Lab Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Updated on: July 26, 2016

An interview is not for the interviewer only – it provides the interviewee almost as much benefit as it does to the person conducting the interview. There is a lot that a candidate finds out about the company and the people he or she will work with eventually, during the interview process. This insight can later help you decide if this is your cup of tea or not.

So go to an interview well-prepared and confident, and see how it will help you professionally. And here are some interview questions and answers for your reference:

 

Lab Technician Interview Questions and Answers

What type of work have you handled in a laboratory previously?
I have worked extensively in a scientific laboratory where my main duties were preparing samples and specimens, performing laboratory tests in order to produce reliable and precise data that supports scientific investigations, and designing and implementing safety procedures.

What makes you a qualified candidate to be considered for the position of a laboratory technician?
I hold a bachelor’s degree in science from the Virginia Technical University and possess over 5 years of work experience in a laboratory setting. Demonstrated expertise in performing routine laboratory procedures such as preparation of slides and smears, ability to conduct specific non-routine laboratory tests, deep insight into setting up and operating laboratory equipment, and familiarity maintaining lab records, all make me a perfect candidate to work at this position.

What specific laboratory equipment are you experienced in operating and maintaining?
I am well-versed in operating and maintaining pH meters, centrifuges, titrators and pipetting machines.

Apart from technical work, what other duties have you performed in a laboratory setting?
The work of a lab technician is not limited to performing experiments and tests, and operating equipment. I also pay great attention to auxiliary work such as record-keeping pertaining to samples and specimens, maintaining inventory of supplies, tools and equipment, and ensuring that waste management activities are properly carried out.

How do you make sure that your workplace does not become contaminated?
My modus operandi is simple. I follow all set safety and sanitization protocols before, during and after each test procedure. This makes it impossible for my workplace to become contaminated.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the going got tough but you came out shining?
There was a sample that I was working with, one that had come from an external source and was not obtained in the controlled environment of my laboratory. While performing a test on it, I was bewildered to discover that it matched no other specimen of the sort because of its odd cell structure. I spent 3 days trying to figure it out and eventually came to the conclusion that the sample was contaminated on its way to the laboratory.