- Tell us about your previous research work. …
- What research fields interest you the most? …
- What do you do to ensure you stick to all safety standards in the laboratory? …
- Can you name the most common human diseases caused by fungi? …
- When do you use DNA sequencing in your work?
Microbiologist Interview Questions and Answer Examples
1. What precautions do you take when preparing smears for acid-fast bacillus (AFB) testing?
Hiring managers may ask a question like this to assess your lab experience and whether you understand the correct procedures. Provide a clear, concise answer by listing the specific steps you would take to ensure accurate results.
Example: “First, I make sure I have a new slide available for every specimen. This prevents false positives that can appear from scratch marks on reused slides. Then, I use a thick section of the sputum to make a uniform smear on each slide. I also use clean blotting paper to dry each slide to prevent the smear from transferring to other slides.”
What have you done to further your own professional development in the past 5 years.
The interviewer is asking this question to determine if you are driven and motivated to progressing yourself professionally. Tell the interviewer about any career related courses, leadership workshops, or safety training. If you havent attended many conferences or workshops, then consider how you have gone above-and-beyond in your work to learn from others. You might have a mentor, or maybe youve briefly stepped away from your career to try a new job in the hopes of gaining a new skillset.
“Over the last several years, I have found it extremely valuable to enhance my professional skillset beyond my education and traditional training. As research and collaboration increasingly utilize web- and cloud-based apps and platforms, I took it upon myself to attend a conference on Microsoft tools and applications to bring back to my team. I enhanced what I already knew, and I learned in-depth about apps and functions that Id never seen. The outcome for my team has been overwhelmingly positive. In addition, I joined a local Microbiology Meet-up to network with top professionals in my area and learn from some of their research and experiences. Networking with other professionals in the field has helped me become a better mentor to junior researchers in the lab.”
Explore expert tips and resources to be more confident in your next interview.
Continue practicing by visiting these similar question sets
Continue practicing by visiting these similar question sets
5 interview questions with sample answers
Here are five sample answers to popular microbiology interview questions you might encounter during a job interview:
4. If you noticed one of your colleagues wasn’t following the standard operating procedures while performing a test, what would you do?
Hiring managers may ask this question to assess your ethics and conflict resolution skills. Focus on the steps youd take to maintain the integrity of your research.
Example: “Id start by asking my colleague to explain their process to me to ensure I understand why they chose not to follow the standard operating procedures. While I believe its important to follow protocol, there may be some unique circumstances that require a different approach. Then I would assess the situation and make sure to thoroughly document everything. Ultimately, Id encourage my colleague to share the steps they took with our supervisor to maintain the integrity of our research.
If they refuse to do so, Id discuss the situation with our supervisor directly. As a microbiologist, I believe communicating with other team members is crucial to ensure our test results are accurate.”
