16 replies to this topic

[kbarlow86]

I have a interview for a research position at a near by research hospital coming up. I'm trying to write out a few questions I'd like to ask my interviewers but right now I'm at a loss. If you guys could help me think of some things to ask or point me in the right direction, that would be great.

Thanks

[casandra]

kbarlow86, on Apr 12 2010, 10:15 AM, said:

I have a interview for a research position at a near by research hospital coming up. I'm trying to write out a few questions I'd like to ask my interviewers but right now I'm at a loss. If you guys could help me think of some things to ask or point me in the right direction, that would be great.

Thanks

Hi kbarlow86

Welcome to Bioforum. Big interview, eh? I guess you’ve already done the homework  i.e. all relevant info about the lab, the topic and the professor. Do you know who’s interviewing you- the potential boss/supervisor or HR? Anyhow, it’s always good to ask questions during or after the interview esp to clarify points which weren’t clear or too briefly stated e.g. your job description, their expectations, ultimate goals of the project/ lab, assessment of performance etc. If all these were discussed exhaustively during the interview, then perhaps you can ask why the position is open (an indirect way of asking what happened to the person who had it before) or if it would be possible to meet the other people who’d be working in the same lab/department with you- then you’d get a feel of the lab etc…dress spiffy and goodluck…..

casandra

[kbarlow86]

casandra, on Apr 12 2010, 03:55 PM, said:

kbarlow86, on Apr 12 2010, 10:15 AM, said:

I have a interview for a research position at a near by research hospital coming up. I'm trying to write out a few questions I'd like to ask my interviewers but right now I'm at a loss. If you guys could help me think of some things to ask or point me in the right direction, that would be great.

Thanks

Hi kbarlow86

Welcome to Bioforum. Big interview, eh? I guess you’ve already done the homework  i.e. all relevant info about the lab, the topic and the professor. Do you know who’s interviewing you- the potential boss/supervisor or HR? Anyhow, it’s always good to ask questions during or after the interview esp to clarify points which weren’t clear or too briefly stated e.g. your job description, their expectations, ultimate goals of the project/ lab, assessment of performance etc. If all these were discussed exhaustively during the interview, then perhaps you can ask why the position is open (an indirect way of asking what happened to the person who had it before) or if it would be possible to meet the other people who’d be working in the same lab/department with you- then you’d get a feel of the lab etc…dress spiffy and goodluck…..

casandra

Great post, casandra. This really helped me a lot. My last job was in industry doing production, so the world of research is a little strange and new to me. The interview is tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed!

[researcher4life]

kbarlow86, on Apr 12 2010, 09:15 AM, said:

I have a interview for a research position at a near by research hospital coming up. I'm trying to write out a few questions I'd like to ask my interviewers but right now I'm at a loss. If you guys could help me think of some things to ask or point me in the right direction, that would be great.

Thanks

If you already know the name of the people you are interviewing with, try to use LinkedIN as a tool learn more about the interviewer.  This will help you target your answers.  Also, if you know the department you are interviewing with you should be able to look at the people within that department on LinkedIN.  

Research there profiles to know everything you can about them, that way you can target your answers.  Good questions could include, what are the day-to-day tasks I will be responsible and what are the project (monthly) I will be responsible for.  What was great about the previous person in this position and what were their shortfalls.  This is where you follow up with how you meet all those that the last person lacked.

Also, ask them what is the number one thing they are looking for in a candidate and then when you close at the end touch on how you meet those points.

[nicolas]

First, I think you should ask question not only to give a nice overview and looks interested, but to know if the job fits to your expectations.

Then it will depend your position,

technical assistants need to know duration and conditions of contract, material used, methods, possibilities of formations and evolutions.

PhDs need to know about supervising, how will take care about them, papers plan for next months/years. Fundings and collaborations.

Post-doc, if they do not have to write a grant, I think they are aware of danger in a university.

[casandra]

kbarlow86, on Apr 12 2010, 05:25 PM, said:

casandra, on Apr 12 2010, 03:55 PM, said:

kbarlow86, on Apr 12 2010, 10:15 AM, said:

I have a interview for a research position at a near by research hospital coming up. I'm trying to write out a few questions I'd like to ask my interviewers but right now I'm at a loss. If you guys could help me think of some things to ask or point me in the right direction, that would be great.

