Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult patient.
2. Describe a situation where you had to work effectively as part of a team.
3. Give me an example of a time when you had to overcome a challenge in the laboratory.
4. How do you handle situations where you have to prioritize multiple tasks?
5. Tell me about a time when you had to use your problem-solving skills to resolve an issue.
6. Describe a time when you had to adapt to a new or changing work environment.
7. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in clinical laboratory science?

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a structured method for answering behavioral interview questions. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

* Situation: Briefly describe the specific situation or context in which the event occurred.
* Task: Explain the task or goal you were responsible for achieving.
* Action: Describe the specific actions you took to complete the task or achieve the goal.
* Result: Explain the positive outcome or result of your actions.

STAR helps you organize your thoughts and provide clear, concise answers that highlight your skills, experiences, and accomplishments.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Question: Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult patient.

Answer:

Situation: I was working in the clinical laboratory when a patient came in with a complex medical history. The patient was upset and frustrated because they had been waiting for their test results for a long time.

Task: My task was to provide the patient with their test results and explain them in a way that they could understand.

Action: I approached the patient in a friendly and professional manner. I explained that I understood their frustration and apologized for the delay in receiving their results. I then went over the results with the patient in detail, explaining what each test meant and how it related to their medical condition.

Result: The patient was grateful for my explanation and appreciated the time I took to answer their questions. They left the laboratory feeling more informed and reassured about their health.

Why this answer is strong:

This answer is strong because it follows the STAR framework and provides a clear and concise explanation of how I handled a difficult situation. I started by describing the situation, then explained my task and the actions I took to complete it. Finally, I highlighted the positive outcome of my actions, which was that the patient left feeling more informed and reassured about their health.

2. Question: Describe a situation where you had to work effectively as part of a team.

Answer:

Situation: I was working on a project with a team of other laboratory scientists. We were tasked with developing a new test for a rare disease.

Task: My task was to conduct the experiments necessary to validate the new test.

Action: I worked closely with the other team members to design and conduct the experiments. I also kept the team updated on my progress and shared my results with them.

Result: The team was able to successfully develop the new test, which was approved by the FDA and is now being used to diagnose patients with the rare disease.

Why this answer is strong:

This answer is strong because it follows the STAR framework and provides a clear and concise explanation of how I worked effectively as part of a team. I started by describing the situation, then explained my task and the actions I took to complete it. Finally, I highlighted the positive outcome of my actions, which was that the team was able to successfully develop the new test.

3. Question: Give me an example of a time when you had to overcome a challenge in the laboratory.

Answer:

Situation: I was working in the clinical laboratory when I was faced with a challenge. A patient’s blood sample was contaminated, and I had to find a way to get a new sample without causing the patient any additional pain or discomfort.

Task: My task was to find a way to get a new blood sample from the patient without causing them any additional pain or discomfort.

Action: I spoke with the patient and explained the situation. I then worked with the patient to find a new vein that could be used for the blood draw. I was able to successfully obtain a new blood sample without causing the patient any additional pain or discomfort.

Result: The patient was grateful for my help and appreciated the fact that I was able to get a new blood sample without causing them any additional pain or discomfort.

Why this answer is strong:

This answer is strong because it follows the STAR framework and provides a clear and concise explanation of how I overcame a challenge in the laboratory. I started by describing the situation, then explained my task and the actions I took to complete it. Finally, I highlighted the positive outcome of my actions, which was that I was able to successfully obtain a new blood sample without causing the patient any additional pain or discomfort.

4. Question: How do you handle situations where you have to prioritize multiple tasks?

Answer:

I use a variety of strategies to prioritize multiple tasks. First, I identify the most important tasks and focus on those first. I also break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks. I also set deadlines for myself and stick to them. Finally, I ask for help from my colleagues when I need it.

Why this answer is strong:

This answer is strong because it provides a clear and concise explanation of how I prioritize multiple tasks. I started by listing the strategies I use, then explained each strategy in more detail. I also provided an example of how I used one of the strategies to successfully prioritize multiple tasks.

5. Question: Tell me about a time when you had to use your problem-solving skills to resolve an issue.

Answer:

Situation: I was working in the clinical laboratory when I was faced with a problem. A patient’s test results were abnormal, and I had to figure out what was causing the abnormality.

Task: My task was to figure out what was causing the abnormality in the patient’s test results.

Action: I started by reviewing the patient’s medical history and test results. I also spoke with the patient’s doctor to get more information about the patient’s symptoms. I then conducted a series of tests to try to identify the cause of the abnormality.

Result: I was able to identify the cause of the abnormality in the patient’s test results. I then worked with the patient’s doctor to develop a treatment plan.

Why this answer is strong:

This answer is strong because it follows the STAR framework and provides a clear and concise explanation of how I used my problem-solving skills to resolve an issue. I started by describing the situation, then explained my task and the actions I took to complete it. Finally, I highlighted the positive outcome of my actions, which was that I was able to identify the cause of the abnormality in the patient’s test results.

6. Question: Describe a time when you had to adapt to a new or changing work environment.

Answer:

Situation: I was working in a clinical laboratory when the laboratory moved to a new location. The new laboratory was smaller and had different equipment than the old laboratory.

Task: My task was to adapt to the new work environment and learn how to use the new equipment.

Action: I took the time to explore the new laboratory and learn where everything was. I also asked my colleagues for help learning how to use the new equipment. I was able to quickly adapt to the new work environment and learn how to use the new equipment.

Result: I was able to continue working in the laboratory without any problems.

Why this answer is strong:

This answer is strong because it follows the STAR framework and provides a clear and concise explanation of how I adapted to a new work environment. I started by describing the situation, then explained my task and the actions I took to complete it. Finally, I highlighted the positive outcome of my actions, which was that I was able to continue working in the laboratory without any problems.

7. Question: How do you stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in clinical laboratory science?

Answer:

I stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in clinical laboratory science by reading journals, attending conferences, and taking continuing education courses. I also network with other laboratory scientists and share information about new developments in the field.

Why this answer is strong:

This answer is strong because it provides a clear and concise explanation of how I stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in clinical laboratory science. I started by listing the methods I use to stay up-to-date, then explained each method in more detail. I also provided an example of how I used one of the methods to learn about a new development in the field.