how to stand out in interviews - finding the right job · pdf filehow to stand out in...

How to stand out in interviews - Finding the right job L5 PSP 2 Module

Nikki Abbott

Bioscience and Chemistry Employment Adviser

Aims of session

Will look at: Interview types Interview preparation and evidencing your skills Assessment centres and psychometric tests Presentations How to maximise chances of securing

placement/summer placement or relevant work experience

Types of interview

1:1 panel telephone video technical or competency

based informal chat part of an assessment

centre

Some examples from previous placements Quotient Bioresearch: informal chat; tour of the facility Sheffield Medical School, Clinical Oncology- Met supervisor in cafe for

informal chat Hammersmith Medical Research: Panel interview, tour Euromimmun: informal chat Royal Hallamshire Hospital: informal chat; 1:1 and tour of facility Uni of Sheffield: panel interview, presentation, tour Sheffield Teaching Hospital: panel interview and practical test (error

spotting on patient samples) Covance, Sample Management: Informal chat and telephone interview Mordelez International, RSSL, Metals Laboratory: Assessment day- 1:1,

telephone, groupwork and presention European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute: video/ skype

Top interview Tips

How to prepare

https://youtu.be/qSylCmes5dw?list=PLus_JeguJ_BnRDA75qSMnUFq_Aozfe6u5

Why the company? Why the

role?

Why are you a good candidate?

What are the main themes of interviews?

How to prepare for your interview

Why the company... Look at their: Core business and values Culture and mission Role or products Look at info from your Employability Adviser Use its website, recruitment brochure, newspapers, trade journals and Careers Central. If it is a research or education institute look at published papers of supervisor or Department personnel

https://careerscentral.shu.ac.uk/applications/company-and-sector-research

Researching the Job

Why the Job

Pay close attention to the job advert they vary in detail, length and clarity

The Job Description and Person Specification contain requirements of knowledge/experience/skills/abilities You need to prepare examples of how you match the person spec Prospects website explore types of jobs industry insights

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/science_pharmaceuticals_sector.htm

Why you? Skills employers seek

Written and oral communication; decision making, time management; commercial awareness; research; laboratory; persuading, influencing and negotiating skills; leadership skills; computing skills; numeracy; striving for excellence; determination; adaptability

Teamworking

Communication Skills

Problem solving

Evidence skills using STAR

Employers often look for examples of specific skills: Prepare examples using: Situation - briefly describe the where/when/who Task - outline the task or objective (what you hoped to achieve). Action - describe what you did - focus on your role and your input. Spend most time on this part. Result - what the outcome was and what skills you developed. Reflection: What would you do differently next time?

Prepare by Evidencing Your Skills Activity Skills Acquired

Practical Degree project/module Designed and conducted experiments Wrote up and presented work to the department

Biochemical techniques, PCR, culturing cells Self-driven and motivated, communication skills (writing and presenting) Interpretation and analytical skills, accuracy and precision

Voluntary work experience Worked on a conservation project

Team working and cooperation Fieldwork skills and fitness levels Understanding of ecology

Bar work during first year

Excellent communication skills negotiating and dealing with difficult customers Accuracy under pressure-handling cash and dealing with orders

Science interview examples and hints

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/ivscience.htm

Prepare and practice answers to potential questions

Think about which questions you may be asked - refer to the job description and person specification

Prepare your 'ideal' answers, making sure your answers are relevant to the role and the company

Provide specific examples about your experience that relate to what the employer is looking for - evidence your skills using the STAR technique

Write your answers down to use as a 'crib' sheet to use to practice for the interview - practise saying the words out loud

Contact Employment Adviser to have a practice interview

Research the types of questions asked by the employer and prepare answers Usual questions are.... Open/Broad questions

"Why did you apply for the role?" "Why do you want the job?"

A real chance to sell yourself and your skills. Focus on the company, the role and what you have to offer- Examples at the end of the PowerPoint

Types of questions

Competency based: "Tell us about a time you have solved a

problem." Use examples to build a mental picture Structure using STAR

Scenario/behavioural: What would you do if you were asked to

carry out a sample test quickly but were already busy?"

Types of questions

Knowledge-based/Technical: "How do you keep your sector knowledge up to date?"

Checking out what you know and how you apply it Commercial awareness

Strength-based: "What motivates you in the workplace?"

Trying to find out where you would best fit Be honest! (GSK)

Types of questions

Extra tricky questions: "What is your weakness?"

Checking out your self awareness Be honest - explain how you've tackled your weakness

Curveball: "Is life a comedy or a tragedy?"

How do you respond under pressure Rationale more important than answer

Uni of Sheffield (oncology and Metabolism)- Drug discovery What interests you in the role? Describe a technique used in the first year Tell us about yourself What are your strengths and weaknesses What is your greatest achievement What are your career goals

Uni of Sheffield (oncology and Metabolism)- Lab Technician Why do you want to work for the organisation Technical questions related to lab skills

Questions asked for trainee Biomedical scientist placement (Sheffield) Tell me about your course and how you are getting

on?

What are your interests outside University?

Where did you see this job advert and how did you apply?

Scientific / Technical Questions: Prepare

research the company's main activities what techniques are mentioned in the job description ask students whove had interview Come and see me

Common Question topics:

Calculations! (Molarities, dilutions, unit conversions etc.) Job specific (theory, practical) Discussion of practical work done at SHU

Practicals

Uni of Sheffield, Lab tech: Health and Safety test; Calculations to decide how many cells per flask are required for a project

Uni of Sheffield, Department of Oncology, Lab Assistant: given a chance to dissect a mouse; molarity question

Heaton Manor School- Lab Tech- Titrations/ making correct dilutions

Abbott Diabetes Care- Student Scientist- maths skill- standard deviations/ %; making up solutions (glucose PBS)

Penistone Grammar School-Making Dilutions; constructing a reflux condenser; making a 250 ml flask of 0.1M acid from1M stock

Others Basic mathematics Dilutions using a pipette Situational judgement with reagents How to calculate the number of cells in a solution Forensic Handwriting- examination of old case Calculation of concentrations Conversion of units Calibrations Informally tested on macrophage markers and some key facts about

them

Cont Lab based:

Give an e.g. of where you have practised manual dexterity in a lab.

Give an example of a practical in your lab classes and what skills you gained.

What are the sub disciplines of microbiology?

Professional:

What does IBMS stand for and what are their values?

If successful how will you balance a F/T job and completing IBMS portfolio?

Examples of how to answer key questions

Abintegro: interview simulator (shuspace>my university>careers central)

Example interview questions- science

https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Interview/scientist-interview-questions-SRCH_KO0,9.htmhttps://shuspace.shu.ac.uk/https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Interview/scientist-interview-questions-SRCH_KO0,9_SDRD.htmhttps://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Interview/scientist-interview-questions-SRCH_KO0,9_SDRD.htm

My favourite website for building up skill examples https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm

How would you go about solving a problem

Give an example of where you have worked as part of a team

Tell me about any projects done.

Technical questions on science e.g. What is entropy? What does HIV stand for?

Other 'Awkward' Questions our Students have Faced:

Topical questions

Weaknesses

Meeting deadlines

Recovering from a bad question

Try to be enthusiastic Show other strengths

Questions for you to ask

Range of interview assessment methods...

Telephone interviews

Telephone interviews are increasingly popular and are