Interview with HR after meeting PI for tech position?

[FirstAndFinal]

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I've worked in a lab before and in order to get the position I had a formal interview with the PI and the lab. They reached out to my references and got back to me after interviewing all candidates and offered me the job. The next step was to sign the offer letter and get started.

This time around, different university, I interviewed with the PI and the lab. Then I was asked for references. Now I'm scheduled to interview with HR before an offer is made. Has anyone had experience with this type of process? What is the purpose of the HR interview (certainly the have very little knowledge of experimental techniques, right?)? How did you prepare? What did they ask? Was there a salary negotiation talk or with universities is that usually a very rigid, preset number?

Thanks in advance. I've heard that these things can be more of a formality but I also don't want to go in unprepared or be in for a surprise.

 

[LizzyM]

It may be that HR handles the legal details such as criminal background check and credential check (that you are legal to work in the US & haven't falsified your academic records). There may be a formal, standardized application to fill out for the university's records.

 

[SDME321]

When I got a job in a lab at my university, I went through the same process (interview with PI then HR). The HR "interview" was just signing forms and being informed about the payroll, validating my ability to work, tax forms, blah blah blah. I can't imagine that your interview with HR will have much bearing on whether or not you get the job.

 

[kami333]

For my current job my PI had already made an informal (verbal) offer, then I had to apply to the job posting and go through HR to apply and accept the formal offer. HR was a formality, had to fill out a couple forms. I think federally funded jobs have to be officially posted and demographic information of applicants/interviewees have to be tracked which adds a bit of paperwork.

 

[FirstAndFinal]

When I got a job in a lab at my university, I went through the same process (interview with PI then HR). The HR "interview" was just signing forms and being informed about the payroll, validating my ability to work, tax forms, blah blah blah. I can't imagine that your interview with HR will have much bearing on whether or not you get the job.

So once you got to setting up the HR interview step you think you pretty much already had the job so long as you didn't come off as a basket case? They "informed" you of payroll eh, no salary negotiation? Yeah, I find that it's pretty typical of universities and lower academic positions (i.e. not faculty) to be TOLD what they're getting, it's never a conversation. They posted the position with a certain salary but HR is having me fill out a form in which I have to list "expected salary" also. Awkward, of course everyone would want more!

 

[FirstAndFinal]

Hello all, just thought I would update everyone with my situation in case someone else is in the same shoes--it's always nice to find answers, even if they're archived.

So unlike kami333 the PI I met with had not made an informal offer before directing me to HR. In fact, at the end of my interview with the PI I was told that 4 other applicants were being interviewed. When I got the HR call I knew it was round 2 of interviews but I didn't know if it was just me or other applicants as well.

HR gave me some very lengthy forms to fill prior to arriving at their interview. I was hoping it would be like SDME321's experience and that my "interview" would just be an offer session. Unfortunately, it was a grilling session. Everything got twisted and turned. I'm pretty sure it was some sort of psychological test.

First while I was waiting in the lobby several people kept passing by, one person in particular 3 times. The receptionist told me my interviewer was coming soon. Turns out my interviewer was the person who passed by a million times. Um, pretty sure this was a test to see how professional I would be while waiting (phone put away, sitting there quietly, passed that test!) Then came lesson #1 for premeds: ALWAYS have a compelling answer for why you want to be a doctor. The PI asked it, the HR person asked it (uh, didn't know I was interviewing to become a doctor...also asked what medical schools I would apply to, why the particular kind of doctor I want to be, etc.), strangers will ask you...just always be prepared. Then a barrage of questions asked as if the person was my friend but clearly meant to trick me. Ex. "Your resume shows that you have done X & Y, this job is X, wouldn't Y be more relevant to becoming a doctor, don't you want a Y job instead?" Well yeah! I would love a Y job, but I am also happy with an X job and this is an X job and I need money and something to do! Lots of twist and turn questions, if you really want a run down PM me.

Once it was finally over and I felt thoroughly beat down--though, I did come off very pleasant and confident, the beat down was on the inside--they had me fill out more paper work. They told me they would check my references, wait for the background checks, talk with PI, etc. and get back to me. Three days later got the call for a job offer. Although, first they called me, left a voicemail to call back that was pure poker face (I don't think a voice expert could have told me whether the job would be offered to me or whether I was done just from that voicemail), then I called back.

Timeline:
Applied-Day 1
Email from PI to interview-Day 7
Phone screen with PI-Day 8
Interview with PI-Day 11
Call from HR to set up Interview-Day 13
Interview with HR-Day 19
Phone offer from HR-Day 22
Start date-Day 39

For every step I was always willing to do things IMMEDIATELY. Other parties were the limiting factor. In fact, the really delayed start day is all HR policy fun, required orientation start dates and such.

Happy research position hunting to all, good luck!

 

[ChrisMack390]

This is not an interview. HR likes to sound important. If the PI wants you, you are in.

This meeting should just be for logistics and things like drug/background screening.