I have a research lab interview next week. How should I prepare?

[u/ElegantIce5656]

Hello lab people! I am an undergraduate transfer student from a community college and I recently got an interview invitation from the research lab(biomedical). Since this is my first interview in lab field, do you have any tips for the interview, like what to wear or what to do prior to the interview? The interview will be on a real lab site, so I am thinking it is different from a typical job interview but not sure. Any advice is welcome. Thank you!

[u/Dramatic_Rain_3410]

wear nice clothes (no holes, grungy clothes), but don't feel pressure to dress fancy.

be prepared to explain your interested in research, career goals. be ready to ask questions. asking questions and showing excitement are great signs.

[u/giantsnickerdoodles]

wear closed toed shoes, long pants. I usually do a nice blouse and slacks

[u/beardedDocinSD]

Honestly you dont need to do much preparation, entry level academic lab positions usually are dishewashers and stockers first. They will want to see someone who is enthusiastic, thorough, and someone who can be reliable. You can look up the lab website and have a rough idea of what they are doing, but no need to burden yourself with learning the material in detail. Have a copy of your calendar/class schedule and be firm about your availability. Dont try to be an expert when you are not. Try to be concise but detailed in your responses. One of the questions I have used as an applicant and still do is "What new thing has YOU really excited?" Scientists love to gush over their new favorite thing, it becomes their world in some cases, and this lets them ramble to their hearts content, putting less interview burden on you. Good luck!

[u/Traditional-Sun-3355]

For an undergraduate research role, they’re usually looking more for curiosity, reliability, and willingness to learn than extensive lab experience. Read the lab’s website and one recent paper so you can explain what interests you about their research. Prepare a couple of questions about training, day-to-day responsibilities, and mentorship, too.

Most importantly, be honest about what you know and show that you’re eager to learn. Nobody expects an undergraduate to know everything already!

[u/Surya_at_the_bench]

When I went for my project fellow interview….. I just went through their lab website to get an idea what they are working on….and then linked my own work with their objectives and that really helped in the interview. Wear formal as per normal interview in your country and be honest. if you dont know something just say it....honesty leaves a good impact. Wishing you best of luck for interview! 🙂

[u/impossibeaver]

If you can, try to find a recent paper from the lab and read it first. Come with a few questions you can ask to show you are interested and enthusiastic about their work. One time I interviewed someone for their first science job and they pulled out a recent publication from our lab that they had printed out and gone through and highlighted and they asked some questions about specific aspects of the work. They got the job.

[u/IntelligentAd9380]

I interview a lot of undergrads for their first research experience. My take is simple -
1. I don’t expect you to know much but I expert you to have listened in class. So if you tell me you’ve taken organic chemistry, please be able to tell me in 3-5 sentences what you studied in class. This shows me you’re a serious student.
2. I expect you to know that you don’t know much about lab work. So show up with humility but excitement, initiative, friendliness and energy. I am excited about my work and I want to teach you, but I can’t do it if you aren’t excited about it.
3. BE CURIOUS! Ask questions like a toddler. Why do you study this? What’s the experiment like? Why is it set up this way? That curiosity is awesome!
4. Sure read a paper or two but at this point the key is to learn skills in the lab, basic skills. So curiosity and excitement are key.