If you’ve landed an interview for your dream job at a life science company, you will be keen to make the most of this valuable opportunity. No doubt it has taken you a lot of effort to put together an impressive CV and personal statement, and you don’t want all that work to go to waste. Here are some tips to help you put in a good performance.
1. Research the company. Hopefully you will have already gained some insight into the lab or company during the application process, but don’t just rely on this knowledge. Read all sections of their website carefully and write out some bullet points to consolidate exactly what kind of work or research they undertake. Case studies are always useful.
Carry out a Google search for any funding or grants they have received, any collaborations, research publications and press releases. Get an idea of the structure of the organisation and how you might fit into it, and form an impression of their mission statement and values. Being a good ‘cultural fit’ is often just as important as training and abilities.
2. Read the job requirements again. You might assume that you already know what these are, but person specifications are often very detailed and there may be things you overlooked during the application process. Write down a response to each point, demonstrating precisely how you match what the company is looking for.
3. Prepare answers to possible questions. If possible, try and find out what the format of the interview will be beforehand. Competency based questions are common in the life sciences sector, so do some research into model answers. They are often based around the STAR method, which stands for situation, task, action, and result.
Check to see if the interview will involve psychometric or other forms of testing, group work, or presentations, so you are not confronted with any surprises on the day. Find out if you will be facing a panel, or if it will be more of an informal one-to-one chat.
4. Be prepared to talk about your work. If you already have scientific qualifications and research under your belt, make sure you can talk about it to the interviewer in an engaging manner, highlighting your achievements. You want to show off your proficiency and hard work, but don’t descend into a long ramble as you will lose the interest of your audience.
5. Be punctual. First impressions are important, and this begins with turning up on time. If it is a remote interview, make sure you know what programme will be used, and that it is installed and working on your computer. If you are travelling, check the route beforehand, and aim to arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of the interview.
6. Establish a rapport. The interview will be a much easier process for all concerned if you can relax a little and establish a rapport early on. Smile and look the interviewer in the eye when you meet, and be ready to chat if they make some small talk before commencing. Finally make sure your mobile is on silent— and good luck!
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