Top 21 Chemist Interview Questions In 2024 [With Answers]

The importance of chemists is at par with the medical professionals. In fact, their work starts much before in the sequence. A chemist is involved in the research, development, and production of medicines and other compounds that are later on prescribed by doctors and medical practitioners. They have bright prospects, gain a lucrative pay package, and enjoy a progressive career. However, the selection process is quite tricky and requires a great deal of preparation and perseverance. The interview session of a chemist can be aced by reading lots of frequently asked interview questions. This article gives you some of the best questions that you can study before appearing for an interview session.

Chemist Interview Questions

21 Best Interview Questions To Study

1. Explain The Different Types Of Solutions Used By The Chemists?

No matter what industry you work in, a chemist needs to have an excellent understanding of all the types of chemical solutions.

Sample Answer

Sure, sir, These are:

Type of SolutionExplanation
True solutionA true solution represents a solution with two or more substances that are completely miscible in each other. For example, Solution of Salt and Water. The mixture so formed is homogenous and transparent in nature and its particles cannot be separated even with a filter paper.
Colloid SolutionIt is a heterogeneous mixture, the particles of which cannot be separated even with a filter paper. These particles are not visible to the naked eyes. For example, Paint, Smoke from a fire, etc.
Suspension solutionThis is also a heterogeneous mixture but the size of the particles contained by it is the biggest. This makes it difficult for them to get dissolved. For example, Solution of Mud and Water. The particles can be separated using filter paper that are even visible to the naked eye.
Table showing different types of solutions

2. What Is Your Understanding Of The Process Of “Electrophoresis”?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of chemistry.

Sample Answer

Sir, electrophoresis is a chemical process in which the particles of a colloidal solution move and colloid with each other upon the passing of an electric current. This movement is zig-zag in nature and is termed the Brownian movement. Further, the process of electrophoresis can not be performed in the solutions of Suspension and True solution.

3. Share the Chemical Formulas Of White Vitriol, Aspirin, Bone Ash, and Talcum.

Being a chemist, you ought to have expert knowledge of all the chemical compositions and their formulas.

Sample Answer

Sure, sir, These are:

Name of the compoundChemical formula
White Vitriol Zinc Sulfate
AspirinAcetyl salicylic acid
Bone AshCalcium phosphate
TalcumMagnesium Silicate
Table showing chemical compounds and their formulas

4. Explain The Effect Of Temperature On Solubility Of A Substance.

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of chemistry.

Sample Answer

Sir, temperature plays a crucial role in determining the solubility of a substance. It affects it in the following manner:

  • The solubility of the solids in liquids increases with an increase in temperature and decreases with a decrease in temperature. Thus, there is a direct relationship between the two.
  • The solubility of gases in liquids decreases with an increase in temperature and increases with a decrease in temperature. Thus, there is an inverse relationship between the two.

5.Explain The Composition Of Gun Powder.

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of various chemical substances used in the processes.

Sample Answer

Sure, sir, A gun powder contains:

  • Potassium Nitrate (75%)
  • Sulphur (10%) and
  • Charcoal (15%)

6. Name The Three Best Software That Are Used In Your Industry.

This question tests how technically sound you are.

Sample Answer

Sure, sir, These are:

  • ChemDraw
  • Crystal Maker
  • MESTRec

7. There Are Several Noble Gases. Can You Explain Any One With Their Practical Application?

Being a chemist, you got to have complete knowledge of all the noble gases. Hence, revise your college notes as you will certainly be asked a question from this concept.

Sample Answer

Sure, sir, I would like to go for Helium, which has the lowest boiling point for any substance. It has various practical uses, which are:

  • The tires of large aircraft are filled with helium
  • The balloons and blimps are filled with helium as it is light and inflammable.
  • Helium dilutes the pure oxygen, and thus is used by sea divers, while going underwater

8. Describe About A Time When You Showed Commitment At Your Workplace.

This is a situational interview question that requires you to share a real-life work-related situation.

Sample Answer

Sir, “commitment” is a necessary employee trait and I am lucky to possess it. I would like to state an instance that I faced during my previous tenure. It was a peak demand period and there were several projects going on. I was assigned to one of the urgent projects and was a part of a team of five members. Unfortunately, three of them were unavailable due to some reasons, and the workload for the two of us was enhanced manifolds. However, we never complained and remained committed to our organization and our targets. We worked day and night to accomplish our goals and persevered in a challenging situation.

9. Share Any Very Strong Acid With Me.

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of chemistry.

Sample Answer

Sure, sir, I would like to mention Aqua regia here. It is a very strong solution and is used by goldsmiths to melt gold. This acid is a combination of Hydrochloric acid and Nitric acid in the ratio of 3:1.

10. What Is The Role Of Moderator In A Nuclear Reaction?

Being a chemist you ought to have complete knowledge of nuclear reactions and the various processes involved in them.

