do you believe is your best asset?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear how you can be a resource in this Chemical Technician role. Describe what you learned from previous jobs, from schooling, and outside of work that may benefit you and the company if you were to be offered the role that you are interviewing for.
Answer Example
"I believe my best asset would be my ability to transfer my experience from my previous position. I did a great deal of work on the development of a vaccine at my previous role, and I feel that I have a great deal of expertise to bring with me to this role."
General
13. Why are you the ideal Chemical Technician for us?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for you to discuss what sets you apart from other candidates. You should speak to what you hope to contribute to the company through your work. Talk about how your qualities can benefit the company. If you are looking for longevity with the company, this is a great time to express that as well.
Answer Example
"I believe that I am the ideal Chemical Technician for your company because I am very passionate about Chemistry and have the ability to make an impact on the world through medication. I am especially excited about the opportunity to work on COVID-19 medications, as the pandemic has had such an impact on the lives of so many individuals. Having medications to help patients cope with symptoms would be incredibly helpful. I want to help others through science, and I feel that I would be able to do that throughout my career here. I am very determined to reach my career goals, and I am looking for a company where I can use my skillset and continue to grow over time."
General
14. What did you enjoy most about your most recent position? What did you enjoy least?
How to Answer
When answering a question about what you enjoyed most about a previous position, include positive experiences that can be transferable to the employer that you are interviewing for, such as learning new career-specific skills or career-specific training.
When answering a question about what you enjoyed the least, put a positive spin on it rather than discussing something negative about your previous employer or your coworkers. Potential employers like to hear that you want to grow or be challenged.
Answer Example
"I most enjoyed working alongside the senior scientists in my previous role. Being able to observe a highly skilled scientist motivated me to work hard and continue growing so that I could obtain a Senior level position one day. The least enjoyable part of my most recent position was the lack of challenge in my work. Much of my work became very routine after my initial training, which made it difficult to continue growing my skillset."
General
15. What is your greatest strength?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear you describe traits and skills that relate directly to the position that you have applied for. You should connect your greatest strength to the position that you are interviewing for so that the interviewer can see that you would make a great addition to their company.
Answer Example
"My greatest strength is my ability to multitask. In my previous role, I was able to complete several projects in addition to my everyday work tasks. If a client asked for a last-minute test to be run, I was able to jump in and take on that additional work without it affecting my performance. Multitasking is key in a Chemical Technician role due to the fast-paced environment and the large number of projects. I believe that my ability to multitask would make me a great asset to your company."
General
16. What is your greatest weakness?
How to Answer
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 that you could improve and relate that to the position that you are applying for while showing that this weakness would not interfere with your ability to be successful in the position.
Answer Example
"I feel that I struggle to delegate work to others. In my previous role, a client would often ask for a test to be done with a fast turnaround time. Instead of delegating this testing to another member of my team, I would take on the additional responsibility. I may have completed the additional work because I was familiar with the testing that was required, but I realize that by doing so, I was not allowing another member of my team to learn a new skill. By delegating tasks that I am familiar with to another member of my team, it would free my time up to learn a new skill while also allowing another individual to grow."
General
17. If I contacted your most recent supervisor and asked what area of your performance needed improvement, what would he/she say?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for 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 improvement can be something that was pointed out to you during a performance evaluation, in a one-on-one meeting, or even something that you have noticed about yourself that could be improved upon.
Answer Example
"If you were to contact my most recent supervisor, I believe that she would tell you that I could improve my ability to take constructive feedback as a tool for growth rather than taking it personally and dwelling on it. In the past, when being given feedback, I took it negatively. I do realize that constructive feedback can be helpful and that it is meant to assist me to be successful in my position."
General
18. Five years from now, where do you see yourself?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like you to describe your short-term and long-term goals here. The scientific field is very competitive, and employers are looking for candidates that show an interest in longevity with the company. If you have goals of moving into 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, you could mention that here as well. Avoid giving brief answers, such as 'I am looking to grow within a company.' Go into detail about the goals that you have and why they are your goals.
Answer Example
"I want to continue growing my skillset in the scientific industry, particularly the Chemistry field. If hired, my goal is to be a part of the development of COVID-19 remedies to relieve symptoms. I would like to master the Chemical Technician role within the next three years and move into a higher-level position as a Senior Chemist. Within five years of employment, I see myself in a leadership role, educating entry-level scientists. I would also like to be considered for a supervisory role in the future and oversee a team of scientists and lead projects"
General
19. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.
