How to Interview for a Biotechnology Job

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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Each day, the biotechnology industry makes stunning advances that push the horizon where business meets science. One of the products of the industry's rapid growth is the creation of high-paying, career-tracked jobs. However, with or without a science background, interviewing for a biotech job is a challenge. So, follow these steps to perform well in a biotechnology industry job and move closer to a well-paid and sophisticated career.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step1

Bring a CV. Even though you might have submitted a resume to your biotechnology job, bringing a CV to the interview shows your interviewers that you're in step with biotechnology industry norms (the industry relies on CVs rather than resumes) and will give the interviewers a paper reminder of your skills and personality to keep with them after the interview.

Step2

Research the company as a business. Researching the biotechnology company before the interview is a fairly intuitive step. However, it's important for you to research the business aspect of the company, especially if you do not have a science background. Even with a science background, though, the science aspect of the company is usually so specific that it's difficult to speak about without having hands-on experience. So, look at the firm's age, size and general areas of interest so you know enough to have a conversation.

Step3

Focus on your procedural skills. Whether you are seeking a position in accounting, research or even marketing, one of the most important qualities to a biotechnology firm is an ability to stick to procedure. Biotechnology companies are high-stakes, high-risk enterprises that are heavily scrutinized by a host of oversight agencies. Lapses in procedures can spell doom for a biotech firm so companies look for candidates who understand procedure and are good at following it closely and efficiently.

Step4

Stay in your league. Speaking vaguely about molecule chains and polymers is not the way to get through a biotech job interview, especially if you are not a professional scientist. Speaking about industry trends you've noticed, your business experience and the personal qualities that make you good at learning and doing a job is the way to go. So, even if an interviewer starts asking science questions don't get nervous or start ad-libbing; feel free to say that you are not familiar with the subject but are eager to look into it, and steer the conversation towards your learning curve and work ethic.