Thanks

Hi kbarlow86

Welcome to Bioforum. Big interview, eh? I guess you’ve already done the homework  i.e. all relevant info about the lab, the topic and the professor. Do you know who’s interviewing you- the potential boss/supervisor or HR? Anyhow, it’s always good to ask questions during or after the interview esp to clarify points which weren’t clear or too briefly stated e.g. your job description, their expectations, ultimate goals of the project/ lab, assessment of performance etc. If all these were discussed exhaustively during the interview, then perhaps you can ask why the position is open (an indirect way of asking what happened to the person who had it before) or if it would be possible to meet the other people who’d be working in the same lab/department with you- then you’d get a feel of the lab etc…dress spiffy and goodluck…..

casandra

Great post, casandra. This really helped me a lot. My last job was in industry doing production, so the world of research is a little strange and new to me. The interview is tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed!

only a pair of pliers can pry them open .....and just remember that a job interview is two-way and the job should be a fit for both sides...good luck ...

[esspwebmaster]

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Edited by esspwebmaster, 10 February 2011 - 04:50 AM.

[pito]

I have one question regarding interviews: why do they always ask things about the company? I mean: whats the point? Any idiot could look up some trivial information about the company on the net....
I know that the idea behind is to check if the candidate is interessted in the company.. but... I mean: you can play this.. and whats the point that a candidate knows that there are 5 divivions in the company, 290 man working for it and that the budget is 100miljon dollar...

If I did an interview, I would not ask what the company did.. I would ask more questions about the researchtopics and research in general (if its for a researchfunction).

[casandra]

pito, on 10 February 2011 - 08:03 AM, said:

I have one question regarding interviews: why do they always ask things about the company? I mean: whats the point? Any idiot could look up some trivial information about the company on the net....
I know that the idea behind is to check if the candidate is interessted in the company.. but... I mean: you can play this.. and whats the point that a candidate knows that there are 5 divivions in the company, 290 man working for it and that the budget is 100miljon dollar...

If I did an interview, I would not ask what the company did.. I would ask more questions about the researchtopics and research in general (if its for a researchfunction).

perhaps because you want to double-check the propaganda the company puts out there or you wanna get it straight from the horse's mouth...besides, the websites usually give just general info about the company that's why you have to ask for a littl more details...but not the idiotic breakdown of personnel and company income and liabilities...and definitely not about their budget and tax evasion/shelter strategies....but I guess with the research or academic institutes, it would be different.....

[pito]

casandra, on 10 February 2011 - 09:35 AM, said:

pito, on 10 February 2011 - 08:03 AM, said:

I have one question regarding interviews: why do they always ask things about the company? I mean: whats the point? Any idiot could look up some trivial information about the company on the net....
I know that the idea behind is to check if the candidate is interessted in the company.. but... I mean: you can play this.. and whats the point that a candidate knows that there are 5 divivions in the company, 290 man working for it and that the budget is 100miljon dollar...

If I did an interview, I would not ask what the company did.. I would ask more questions about the researchtopics and research in general (if its for a researchfunction).

perhaps because you want to double-check the propaganda the company puts out there or you wanna get it straight from the horse's mouth...besides, the websites usually give just general info about the company that's why you have to ask for a littl more details...but not the idiotic breakdown of personnel and company income and liabilities...and definitely not about their budget and tax evasion/shelter strategies....but I guess with the research or academic institutes, it would be different.....

I see your point, but even then.. I mean: their propaganda will always be good.. they wont take out the trash on their website... LOL
I can understand they you want to know something about the company.. but I cant see the point in an interview where the person from the company asks the "new" co worker stuff like: what do we make here? Or how big do you think our company is? Or do you like our motto from the website.. I mean......

(anyway, I was talking in the perspective of the one taking the interview , the person from the company, not the person that wants to go and work there... I think you missed there or I didnt explain it correctly)

[casandra]

pito, on 10 February 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

I see your point, but even then.. I mean: their propaganda will always be good.. they wont take out the trash on their website... LOL
I can understand they you want to know something about the company.. but I cant see the point in an interview where the person from the company asks the "new" co worker stuff like: what do we make here? Or how big do you think our company is? Or do you like our motto from the website.. I mean......

(anyway, I was talking in the perspective of the one taking the interview , the person from the company, not the person that wants to go and work there... I think you missed there or I didnt explain it correctly)

Ah ok.....you have to be more clear next time......I think that before the interview wraps up (when the interrogation is over or after the polygraph tests ), the interviewer usually asks, "do you have any questions about the company, your job description blablabla...then you have the option of really asking anything you want. It's always better to ask anyways even if it's just to fish for info ....and esp when there are points that are not clear...

[pito]

casandra, on 10 February 2011 - 12:12 PM, said:

pito, on 10 February 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

I see your point, but even then.. I mean: their propaganda will always be good.. they wont take out the trash on their website... LOL
I can understand they you want to know something about the company.. but I cant see the point in an interview where the person from the company asks the "new" co worker stuff like: what do we make here? Or how big do you think our company is? Or do you like our motto from the website.. I mean......

