Do you ever wonder what goes through a hiring manager’s mind during an interview? If only you knew what they’re going to ask and what they’re expecting to hear from you. We spoke with a Laboratory Manager, Andrex Lee from Toronto East General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario to give us the types of questions a candidate can expect in an interview.
Here’s a look at a few questions hiring managers may ask and the types of answers they’re expecting for a position in a hospital lab.
Tell me about your professional background?
This is arguably the most important question as it sets the tone for the rest of the interview. Talk about what’s applicable, keep it short, to the point and avoid going into your life story. The hiring manager wants to know about relevant information such as your recent professional achievements, educational background, experience working in the field, specific unique skills and your professional goals.
Why do you want this job?
This question is asked to determine your reasons of interest in the job and to get a sense of how you’d fit and add value to the lab. If you are only interested in the position for the money or the convenient commute, you’ll give off the impression that you’re not really dedicated to helping the lab succeed. Avoid saying you know someone or have friends that work there. Instead, explain how the position can help you achieve your goals, compliment the healthy work environment and indicate that you could see yourself there long term.
Why should we hire you?
This question gives you the opportunity to reiterate your most impressive strengths and describe your most memorable selling points, tailored to align with the top requirements in the job description. Your answer should summarize the top three or four best reasons to hire you and should include a combination of technical skills, soft skills, key accomplishments, and industry experience.
How would you cope with conflict in the workplace and what steps would you take to dealing with conflict?
Even though it may be uncomfortable to answer this question, it’s important to focus your answer on the behavioural process of resolving conflict. This will show that you’re aware conflict happens in the workplace and you’re familiar with ways to assess a situation and the appropriate steps to take to resolve it. Having the ability to effectively communicate with other health care workers in the hospital such as nurses or doctors will show that you can work collaboratively amongst other professions. If you’re able to, give an example of a time when you effectively resolved conflict.
Hiring managers are looking for someone who will best fit the position and who will understand the culture. They are evaluating how you would complement the lab and add another dimension to the position.
Now that you have a better understanding of what hiring managers are looking for, focus on showing that you can do the job, that you want to do the job and how you’re the best candidate for the job.