Sample Answer

Sir, heavy water or deuterium is commonly used as a moderator in a nuclear reaction, in which several neutrons move at a very high speed, thereby releasing a lot of heat energy. It is necessary to control the reaction’s overall heat by slowing down the speed of neutrons. This is done by the moderator in a nuclear reaction. Further, graphite can also be used as a moderator.

11. Offering “Quality” Products To Our Customers Is The Reason For Our Success. How Do You Interpret The Term “Quality”?

This is a word-based interview question, which requires you to interpret the term “quality”. Usually, a process or business function delivers quality when it meets the expectations of the customers of the company and also surpasses the established benchmarks. An interviewer is interested in knowing your own version of interpretation and hence, you are requested to share an original reply.

12. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses As A Chemist?

This is a common interview question and is asked in almost all the interview sessions held across the world. Through this question, an interviewer not only analyzes your personality but also judges whether or not you will be a perfect match for the company’s ethical culture. The best way to prepare for this question is by analyzing the job description issued to you by your employer. Post this, just share those strengths that match the requirements of the job and those weaknesses that do not conflict with them.

13. We Are A Work Heavy Company and Assign Several Tasks To Our Employees That Need To Be Executed In A Single Working Day. How Do You Prioritize Your Tasks So As To Ensure A Timely Completion?

Being a chemist, you must always prepare yourself to execute multiple tasks in a single day. These tasks can be accomplished only when you have a developed prioritization technique using which you can arrange and order your tasks. Commonly, employees prefer to arrange their tasks on the basis of their difficulty levels or time consumption. However, you are free to share whatever suits and works for you.

14. It Is Common For The Candidates To Apply At Various Business Organizations. Why You Chose Us?

This is a common interview question and is asked by the interviewers so as to judge your seriousness and commitment towards the business organization. The official website of the company is the best source to prepare for this interview question. You can note the achievements, historical facts, and accomplishments of a company from it. Add your personal interests to your notes and try framing a genuine answer, which is appealing.

15. As A Chemist You Will Be Involved In Research and Development Related Activities, Which Require A Lot Of Hardwork and Patience. This Might Lead To Stress and Agitation. How Do You Control Your Stress Levels?

Stress is a common problem for most corporate employees. This happens as they have to follow a regular boring routine, which has the ability to crush them in its monotony. A stressed employee is never able to deliver what is expected from him and gives a sub-standard performance. Thus, they need to develop an effective strategy using which they can manage their stress levels and satisfy their organization. This strategy is demanded by your interviewer through this question.

16. It Is True That Not Every Process Undertaken By You Will Be A Success. How Do You Manage Your Work Related Failures?

Humans have a tendency to avoid things that inflict mental pain. Failure is one of them and can not only deplete the confidence level of the employees but also make them believe that they are worthless and don’t have the skills to perform. An employee with such a mindset is always a burden upon the organization and practically contributes nothing. Thus, an interviewer is always interested in knowing the various strategies and techniques using which you are able to manage your workplace failures.

17. What Is Your Ethical Team Culture?

Nowadays most business organizations prefer to work in a team setup, wherein they divide their workforce into special units on the basis of their education levels, skills, and nature of tasks to be performed. Hence, an interviewer is always interested in knowing the various qualities and attributes that you want your team members to possess. It is recommended that you use corporate-friendly words in your answer, such as hardworking, persevering, committed, dedicated, loyal, etc.

18. It is Common For The Employees To Expect From Its Employer. What Is Your Dream Job?

Through this question, an interviewer wants to know what are your various expectations and desires that you want your employer to fulfill. For example, You might want to work in a company which offers you a separate cabin, instead of a shared workfloor. Be specific, and always share those demands or expectations that are realistic.

19. When Can You Start Working For Us?

This is a non-technical interview question but has the ability to spoil your concentration levels. This can happen when you interpret this question as a guarantee of selection, which unfortunately is not the case. As an ideal response, just share a genuine date on or after which you can start working for the company.

20. What Are Your Salary Expectations?

Interviewers enquire about your salary expectations during an interview session itself. It is recommended that you always share a salary figure that is based on extensive market research. You must always calculate an average salary of the pay offered to other similar professionals and share your quote within that range, with a maximum deviation of 15%.

21. Do You Have Any Questions For Us?

It is common for the interviewers to conclude an interview session using this question. Through this question, an interviewer wants to know what are the various doubts and confusions that you have in regards to the business organization. It is recommended that you always attempt this question as this is your last opportunity to impress your interviewer. You can always ask a few counter-questions based on the model questions mentioned below:

Model Questions

  • What are the privileges and benefits offered by this company to its regular employees?
  • How are the promotional aspects of the company?
  • Please share a list of all the incentives and allowances that are offered by the company to its employees.

Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (Chemist interviews):

Screenshot 2022 09 15 153055

References

  1. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2021/rp/d0rp00193g
  2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42330-021-00139-5
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