Lab assistants work with technical experts, medical professionals, professors, and scientists in performing lab tests and researches. They have in-depth knowledge of laboratory equipment and process samples, classify results, and record findings. Read on to prepare yourself for the big day with sample interview questions and answers.
Sample Lab Assistant Interview Questions with Answers
1. What would you like to tell us about yourself?
I have 3 months of internship experience working with________. My qualifications include a DMLT and BSc degree. I have a keen interest in paying attention to detail, doing lab tests, and maintaining records of the same. During my internship, I was appreciated for my dedication and even received incentives for the same.
2. Why did you choose to be a laboratory assistant?
During my schooling years, my interest developed in learning about the procedures and types of equipment used in the lab. As I started to study it, my fascination kept growing. So, I decided to go for DMLT after completing my 12th. Here, my interest spiked, and I applied for the internship. I am confident, committed, and enjoy the work I do.
3. What roles does a Lab Assistant have to perform?
It depends on the department of a lab assistant. The roles performed are laboratory tests, taking samples, checking daily quality control, making reports, interpreting results, and helping with administrative tasks.
4. What are the skills required to work as a lab assistant?
The skills required to be a lab assistant are relevant qualifications or experience of working in a lab, computer literacy, paying attention to detail, strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and great communication skills.
5. How do you expect to spend a day at the lab?
It depends on the work allotted. A lab assistant may perform clinical duties, such as collecting urine, blood, tissue samples and examining it, or performing administrative tasks like classifying samples, reporting research results, maintaining records, and billing. Reading the job description, I found out that the role demands performing clinical duties.
6. Are you a team player?
Teamwork is always crucial when it comes to lab work. There are many processes involved that need to be in sync if one needs to get accurate results. I have been closely involved and acquainted with testing, report making, keeping records, etc. I can confidently say that I can work well with a team.
7. A lab assistant sometimes needs to work under pressure, how will you handle it?
I believe that the best in a person can emerge only when one is in a state of struggle. Work pressure helps us work out of our comfort zone, and it’s part of learning. Lab work needs accuracy, and I can handle that even in a state of stress.
8. Is quality of work crucial in a lab? Why?
Yes, quality means accuracy. Accuracy is a must in a lab as it deals with the clinical reports of a person’s health. Even if it is related to experiments done to derive certain conclusions, mistakes can lead to the wrong conclusions. This is harmful in clinical and other areas. So, the people working in a lab should be aware and alert.
9. What’s unique about you?
I have a keen interest in helping people. I have the vision to support humanity, no matter what I involve myself in. I see my work as a driving force to impact society and put all my efforts into it.
10. What values are important to you?
I would say that the values most important to me are authenticity, optimism, and efficiency. I believe a person who cannot stay authentic to oneself cannot reach the epitome of success. Similarly, one needs to be optimistic in life, whether one is having a good time or not, because eventually, everything falls in place. I also believe that efficiency in work leads to better results. So, I try to give my best to everything I can.
11. Have you ever worked in an emergency situation?
Yes, during my previous internship, I have been through many emergencies. One such incident took place when a young girl in her teenage had met with an accident. She had lost a lot of blood, and her many impurities had entered into her wounds. She was in a near-death state. We were in charge of all the blood tests and other reports. To save someone’s life is the most striking emergency that can ever be.
12. How will you handle a emergency situation?
Firstly, staying calm and having the right mindset is crucial while working in an emergency. Secondly, a lab worker needs to have precision and accuracy even when dealing with stressful situations like an emergency. Thirdly, having the right resources ready is also very important.
So, I would be composed and alertly tackle the situation by considering the circumstances.
13. A lab assistant has access to confidential information, can you handle it?
In a lab, information such as samples and specimens should be handled only by authorized personnel. I respect the need to keep the information confidential as it can disclose the identity of a person.
14. How will you ensure hygiene, health and safety measures are taken care of?
I will take precautionary care while handling chemicals, especially hazardous chemicals. I would maintain protective equipment to ensure hygiene. When using infectious samples and blood, I would take extra care not to expose them and follow the lab measures and general safety guidelines prescribed.
15. How do you keep yourself motivated?
It is rightly said, ‘do what you love, and you wouldn’t have to work another day.’ I love my work, and it keeps me going. I do feel demotivated at times, but then I remind myself of the reason I started, the achievements I had on the way, and the goals I have. That is enough to get me going.
16. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
I am good at time management and observation. I have keen observation skills and can pay attention to minute details. I am also good when it comes to working in stressful situations. My weaknesses include the inability to express my emotions and say no to others. I try to balance this weakness by keeping a record of the activities lined up on a planner so I can politely decline the tasks that I won’t be able to handle.
17. What helps you to work productively?
I organize my time slots and projects accordingly. I use a calendar, to-do lists, and other resources to prioritize my tasks. This is crucial for a good start. I try to do the toughest tasks while I am still productive in the morning hours. I then keep the easy ones for the afternoon slump and the ones that need the least amount of time for the evening slot so that I can easily do it before the end of the day. If there are any emergencies, I tend to them first and then to the rest of the tasks.
18. What do enjoy most about this profession?
Every day I see that I am helping people around me. I know that I work in the background, and not many people know that I am working for them, but then I see that my efforts prove beneficial for them, and I feel happy. I also enjoy working with chemicals and wonder how they cause different reactions when combined with other compounds and chemicals.
19. What would your previous employer and coworkers say about you?
To be very honest, they had a special name for me and it was ‘fire brigade’. It may sound rather funny, but they had a logical reason behind it. In case of any emergency or urgency, I would be the person everyone would turn to. I pretty much love to work in such situations and would agree that it suited me well.
20. What are your salary expectations?
Looking at the roles, skills, qualifications, and experience required, I believe I fit the requirements well. The average salary is in the range of___to____for a lab assistant and also considering that you have a budget, I am expecting a salary between____to____.
21. Do you have any questions for us?
I do have a few questions in mind, and they are: How am I expected to be working on a day-to-day basis? How would I know if my performance is up to the mark? Are there be any promotions for this position, and what are the criteria for the same? If I decide to pursue some courses along with work, am I allowed to do the same? When will I get the intimation if I am selected for the job?
Conclusion
Best of luck! Do use this as a resource for a better interview. The more creative your answers will be, the better your impression during the interview. If you wish to ask or share something, leave a comment below, and remember the more you share, the more people we have an opportunity to help.
Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for Lab Assistant interviews):
References
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