(anyway, I was talking in the perspective of the one taking the interview , the person from the company, not the person that wants to go and work there... I think you missed there or I didnt explain it correctly)

Ah ok.....you have to be more clear next time......I think that before the interview wraps up (when the interrogation is over or after the polygraph tests ), the interviewer usually asks, "do you have any questions about the company, your job description blablabla...then you have the option of really asking anything you want. It's always better to ask anyways even if it's just to fish for info ....and esp when there are points that are not clear...

I agree on that.

[Ameya P]

esspwebmaster, on 10 February 2011 - 04:49 AM, said:

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Isn't this free advertising???? Also, I am totally against some one else writing an essay for you.... How lazy and uninterested could you be?

casandra, on 10 February 2011 - 12:12 PM, said:

pito, on 10 February 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

I see your point, but even then.. I mean: their propaganda will always be good.. they wont take out the trash on their website... LOL
I can understand they you want to know something about the company.. but I cant see the point in an interview where the person from the company asks the "new" co worker stuff like: what do we make here? Or how big do you think our company is? Or do you like our motto from the website.. I mean......

(anyway, I was talking in the perspective of the one taking the interview , the person from the company, not the person that wants to go and work there... I think you missed there or I didnt explain it correctly)

Ah ok.....you have to be more clear next time......I think that before the interview wraps up (when the interrogation is over or after the polygraph tests ), the interviewer usually asks, "do you have any questions about the company, your job description blablabla...then you have the option of really asking anything you want. It's always better to ask anyways even if it's just to fish for info ....and esp when there are points that are not clear...

For me, I like to look at the bigger picture. I dont want to work in a large lab for a company/ institute and not know where am I contributing. If I am doing something, it must be a piece of the jigsaw which I am aware of. Yeah tax evasion strategies is not something I am interested in, but I need a fair idea of what is the customer base like, how much funding would be available, how would the company like to grow, their expansion plans etc etc.

[Adrian K]

wow...what a good brainstorming here.

[pito]

gt_ameya, on 10 February 2011 - 09:44 PM, said:

esspwebmaster, on 10 February 2011 - 04:49 AM, said:

Nice reply casandra its really helpful for others also
custom essay writing

Isn't this free advertising???? Also, I am totally against some one else writing an essay for you.... How lazy and uninterested could you be?

casandra, on 10 February 2011 - 12:12 PM, said:

pito, on 10 February 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

I see your point, but even then.. I mean: their propaganda will always be good.. they wont take out the trash on their website... LOL
I can understand they you want to know something about the company.. but I cant see the point in an interview where the person from the company asks the "new" co worker stuff like: what do we make here? Or how big do you think our company is? Or do you like our motto from the website.. I mean......

(anyway, I was talking in the perspective of the one taking the interview , the person from the company, not the person that wants to go and work there... I think you missed there or I didnt explain it correctly)

Ah ok.....you have to be more clear next time......I think that before the interview wraps up (when the interrogation is over or after the polygraph tests ), the interviewer usually asks, "do you have any questions about the company, your job description blablabla...then you have the option of really asking anything you want. It's always better to ask anyways even if it's just to fish for info ....and esp when there are points that are not clear...

For me, I like to look at the bigger picture. I dont want to work in a large lab for a company/ institute and not know where am I contributing. If I am doing something, it must be a piece of the jigsaw which I am aware of. Yeah tax evasion strategies is not something I am interested in, but I need a fair idea of what is the customer base like, how much funding would be available, how would the company like to grow, their expansion plans etc etc.

I can agree on that, but again: thats from your point of view (the one that wants to work there).
I was talking from the point of view of the "boss" or the one taking the interview from you.

The thing is: I can not seem to understand why a recruiter would ask me "how big" is this company, got any idea about the budget? Do you know in what countries we are located? Do you know who came up with our logo.. (Some questions they ask.. I mean WTF; do they really think I am going to read their yearrapports, financial plans?).
Some "dude" once asked me in an interview if I could name all the "big bosses" , the people from some board or dunno whatever it was.. Like I care.. he then even asked me if I knew anything abou their "financial strategy" (how they made money, arranged the money etc).. I mean I was like : wtf dude, I am hear for a job in the lab.. I dont care about the money, as long as I am payed on time...

I suppose it depends on the company, but here I have heard some pretty strange stories.. about companies organising competitions (like a few days ago someone I know wnated to work for a big advertising firm and the first contest was: "look at those 20 symbols and tell us what company it is" .. I mean??? Do you really need to know all those symbols? And I can imagine: ok its for a job at an advertizing company, but even then .. and the symbols were from stupid unknown companies... whats the point is this? And they selected people based on that....