JOy Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 I just got an interview for a research position tomorrow and I am now nervous. I want to do well and hopefully get it. Any tips will be very much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystelle_007 Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 research interviews are generally pretty chill. maybe its best to brush up on some lab knowledge i.e. techniques. also be sure to read some papers published by that lab I just got an interview for a research position tomorrow and I am now nervous. I want to do well and hopefully get it. Any tips will be very much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOy Posted May 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 Thank you! I will do that! What do you wear? Normal job interview clothes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runningdoc Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 It's an interview like any other interview. Dress nice (don't overdress with a tux, but a good clean dress shirt/blouse and nice pants/skirt work just fine usually). What you wear once in the lab might be grubby, but you are setting a precedent for who you are with that first meeting. Dressing down comes with production in the lab. Mind you, if you are one of those research savants coming in with loads of experience and can really talk shop with the PI, you could probably show up in less...but that would require some very extensive prior knowledge between one another first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystelle_007 Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 different ppl wear different things. some like to suit up but personally i just wore a pair of dress pants and a brown sweater. i even did one of mine in jeans and t shirt because i didn't have time to change hope that helps! don't over stress about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 I attend most interviews in jeans and shirt. Semi-formal. I think your interview will be VERY relaxed (but can depend on the prof). My "lab interview" was ridiculous lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leap87 Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 Just be professional about it. Don't wear like ripped up jeans and a stained shirt. Semi-casual should do the trick. In the end, it's not about what you wear but what you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UTPEOPLE Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 be natural... do a little bit of research into the lab, know the background knowledge of the lab. If he asks you a question about what you know about what the lab is doing, be general. Unless you have prior experience, spouting studies and results that you dont fully understand will lead to your downfall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leap87 Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 be natural... do a little bit of research into the lab, know the background knowledge of the lab. If he asks you a question about what you know about what the lab is doing, be general. Unless you have prior experience, spouting studies and results that you dont fully understand will lead to your downfall. LMAO. I remember spouting studies I had no idea about in front of my supervisor. LOL. I would ALWAYS remember the full name of the study but NEVER the authors. LOL. So I would say a full out title and he would be like "who wrote it?" and i would be like "some guy... i think his name starts with a C" LMAO... I still do it and he laughs every time. hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingStar Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 Yeah they're usually really chill. I went in jeans and a blazer to both of mine this year, but I think as long as you look decent, it'll be fine. My biggest suggestion, like UTPEOPLE said, would be to read up on the prof/doctor's research beforehand and get a general feel, and just relax and be yourself. good luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOC_Ma Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Just show your face and your grades then you will most likely get it. Total casual atire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starling Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Be sure to read a couple of papers from the lab, and make sure you can answer the "why do you want to work in our lab" question. While dressing casually won't kill your chances, be on the safe side and dress up a bit. It can't hurt, and it shows that you're professional and care about the position. If the lab works with patients / research subjects, they're likely to be a bit more formal (i.e. no socks + sandals ), and even more so if it's at a company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supafield Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Memorize IR spectra..... The minute you stumble over the difference between a nitrile and alkyne stretch, you're out..... Or look into the research being done by the lab, know why your interested in it, and present yourself as personable and somewhat professional. Either will get you in the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOy Posted May 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Thank you everyone! I am doing my research into what the supervisor is studying. I asked for details about the position but she did not want to tell me. So I will look into general lab stuff and the topics she is studying. Thanks again! Wish me luck! =) I will dress like I would for a job interview but yea nothing overkill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedDream Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 JOy, If you've already done your interview, I hope it went well! But if you haven't... I actually just did an interview for a research position on Tuesday. I got a "back-up research" position so if the person they chose is sick or declines I'll get it, so maybe don't take all the tips from me... but I do think the interview went quite well. This was for SWEP (Student Work Experience Program) with the federal government. Besides from the "how much experience?" do you have questions, they asked me A LOT of scenario type questions. Things like what I would do if something went wrong in an experiment, what would I do if I forgot some equipment, things like that. They also asked me if I had a valid driver's license and if I am eligible to rent a car. The researchers were really nice and quick with their reply. I think the main thing they were concerned about with me was I just finished first year and would be working alone most of the time haha. With me and my little experience they didn't want to ruin their chances of a perfect experiment (understandable). Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOy Posted May 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Aw it went well!! and yea I am surprised it went very casual. I do have interview tomorrow for another position and I hope it will be the same. Thank you all for your advice =)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shannn Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Some of you go to interviews with jeans??? For all my research interviews, I've gone in with a full suit, resume and transcript in hand, notebook to write down stuff during the interview, always very formal? Wow, some of you have a lot of balls, lol (maybe in a good way?). Maybe I'm just too uptight. But then again, I have gotten several great research positions from undergrad to now (currently working full time at one of the big Toronto Hospitals). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.