Response needed ASAP, pleaseeee

[mdforlife]

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Hi guys,
I need your help.
I have an interview on Friday morning for a research assistant position (cardiac surgery). I just started a postbac program, so my interviewer knows from my cv and resume that I don't have any research experience and that I never took science courses in college.
What kind of questions should I expect at the interview and how should I dress (suit or business casual more appropriate)?

Thanks in advance.
Please respond everyone that knows something. I need it ASAP so that I could prepare for it.

 

[BonBon Doux]

Well, first of all, just relax and be natural...don't try to impress them. Research positions especially for bench research don't require suits...dress semi-formal...so for guys, they can wear nice khakis and a shirt. for girls, black pants and a nice button down or something. Don't go over the top.

If it's for clinical research, then do dress nice since you'll deal with people.

They'll probably ask you "why cardiology" and "why do you want to work with us" and "what are your career goals." they won't ask you what the names of all the valves of the heart or anything...

have fun...and good luck!

All my best,
BonBon

 

[Gleevec]

just show an interest in the field, know a bit about the research going on in the lab, read a couple of their articles ahead of time, that sorta thing.

 

[zepplinfan]

I'm not really sure about he research assistant thing and I worked in bench science mostly (prob. different than cardiac sug.), but I would expect some of the most obvious.

Why do you want to do this research?
Get to know the research u are planning on. You don't have to go to the extent of dnloading actual papers and stuff, but I'm sure they have a website or soemthing or just a general understanding of the field. It also helps to have something that u think is really cool or whatever in the field or the research u are applying for.

RESEARCH is a long long long rollercoaster. U'll have ur good days and there will definitely be times where it's tough.

If you haven't done any research, it's not out of the realm of possiblity for them to ask you why you think you would do well in research? Clearly this is for to decided.
but I would focus on ur STRENGTHS and weaknesses and how they would help in the job.

U could even differentiate between bench research or clinical. Maybe say you would be good in clincial research becase .....whatever.

Anwyays, just be urself and you'll do fine. Oh, and I would suggest you wear a tie, nice pants, etc. (If business casual can include a tie than maybe that) but I would definitely use a tie, portfolio, that kinda good stuff.

Good Luck!
Zep🙂

 

[Mr. Rosewater]

since they know you know nothing, and they're still willing to talk to you, they're probably just looking at your personality. make sure to be eager, pleasent and interested.

 

[greggth]

There may be a problem since you don't have a strong science background. What exactly would you be doing in this position? Is this paid or volunteer? How many hours a week? What do they generally require of applicants?

You should definitely know something about the research they do. But since you don't have a science background, it may be difficult for you to understand any papers they have published. Try to find a review paper written by the head of the lab, that is very general and easy to read and that describes the work they are currently doing. This may require you to go to a university library. Also, get 2 or 3 of their most recent papers and read the introduction and discussion/conclusion sections.

Be prepared to answer the question of why you want to work in the lab. It's acceptable to say you are doing it because you are applying to med school.