Interview Tips | Project Onramp

Interviewing for a Summer Internship in the Life Science Industry?

“We should remember that good fortune often happens when opportunity meets with preparation.” ― Thomas A. Edison

Company Research is Key

Go to the company’s website, read as much as you can and take a few notes about what they do (i.e. “they work on curing diseases of the eye”).
Look at the company’s social media and posts on LinkedIn, and think of questions you can ask in the interview (i.e. “I noticed you just started a special initiative that you posted on LinkedIn. Can you tell me a little more about it?”).
Learn about the person who will conduct interview by looking at their LinkedIn and also doing a Google search.

Study the Job Description

Read the JD carefully.
Do a Google search on terms and technical skills you do not understand.
Make a note of the qualifications you have that are mentioned in the JD, to make sure you speak about them with your interviewer.
Find class projects you have done that relate to the role, or to some of the skills mentioned in the JD.

Prepare for the Interview

Make an appointment at career services for a mock interview.
Videotape yourself or get a friend to do a mock interview.
Practice answering basic questions (i.e. “Why do you want this job? Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge.”).
Read up on the STAR method, which gives you a simple format you can use to tell a story by laying out the situation, task, action, and result. Read more here.

Make Sure They Know Who You Are

Thank the interviewer at the beginning of the interview for giving you the opportunity to interview.
Prepare a 30 second introduction about yourself. Read about how to create an elevator pitch here.
Know your “whys” (i.e. “Why do you want this role? Why do you want to explore this industry?”).
Try and talk about an accomplishment you are proud of — either an in-class project or a work-related project from a previous role.
Many interviewers ask about a time when you encountered a problem (in a job, in a lab, etc.). Be prepared to talk about how you overcame the problem.
For a technical role, highlight the skills, techniques and software you have learned in your classes, on your own or at another job.

Prepare, Then Relax and Be Yourself

Be early! Prepare to be at your meeting at least 10 minutes early if in person, and 5 minutes early if virtual.
Wear neat, simple clothes without logos or bright designs, and that are not too casual or classified as athletic wear.
If you are interviewing virtually, make eye contact and be friendly – your interviewer is rooting for you! They chose you for an interview, and feel you are a fit for the role.
For a virtual interview make sure you have an uncluttered or blurred background, check your lighting before the interview and make sure you are familiar with the platform (i.e. Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams).
If they ask you about a skill you do not have, be honest but explain that you are eager to learn the skill.
If they ask you about something which you would need to look up later, be honest and let them know that you will get them the answer via email.
Thank the interviewer for their time, at the end of the interview.

Responsiveness is Critical

Respond promptly to company outreach (emails, phone messages, texts) within 24 hours.
Make sure your voicemail box is not full!
Check your spam folder every day, as company emails often go to spam.
Send a thank you email within 24 hours of your interview.
Proofread all emails, or even read them out loud (career services can help you write professional emails).
Companies report that responsiveness and well-written emails are one of the biggest factors in determining “fit” for a role.

–The Project Onramp Team