Microbiologist Mock Interview
Master 30 Microbiologist interview questions covering lab techniques, contamination control, and research methodology.
Question 18 of 30
In the scenario where your quality control fails, what troubleshooting step would you take?
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This question will let the interviewer know whether or not you understand what a quality control is as well as provides an opportunity for you to impress with your troubleshooting and critical thinking skills. When preparing your answer to this question, be sure to outline it clearly and sequentially so you are able to provide a clean path for your interviewer to follow.
Clara is a career coaching expert and has supported individuals landing positions in education, non-profit, corporate, and beyond.
"Since quality controls are necessary for all experiments, it's imperative that both the negative and positive control is successful. Depending on which one fails, I will troubleshoot accordingly. For example, if the positive control fails, the first thing I would check is whether or not I added the sample as human error is a common reason for failure. If there is an internal control for all samples including controls, I would ensure that is detectable. Other positives on the run eliminate reagent and machine errors of any sort."
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Anonymous Answer
During my apprenticeship in laboratory microbiology, I encountered a quality control test failure that posed a significant challenge. A batch of culture plates exhibited a higher level of contamination than anticipated, despite adhering to the laboratory's instructions and ensuring the equipment was functioning properly.
To investigate the issue, we conducted a repeated experiment utilizing a fresh batch of culture plates. Unfortunately, the results were consistent with the first failed test. We continued to examine the problem further and eventually identified the root cause: a defect in the autoclave used for sterilization. The temperature sensor in the autoclave was malfunctioning, leading to inadequate sterilization of the culture plates.
To rectify the problem, we took the autoclave out of service and repaired it.
Marcie's Feedback
Perfect! You've used the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) beautifully here to answer this question. As a result, your response is well-structured, logical, and meaningful. Nice job!
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