Adi – Biotechnology Interview Experience Part 3

Adi’s Biotechnology Job Search Experience – Part 1

Adi’s Biotechnology Job Interview Experience – Part 2

On the Day of Interview

So, on the day of the interview I was all ready with my suit and resume in hand and reached the place ½ earlier. So, I was waiting in the reception and receptionist was very polite and gave me few forms to fill and then saw that I was from CA so was asking about it and was talking about the weather in NY during winter.

Guys, just make sure you behave very properly with the receptionists. The HR later told me that they judge people from their conversations and behavior with Receptionists and he told there were been cases were people were not chosen because of bad behavior with receptionists and travel agents. After 20 mins of wait the HR guy came and took me to his office. He was inquiring about my travel and stay. Then he was telling that they have a branch in India which was good and was asking me about all the holiday systems in India. He was amazed that people get so much holidays for all festivals. Then he started the proper job oriented stuffs and explained the company’ mission and the nature of the group for which I was interviewed. He was a real nice guy and gave me so much confidence as if he already offered me the job.

Interview with Scientists

Then the first panel of two scientists came and took me to the interview hall. They already had my resume and one of the scientist asked me to explain my thesis. I explained it and it took 20 mins with lots of questions interrupted. So, then they explained me what they were looking for and what kind of project they were doing.

Later I asked few questions and after 40 mins the next interviewer came. She was the Director of the group and was really tough looking and had very pointed technical questions from my resume. I made sure I was very clear in my answers. By this time you really get used to the ambiance that it becomes just a conversation with other people and not an interview.

She then asked me what I would expect from the group in which I work. I was asking about my possible inputs and some technical stuffs. Then she took me to the lab and got introduced with the RAs there who were all MS grads from various Universities. They took me to lunch and I had a bowl of fruits.

The conversation was very comfy as they started with my vegetarianism and then switched about the weather talks differing in CA and NY then a bit about college football as I was from USC. In between we had talks about each of our research exp in the univsities and they asked me what kind of experience I had. SO that was it basically.

Interview with Director

Then there was another Director who interviewed me then a panel with one Post Doc and a Scientist. All the questions were only from my thesis and intern and nothing beyond it. One guy asked me to explain about my under grad project which was quite un expected and asked about my role in our college symposium in India. So it was all very comfortable and I stayed very easy because everyone were very easy to talk with and no one portrayed any symptoms of a dogmatic interview.

Then after it was all over the main Scientist guys came and took me out to the reception and was talking about forest fires in CA and was telling his experiences in San Diego as he had done his Post Doc in Scripps, La Jolla. Finally he told he will get in touch soon and got me a cab to go back.

So it was all very simple and as the owner of the blog says, simple things like eye contact, confidence and behavior makes you to feel easy throughout. And trust me I was a bit nervous before I went but once you get in and start talking with people its basically a fun conversation.

Job Offer Phone Call

Then on after 2 working days my HR called me and re-checked with my reference details. They had checks with 4 of my references. So then told the result only after 2 weeks and in between I never mailed and inquired about the result. Later they gave me a positive result and the HR was handling the rest.

Interview Success tips

So, from my experience I would say, basic principles are
1. Confidence there is nothing wrong even if it’s a bit more
2. Expressing a great sign of passion for SCIENCE or WHAT YOU DO. They really ask about it
3. Answer only what you know. If you don’t know tell you don’t nothing wrong in it
4. Stay relaxed and most importantly have fun
And, I would really like to thank Raghu anna, the owner of the blog for his great work and advice which is really beneficial.

Related posts:

1. Adi’s Biotechnology Job Interview Experience – 2
2. Adi’s Biotechnology Job Search and Interview Experience – Part 1
3. Interview With Hardeep – I think Biotechnology MS, PSM thing is stupid
4. What to Expect During H1B Visa Interview
5. F1 Student Visa Interview Questions