What is the best way to discuss your laboratory management experience in an interview?

1 Review the job description

Before the interview, you should review the job description carefully and identify the key skills and responsibilities that the employer is looking for. You should also research the organization and the specific laboratory that you are applying for, and learn about their goals, challenges, and culture. This will help you tailor your answers to fit their needs and expectations, and show that you are a good match for the role.

2 Use the STAR method

One of the most effective ways to discuss your laboratory management experience in an interview is to use the STAR method. This stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, and it is a framework that helps you structure your answers in a clear and concise way. You should describe a specific situation or challenge that you faced as a laboratory manager, the task or goal that you had to accomplish, the actions that you took to solve the problem or achieve the outcome, and the results or benefits that you delivered. You should also highlight the skills and qualities that you demonstrated in the process, such as teamwork, innovation, efficiency, or accuracy.

3 Provide examples and evidence

Another important tip to discuss your laboratory management experience in an interview is to provide examples and evidence to support your claims. You should not only tell the interviewer what you did, but also show them how you did it, and what impact it had. You can use numbers, metrics, or feedback to quantify your achievements and showcase your value. For example, you can mention how you improved the productivity, quality, or safety of the laboratory, how you reduced costs or waste, how you trained or mentored other staff, or how you implemented new policies or procedures.

4 Avoid jargon and acronyms

While you want to demonstrate your technical knowledge and expertise in laboratory management, you should also avoid using too much jargon or acronyms that the interviewer may not understand. You should explain any terms or concepts that are specific to your field or industry, and use simple and clear language that anyone can follow. You should also avoid talking too much about the details or technicalities of your work, and focus more on the big picture and the outcomes. You want to show the interviewer that you can communicate effectively with different audiences and stakeholders, and that you can translate your laboratory management experience into relevant and meaningful insights.

5 Ask questions and show enthusiasm

Finally, one of the best ways to discuss your laboratory management experience in an interview is to ask questions and show enthusiasm. You should not only answer the interviewer's questions, but also engage them in a conversation and express your interest and curiosity about the role and the organization. You can ask questions about the current or future projects, challenges, or goals of the laboratory, the culture and values of the team, the expectations and feedback mechanisms of the manager, or the opportunities for learning and growth. You should also show enthusiasm and passion for your work, and explain why you enjoy and excel at laboratory management, and what motivates you to pursue this career path.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?