How to Answer
The interviewer wants you to explain how you can be valuable to the organization. You are likely one of many candidates interviewing for this position, so it is beneficial for you to be knowledgeable about the company going into your interview. Research the company website and social media pages. Become familiar with the company's mission statement and its core values. The interviewer wants to see that your values and goals align with theirs.
Think about the progress that you have made in your previous positions and any positive impact that you have made in your career. If you can apply previous achievements to this company, this is your time to elaborate on that.
Answer Example
"I have a lot of research about this company, and there are many reasons that I feel that this partnership would be beneficial to both myself and the organization. I am eager to be a part of the development of COVID-19 remedies. I know that your company has a Pharma division that is strongly focused on the creation of these remedies, and I feel that it would make a huge impact on the healthcare industry. I believe that my prior professional experience and my educational background would make me a great partner for this organization. If hired for this position, I would contribute to the success of this company by working towards the development of medicinal remedies for COVID-19 by contributing my expertise and prior experience in Pharma development and clinical trials."
Leadership
20. Tell us about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to evaluate if you can take charge and lead if necessary. Think about a time you took charge during a group project or in a previous position and how your skills can transfer into this role.
Answer Example
"In my previous position, a client requested rush testing while our team was already understaffed. I told my supervisor that I would take on the additional work and take responsibility for getting the rush testing completed and back to the client on time. I was able to complete this request successfully by asking a few other members of the team to prepare all of the glassware and solutions so that I could complete the testing quickly. I am always happy to oversee a project and enjoy working under pressure."
Operational
21. Tell us about a personal goal that you have. What action steps have you taken towards achieving that goal?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that when you make a goal inside or outside of work, you will take the necessary steps to achieve that goal. This is a great time to talk about a volunteering goal that you were able to reach, such as raising money for a good cause. You could also use an extracurricular activity. Maybe you had a particular wellness goal for yourself, such as hiking or running a 5k. You could even speak about a goal that you made during your educational experience.
Answer Example
"In college, my goal was to get an 80% or higher in all of my classes. This was not an easy goal for me to reach because there was one class in particular that I struggled in. To achieve my goal, I sat closer to my professor during lectures, took on as much extra credit as I could, and partnered with another student in my class to study twice a week. By the time I took my final, I was able to get my grade high enough to reach my goal. I understand that if I want to reach my goals, I will need to make some necessary sacrifices along the way."
Operational
22. Tell us about a time that you had multiple tasks to complete. How do you prioritize your work?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to determine if you can multitask or if you overwhelm easily. The interviewer wants to hear that you can complete quality work under pressure and that if unexpected tasks are delegated to you, you can reprioritize and complete your assigned work without being easily overwhelmed. Provide an example of a time you were given multiple assignments to work on. Tell the interviewer how you decided which task to prioritize.
Answer Example
"Not long ago, I had a coworker unexpectedly go on leave in the middle of a time-sensitive project for a client. When my supervisor unexpectedly moved the project to me, I needed to reprioritize so that both my deadlines and my coworker's deadlines were met. I first looked at the deadline for each project that needed to be completed. Next, I estimated how long each project was going to take. Finally, if two projects had deadlines that were close together, I looked at the type of testing that was required and determined which test was more urgent."
Operational
23. Why do you believe following standard lab rules and safety procedures is so important in this role?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you understand laboratory rules and the importance of safety while working in a laboratory. Think back to the safety training that you have completed as part of earning your degree, as well as any knowledge of standard laboratory safety that you have obtained through on-the-job experience. Talk about why safety is of such importance in the lab and why it is important to follow lab rules and procedures.
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I have learned a lot about the importance of laboratory safety and following lab practices. Working with hazardous materials can be a risk to your own life and the lives of those around you if you do not follow proper safety protocols. Not following proper safety guidelines, like disposal of chemicals and wearing personal protective equipment in the lab, could result in a serious injury, a fire, or even death. I also know that not following standard lab procedures can result in the invalidation of testing, which would result in rework and be costly to the company."
Operational
24. What would you do if you were asked to complete a task that you were not familiar with?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that you are open to learning new things and that you are up for a challenge. You should also show that you are not uncomfortable asking for help from your peers or supervisor if needed. Talk about a time you were asked to work on something that was new to you and how you went about learning the steps of that task.
Answer Example
"There have been a few times in my career that I have been asked to complete a task that I was not familiar with. At my previous job, a client asked me to run a test using an instrument that I was not yet trained on. Since this request was brand new to me, and I was not completely sure what the requirements were, I asked my supervisor if there was anyone that help me with this project. My supervisor informed me that another member of my team had recently worked on a similar request and set up a time for the two of us to complete the assignment together. I took notes and had some hands-on training while my coworker observed and answered any questions that I had along the way."
