Chemist Interview Questions in United States

"When hiring chemists, employers are looking for applicants with scientific knowledge and hands-on experience to perform successful chemical experiments and research. In an interview context, be ready to answer behavioral questions about your educational background and lab experience as well as technical questions that will test your proficiency of chemical theory. Before applying, be sure to know what subdiscipline of chemistry the job falls under and review how your background fits in with the job."

Chemist Interview Questions in United States

Chemist Interview Questions in United States

"When hiring chemists, employers are looking for applicants with scientific knowledge and hands-on experience to perform successful chemical experiments and research. In an interview context, be ready to answer behavioral questions about your educational background and lab experience as well as technical questions that will test your proficiency of chemical theory. Before applying, be sure to know what subdiscipline of chemistry the job falls under and review how your background fits in with the job."

2,473 Chemist interview questions shared by candidates

Top Chemist Interview Questions & How to Answer

Here are three top chemist interview questions and how to answer them:

Question #1: What new developments in chemistry excite you the most?

How to answer: The interviewer wants to get an idea of your excitement for the field and gauge how informed you are about new chemistry advancements with this question. Make sure to read up on the latest developments and trends in the chemistry field on a regular basis and especially before your interview. Answer the question with something that you read or heard about that interests you and explain why you find it exciting and relevant.

Question #2: Tell me something about your research work.

How to answer: Answer this by providing information about your latest or most interesting research. Talk about the goals you tried to achieve, why you were involved in the research, and how it progressed. You can also provide some insight into how it helped your employer. If you are just starting out in your chemist career, talk about your thesis and your work while in school.

Question #3: Tell me about a time you faced a difficult problem at work or during your research. How did you go about getting an answer?

How to answer: Start your answer to this question by explaining a challenge you came across. Make sure you have something to talk about that you were able to work through. You can then provide details about how you solved the problem, whether it was doing more research, reading industry journals, or talking with your coworkers.

Top Interview Questions

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Talecris
QA Chemist was asked...May 2, 2012

What instrumentation are you familiar with?

1 Answers

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HPLC, GC, UV, AA, IC

Sanofi
Chemist was asked...March 4, 2010

You have listed that you have used XXX instrument in your projects. We have the same equipment that we havn't used for some time. Will you be able to use it for our compounds and develop methods?

1 Answers

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I described how I had to develop methods for my project from scratch and how I will be able to do the same for their products. Less

Aerotek
Hplc Chemist was asked...October 26, 2015

What kind of HPLC experience do you have?

1 Answers

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I took my thesis as an example (7 months lab work).

Grifols
Associate Chemist was asked...March 19, 2019

How well do I handle conflict

4 Answers

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I tray to resolve the matter if, I can’t report it to my supper visor.

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I well under lot of pressure stay calm at on times.

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I work well under lot pressure by staying clam at all times.

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International Flavors & Fragrances
Analytical Chemist - GCMS was asked...July 1, 2012

How will you develop a method by Chromatography for a high matrix ed samples?

4 Answers

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trial and error

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Depends on the type of matrix . If proteins present, then electrophoretic method will be good but it's time consuming. If other species, then column and fractional chromarography would be ideal. Less

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Gcms

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CSBio
Chemist was asked...July 25, 2016

First interview Q's: Give me 3 words to describe yourself? What is your spirit animal? Tell me what you know about peptides (chemistry / structure / R groups whatever) Do you know what this company does? Can you explain to me "This experiment/project" on your resume? Second Interview Q's: Have you heard of glassdoor? What do you think of those negative reviews? Why are you interested in this internship? Tell me a little about yourself?

3 Answers

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first of all $15 is worse than flipping hamburgers at innout and that's after your done with internship...and have you heard of Glassdoor...duh and what I think about it? Your company sucks. Less

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yeah, if I didn't read your description, I thought you were offered to flip burgers at McDonalds. Less

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$13 to $15 an hour?? Here are people that are getting paid more: 1) My gardener 2) friend that works in a furnature warehouse 3) Jack In the Box associate from across the street 4) Guy sitting in an intersection holding up a sign that said "help, unemployed veteran..." ...and none of them got your Bachelor's. Just apply to McDonalds, at least you can get same pay with free meals everyday Less

BlueTriton Brands
Chemist was asked...June 26, 2016

Was there a time when a supervisor asked you to do something you weren't comfortable with? How did you respond?

3 Answers

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Yes

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I responded to him for the sake of the high position of him

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And again I was comfortable for his request

Aurobindo Pharma
Analytical Chemist was asked...June 14, 2018

how much hike do you need?

3 Answers

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Quality determines Purity of a compound

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25000 per month

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What is quality

Novo Nordisk
QC Chemist was asked...March 30, 2014

How do you handle conflicts?

3 Answers

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Thank u for your answer.

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Thank u for your answering.

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I told them that I don´t seek conflicts, but if they arise I will do my best to end the conflict. I gave an example of when I needed to act on a conflict. Less

Dow
Research Chemist was asked...August 13, 2010

Have you ever complained about your advisor? If yes, what was it?

1 Answers

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Frankly, it was not the most difficult question, but I was really speechless for a while. Less

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