One of my colleagues has been recently searching for the job in chemistry. After a post-doc at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (which can be rightly supposed as one of the most prestigious scientific institution in the world) she is gathering several job talk experience and was so kind to share them with me.
So, if you are interested, read 10 questions you should ask yourself before the job interview.
The job interview is usually divided in two parts: scientific questions and HR (human resources) questions. Time is splitted equally for both of them. Sometimes, the human resources questions can prevail.
Here, you can see the list of the main topics which you can be asked during the interview. And it has not to be necessary in chemistry.
Scientific questions
- ability to discuss on topic (your research) and off topic science (their research)
- ability to brainstorm
- investigate level of scientific and technical knowledge
- investigate the potential to contribute
HR questions
- How do you deal with someone at work that you don’t like? (C’mon, do you really like everyone?)
- How to you manage a failure? (You never fail? And what about this interview?)
- How do you handle with a major interruption at work?
- How do you cope with stressful situation?
- Why a start-up company/well-establish company (pros & cons)
- For HR questions they want specific examples. On the second interview they may repeat couple of them (just to see if you said a true story)
Let me shortly discuss these nicely collected points.
From the scientific look, you should be able to discuss not only your research (actually, you are as good as possible, preferably the best), but also the research program of the company. How else do you want to show them your serious interest? Moreover, you should have prepared few ideas connecting your research with the research program / products of the company. With this, you already show your potential and skills. And even if these ideas are not really realistic, there are ideas for further discussion.
Moreover, they will be interested in your personality. None of us is as clear as we wish to be. They are looking for someone who can contribute to the production of company. Nowadays, there are no more solitaire scientists locked all days in the foggy laboratories. We are working in (and as) teams.
Of course, your contribution is your contribution and you have to do your work. But we are only parts of the chain. There are people providing you with the results as well as waiting for results from you. And you have to deal with them. Always and with all of them.
Sure, company is always looking for the ideal (existing only in the marketing and job searching books), but we have to be as close to this ideal as possible. Good way how to deal with this issue is reference letter. If someone you worked for confirms that you do not have a problem with cooperation and communication with others than why the company should not trust it?
Looking for the job is very difficult part of our career. Sometimes it can be only matter of time, good luck or right-time-right-place coincidence. But there should be always hard work and results behind us.
Actually, looking for the job is a full time job. Now, we have two … . And we still have to sell our self.
Which is the tricky part.