Situational
25. If you are having trouble meeting a deadline or if you are unclear about how to best complete a project, how do you handle requesting help?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable asking for help and asking questions when you are overwhelmed with work or are unclear of the expectations for a work assignment. Think about a time that you needed to ask your teammates or supervisor for help. Talk about how you went about asking for assistance and what the outcome was.
Answer Example
"In my previous role, I was asked to work with a new client and was tasked with running tests that I had not performed before. I asked a teammate who was familiar with the requested testing to assist me in completing the tasks to be sure that I could successfully provide the requested data to the client. Since I was not familiar with all parts of the test, I observed and took notes so that in the future, I would be able to complete the same test on my own."
Situational
26. Tell us about a time you made a mistake in your career and what steps you took to correct the mistake.
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that you know that you are not perfect and have made mistakes. To answer this question, demonstrate that if you make a mistake, you will 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.
Answer Example
"In my previous role, I worked on a project for a client and sent an email confirmation that the testing had started and what the expected timeframe would be for the completion of the testing. After hitting send, I realized that I had sent the email to the wrong client. While there was not any confidential information in the email about the actual test results, the type of testing that I was running was in the email. I quickly recalled the email, contacted the client that I had mistakingly sent the email to, and let him know that the email was sent in error and to please disregard and delete the message. I then contacted the client that the email was meant to go to and informed him that I had made the mistake. Luckily, the clients were both very understanding, and they were happy with the steps that I had taken to correct the mistake. I now double- and even triple-check email addresses before I send any client information."
Situational
27. Describe a situation in which others on your team did not agree with your ideas. What did you do to resolve this problem?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to see that if you have a disagreement, you can demonstrate problem-solving skills and handle the issue professionally. Describe a time your team members did not agree with your thoughts or ideas. Explain how you handled the disagreement and describe the outcome.
Answer Example
"While working on a group project in my most recent position, I suggested that we split the workload so that each member had an equal amount of work. My team members did not agree with that approach because they felt that some team members were more familiar with certain tasks. They felt that the project would get finished more quickly if each team member took the piece of the project that they were most comfortable working on. After hearing the perspective of my teammates, I ultimately agreed that the project would get completed most quickly and with less room for error if each group member worked on the piece of the project that they felt most experienced in. The project ended up being a success, and we were all pleased with the result."
Teamwork
28. When working with a group, what role do you typically take on?
How to Answer
The interviewer typically asks this question to determine what type of personality you have and what you are most comfortable with when it comes to teamwork. You may be comfortable taking notes that can be referred back to. Maybe you are most comfortable facilitating the discussions within the group and making sure that everyone stays on topic and that things proceed with ease. Maybe you prefer working in a leadership role in group work because you do a great job of delegating tasks and ensuring that everything comes together smoothly.
Answer Example
"When working on a group project, I typically take on a leadership role. I think that I do a good job of determining the strengths of each group member and delegating tasks based on their specific skillsets. I don't mind holding myself and others accountable for each of our pieces of an assignment, and I find it very rewarding to lead a project that results in success."
Teamwork
29. How do you go about working with an already established team when you begin a new position?
How to Answer
When starting a new position, you will often work with an existing department on a team that is already working together. Most times the members of those teams already know each other and how to best communicate with each other. When the interviewer asks this question, they want you to describe how you are going to establish trust with your new team members and begin a successful working relationship with the other members of your department. Explain how you would go about working with a team that already exists and has already established a healthy working relationship. Avoid cliche statements like 'I work well with everyone' or 'I am a likable person.' Talk about how you would establish trust.
Answer Example
"When I begin working with a new team, I try to communicate openly with my new teammates and learn from them as much as I can. I keep in mind that they may perform work tasks differently than I was taught and that it can be an opportunity for me to learn a new way of completing a task. I am always very approachable and try my best to establish their trust over time through conversation and by giving them respect."
Technical
30. Describe the most significant written technical report or presentation that you had to complete.
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question because the Chemistry Technician position requires written reporting, and they would like to know that you have experience with written and technical reporting and that you will be comfortable with that aspect of the position. Provide details about a significant technical report that you completed in a previous role.
Answer Example
"In my most recent position, I completed a report on adverse reactions to a medication that we were trying to get FDA approved. I feel that preparing this report and seeing how many individuals had adverse reactions during a trial of this particular medication showed me that there is so much more to creating a medication than just the chemicals involved. I was able to see the clinical side of things by working on this report, and I believe that it was a nice reminder that what I am doing each day will impact lives in some way, shape, or form."