Chemist Interview Questions with Answer Examples
2. ‘What do you know about our organisation?’
This is one of the most common questions that employers pose to candidates. It is used to assess your research skills and professionalism and to find out how much research you performed before submitting your CV.
The hiring manager does not want to hear that you shipped off your résumé to any company that listed an employment advertisement on every online job board. So, it is best to refrain from being vague about the business, non-profit organisation or government department. You need to be specific when devising your response.
Your answer could look like this: ‘When I came across the firm, my interest was piqued when I found out that one of the organisation’s first contracts was with the European Space Agency (ESA), which placed your firm on the map. I think it shows the tremendous leadership within this organisation, such as your founder, John Smith, and the vast resources your teams have employed to get to the top of the mountain of this industry.’
5. ‘Tell us about your experience and research work.’
This request is for you to explain how your prior work, which likely included plenty of research endeavours, relates to their own needs. To string together a thorough reply, make sure to:
1. Why did you want to become a chemist?
Job security? High-income opportunities? The chance to work on top-secret government projects? While these might be your reasons for entering the chemistry field, you should not be so forthright about your objectives for becoming a chemist. Interviewers want to determine your expertise, determination and dedication in this field.
You can respond to this question by highlighting your genuine excitement for some of the fundamental components of the position, such as the in-depth laboratory-based research or applying your knowledge to everyday issues.
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6. ‘What new developments in the field of chemistry excite you the most?’
The interviewer is trying to gauge your excitement for this field and see if you are in the loop with industry advancements.
However, this question could be tricky if you don’t keep up with the latest news and developments in the world of chemistry. It is critical to monitor developments in your industry.
In fact, for anyone specialising in a technical or scientific field, it is crucial to stay on top of the recent stories, newest trends, and latest industry news. If this is part of your daily regimen, this question should be simple to answer because you could pluck one from your memory in an instant.
Tell us something about your experience and research work
Focus on the practical aspects of your research, the goals you tried to achieve, and how it helped your employer, the University, or the entire human race :). Try to avoid technical terms (I know it’s not always possible, but at least you should minimize the use), because the people leading interview with you will often not understand them.
And if you are just starting your professional career, talk about your thesis and things you’ve done at the University. In this case you can talk also about the future, and the research you want to specialize in (if any), or materials you want to work with. Needless to say, these things should correspond with the things you’d do in a new job.
