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Lab Technician Interviews

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Lab Technician Interview Questions

"As a laboratory technician, you'll need strong organizational skills and an adequate knowledge of chemistry in order to collect samples, perform tests, and analyze data. Expect to be quizzed on your knowledge of basic scientific concepts as well as your experience handling lab equipment and conducting tests. Although not mandatory, many labs require you have an associate's degree or higher."

Top Lab Technician Interview Questions & How To Answer

Question 1

Question #1: What characteristics do you think a successful lab technician should possess?

How to answer
How to answer: Typically, an interviewer is looking for a candidate with excellent organizational skills, analytical skills, and attention to detail. In addition to these qualities, you should note any characteristics mentioned explicitly in the employer's job description. Relate a personal anecdote that shows how you've put these skills to use in the workplace.
Question 2

Question #2: How do you ensure that you and your colleagues are working in a safe environment?

How to answer
How to answer: Every lab has safety protocols that technicians must follow to ensure personal safety and lab integrity. Assure the interviewer that you'll review the lab's safety manual at the start of the workday and that you'll arrive at the lab properly dressed. Emphasize that you understand the importance of communication with your co-workers when placing and labeling samples correctly. Let the interviewer know that you plan to ensure that your workspace is clean and organized at the end of the workday.
Question 3

Question #3: Explain your methods for testing samples.

How to answer
How to answer: This question allows you to demonstrate your experience with various lab equipment and testing methods. Provide specific examples of tests you've performed while emphasizing your communication skills, documentation skills, and your ability to work with your fellow technicians. You also want to assure the interviewer that you intend to stay up to date with scientific and technical developments relevant to the company that you're interviewing with.

3,965 lab technician interview questions shared by candidates

Although the interview was relaxed, the Team Leads are listening very carefully to assess your lab skills, your work ethic, and lastly, your people skills. Come prepared. BASF is one of the few plants that is willing to train graduate chemists, so you have to demonstrate , through your senior project or military certifications, that you know your stuff. Some PhDs have applied, but were not hired, because they had no people skills (ie. their University didn't make them work with students in a lab vs a lecture class). There are the rare PhDs who are hired who are supposed to learn Process Chemistry, but they end up being solo guys because they have no experience in graduate school working with students, especially women. BASF is also a plant that values people skills. They have let go employees that tested positive for weed, and an angry or arrogant employee sticks out like a sore thumb. Finally, BASF is a German company, so be old school and write a thank you note to your interviewer. There is a general skills test that everyone must take and pass. It consists of safety, mechanical, and good work habit skills. I aced it, but there are some local people who are dumb as boards who don't pass. I would say to recent graduate applicants to save up your money in your state working as a barista because the pay is great and the local talent pool may not be the sharpest tools in the shed.
avatar

Lab Technician I

Interviewed at BASF

3.8★
Oct 19, 2015

Although the interview was relaxed, the Team Leads are listening very carefully to assess your lab skills, your work ethic, and lastly, your people skills. Come prepared. BASF is one of the few plants that is willing to train graduate chemists, so you have to demonstrate , through your senior project or military certifications, that you know your stuff. Some PhDs have applied, but were not hired, because they had no people skills (ie. their University didn't make them work with students in a lab vs a lecture class). There are the rare PhDs who are hired who are supposed to learn Process Chemistry, but they end up being solo guys because they have no experience in graduate school working with students, especially women. BASF is also a plant that values people skills. They have let go employees that tested positive for weed, and an angry or arrogant employee sticks out like a sore thumb. Finally, BASF is a German company, so be old school and write a thank you note to your interviewer. There is a general skills test that everyone must take and pass. It consists of safety, mechanical, and good work habit skills. I aced it, but there are some local people who are dumb as boards who don't pass. I would say to recent graduate applicants to save up your money in your state working as a barista because the pay is great and the local talent pool may not be the sharpest tools in the shed.

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